TENT MEETINGS | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 31, 1860

TENT MEETINGS.

Bro. Smith: On leaving Caledonia we came directly to Greenville, having our tent brought by Bro. Bates of Gaines. This is the county seat of Montcalm Co., a pleasant little village of five or six hundred inhabitants, chiefly people from the east. With very little trouble we succeeded in obtaining a pleasant spot of ground near the center of the village, and raised our tent on Wednesday P. M., June 27. The next day we arranged and seated it. Our first meeting opened quite favorably, the first congregation altogether exceeding our expectation. Although considerable prejudice existed against us, in consequence of a few individuals leaving the Congregational Church during an effort previously made in an adjoining town, yet an interest began very soon to be manifested, and some disposition to "search the Scriptures to see if these things were so."

During the first week the elements seemed to conspire against us, and we were somewhat troubled to make our tent stand securely on the sandy ground, but finally succeeded in securing it quite firmly. The majority of community seem rather favorably impressed, and we have seen little or no disposition to disturb the meeting, or trouble the tent in any way.

Our congregations have been unusually orderly and attentive, ranging from two to six or seven hundred, until the hurry of harvest came on, which has made them quite small, many having gone into the country to work.

Nearly every Sabbath and first-day we have been favored with the society of brethren that have come from a distance of ten or fifteen miles to meet with us.

We have had some refreshing seasons in social meetings, both at the tent and at Bro. Maynard's, some two and a half miles from the village.

Our meetings closed last first-day evening, July 22, having been in operation over three weeks. At the close of our last lecture, an expression was called for from those who had heard us through, for the seventh and first-days respectively, when about seventy-five rose up in favor of the Sabbath, and but one against it; and a dozen or more have decided to keep it, while a number of others are almost persuaded, but desire a little more time to investigate.

The Lord has evidently been with us giving us to feel something of the burden of the work in which we are engaged, and a good degree of liberty in presenting the truth. When we began to talk about leaving, we found the interest deeper and more extensive than we were aware of, and upon visiting those who had decided to keep the Sabbath, we found a goodly number quite firm, and ready to take a bold and decided stand in favor of the commandments; but we felt that we were leaving them like "lambs among wolves," and it would be very desirable if Bro. Bates or some other one could visit them soon to set things in order.

We have disposed of about thirty dollars' worth of books notwithstanding the hard times. We are now on our way to Milford, Oakland Co., where we shall commence lectures next Sabbath evening, providence permitting. R. J. LAWRENCE. J. B. FRISBIE.