DEDICATION AT LAKEVIEW, MICH.
By W. H. Littlejohn
WE left Allegan for Lakeview on the morning of the seventeenth of May, and reached the latter place at about eleven o’clock P. M. The object of our visit was the dedication of the meeting house which has just been completed and was ready to be devoted by formal action to the especial service of God. The day following our arrival, which was the Sabbath, was devoted to preaching and devotional exercises. The weather was unfavorable; but the representation of brethren present from a distance was very encouraging. Quite a number were in attendance who live thirty or forty miles from Lakeview, many of whom seldom enjoy the advantages of public worship. On Sunday, May 19, the house of worship was formally dedicated. On this second occasion on which service was held in the new house of worship, it was filled with a congregation as orderly and attentive as we have often addressed. The exercises passed off pleasantly in every respect, and the occasion was one of general congratulation and thanksgiving. The brethren who had been instrumental in rearing the meeting-house, as they witnessed the results of their labors and the new order of things upon which they had entered, seemed at times to be overcome by their emotions and incapable of expressing the depth of their gratitude. The church itself was acknowledged by all to be neat and tasty. We think it is constructed upon the model of the one in Carson City. Two hundred and fifty persons can be seated in it without difficulty, and it seems to be furnished with all the needed appliances for worship, among which is a fine Mason and Hamlin organ. At the time of the dedication, the bell had not yet arrived; but funds had been provided for its purchase, and it is expected that it will be placed in the tower without delay. What is remarkable in the case is the fact that it is less than one year since Eld. A. O. Burrill completed his course of lectures in the place, leaving a church of between thirty and forty members where previously there had been no organization whatever, and only two or three families of Sabbath-keepers. What is also remarkable and gratifying is the fact that they entered upon the occupation of their meeting-house free from debt, and, therefore, without the necessity of appealing to those present for help in any direction. After the dedication we remained here and preached on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, the attendance and interest being very good. Eld. J. Fargo and G. H. Gilbert were present and rendered valuable aid. The latter remained to continue evening services for a time. During this trip Bro. C. C. Lewis, of New York, has accompanied me taking the place of Bro. M. S. Burnham, with whom I have labored very pleasantly and satisfactorily since the last camp-meeting, and who is to be connected with one of the tents during the present summer.