p. 132 | REPORT FROM BRO. BATES by Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1861

REPORT FROM BRO. BATES.

By Joseph Bates

DEAR BRO. SMITH: I commenced a series of meetings in Orange, Ionia Co., Mich., Wednesday, Jan. 30, which continued every evening, Sabbath and first-day for three weeks, with good attendance. Some of the time the weather was so severe it was doubtful whether any would feel interested enough to attend the meeting. In this we were happily disappointed.

Last summer Bro. E. M. Davis, of Ionia, who a few months before embraced the Sabbath in Orleans, interested his relative, Bro. Williams, of Orange, to examine our position, and furnished him with books. Bro. Williams and companion became convinced of the Sabbath truth, and lent the books to their neighbor Howe, who also with his companion became convinced and settled in keeping the Sabbath. About this time Bro. Edgar was invited to preach in the district, and gave three lectures. Hence the interest and call to hear further on the subject of the three angels' messages of Rev. xiv.

Some of the brethren from Ionia and Portland met with these two families twice. These were all the meetings held in the district for a long time. Some came several miles to hear. The brethren from Ionia and Portland, and some from North Plains, met with us on Sabbaths and first-days, and helped to make the meetings interesting, and were much revived and strengthened. At the commencement of our meetings Bro. Howe's eldest daughter was deeply convicted. In answer to prayer the Lord's promise was verified, and she became a happy convert.

But few professors, except two or three ministers, came to hear. At the close of one of our meetings a Baptist professor from another neighborhood said it was evident from my preaching about the unconscious state of the dead, that I was an infidel. One of the principal men in the district, who had opposed our position and acknowledged that he was a wicked man, replied to the Baptist, saying, "I guess the old man is about right." Finding himself alone on the opposite side he walked away.

On first-day, 17th inst., a hole was cut in the ice in a running stream, and seven were buried with Christ by baptism into death. Some others held back to see their way more clearly. This was the most solemn baptizing, which I had witnessed for a long time. I knew that it was good to be there. A solemn sense of God's presence rested upon the church and people. One aged spectator said, "I never witnessed such a scene as I have to-day since I came to Michigan." He could not attend any of our meetings, but seemed immovably fixed and settled on keeping the first day of the week for the Christian Sabbath. As I called to pray with him once more before I left, the Sabbath question came up, when he said, "Well, I mean to keep both Sabbath and Sunday too." After the baptizing, we held three more interesting meetings. At our last one a request was made for all to rise on their feet who believed that the seventh day was the Sabbath of the Lord. More than half the congregation arose. After meeting I saw a man passing out by me, whom I had noticed attentively listening about every meeting. I said, "You are a stranger to me, but I have noticed your constant attendance here; what are you going to do with these truths?" He replied, in a decided manner, "I am going to keep the Sabbath."

There are now fifteen that profess to keep the Sabbath in Orange, and we expect others will join with them in their Sabbath meetings and Sabbath-school.

A number furnished themselves with books, and some with the papers.

Previous to our meetings in Orange I preached two evenings in Caledonia. I was also with the church and people at Wright the last Sabbath and first-day of January. I spoke to them four times. The Lord is strengthening them to take higher ground and claim his promises. Help, Lord, is my prayer. I returned from Orange to Caledonia the 20th inst., and found the church in a tried state, some of them laboring for freedom and victory. While here I was summoned home, as all my family were sick. I left the 23d inst., after the Sabbath. Thank the Lord, my family are gaining and much better. Brethren all well in Monterey.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Mich.