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MEETINGS IN WRIGHT

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 24, 1861

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 19, No. 4.

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MEETINGS IN WRIGHT.

According to a request of the Seventh-day Advent brethren of Wright, Mich., made through the Review, for aid and counsel in organizing a church in said place, a series of meetings were held, commencing Dec. 14, 1861.
On Sabbath Elder James White preached a discourse on the state of the Laodicean church. It was fairly demonstrated that the present state of the true church was in a beggard condition, and deceived with themselves. The importance of Bible sanctification was also urged upon the brethren, in order that they might have an abundant entrance through the gates of the everlasting city. It was difficult for the speaker even on the holy Sabbath, to impress a sense of conviction or solemn attention upon many of the audience, on account of a spirit of levity and vanity which was in the assembly.
On first-day, Dec. 15, it seemed as if that spirit of vanity had grown to be a monster, and a spirit of such careless, indifferent, giddy, trifling, and taunting character, as would seem to defy the very speaker to his face. This was particularly manifested among the youth.
Bro. and sister White both gave repeated admonitions to them of this dreadful state of rebellious and God-dishonoring state of mind, and appealed to them with earnestness that they might take heed to God's word and the signs of the times, and forsake this foolish disrespect for God and his government.
On first-day two discourses were given, which embraced some of the principal points of the three messages, and showed how soon the church would become polluted by seeking the friendship of the world. James iv, 4.
On Monday evening the charm of the Devil was broken, and the Spirit of the Lord seemed to have free course. Some of the youth desired the prayers of the church, that they might be kept from this Satanic world-influence. Parents began to see that their children were in a horrible pit, and commenced to pull them out. The Lord began to help.
On Tuesday, 10 o'clock A. M. the church met to effect a more thorough organization. Between sixty and seventy Sabbath-keepers, with many of their children with them, assembled at the place of worship. As this day was appointed for business, the meeting was called to order by Bro. Walter Hastings. Opened by prayer by Elder James White. The objects of the meeting being declared, the church listened to remarks upon organization by Elder W., and the state of the church as sister White understood it, in Wright, and elsewhere. Adjourned one-half hour.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

After an examination of most of the names of those who offered themselves for church fellowship, and a removal of many of the faults by confessions to one another and the church,
Resolved, That we adopt the covenant which was recommended in Review, Vol. xviii, No. 20, for the Wright church covenant. Adjourned till 7 o'clock.

EVENING SESSION.

Resolved, That we proceed to the election of church officers.
Resolved, That Bro. E. H. Root be the elder of the church.
Resolved, That brethren R. J. Foster and J. I. Cramer be the deacons of the church.
Resolved, That James Sawyer be the clerk of the church.
The elder and deacons were ordained, and a vote of thanks declared to Bro. and sister White for their faithful labors with the brethren.
Adjourned sine die. WALTER HASTINGS, Chairman JAMES SAWYER, Clerk.