REPORT FROM BRO. BATES.
By Joseph Bates
DEAR BRO. WHITE : I returned home from Byron Center, Mich., yesterday, where I have been holding meetings over two weeks. Under Bro. Frisbie's labors the past winter eleven decided to keep the Lord's Sabbath there. Soon after Bro. F. left in January, Elder Wheeler, a Disciple minister from Hopkins, came to the place and preached the no-law, no-Sabbath theory, much to the satisfaction of some who had rather believe there is no rest-day for divine worship if the first day of the week is not. After a few discourses some began to settle on the truth again, and before we closed eight more declared their intention to keep the Sabbath. During this time we gave four lectures in a school-house near four miles distant. Subsequently we learned that one of the principal men of the district who had believed the first message, kept the last Sabbath. Others believed and advocated the Bible Sabbath, but declined keeping it at present, because it interfered with their business. Last Sabbath we rode six miles toward the Grand Rapids to find water sufficiently deep to baptize in. I have appointed to meet with them again the 22d and 23d inst. if the Lord will. Where the no-law, no-Sabbath theory has been preached and advocated, it requires much additional labor to divest the people of their prejudice. This I found by experience in Wakashma, Kalamazoo Co., where I labored several weeks since, as well as here. On my way home, evening before last, I was detained at Wayland, the half-way place on the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids plank road. By inquiry I soon learned that the people would like to hear about the second coming of our blessed Lord and Saviour. They said the subject was new, as no one had ever lectured there before. We gave them the signs of the times, and stated that we should be pleased to meet with them again when convenient. Monterey, Mich., March 12, 1862.