Letter from Bro. Bates.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. SMITH: On leaving Battle Creek on the morning of Oct. 30th, we traveled westward about twenty-five miles until the darkness of the night and a driving snow storm admonished us to seek a shelter by the wayside. In the morning the family listened to our present position, and prayer, and expressed a wish to hear further. When we called for our horse and bill of fare we were told that we were welcome to our entertainment. We left them books to examine still further, believing that the last Message of mercy would quickly pass around “to many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings,” if all other families were apparently as free from prejudice as this one. An hour's ride brought us to Bro. C. N. Russell's, where, upon inquiry, two district school houses, in Cooper and Cooper Center, were offered us to present the Message for the first time. In these we have been holding series of meetings during the week. The almost continued stormy weather has prevented many from attending. Still we believe God's blessing has been manifest in awakening some who have become much interested in the truths we have presented, and some others have fully embraced the Sabbath of the Lord and the Faith of Jesus. Two have been baptized. We met with the church at Otsego the first Sabbath in the month. They are seeking to know the whole truth, and to rise from the Laodicean state of neither cold nor hot, and let Jesus in at the door of their hearts to sup with them and they with him. Last Sabbath we enjoyed a very interesting communion season before the Lord. Bro. Russell's two sons, who are of age, came out decidedly, and publicly declared their faith in the present truth, declaring their determination to their parents, that they would, by the help of God, go to heaven with them and live for ever. Others communed for the first time. Two young men, part of a family recently from Holland, attended our first meeting. On the morning following, our second meeting, they came with their father to Bro. Russell's. The father brought his Dutch Bible to have us explain and show him the Bible argument for the second appearing of the Lord, and keeping the seventh day for the Sabbath. As their chapters and verses are marked similar to the English, we were enabled to mark them for him, and as he read we pointed to the earthly kingdoms and angels' messages, &c., on the chart. They seemed very much impressed with the testimony as they read it from their own Bible. We asked them if they ever heard of the second coming of Christ in their own country. They replied that they did in 1843, but said that was a mistake. So say the people from other nations, which proves conclusively that the announcement of his coming has been made to every nation upon the earth. I am glad our German tract is so near ready to be issued, and hope it may also be translated for the Hollanders and Norwegians who are calling for the present truth. Our next appointment is in the town of Plainfield to commence this evening. From thence we are invited to attend a conference with Bro. Cornell, which is appointed to be held in Monterey, Allegan Co., the 14th inst. Cooper, Mich., Nov. 11th, 1856.