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LETTERS

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1861

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 17, No. 19.

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LETTERS.

By Joseph Bates

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Bro. Bates.

DEAR BRO. SMITH: In company with three brethren from the Monterey church I met with the church in Caledonia by request, on the 13th inst. A manifest unwillingness on the part of some of the members of the church in C. to renounce and confess their wrongs, opened the way for a move which resulted in a thorough change.
Twenty members now stand free and clear from all the wrongs, and others are ready to unite with them the first opportunity; with an open door also to receive all who will be willing to renounce and confess their wrongs.
I was unexpectedly detained in C. over the Sabbath. The manifestation of God's Holy Spirit, which rested down upon us at this time, in our social and preaching meetings, and at the Lord's supper, was strong evidence that he was pleased with the higher standard raised by his people. Sister B. returned from Bowne with a statement of her hopeless condition respecting her diseased lungs by Bro. (Dr.) Ginley, he recommending her to employ the great Physician. Her husband came for Bro. Gerould and myself. Adopting the testimony of James, sister B. was raised up, declaring she was healed. That tightness, said she, across my lungs which has so affected my breathing is all gone, and I now breathe as free as air. Praise God! he has healed me! We enjoyed a free season in praising the Lord, and left sister B. rejoicing, with her request for the church in Caledonia to receive her into their communion. O, said she, I love every one.
Yesterday morning I rode eleven miles to Ada to take the cars for Ionia, and arrived just in time to see the cars moving out from the station. I inquired if the people would open their school-house to hear on the second coming of the Saviour. The most that came heard for the first time. Some supplied themselves with books, and others wished to hear more about the second coming of the Lord. Meeting this evening in Ionia.
JOSEPH BATES.
Ionia, Mich.