Visit to Hillsdale by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 30, 1858

Visit to Hillsdale.

By James White

Last Sabbath, the 11th, I spent with the church in Hillsdale. I found most of the church walking by sight and not by faith, looking at the things that are seen instead of the things that are unseen. It seems hard for some to realize that "tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience."

I had considerable freedom in presenting the truth, and exhorting to obedience; but, contrary to the expectation of the church, I did not hold any meeting for the transaction of business, as I consider it better for the erring to make their confession to the church, and to be held to a confession, when a wrong spirit is manifested, rather than to bear the disagreeable burden of a tedious trial, wherein the Spirit is often grieved away, and many leave more dark and tried than when they came together. The churches need to learn that they have something to do when trials arise, beside burdening the messengers with scenes of strife and contention. I was gratified to see indications of a better state of things before I left.

On First-day morning two were baptized, one of them having lately embraced the message. J. H. W.