Meetings in Northern Mich.
BRO. SMITH: We have just returned from our Northern trip. We finished our lectures in Chester, Ottawa Co., where we trust good has been done in the name of the Lord. Some few embraced the Sabbath, and there is hope that a number more will soon. We met the church in Wright three Sabbaths, and tried to strengthen them by showing the importance of union, and a good understanding of Bible truth, and a large share of the Spirit of the Lord, that their prayers might be spirited, and their testimonies short and pointed. Experience may be taught, but must also be learned. It is much easier to hear another's experience than it is to learn one for ourselves. The Apostle says, "We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. v, 3-5. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." 2 Pet. i, 4-12. We left the church here in a prosperous and flourishing condition, and they may continue so if they keep humble, united and faithful. In addition to the thirty-eight that Bro. Rhodes baptized, there were twenty-two more baptized, which in all make sixty. Others are ready to move forward, and more will be soon. The opposition preaching has turned and established some in the present truth. We entertain no fears of those "good ground" hearers who learn of our faith with a full determination to live it out, being "turned from the holy commandment delivered unto them," (the Sabbath;) but only such as love the traditions of men, as Sunday-keeping and other unscriptural doctrines that are not in the Bible at all, such as an immaterial God without body, the Son of God being his own father, heaven beyond space, that is nowhere, with an immaterial immortal soul just like God, being part of God himself, going to heaven or hell at death, that is, a part of God going to hell, then to be called out of hell to be united with the body to be sent back again to remain to all eternity to die the death that never dies, while the righteous may live the life that never lives. On our return we called to preach in Caledonia, and found we had no message for the people until the church lives up to the light already received. By the help of the Spirit of the Lord the cause of darkness was found to be with a few who had not the spirit of the present truth. These we hope will make straight work before God soon. J. B. FRISBIE.
S. W. RHODES.