MICHIGAN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 20, 1877

Mich. T. and M. Society, Dists. 6 and 7.

Dec. 1, 2, we were with the Lyons church. Three were added to the church by baptism, making thirty in all. Nearly all took hold of the tithing plan. The pledge for 1878 was raised above that for 1877.

We went to Orange the 3rd. This church all came up nobly on all points of the S. B. and T. and M. work. When the finances were arranged last year, one brother, who had used the Lord’s part, came to the meeting very sad, and we could not induce him to pledge for 1877; but he went home resolved that he would render to the Lord the things which are the Lord’s during 1877; and the result is his tithes are more than double what his S. B. would have been, and he was ready to pledge for 1878. And the best of all was, he had had the blessing of God all the year.

At Sheridan, there is a church of nine members, and more to come in. The S. B. and T. and M. funds were fully organized. They have secured a good hall in which to hold their meetings.

We were at Bushnell the 6th. This is quite a large church. Not all of them see the importance of not “robbing God.”

Friday evening we reached Carson City, and remained till Monday. At the close of the second sermon on Sabbath, nearly all in the house came forward to seek the Lord, some of them for the first time. They have promised to be punctual to all their regular meetings. Their S. B. pledge for 1878 is about $280. They add the one-third. Two were added to the church by baptism, they now number forty-six, and we know of no church in these districts that has better opportunities to do good than this one has.

The records of Dist. No. 6 show 307 members, with an S. B. pledge of $1713.65; T. and M. $556.89. The S. B. pledge for 1878 is $188.99 more than that for 1877, the T. and M. $84.24. Ionia and Montcalm Counties have, including children, 585 Sabbath-keepers, and their entire pledges amount to $2,640.

A. O. Burrill. Franklin Howe.

Mich. T. and M. Society, Dist. No. 9.

Our meetings have been held, thus far, according to appointment, except the one at Tuscola, which was held Dec. 6. The meeting at Vassar, Nov. 24, 25, was well attended, the members of the church, with but few exceptions, being present. Their S. B. for 1878 does not fall below that of the past year. They take twenty-four copies of the Signs, and two hundred Annuals. We found the church united, and left them determined to work more earnestly than ever. They number forty-one members.

Elmwood.

Elmwood is a church of nine members. The S. B. for 1878 is $106.20. They take eight copies of the Signs, and one hundred and fifty Annuals. They expect to take eight more copies of the Signs soon. This is a good field for labor. We were well paid for our trip here in the good meeting held. Bro. Doud was obliged to leave me here, and Bro. Wm. Lockwood accompanied me to Fairgrove.

Fairgrove.

The church at Fairgrove had been in serious trial for years, but we trust that their difficulties are effectually settled. In no place have we found a company that came up with more cheerfulness and alacrity than did this church, and our meetings, continuing nine hours in all, resulted in all we could expect. Their S. B. was raised over $20. They take fifteen copies of the Signs, and dispose of one hundred and sixty Annuals, paying for them. If they do as they have promised, we predict for them prosperity and an honorable name among the churches. They will try to build a house of worship.

Watrousville.

The Watrousville church numbers twenty-eight members; T. and M. members, seventeen. We found at this place an excellent interest to hear, and many not of us were disappointed that we could not stay at least a few days. Brethren and sisters came fifteen miles over bad roads, and one sister walked seven miles to the meeting. The house of worship was well filled; there were delegations from all the churches in the county. The best of interest was taken in the word spoken, and our business sessions were harmonious. They take sixteen copies of the Signs and one hundred and fifty Annuals.

Tuscola.

There are but eleven names on the church book at Tuscola, and, few as the members are, they are much scattered. On account of sickness, but six could get together. The S. B. and one-third amount to about $52. They take four copies the Signs, and one hundred Annuals.

Thetford.

We reached Thetford, Dec. 8. I preached twice, and held one satisfactory business meeting. The outside interest was good. On first-day morning the large school-house was well filled, and the interest was deep. Here, as at Elmwood and Watrousville, the most earnest desires were expressed for a series of meetings. No doubt such effort would be successful in adding to their numbers. There are sixteen members, and others are about to join them. Their S. B. is $106.

Dec. 9 we were at Mt. Morris, but on account of the absence of the principal officers of the church, we concluded to postpone the meeting here till Dec. 24.

This evening, Dec. 10, we expect to hold our first meeting in Dist. No. 8, at Birch Run. The one thousand Annuals apportioned to Dist. No. 9 are probably already doing their work. Eighty-seven copies of the Signs, we might say ninety-five, as eight more will go to Elmwood, will reach many homes that do not now know the truth, during the year 1878, and the aggregate of S. B. is quite largely increased. I am constrained to say that my work has been comparatively easy because of the energy and method with which Bro. Doud’s work has uniformly been done, and I am not far from believing that a good director will make a good working district.

D. H. Lamson.