p. 9 | MEETINGS IN PARKVILLE, MICH

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 16, Nos. 1 & 2.

MEETINGS IN PARKVILLE, MICH.

By John Norton Loughborough

According to previous appointment I met with the church in Parkville, Mich., Sabbath and first-day, May 12th and 13th. Found the brethren and sisters (with a very few exceptions) still holding on to the truth. Others have commenced keeping the Sabbath since I last met with them, so that they still number as many as ever. We found the brethren had taken some legal steps towards organizing a Religious Society that they might hold property in a lawful manner. They are about to erect a humble place of worship, and have already pledges for that purpose to the amount of over $400,00.

On the evening of May 13th we complied with the requirements of the State statute of Michigan in the organization of a church. Trustees had been elected at a previous meeting and a certificate made out and acknowledged, preparatory to recording in the County Clerk's Office.

As no name has yet been decided upon by the remnant as a body, it was decided for the present at least to call the church by the name of "Parkville Church of Christ's second advent." Perhaps a more appropriate name will be chosen by us as a people; but the church at Parkville concluded to take this name for the present.

As some may be desirous to know what articles of association were signed, I will give a copy of them. "We the undersigned hereby associate ourselves together as a church with the name of Parkville Church of Christ's second advent: taking the Bible as the rule of our faith and discipline."

We had good liberty in speaking to a school-house full who assembled on the Sabbath. On first-day morning we had a precious season at the river side, where five willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism. There was no scoffing or levity which we have sometimes been pained to see on such occasions, but a deep solemnity seemed to settle down upon the people present.

We found a large congregation assembled at the Canada school-house at the hour of our appointment. But one Eld. Duncan came on and took the time, because it was the same hour that he had previously had appointments in the house, although he had not fulfilled an appointment there for three months; and we could not ascertain that five persons of the large congregation had assembled for the purpose of hearing him. In the afternoon we had the privilege of speaking to a few at another school-house. Although we were some disappointed in not filling the appointment at the Canada school-house, yet we are on the whole encouraged with our visit to Parkville.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Battle Creek, Mich. May 22, 1860.