Letter from Bro. Bates.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. SMITH: Since I returned from Manlius, Dec. 11th, the way has been opening in various places in Allegan Co. I have been holding protracted meetings in the district school houses in the towns of Watson, North Trowbridge, Monterey, and Hopkins. In the first named place Bro. Cornell preached four evenings and then left for Battle Creek. We followed and gave six more discourses. The enemy was much troubled, and measures were taken by some to annoy and confuse the meetings; but the greater portion of our hearers were anxious to hear, and hence order was restored, and continued to the close. Several acknowledged our position, and some have united and held meetings on the Sabbath since we left. We have appointed to meet with them again the coming Sabbath. Our meetings in Hopkins commenced on First-day, Dec. 28th, and closed Jan. 1st. Some became deeply interested, and wished to hear further. We made another appointment to meet them at their school-house the next First-day, and evening, Jan. 11th, when we hope the anxious ones will become decided for God and his last Message. There are two ministers in the vicinity. The people were anxious they should hear respecting our position. We visited them, and endeavored to interest them to hear. The Methodist elder decided that our position was without foundation in the Bible; therefore he should not attend. Eld. Wheeler, of the order of Disciples, came two evenings. The last evening he occupied nearly an hour in making statements, and disproving our position respecting the date of the Popes' commencing their reign, and that the seventh-day Sabbath was not binding; and further, that the ceremonial law was blended with the moral law, hence it was not of that importance under the gospel as had been shown. As it was too late in the evening to reply to his statements satisfactorily, I invited him to make his selection and give his views on the Sabbath, or law, or both, if he pleased, the next evening, and I would reply, then the people could judge where the errors lie. He replied that he was subject to his people, and should not accept my offer. One of our brethren who was present heard him afterwards say to his friends that it was of no use to try; for it was most likely the man was posted up on these subjects. On account of a severe snow-storm we were able to hold but one meeting at North Trowbridge at our first appointment. Day before yesterday (First-day) we renewed our former appointment, and gave three discourses. Some were stirred up to inquire, and say they will examine this subject. There are new places where many of the people never heard a discourse on the coming of the Lord, or the Bible Sabbath, before. I believe that God has some jewels among them. Dec. 27th, it being the Sabbath, we were privileged to meet with the church at Monterey, and attend to the ordinances of the Lord. This was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. A portion of the testimony of Jesus respecting the duty of the scattered flock while he is at the wedding, [Luke xii.] was set before them; showing the necessity of obedience in this matter, that all the tithes be brought into the store-house, and all we have laid on the altar of God, that the promised blessings may come and fit his people to carry out and finish the last Message of mercy before the dreadful day of his wrath shall come. The last Sabbath we met with the church in South Trowbridge, at Bro. Curtis' house. Here too the Lord refreshed his people greatly. It was truly a season to be remembered. Praise the name of the Lord! Every one in the meeting seemed desirous to take new ground, and leave forever the lukewarm state of the church, and have the gold, and eye-salve, and let the Saviour into their hearts, that they may overcome and sit down with him upon his throne. The Lord help the scattered flock, one and all, to leave the things that are behind and go forward for the promised blessing, and stand on mount Zion with the Lamb. We commence meetings here in the west part of the town of Otsego this evening, and continue until called to fill our appointments in Watson and Hopkins. We have a call out towards Grand Rapids, and think of going to Waverly, if the Lord will. We see no stopping place in this last Message of mercy. May the Lord raise up more laborers to hunt up souls for the everlasting kingdom. The truth shines clearer and clearer as we near the shore and high land that never sinks. JOSEPH BATES.
West Otsego, Mich., Jan, 6th, 1857.