MEETINGS IN MICH by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 18, 1861

MEETINGS IN MICH.

By Joseph Bates

MAY 16th, left Chesaning, Saginaw Co., and came to Linden, Genesee Co. Here we held meetings on the Sabbath with a few Sabbath-keepers at the house of Bro. A. Jones. First-day, 18th, we were offered a hall near the R. R., in which we preached twice. One of my hearers who had attentively listened to our subjects (formerly a preacher in the place), made some remarks after I had closed the meeting, the substance of which was to prove that Christ had come the second time. For proof he referred to his transfiguration on the mount. Matt. xvii. We replied that his transfiguration could not be his second coming, for that event occurred during his first advent. Matt. xxiv was also quoted to prove that he did come the second time at the destruction of Jerusalem. We endeavored to show him that if he could prove what he had asserted, then he would have two second comings of the Saviour, one some twelve months before his mission closed at his first advent; the other forty years after, viz., in A. D. 70, at the destruction of Jerusalem. He appeared unwilling to pursue the subject any further.

May 20, left Linden for Greenbush, Clinton Co., where we tarried until the 24th, laboring with the church to set things in order. They are seldom visited, but manifest a strong desire to go forward in the message and adopt all the measures recommended by the general conference for the furtherance of the cause. Our third and last preaching meeting with them was at the village school-house, at the close of which one man said he felt it was his duty to keep the Sabbath.

Sabbath and first-day, 25 and 26, held meetings in Orange, Ionia Co. Brethren from Ionia, North Plains and Portland met with us here, and were refreshed and strengthened in the Lord. One more decided to keep all God’s commandments. These brethren and sisters manifest a strong desire to be united in all the work of the Seventh-day Adventists. The Lord also answered prayer for the afflicted. Praise his holy name!

June 1, had the pleasure of worshiping with the church again in Monterey, except the few families that are now sojourning in Battle Creek.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Mich.