p. 21 | REPORT FROM BRO. BATES by Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 4, 1860

REPORT FROM BRO. BATES.

By Joseph Bates

DEAR BRO. SMITH: I arrived in Monterey the 14th inst., after an absence of seven weeks, and had the pleasure of meeting and worshiping with the church here yesterday (Sabbath). I left Battle Creek after the conference with Bro. E. Griggs, for Owasso, Shiawassee Co. We stopped with Bro. Carman in Windsor the first night. The second night we put up at the house of a Baptist deacon, hoping to have a social interview with him on present truth, but was disappointed, as he was away from home. His wife said she had been a member of the Close Baptist church about thirty years. In conversation with her, I quoted the fourth commandment for proof that the seventh-day Sabbath was binding. She said it did not read so in her Bible; but when she satisfied herself that I had quoted it correctly, she said that she was not going to keep the seventh day for the Sabbath, but the first day, as she always had done. In the morning, however, she and her household listened attentively to a brief exposition of our views.

Passing our meetings at Owasso and Green Bush, reported in Review No. 24, for Oct. 30, Bro. E. Griggs proposed to take me in his carriage to Lapeer conference, which was reported by Bro. Cornell in No. 26, 13 Nov. as held Oct. 26-28 ultimo.

A Baptist minister recently from one of the theological seminaries in Mich., called at a brother's house where he was to spend the night. Bro. — gave him the Bible to read. He asked if we had any choice what chapter. I said, Please read Rev. xiv. After the praying season he asked if I would explain some of the chapter he had read, at the same time remarking that he had heard four lectures on our position, and presumed his views were parallel with mine.

After briefly stating our understanding of verses 6 and 7, while quoting verse 8 he wished to know what I called Babylon. I replied, The professed churches. Said he, "If I had time, I think I could put you to the nonplus. I believe the Roman Catholic church is Babylon." When he failed to prove his point he changed the subject by wishing me to state my views of the 144,000. I answered that the 144,000 would be the living saints at the second coming of Christ. Said he, "I know there will be more than that number; for I can show you in two minutes that there will be two hundred million in one company." Said I, Will you show us the scripture testimony for that number? He turned to Rev. ix, and began thus: "And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand; and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone." Singular kind of saints, said I; issuing fire and brimstone! In his eagerness to make out his number of saints he had overlooked their description. How different from the saints whom the apostle exhorts to have on the "breastplate of righteousness." Eph. vi, 14. Here he endeavored to excuse the matter by an attempt to flatter me with being posted on the Scriptures, while he had been losing scripture testimony that had been familiar, for want of time to study, &c. I was told that he was complaining to some of his friends quite early in the morning that I included the Baptist denomination, and even him, a Baptist minister, in Babylon.

On our way to the Lapeer conference we stopped the first night near Flint, Genesee Co., with an old friend of Bro. G.'s father, deacon of a Baptist church. Before leaving we hung up the chart, and the deacon, and his son, and their wives, listened attentively to a brief exposition of the angels' messages in Rev. xiv, and what is required of us in this time. The deacon declared that we had the argument, and he believed the seventh day to be the Sabbath. When Bro. G. offered to pay our fare, he said, "No, you are welcome, and I want you to call again when you come this way."

The next night we stopped at Barrows Corners, nine miles from Lapeer. Here we had an interview with a sister, cousin to Bro. G., who had been keeping the Sabbath for a few months.

The brethren at Lapeer were much pleased to see the messengers with them once more. The court-house was at our service for seven successive lectures, including the Sabbath. The last day I spent in Lapeer two years since, I was present in the same house where a large company of people were assembled to hear a stranger Congregationalist minister denounce Sabbath-keepers as heretics. Eld. Allen, the stranger, labored hard to defame, uproot, and destroy the Sabbath-keepers at Lapeer, of whom he knew nothing personally. By such anti-Christian means he sought to elevate himself among the citizens of Lapeer, and was soon promoted to the pastoral charge of the Congregational church. But his people (as I was told) were soon disgusted with him and his preaching, and his congregation dwindled away to four or five members; soon after which he left the place uncared for, with his measure about as full as he had labored to measure out to God's believing children.

Many of our brethren from the surrounding towns and counties came in to receive the blessing, and were much strengthened in the Lord. Some that had been halting and doubting in relation to our position for months, manifested a deep anxiety to hear, and some of them told us after the meeting closed that they believed our position. One of them said to me when parting, "When you hear from me again, Bro. Bates, you will hear better things of me."

Oct. 30, in company with Bro. Griggs, we left Lapeer, calling to see and pray with the lonely ones on our way. We had a pleasant, free time with Bro. G.'s cousin, before referred to. Her husband manifested a deep interest to hear an explanation of our position for the first time; also her sister. We hope a good work was done for them.

Oct. 31, we rode to Metemora, several miles from our way to Linden, to visit her mother and other friends who had heard some respecting the Sabbath from Bro. G.'s father. Here we found two families with whom we spent several hours, who listened attentively to our exposition of Rev. xiv, 6-20, &c. The sister's mother said she should keep the Sabbath of the Lord. The Review is now sent to both families.

Nov. 1, rode between thirty and forty miles to Linden, Genesee Co. Here we found five professing to keep the Sabbath, three of whom commenced from the Owasso conference last year, and have had no opportunity since to hear. Bro. R. Jones' son heard one lecture, and showed some opposition; but after getting home and examining the subject more thoroughly, was fully convinced that it was his duty to obey God in keeping the seventh day for the Sabbath. His father who never had heard any preaching on the subject was also convinced and decided from thence to unite with the son and his companion to keep the Sabbath. After our Sabbath meetings we gave five discourses in the school-house and hall. Some listened attentively, and some opposed; nevertheless the Lord wrought for Israel. Two more families decided to keep the Sabbath, and strong hopes were entertained that another family would unite with them. Another man who had listened attentively, said, "I believe all that I have heard." More would undoubtedly have embraced the truth here, but for the excitement about the Presidential election.

Election day, Nov. 6, we rode seventy miles over the Northern Railroad to Ionia. Here a small company came together and we enjoyed a solemn and interesting evening meeting. Here we met with Bro. and Sr. King, who took us to their comfortable home in Orleans, and the next day to Greenville, Montcalm Co. Here a number of brethren and sisters who had recently embraced the truth under the labors of Brn. Frisbie and Lawrence at the tent-meeting, came together hungry for the truth. After the Sabbath meetings we gave four discourses in the village hall. Our last meeting on first-day evening was very solemn and interesting. We felt that God by his Spirit was moving on the hearts of the people, setting home the truth. Many wept. After meeting, one man who had been undecided about our position decided to have the whole truth. Before the evening meeting we had an interesting meeting in the village at the water-side, where three were buried with Christ in baptism. After the evening meeting we rode six miles with Bro. Royce to secure our passage to Ionia the next morning. In conversation with Sr. N.'s mother the next morning, who was there on a visit from Monroe Co., she decided henceforward to keep the Sabbath.

Nov. 12, preached in the hall at Ionia, Ionia Co., and arrived at Monterey via Grand Rapids 14 inst.

JOSEPH BATES. Monterey, Mich., Nov. 20, 1860.