TENT MEETING IN COLON MICH by J. H. Waggoner; Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1857

TENT MEETING IN COLON MICH.

By J. H. Waggoner; Joseph Bates

WE commenced our meetings in Colon St. Joseph Co., on the 26th of June, and continued them over July 12th. One evening the weather was too cold and wet to meet in the Tent, but the Baptist House was opened for our use.

First a strong prejudice was excited against us, as it was very generally reported and believed that we were Mormons; but after a few meetings this was removed, and a feeling favorable to the truth succeeded.

On Sabbath, July 4th, a number of the believers from Burlington, about twenty miles distant, were with us, and remained till after the second discourse on First-day, anxious to meet again in the Tent, and hear more on those truths which have so rejoiced their hearts.

There were nineteen public lectures given at Colon, beside the Sabbath meetings, and beside four evenings occupied in the discussion of "Modern Spiritualism." A Mr. Hobart, who claims to have been one of the first converts to Spiritualism in this state, and who is a kind of evangelist and Missionary of that faith, has had, as we were informed, a standing challenge to all the ministers of that section of country. At the close of a discourse on Spiritualism we were challenged to discuss the following resolution:

"Resolved, That modern Spiritualism is sustained by the Bible."

Two evenings were occupied on each side. Though we accepted the challenge with some reluctance, as it is a manner of proceeding to which we are somewhat averse, we feel assured that good has resulted from it, as many who were before undecided in regard to the nature of that delusion, were fully satisfied by hearing the evidences presented for and against it. On three of the four evenings, the Tent could not contain the people; some we were informed, coming as far as ten miles.

The expression was very general that we had the truth, and especially in regard to the Sabbath; and but little opposition was manifested. The interest was good to the close. Four were baptized. How many have determined to keep the commandments we cannot tell, though from twenty to thirty expressed their determination. Amongst them were several members of the Baptist Church, who showed their adherence to the principles avowed by that denomination, by rejecting the Sabbath of tradition for the Sabbath of the Bible. Others who before made no profession, are now rejoicing in the "blessed hope." May the Lord help them to overcome, and obtain the reward. Rev. iii, 21.

Many procured books, expressing a desire to investigate further. Some who heard but part of the lectures we hope may be led by these to embrace the truth.

J. H. WAGGONER. JOSEPH BATES.

Hillsdale, July 14th, 1857.