p. 182 | MEETINGS IN MICHIGAN by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 5, 1861

MEETINGS IN MICHIGAN.

By Joseph Bates

DEAR BRO. WHITE : Our meeting closed at Bridgewater the 28th inst., having continued over two Sabbaths. We commenced in the town hall where Bro. Loughborough lectured last winter. After the second evening it was deemed advisable to remove our meeting some three miles further eastward to a district school-house, to accommodate the interested portion of our hearers, and some few of our brethren scattered some ten miles apart. Some acknowledged we had the truth, and manifested an anxiety to obey immediately, but for the unhallowed influence of friends and relatives, who are always ready to oppose all Bible truth which is not in accordance with the popular teachings of the day. Two came out fully decided on all the truth. One other promised to keep the commandments of God. Another acknowledged that the seventh day was the right Sabbath, but wished to investigate the subject a little further. Another wished to have the Review, and learn more about the matter. And another is to have the Youth's Instructor to deepen the interest. These, and some others that seemed much interested to hear, we have left with much regret, on account of other engagements; but sincerely hope they will soon decide, and break away from all hindering influences, and unite to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and be sealed with the seal of the living God prepared to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.

On first-day, 20th inst., four were buried with Christ by baptism in a beautiful lake near the school-house. Our Sabbath meetings were held in a private house.

The brethren and sisters in this vicinity came together and organized under the name of the Seventh-day Adventist church of Bridgewater, covenanting to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. After which Bro. D. M. Harper, by a unanimous vote of the church, was chosen and ordained their local elder.

After organizing, four others offered themselves for baptism. The German minister of the place learning that two of them had been sprinkled in their childhood, raised the cry among their friends that if they were baptized they would be lost. Some of their friends came to our meeting on the Sabbath, the day before the baptizing, to prevail with them not to be baptized. Seeing the confusion we were likely to get into by their loud talking, we all with one consent bowed before the Lord in prayer, soon after which

their friends withdrew, and also withdrew all their objections.

After the baptizing, which was pleasant and peaceful, the church repaired to Bro. A. Seymour's house, when the systematic benevolence plan, and all other arrangements for their meetings were harmoniously settled, they united in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, and were blessed of the Lord. After which we had two more full and interesting meetings at the school-house. My next appointment is in Tompkins, Nov. 1st. JOSEPH BATES.

Jackson, Mich., Oct. 30, 1861.