MICHIGAN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 11, 1878

Labor among the Churches.

On the evening of June 30 we closed a series of meetings at Gaines, Kent county, which had continued for ten days. Had it not been for the fact that we were in a farming community at a time when haying and harvesting were just being entered upon, we should have continued our meetings longer, as the interest was good from the start and promised to increase.

On the 29th of June ten persons were baptized, all of whom united with the church upon profession of faith. Two of them entered upon the service of the Lord for the first time during our meetings; the remainder had previously made a profession of religion. Baptism was administered by Eld. E. H. Root, who came to the place for that purpose, and whose experience has qualified him to administer the ordinance successfully.

Never before has it been our privilege to witness the baptism of ten persons all of whom were in the morning of life, the youngest being thirteen and the oldest about twenty-five years of age. We were forcibly reminded of the saying of John, “I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong.” May God grant that the future lives of all those who have thus publicly put on Christ, may illustrate the “strength” of those who early in life commence the service of the Master.

We left the church, which is small, with a membership increased by about one-third, and evidently encouraged to renew with fresh vigor the contest for the truth of God and the race for eternal life.

W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

Central Lake, Antrim Co., June 30.

We commenced a series of meetings at this point last Sunday evening, June 22. The attendance is small, but increasing. Good attention is paid to the word spoken, and some are already convicted of their sins and feel an anxiety to become Christians. We, feeling our weakness, still desire to be remembered at the throne of grace.

R. T. SISLEY.

Clam Lake, Antrim Co., June 30.

Since our last report, others have taken a stand with us, until there are twenty or more keeping the Sabbath. They have much to do in overcoming their evil habits, and in perfecting Christian characters. Many have never felt the pardoning blood of Christ, and need to seek a deeper work of grace. We remain with them another week to help them in this direction, then expect to commence a series of meetings about sixteen miles north of this place.

JOHN SISLEY.

Birmingham, July 1.

The interest here the past week has been quite good considering the busy season of hay-making, the congregations averaging about one hundred and twenty-five. Bro. M. S. Burnham joined us on Thursday. At our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath, seventy-five were present, and nineteen gave in their names to keep all the commandments. Probably enough others are keeping the Sabbath to swell the number to twenty-five. We hope for others. Have obtained six more subscribers for the REVIEW, making sixteen in all.

J. O. CORLISS.

WM. POTTER.

Tent No. 3, Hickory Corners, July 5.

Our meetings have been well attended since our last report. Some are interested. We had our smallest congregation the evening before the Fourth. We have just introduced the Sabbath question. The people appear friendly; some have expressed themselves as troubled about the Sabbath.

Cannot report as much progress as I wish I could. Pray for us.

T. M. STEWARD.

Twin Lake, July 1.

I visited Shelby, Oceana county, and spoke once on the Sabbath and twice on Sunday. The church had a business meeting on Sunday. Four persons were taken into the church, the T. and M. work was revived, officers were elected, five copies of the SIGNS were taken from Bro. Newman's hands and transferred to the vigilant society, and some books were placed in the town library. The brethren seem determined to take hold in earnest, and to work in union and harmony. I have spent the succeeding Sabbaths at Twin Lake.

June 5 and 6, I visited some Swedes and Norwegians at Holton and vicinity, Bridgeton, and Fremont Center. Sold and gave away some books, and obtained three subscribers for the HERALD. One Swedish family became very much interested.

Wednesday, June 12, I gave a lecture on temperance and hygiene, at Holton. The audience paid good attention. A young German came on foot twenty-three miles to see me, and learn about the truth. The next Sabbath he kept as his first Sabbath. We have good Sabbath meetings at Twin Lake. Sometimes the friends from Whitehall and Montague attend. One family has gone to Minnesota. Another person has signed the covenant. There are ten or eleven more who desire baptism. The Sabbath-school is prospering. I have received one subscriber for the TIDENDE.

Pray for us.

G. A. CARLSTEDT.