Report from Bro. Frisbie.
By John B. Frisbie
Bro. Smith: Our little conference at Vergennes was attended by our brethren and sisters from Ionia, Grand Rapids, and Bowne. Brother and sister Flower were with us. Our meetings were quite spirited. Of late some five or six have commenced to keep the Sabbath in that vicinity. We went from this meeting in company with Bro. Lyman Carr to Caledonia, Kent Co., Mich. where there had been an interest awakened by some tracts which he left there last February. Ten had commenced keeping the Sabbath after reading the tract, which was "The Sabbath by P. Miller, jr." Among these were two or three preachers. I will here suggest that it would be well to take more pains in scattering our tracts free in new places. We commenced lecturing on the 11th of June, and followed Paul's manner in this case, of tarrying over three Sabbath-days, preaching the Word. The Word was spoken also, most every day between, at 5 P. M., and each First-day three times, in the district school-house. The congregations increased in numbers and interest from the beginning to the close of the meeting. The result is that over thirty have commenced to keep the Lord's Sabbath. Seven were baptized about a week before the close of the meetings, and there are others that stand ready to go forward the first opportunity, which we trust will be soon, as we intend to return there and follow up the interest in adjoining places. We are happy to know that the Third Angel's Message has converted sinners in this place, as it has in other places before, who never knew before the power of converting grace in the heart. Many old professors confess that they feel like new converts after keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and have been made to know by blessed experience that as the Sabbath is the seal of the living God, that the Holy Spirit is the sealer. Eze. xx, 12; Eph. iv, 30; Isa. lvi, 2. We do know that God is in this truth, by his loving, melting Spirit, in giving freedom to his word, when appropriately chosen, which moves those who hear to tears. I never was made more sensible that it is God that gives the increase, than at this meeting. 1 Cor. iii, 6. To God be all the glory. Yours in the love of the present truth. Battle Creek, July 8th, 1857.