Jackson, Mich., Conference.
By Joseph Bates
THIS Meeting continued four days, at the close of which, we attended to all the ordinances of the gospel. The church here have been wading through manifold trials, and buffetings of the Enemy; but God in answer to prayer, as we conformed to the gospel rule, endowed his children with grace, which caused love and unity to prevail throughout the church. O, how sweet to commune with saints of like precious faith, and feel the cheering evidence that God for Jesus' sake, is bestowing upon his waiting children, such rich tokens of his love, to cheer, strengthen and encourage them to pursue the onward course. Five were baptized in the name and faith of the coming reign of the Lord Jesus; one of them a daughter of Bro. Smith of this place, in her eighth year. She testified to her love for God's holy Sabbath, and moved like one that had counted the cost. Some that came nearly one hundred miles to attend the Conference, after hearing the explanation of our present position respecting the ending of the 2,300 days in 1844, and the third angel's message that must necessarily follow, requiring the keeping of all the commandments of God, confessed and embraced the whole truth. Others that had recently began to keep the Sabbath were confirmed and settled that there was no other present truth, if these points were yielded. Bro. M. E. Connel of Tyrone, Mich., who had traveled many hundred miles to attend a Conference appointed by the Advent Harbinger, to convene in Rochester, N. Y., last May, had recently returned unsettled in his mind, relative to the "present truth." He came to our meeting, with his companion, to hear what the Sabbath-keepers advocated. The meeting was referred to an article published in the Harbinger of June 12th, entitled, "The Sabbath and the Lord's day, from Dr. J. Thomas' Elpis Israel. At the close of the Conference, the next evening was appointed to examine the subject, with scripture testimony. At the close of the examination of the subject, Bro. C., who had been so anxious to hear how it could be answered, declared himself for ever free from such unscriptural arguments, and said, henceforth he would keep and teach the Sabbath of the Lord our God, with all his commandments. He is a professed public teacher of the Second Advent doctrine. His companion also, and another sister came out and confessed the Sabbath, and decided to keep it. Thus we were "richly compensated," and thanked and praised the Lord. We also read to the meeting the earnest request of the editor of the Harbinger, viz: "Read the article on the Sabbath with care, and a true desire to know the truth, and you will be richly compensated for your labor." If the editor of the Harbinger still insists that his brethren and sisters fall from grace by embracing the Sabbath, it will be better for him not to recommend Dr. T.'s prescription. I now expect to labor between Detroit and Michigan City until the next Conference, which is appointed to be held in Albion, Wis., July 16, 17 and 18. JOSEPH BATES. Jackson, Mich., July 1st, 1852.