Meetings in Mich by M. E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 25, 1858

Meetings in Mich.

By M. E. Cornell

Bro. Smith: According to appointment we met with the church at Caledonia, and found brethren assembled from Grand Rapids and Vergennes. All seemed to rejoice in the truth. The social meetings were cheering, especially the one in which sixty testimonies were given mostly to the point. We felt called upon to speak from the Scriptures on the duty of parents' drawing up the reins of family government, which seemed to be received by the majority, and we hope that all Sabbath-keepers will be willing to learn and do their whole duty. Also a plain testimony on the filthy, idolatrous, worldly and self-dishonoring practice of chewing or smoking tobacco. Several resolved to purge out this old leaven and be clean every whit. We pray that all who expect soon to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, may realize that they would not have time then to throw away the pipe or the quid, but that God requires us to do all in our power towards a spiritual, and incorruptible body here, and he will complete the rest instantaneously when Christ comes.

On our way to Green Bush we passed through Bowne. The brethren sent out an appointment, and in the evening the house was filled. Here we had freedom in looking over the waymarks of prophecy, and the evidences for a Sabbath reform. An intelligent lady, the wife of a missionary, arose at the close of the meeting and confessed the truth, and obtained some books to send to her husband in New Mexico. May the Lord bring him into the clear light, and make him useful in the last message of mercy to all nations. This was a good meeting. The church there appears to be rising.

At Green Bush I could not give more than five discourses on account of weakness of my lungs. Here we found a very unpleasant state of things. Some were running too fast, and others too slow. Jealousies had crept in, and a general lack of Christian feeling and fellowship was the result. At a meeting appointed for the purpose, the necessity of charity and union was presented with good effect. Hearts were softened under the power of truth, and some confessions made, but we feel that a still greater work must be done. O what a general lack of humility and meekness! Where is apostolic simplicity? O that we may soon see a general seeking after this lost jewel. "Seek meekness, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." O when will we comprehend the full import and importance of these words!

At Tyrone, we had a large attendance until the roads became so bad that many could not come. The friends of truth there seemed to be revived, and resolved to obey the strait testimony. Here we were happy to meet with Bro. Lawrence, who greatly assisted in word and doctrine. Many in the vicinity round about are inquiring after the truth that heretofore would not hear. There seems to be a general increasing interest to hear on religious subjects. Is not the Lord preparing the people for the loud voice of the last message? There has not been such a general revival influence abroad since 1843-4.

If it be true that the Spirit of God is moving upon the people and inclining them to hear the truth, how important that messengers of truth should speed on their way; and books and papers be scattered far and wide, that all who have ears to hear, or eyes to see, may understand the truth. There is a famine for hearing on religious subjects, and if they do not have the true light, their minds may be darkened and poisoned with error. The harvest is truly great, and the laborers few. But the work is the Lord's and will be accomplished speedily.

If one little tract of 16 pages left in an entirely new field was the means of ten conversions to the Sabbath truth, fifty tracts, costing as many cents, might be the means of five hundred conversions, if properly scattered and followed up by earnest prayers. If we have the knowledge of the truth, and of the best means to advance it, let us pray for a corresponding zeal. It is time we all awake and cry earnestly for the arm of the Lord to be revealed.

M. E. Cornell. Rochester, March 17th, 1858