To show the condition and prospects of some of the churches of Sabbath-keepers in this State, we present the following extracts from letters brought by delegates to our late conference.
From church in Monterey: In accordance with the request that the number, condition, and wants of the churches be presented to the Conference, we the undersigned, delegates from the church in Monterey, respectfully report that we have ninety-two members, the great majority of whom are striving for a close walk with God, and to be ready for the coming of our blessed Lord and Saviour. We have an efficient, organized Bible-class and an interesting Sabbath-school of about forty children.
The church in Orleans, reports: The number of members now in good standing is 14. Two more that meet with us, intend to unite with the church soon. The church appears to be growing in grace, and is in a prosperous condition.
The church in Oneida, reports: The number of members of the Oneida church is 14. We are in a prosperous condition. We desire to have a preacher visit us, as there are some who wish to go forward in baptism. We desire to be united with the State conference.
From church in Newton: The church in Newton sends greeting to the conference of seventh-day Adventists at their special session May 22 1863. Our number in church fellowship is 17. We have union with us, but should be far more spiritual, and zealous in the great work of preparing to meet our Lord. We have commenced building a meeting-house and hope soon to have ready a place of worship. We hope to share with other churches in the labor of the messengers the coming year.
The church in Green Bush writes: The church here is duly organized with ten grown members. There is a good interest among the youth and children. We as a church feel the necessity of pressing together, and striving more faithfully for the kingdom. We want to unite with the Conference, and are willing to help bear its burdens, and want to share its blessings.
From church in Watson: By the blessing of God, five have been added to our number since we organized. Feb. 9th 1862. Our present number is 13. Number of male members 6.
We can report that the present condition of the church in Watson is better than it has ever been before. The church begin to feel the need of consecrating themselves more to God of late, the Lord has been working on the hearts of parents and children agreeably to Mal. iv, 6. Seven of our children have expressed a desire to go to Mount Zion with us. We think that if some messengers could come here, some good might be accomplished. We have had no preaching except by Bro. Bites, for four or five years.
We have a Sabbath-school and Bible class. We have adopted the plan for conducting S. S. lately given in the "Instructor." The officers consist of a Superintendent and four Teachers. No. of scholars, 12. The Bible class are following the lessons given in the Review. Each family should have a copy of "History of the Sabbath" to make it more beneficial.
The Officers of the church are one Elder, and a Clerk. We desire you to remember us in your deliberations and prayers, that we all may meet you in the coming kingdom of God.
From church at Millford: Our number on record is 18. We are in a thriving condition. We want a messenger to come this way and visit us as soon as convenient, to preach the word to the young who have of late made up their minds to serve the Lord. We want some one also to administer the ordinances.
From church in Orange: Dear brethren in the Lord. When we organized last June (1862) we numbered 12 members. Since that time 13 have been added to our number, four of whom withdrew for the purpose of forming a church at North Plains. Three more are temporarily absent in business pursuits and one has moved away. The balance of us are somewhat scattered, all but six living from about five to ten miles from our place of worship, and but seldom more than six are able to meet for worship. Our scattered position often brings discouragements upon those that meet, also upon those that are not able always to attend meetings. But we have a hopeful Sabbath-school regularly kept up. Some of the Sabbath-school scholars have experienced religion. May the Lord still work upon the minds of the youth. We think we need the help of a messenger; but as the calls are many we wait patiently for the way to open. We are all I believe in sympathy with the body, and would humbly submit to the movement, and actions made at our State Conferences. We believe this work to be from God, and he will rightly direct those upon whom the burden of the work is laid. We are also doing well in our Systematic Benevolence, all contributing liberally according to their means. May the blessing of God rest upon his faithful ones.
From church in Allegan: This church at present consists of 28 members; and there are several others keeping the Sabbath, who have not been baptized. The church seem to be in a thriving condition, and desire to become united with the State Conference.
From church in Tompkins: The number of members connected with this church is 17. Five of these live at such a distance, that they are not able to attend meeting regularly, and their S. B. fund is separate from the rest of the church. They joined with us merely because there was no other organization nearer. The condition of the church is good, each member having an interest in its prosperity. All are actively engaged in the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and pay up promptly.
The great cause of present truth being our highest object, we want to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, that we may be ready to give an answer to those who ask, a reason of our hope.
From church in Hanover: Our church numbers 14 members. Since last Conference two have removed by letter and two have been received. We have a Bible-class and a small Sabbath-school.
Our S. B. amounts to $62.38 per year.
From church in Lowell: This church was organized Nov. 16th, 1862, (numbering 17 members,) according to the usages and provisions of Seventh-day Adventists. The state of religion, and interest in the cause, since that time has been very good. There has been an addition of two to our number. There is a usually good state of union existing, and a good degree of interest manifested in social meetings. There is a Bible-class organized in which much interest is manifested. Our Systematic Benevolence fund amounts to nearly $100 annually, sixty of which is applied to the Conference fund yearly.
From the church in Wright: The church here has 87 members. We are in good condition, and are striving to press forward with the body.
From the church in Fair Plains: The church in this vicinity numbers 20 members. Condition good. As a church we are striving to overcome, and prepare for the coming and kingdom of our Lord and Saviour. We desire the watchcare of the Conference, and the location of a messenger in our vicinity, and will contribute of our substance for his support.
From church in Burlington: In reference to the church, we can say that our numbers continue to increase. The Lord is adding to the church from time to time, such as we trust will be saved. The church here now numbers 44 members.
From the church in Parkville: The number of our members is 24. Systematic Benevolence amounts to $115.86 yearly. We have a Sabbath-school and Bible class organized which are prospering as well as could be expected of new beginners. Being thankful for past labors bestowed upon us we desire still to be remembered by the Conference and request to be visited by some messenger as often as once a quarter if possible and oftener if convenient.
From the church in Windsor: Our church is a small one, numbering only eight members, still we feel, that we are deeply interested in the doings of the Conference, also in the cause of the third angel's message at large. We firmly believe it to be the cause of God, and earnestly desire so to live that we may be identified with that people that God is raising up to live out and proclaim this truth to the world. Therefore it is our wish as a church, to be under the watch care of and be united with the Conference.
We would further state that we have prayer meetings every Sabbath. We have established a Sabbath-school and Bible-class, that is well attended, and adds much to the interest of our meetings.
From church in Otsego: This church numbers 20. It has been in rather a low state and somewhat discouraged till quite recently. The faithful labors of Brn., Cornell and Hull have proved a blessing to the church and have been the cause of removing a great amount of prejudice so that there is a good interest to hear on the present truth. But we feel as though the work was not done here yet; we want the Michigan tent to come here immediately after Conference. We fear if there is not more labor bestowed now much that has already been bestowed will be lost. We feel in earnest in this matter and as though we could not be denied.
From church in Caledonia: It is with feelings of gratitude to the Lord that we embrace this our first opportunity of meeting with you in Conference, by letter and delegation. We highly appreciate the faithful labors of the Conference Committee at our organization, and we believe its effects have been beneficial to us. Although there has been some distracting and dividing influences brought to bear against us since our organization, we feel that we have learned and profited by what we have suffered and now feel like pressing together with God's people that we may be partakers with them of the blessings promised to the overcomer.
We have a Bible-class and Sabbath-school with a growing interest manifested in both. The church numbers forty members.
From church in Bowne: This church was organized Nov 1862, according to the usages of the Seventh-day Adventists. Our number in church fellowship is thirteen. We have adopted the plan of systematic benevolence, and our amount pledged is $1.38 per week, of which we pledge to Conference fund $36 per annum.
We have organized a Sabbath-school and Bible-class, which have thus far worked well.
We have seen for some years past the need of a meeting house, and are now about building one.
From church in Chesaning: Our present number of members is seventeen; and we believe all are at present striving for the kingdom. We also have a Bible class and Sabbath school in which there is not so much interest as we would like, but hope it will increase. We feel the need of some youthful reading matter to interest and instruct our children on the Sabbath as well as other days, and we are happy to learn that our beloved Sr. White is moving in this direction for the benefit of the children. May the Lord direct and bless her labors, and we will try to aid the enterprise.
We have three weekly prayer-meetings, at which the Lord by his Spirit meets with us and verifies his promise. Yet at times it seems as though Satan would get the upper hands of us by distracting and tearing our little flock; but thus far we have been able by God's assisting grace to beat back, and keep in subjection the powers of darkness.
In conclusion we would say that we are with the body, and whatever is done at the Conference in the name of the Lord for the advancement of the cause of the third angel's message we shall heartily acquiesce in.
From church in Oakland: This church was organized last December with twenty-two members. Since then ten have been added, making thirty-two as the present number. With the assistance of the Shelby church we have been building a house of worship 32x 46, which is nearly completed, and will soon be ready for use. We have had meetings regularly every Sabbath, Bro. Lawrence preaching to us half the time. Our Sabbath school has been regularly attended. We have had a weekly prayer-meeting most of the time. We have adopted the approved plan of systematic Benevolence. Although we have to lament that we are not as much engaged in the cause of Christ as we wish we were, yet we think the cause is rising among us.
Church in Shelby: Our church was organized Dec. 11, 1861, by Elders Loughborough and Byington. Previous to this time we had been wading through deep troubles; but since that time the church has been growing in spiritual ability. Our meetings have been well attended, and quite interesting, especially since our last Conference. Our hearts have been cheered of late by the attendance of a young lady who has been awakened to the subject of present truth and has expressed a desire to become united with us by being baptized. Our numbers at present are 21. We have organized systematic benevolence on the tithing principle, which amounts to about $150 per year. We have a Bible-class and are pursuing the lessons published in the Review which are becoming quite interesting. Brethren pray for us, that we may be overcomers and stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.
From the church at Jackson: Our number is 14. We are all united and striving to overcome in accordance with the third angel's message. We have a Sabbath-school and Bible-class regularly organized which works well. Our systematic benevolence fund amounts to about $127 per year.
We have no particular wants to lay before the Conference, but desire the good of the cause in general. May God give you wisdom, and may his Spirit direct you in all things, for which we pray.
From church in Battle Creek: This church was organized Oct. 24, 1861, with seventy-two members. Admitted since, thirty-six. Removed nine. Deceased two. Membership at present, ninety-seven. Officers of the church consist of two elders and two deacons. The church is in a healthy condition, united and prosperous. We have two prayer and conference meetings during the week. Sabbath-school in the forenoon and prayer and conference meetings, or preaching in the afternoon of the Sabbath. Ordinances attended to once in 8 weeks. Our Sabbath-school is also in a prosperous condition with an average attendance of seventy-five. Amount of S. B. pledged during the present year $355.16.