Meetings in Northwestern Michigan
By B. B. Brigham
From Bro. Brigham to Bro. Rhodes.
DEAR BROTHER: Our dearly beloved Brn. Case and Andrews are now giving the message in this north-western part of Michigan. Last Sabbath and First-day we met at Bro. D. Kellogg's in Ionia. In comparison with some meetings you have at the East, you doubtless would have called it a day of small things; but it seemed to me by far the best meeting that I ever enjoyed. To tell you the truth, we had been almost starved to death. Bro. Andrews on First-day morning took up the commandments of God. I had read his writings, and my expectations were raised; but I think the Lord gave him unusual liberty. The whole discourse seemed new, and I could but say, "O, how love I thy law." In the afternoon Bro. Case spoke on the Sanctuary with fervor, unction, demonstration of the Spirit and of power. How dangerous the position of those who reject, after having the blood of the covenant so clearly exhibited to their view. He who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy. He who accounts the blood of the covenant an unholy [common] thing, and treats the Spirit of grace with contempt, is worthy of much sorer punishment. I hardly know of anything that grieves me so much as the desperate opposition of the Harbinger, to that law which Paul calls holy, just and good. How void of consistency, to fight God's Holy Day, and those who keep it, and plead that there is no Sabbath, while the same writers know that the whole Catholic and Protestant world, including the kings of the earth under their influence, sabbatize Sunday, and the writers in the Harbinger with them. Doubtless J. Marsh, and his associate writers would consider it a grievous slander to be accused of not keeping Sunday. I find but little if any satisfaction in conversing with professed christians of any stamp. "Ears have they but they hear not, eyes have they but they see not." Though treated with disdain by my former advent brethren whom I dearly loved, and though I feel lonely in a dry place and weary land, yet I meet with nothing now that I dare call great afflictions. At no very distant period I look for something that will try men's souls, and will draw a line between him that serves God and him that serves him not. I hope never to forget the mercy of God in sending you here to look for the lost sheep. You met with abusive treatment to be sure from those who claimed to be God's peculiar people; but your Saviour endured still more bitter persecution from a similar class. To the wise and observing, such events are more effective than preaching. My prayer is that you may endure afflictions, and do the work of an evangelist. Adieu,
B. B. BRIGHAM.
North Plains, Mich., Feb. 17th, 1852.