DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I have been watching affairs closely for the last two years. Perhaps no one knows more of the state of the cause in the western part of Michigan than myself. I have just visited most of the Sabbath-keeping families, and have been preaching among them, and in some new places.
In some places there is quite an ear to hear; others scarcely any. There are quite a number of new places open for lectures in the north settlements, where all that is needed is faithful labor, and no doubt many would embrace the truth. In some places Sabbath keepers have sprung up without any preaching, by the means of papers, books, &c. I baptized some twelve, and more will soon go forward when an opportunity is presented. My health is poor. Perhaps I ought to say with Paul, "I glory in mine infirmities." This may be the only means of my salvation. My poor health has greatly humbled me. I sometimes get greatly discouraged over it, and think to cease traveling with the message, and would not hesitate in so doing if I could be sure the Lord would not be displeased with me.
Here is a wide field of labor, north, west and south, in this State. The harvest is ripening for the truth, but where are the laborers. I have large fields of acquaintances, formed when a Methodist traveling minister, that I have not yet been able to break upon. One, south of Adrian; another, La-porte, Ind. Both of these places I have been looking upon as important. I learn the No-Sabbath and No-law arguments are of little or no account where there are no nominal Adventists. But among the sects, the fulfillment of prophecies as laid down upon our chart, the signs of the times, and by whom and how the Sabbath was changed, at once brings a whole community into conviction that we have the truth. But it is much easier to convince a new community that we have the truth than it is to make them keep God's holy Sabbath; for there is a cross over which thousands must and will stumble to destruction.