Tent Meetings in Burr Oak, Mich by J. H. Waggoner; Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 24, 1857

Tent Meetings in Burr Oak, Mich.

By J. H. Waggoner; Joseph Bates

We pitched the Tent in the village of Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co., and commenced meetings on the evening of Aug. 14th. Soon after the meeting opened a very heavy rain-storm commenced, rendering it impossible for the speaker to be heard across the Tent. The weather was wet and cold much of the time for nearly two weeks, so that but very few had an opportunity to hear during that time. On this account it became necessary to remain there longer than we otherwise should. We continued there till Sept. 6th.

The hearing was generally good, and quite a number embraced the faith, a majority of whom were not professors of religion. One who had never professed religion, arose in the Tent, on the last night, before a large audience, and professed his faith in the truth, and his determination to live accordingly. A place for Sabbath meetings was appointed.

We think our meetings had a good influence in checking for a season the progress of Spiritualism and infidelity, which were fast overspreading the community. Mrs. Coan, the "celebrated test-medium," exhibited one evening, but the result was not as satisfactory to the friends of that cause as her "seances" have proved in other places. We were told that several ministers were present. A committee was appointed, but not a question was answered. Another committee was appointed, and one of them, a citizen of Colon, reported that there was no evidence presented of the presence of spirits. Great dissatisfaction was manifested by the majority of those who paid 15 cents for the sight.

An interesting index is afforded in the course of those ministers who pay 15 cents to go to such a meeting, and then report to the community that our meetings are a money speculation; while they know that we neither ask anything for admittance, nor take up collections. The reason of such a course is obvious. Did we take collections, or preach for a salary, we should not condemn their selfish worldly-mindedness.

On the last day of our meeting an Eld. Reed, Presbyterian, from Colon, spoke on the subject of the Sabbath in the usual place of meeting in Burr Oak, by the request, as he said, of two ministers of the place. His sermon was reviewed in the Tent in the evening.

It is curious to see the stir amongst some of the ministers to counteract the influence of Bible truth. If the ministers of Burr Oak really needed such aid as Mr. Reed afforded them, their case must be truly desperate. We should suppose that the weakest of them could do as well. His discourse presented the usual inconsistencies, with less than the usual ingenuity of such efforts. On the other hand, Eld. Reed extends an invitation to Eld. Farley, of Burr Oak, to preach in Colon on the immortality of the soul. Eld. F. has long been a preacher of the Christian connection, but is now quite confirmed in Spiritualism, and receives as much of the Bible as his intuition teaches him is right, and no more. But all this does not disqualify him in the sight of orthodox ministers, for aiding them in sustaining their theories against the truth which so much troubles them.

We commenced meetings here on the evening of the 11th, and shall continue as duty seems to be indicated.

J. H. WAGGONER. JOSEPH BATES. Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., Mich., Sept. 15th, 1857.