This meeting convened according to appointment in the REVIEW. Brethren from Cooper, Otsego, Trowbridge, Allegan and Grand Rapids, came to join with the church in Monterey, to offer thanksgiving and praise to the Most High for the good work which he had so recently accomplished in bringing so many from darkness to the glorious light of the Third Angel's Message. We found Bro. Cornell laboring with the church when we arrived to attend the appointment.
Our hearts were made glad, and our resolutions renewed to continue our labors in the wide-spread harvest field of our dear Redeemer for the salvation of souls, while listening to the fervent prayers, pointed exhortations and cheerful songs of the brethren and sisters, rejoicing in the Lord, who but a few months ago were entirely ignorant of their position in the Third Angel's Message. Truly God is good and meriful, "and his going forth is prepared as the morning." He is giving edge to the pointed, cutting, burning truths of the Third Angel's Message, and mustering his host to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.
The word of the Lord was listened to with deep interest, and the meeting continued to rise to its close. When the subject of our lukewarm position in the Laodicean state of the church came up, there seemed to be almost a universal response to "bring all the tithes into the storehouse, and prove the Lord to open the windows of heaven, and pour upon his waiting children the promised blessing.
The presentation of the sure word of prophecy concerning the speedy coming of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the immediate preparation of his living saints to meet him at his coming, aroused and quickened his dear children in the meeting, to come up to the standard, and move forward in the great crowning work of God; and be in readiness for that auspicious hour.
After the meetings closed, we witnessed the deep anxiety that some of the believing parents felt for the salvation of their children, and the deep contrition of the children, seeking forgiveness of their past wrongs and prejudices, in hindering each other in their progress and holy living before God. It seemed like the dawn of that day so long foretold by the prophet Malachi in the close of his prophecy, just before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Satan manifested his "wrath," through the companion of a brother who had come to the appointed place for baptism. She in a most unbecoming blasphemous manner attempted in every way to prevent her husband from being baptized, while he was most decidedly determined to obey his Lord and Master. After he was baptized, contrary to her repeated declarations, she returned home with him, and (I learn,) has confessed the very wrong course she pursued. The non-resistant spirit manifested by the husband has caused Satan to be ashamed of his work.
Since the conference I have been holding meetings in Trowbridge where some good I trust has been done in the name of Jesus. I have now just returned from baptizing four who manifest a strong desire to keep all the commandments of the Lord.
After the conference Bro. Cornell left to commence a series of meetings at Three Rivers. I am now preparing to go to Newark on the Lake Shore. I feel encouraged to go forward in this great crowning work of God.
JOSEPH BATES.
Trowbridge, Mich., Nov. 23th, 1856.