Meeting in Springport, Mich.
By Joseph Bates
Dear Bro. Smith: Our meetings in Springport, Mich., commenced on First-day, June 12th. During the week a few families became interested to hear and also to investigate the present truth. But few that came to hear had ever heard the Sanctuary question, the angels' messages, and Bible Sabbath, discoursed on before. The next First-day (19th ult.) I heard their minister (Methodist) preach. By his request I occupied a few moments, and closed his meeting by prayer. In conversation a few hours afterwards, he expressed himself decidedly opposed to the doctrines we preached, and said, the more you preach the Sabbath question here the worse you will make it, &c. He came to hear on the message in the evening, but declined speaking. After this it was manifestly evident that he had prejudiced some of those interested ones against investigating the Sabbath of the Lord. We held several meetings there afterwards, and in two other districts. Two decided to keep the Sabbath; some others attended and took part in our Sabbath meeting, who we hope will go forward. We also visited the little church in Onondaga, and had a free time in preaching on our blessed hope, in the school-house where the minister and a part of his congregation a few months since voted that we should not preach. The sequel proved that their boasted victory was of short duration. For when the minister and his congregation came to their worship, they found no entrance, only liberty to preach on the steps of the house. The matter was finally settled that their vote was unjustifiable and illegal. The law abiding men of the district were not only willing their house should be open for Advent and Bible Sabbath preaching, but many were stirred up to come and hear that had been prejudiced and indifferent. JOSEPH BATES. Battle Creek, July 3d, 1859.