p. 61 | MEETINGS IN MICHIGAN by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1862

MEETINGS IN MICHIGAN.

By Joseph Bates

Bro. White:—After our meetings in Saginaw Co., reported in Review, No. 6, we held two meetings with the church in Owasso, Shi. Co. They seemed much comforted and strengthened in their organized, united state, to move forward with the remnant. July 4, came to St. John's, on the R. R. Here we found Bro. David Richmond anxiously waiting to convey us to his hospitable home in Greenbush, the place appointed for our meeting. He said that two members of the church

(sisters) were very sick, having but little hope of recovery. The sick were both confined in separate rooms in one house, and were very desirous that prayer should be offered for them, in accordance with the testimony of James v. The few brethren and sisters that bowed around the bed of the sick claimed the promise in Jesus' dear name, and Sr. C. R. was raised from her sick bed, dressed, and soon was moving around in the midst of her family and friends, praising God for what he had done, and also accompanied the praying ones to the bedside of her husband's mother, Sr. S. R., who, also in answer to prayer, was much strengthened, and blessed, and in the morning both were with their families at the breakfast table. After breakfast, Sr. C. R. rode a mile to the Sabbath meeting, and there testified to what the Lord had done, and continued through the day and evening being strengthened as she said all the time. The brethren and sisters enjoyed their meeting and were much encouraged. After mature deliberation, and listening to testimony on gospel order, and the reading of the Conference address on organization, they were happily organized. We also held two meetings on first-day in the village school-house in Greenbush, some five miles distant, where we had good attention to the word.

July 12, according to appointment, the Allegan, Watson and Pine Creek churches, in Allegan Co., met with the Monterey church, and were much disappointed in not seeing Bro. and Sister White, according to appointment. But when the matter was explained that the preaching Brn. of the Mich. tent had previously, without Bro. White's knowledge, appointed for him to preach in the tent the same day at Charlotte, we concluded that he had decided that more good for the cause could be accomplished by his going there than meeting with the churches in Monterey.

Our meetings commenced at 9 A. M., and closed with a solemn and interesting participation of the Lord's supper at 5 P. M. A social meeting in the afternoon was especially interesting and encouraging, by reason of the many strong and pointed testimonies respecting our present position in the last message for the world, and an unflinching determination to persevere to the end. The evidence is increasing that the Holy Spirit of God is operating on the hearts of his tried people, leading them to higher and holier ground to meet the coming storm.

Our next meeting was appointed to be held in Watson on the second Sabbath in August, with liberty to change it to Monterey if occasion required, by giving timely notice.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, July 14, 1862.