Meetings in Allegan Co., Mich.
By Joseph Bates
Bro. Smith: Since the 3d inst. we have been holding meetings in Trowbridge, Waverly, Bloomingdale and Monterey. On our way to fill our second appointment at the Brandywine school-house in Waverly, we held two evening meetings at Trowbridge, and three more were buried with Christ in baptism. Our series of meetings at the Brandywine school-house continued from the 5th to the 8th inst. The people were stirred up to inquire into our position, and learn more about the Bible Sabbath. Said one, "I went with my husband to your meetings, and for the first time I heard on the Advent doctrine, and expected, according to hearsay, to hear a perfect babble; but we never were more disappointed." Another who had strongly opposed the doctrine, said, "Why, I never understood this subject in this light before. I mean now to examine into it." Books were procured for the purpose. At the close of the last meeting some that were troubled asked one of their leading men who had closely attended the meetings, what he thought about the subject. Said he, I have no fault to find with it whatever. But, said one or more of them, he stated so and so. No, said the man, you are mistaken, you misunderstood him. Another said, I wish he would come and hold meetings in our district, our school-house is open. Before the meeting closed seven were planted in the likeness of Christ's death. The brethren and sisters that attended from the scattered districts were encouraged and strengthened in the Lord, and expressed their determination to rise with the message. From the 10th to the 13th, we held evening meetings at Bloomingdale. The hall appropriated for religious meetings was closed against the Second Advent doctrine. This proved a furtherance to the cause; for the doors of private houses were readily opened, so that our three meetings were held at three different houses for their accommodation. These three families became much interested with others that came to hear. The Review is now taken there, and they have furnished themselves with books to examine the subject. I called to take leave of Mr. B., the Post Master where we held our second meeting. Said he to a Methodist class-leader who had just called at the office from another section of the town, I wish you could have been here and heard this doctrine. Things in the Bible which I never could understand before were made plain and clear to the understanding. I wish I had, was the reply. I would like to have the man go to our district and preach to our people. I have no prejudice about these things. From this we rode some twenty miles to attend a two days' meeting in the east part of Monterey, which commenced the 14th inst. A great portion of the church in M. attended this meeting, and were much blessed of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord was manifest so that they could hardly wait one for the other to pour out their spirited exhortations; exhorting each other to walk in newness of life and rise with the message. At the close of the meeting five were buried with Christ by baptism into death, to walk henceforth in newness of life. The following morning we baptized two more in Trowbridge, and passed on eastward to Otsego. The church in Otsego have recently been laboring under some discouragements with respect to receiving members who were unwilling to comply with all the requirements of the gospel. See Mark x, 11, 12; Luke xvi, 18; 1 Cor. vii, 10, 11. As this difficulty is now removed we trust they will rise with the message and live in all the light of the gospel, and heed the counsel of the true Witness. From Otsego we passed on eastward to Silver Creek, Kalamazoo Co. We preached four times in the school-house here, closing First-day evening, 22d inst. Many of the people who came to hear listened attentively. Some admitted we had the Bible truth, and wished they had attended all the meetings. We trust that some good was accomplished in the name of the Lord. When we left Battle Creek the last of Oct., we proposed to spend a few weeks in the western part of Mich. As we passed around the way continued to open and calls multiplied to hear our position in the various districts in Allegan, Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties, until we have spent nearly four months in almost continual labor in these openings. Notwithstanding the severe cold, snow-storms, and false teachers, we have had to encounter, our heart has been warmed and cheered by the hearty welcome of dear brethren and sisters who have kindly welcomed us to their dwellings, and helped us on our way to bear the cheering message, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus." We praise God that this message is taking deep root and arousing sinners to see their dangerous position, and calling out the honest-hearted to be ready to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. JOSEPH BATES.
Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 25th, 1857.