MEETINGS IN ST. CHARLES, MICH.
By M. E. Cornell
Bro Smith: My course of lectures in St. Charles, closed last evening. The interest increased to the last. I have never seen better attention to the word in any place. The length of time from the commencement to the close has been three weeks and four days, during which we had twenty four lectures and three social meetings. Twelve have subscribed for the Review and seven for the Youth's Instructor. Nearly all my books are taken and several are waiting for Hymn Books. Several have taken books to send to friends in different States and the Canadas. Twenty-five (that we know of), have decided to keep the Sabbath, and many others are investigating. There has been but little interest in religious matters in this place, the number to hear preaching only averaging about fifteen or twenty. But the charge is so great that a business man remarked that "St. Charles folks were all going crazy." Another said, "Nearly all in St. Charles have turned to keeping Saturday." Last sabbath the house was nearly full, and the testimonies and confessions were good. My lungs are in need of rest, so I do not commence another course till the middle of this week. I will begin at Chesaning (nine miles from here) and have the meetings fairly started by the time a supply of books can arrive. I have appointed to be here again next sabbath, to strengthen the things that remain. The sound of this meeting has gone some distance. There are calls to go in every direction. Out of six or seven openings I cannot possibly fill more than three or four before tent season; and then I ought to have a good brother to help sing, pray and exhort. If any of the messengers are spending their time in the churches, that have been in the work long enough to stand alone, or, are toiling away in old settled and aristocratic places where they can only get from three to ten out upon the truth, and then they require a messenger half the time to encourage them up, I hope they will come up and help in these places where they are hungry for the truth. In one place a Baptist preacher had a protracted meeting and one hundred and seventy converts, and now he has gone and they are left without a shepherd, and many of them have gone back. No doubt here is a chance for a rich harvest of souls. In such a place the servant of God will not labor in vain. Lord direct, is my prayer. St. Charles, Saginaw Co., Jan. 21st 1861. P. S. Any one coming to this place by Rail-Road would come to Owasso on the Detroit and Milwaukee R. R. Bro. Griggs lives three miles west of Owasso.