EASTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1859

EASTERN TOUR.

By James White

NoRTHERN Michigan is an interesting field of labor. We look back with much pleasure to the conferences at Lapeer, North Plains, Wright and Monterey.

At North Plains we found storm and mud, and close quarters for those who came in from other towns. Here we were happy to meet a son and daughters of Bro. R. Griggs, one of the first Sabbath-keepers in the State, and other friends of the cause. Sister (widow) Brigham and her sons did well in entertaining nearly all of us, for which they have the sincere thanks of all who shared their hospitality, yet the influence of the meeting would have been much greater in Orleans where there was room to entertain all. We left the arrangement of this meeting to others, who utterly failed to do their duty. It is useless to make efforts to advance the cause, and then leave things at loose ends. No enterprise calls for more prompt, energetic and systematic action than the cause of present truth, which is making its way onward against wind and tide.

But we have no great reason to complain. We rather pity those who drove out of their way because there was no definite appointment given, while we, though we lost on our tickets we took for Ionia, got a hint that we should get off at Lyons, happened to get off at the right station, happened to find a team to take us direct to sister Brigham's, where we found rest. God bless all the dear brethren and friends whom we met in Ionia Co. Next time the appointment shall be all in black and white in good season. A general gathering should be either in June, or in September or October.

Our conference at Wright held Sabbath and First-day. Storm and mud hindered many from attending, yet the house was well filled. More than one hundred have been immersed since the work commenced in Wright less than two years ago, and these with very few exceptions stand firm. They have taken hold of Systematic Benevolence in a prompt manner, and now find means in the treasury to liberally assist those who labor among them.

Our conference at Monterey was cheering. Their house of worship was extremely crowded. People oppose our views, but they cannot keep away from our meetings. It was with difficulty that some pressed the door open wide enough to squeeze in where they had to stand up so close that they could hardly turn around. We dismissed the crowded assembly expressing the hope that before long another house of worship would be built in Monterey, which would be large enough to give all a comfortable seat. For their common Sabbath meetings, their house answers very well; but for conferences, and on funeral occasions, it is extremely uncomfortable for both people and speaker to be crowded into so small a place where the heated, poisoned air is breathed over so many times by so many persons.

This church is ready however, to do anything that seems to be duty. They have had their trials. They have been disappointed in men who have professed the faith. There is still a class hanging to, or around the church, who do not seem to have the spirit of "through" in them, while most of the church have another spirit, the spirit of go through to Canaan, in them. They have a box there which never gets dry, or, at least, there always seems to be something in it. It is their Systematic Benevolence box. These are becoming very numerous in Michigan. Hope they will be called into use extensively East and West. We shall get out second edition of blank books soon so that all our churches, however small, may have one. First lot all sold.

J. W.