Meetings in Mich by Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1858

Meetings in Mich.

By Joseph Bates

Bro. Smith : After leaving Lapeer, Nov. 22d, we held two meetings by appointment in Orion, a district where our position had not, before been given. Although it stormed both evenings, it did not prevent the people from coming out to hear, and giving good attention to the word proclaimed. One of the congregation stated at the close of the meeting that he heard this same Advent doctrine proclaimed in his country (Sweden), when he was nine years old. Gladly would we have staid longer; but we had an appointment for the next evening some thirty miles distant. We hope Bro. Lawrence will visit them soon, and spread the present truth before them.

Nov. 24th, we commenced a series of meetings in a very commodious school-house in Hartland, Livingston Co., and continued until Dec. 1st. Brn. Lockwood and Stone were the only families of Sabbath-keepers in the place. They were much refreshed and cheered to see the general attention their neighbors gave to the explanation of our position, and their increasing desire to be at the meetings, until the Methodist minister in charge came to preach, the seventh evening after we had commenced. He lived some distance from this district, and had not attended any of our meetings. The only time he came to preach to his flock, I was told, was once in four weeks, on First-days. From the tenor of his preaching it was evident he had learned with respect to the subjects we had been preaching to his hearers, for he endeavored to cover up, and smooth over so that they might not be troubled about present truth. He said some people were curious to pry into the prophecies, which was not necessary, &c. His preaching seemed to operate on the majority of his hearers much like an opiate administered to a person in distress, to relieve pain and procure rest. However, we trust that our labor was not all lost. Four were baptized in obedience to their Lord and Master, after which the church assembled at Bro. I. Cornell's, at Tyrone, and were made happy in attending to the ordinances of the Lord's house.

Sabbath, Dec. 4th, we spent with the church in Jackson. It was a refreshing season from the presence of the Lord. Both speaker and hearers enjoyed freedom of spirit from the Lord. Thanks to his holy and blessed name. JOSEPH BATES. Battle Creek, Dec, 1859.