Tent Meeting at Shelby, Mich by John N. Loughborough; Merritt E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Aug 22, 1854

Tent Meeting at Shelby, Mich.

By John N. Loughborough; Merritt E. Cornell

OUR Meeting in this place commenced July 8th, and continued over three Sabbaths. Our congregations were quite large, considering the busy season of the year in which our meeting was held. Our congregation each Sabbath numbered about 100. On First-day, July 9th, we had about 600 out to hear the reasons of our faith. July 16th our congregation was about 1200, and the last day of our Meeting,

the 23d, about 2000 were present, as stated by many competent judges.

The increase of interest in this meeting from the commencement to the close was as great as the proportionate increase of the congregation. Instead of an uneasy, restless spirit, among the congregation, as is sometimes apparent in such a large concourse of people, the congregation were quiet and gazed steadily, anxious to catch every word from the lips of those addressing them. An interest seemed to be awakened throughout the community on the subject of the Sabbath; and many admit the truthfulness of our position. Some we trust will move out and obey the truth. At these meetings we sold upwards of $50.00 worth of books. These silent messengers we trust will settle conviction on the minds of those who thoroughly peruse them. Pressing invitations were given us by many individuals, men of influence, that we should return that way again, with the Tent if possible. If we could not come with the tent, they promised us that we should have the use of a large Academy in which to give a course of lectures.

When we stated to our congregations that their ministers could not establish Sunday-keeping by the Bible, they seemed anxious that they should try it: accordingly one Elder Russell came to present a discourse to the people, showing the claims of Sunday-keeping. This was on the last day of our meeting. We gave a discourse at 8 o'clock, in which we endeavored to maintain from scripture the three following positions: 1st. The Sabbath is not a Jewish institution; for it existed 2500 years before the commandments were given to the Jews. 2d. The fourth commandment, enforcing the Sabbath, required the observance of a definite day; and that the seventh. 3d. That Seventh-day is still to be observed; because that requirement (the fourth commandment) has never been altered, or abolished. At 10½ o'clock, Elder Russell, a minister of the Methodist Church, followed with a discourse in which he endeavored to fasten the observance of the first day of the week upon the fourth commandment. This controversy was carried on in candor, and the sequel was, many were convinced that we had told them the truth as to Sunday-keeping not being a Bible institution.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. M. E. CORNELL.