Meetings in Michigan by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 15, 1863

Meetings in Michigan.

By Joseph Bates

BRO. WHITE: Since Aug. 17 I have visited Ionia and Orange, in Ionia Co., Owasso and Woodhull, in Shi. Co., Linden, Gen. Co., Tyrone and Hartland, in Liv. Co. The Lord will, to-morrow I go to Milford, in Oakland Co.

From the 18th till the 24th held six meetings with the church in Orange. Here a deep interest was manifested in praying for the youth and children of the Sabbath-school. Eight of them gave satisfactory evidence to the church that they loved the children of God. Their stirring testimonies and earnest prayers to God for the forgiveness of all their sins, and desire to go with their parents and the church to the city of God caused many tears to flow. Eight of them with a widowed mother, and daughter, were baptized on Sunday morning and united with the church covenanting to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ. After this the church was greatly strengthened and blessed in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, and in a social meeting in the afternoon.

Spent Aug. 24 with Bro. Griggs and family in Owasso.

Aug. 25-30, I was with the church in Woodhull. Bro. and Sr. Byington, passing here on their way to Lock to hold a Conference, united with us in two profitable meetings, during which humble confessions were made by some who were still indulging in the use of tobacco and hoops, resolving that they would break away from their idols.

After the Sabbath meetings, one Sr. who had used tobacco for twenty years decided that she would use no more forever. Another said she had used it forty years but was fully satisfied that she could not continue in the use of it and be saved at the coming of the Lord, and resolved to renounce it at once and forever, and go to the Lord for help. She and one other were baptized the next morning in a beautiful lake.

Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, held three meetings with Sabbath-keepers in Linden. Sept. 5, 6, Sabbath and first-day, Brn. from Linden and Hartland united in conference with the church in Tyrone and were much refreshed and strengthened in the Lord. They said it was the best meeting they ever had in Tyrone. In celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house they were made happy and joyful. Two united with the church, and two were buried in baptism. Perfect harmony was manifested in relation to systematic benevolence, and their funds were much more than doubled.

I have just arrived here from Hartland and find the church here all well. Thank the Lord for continued health and strength.

JOSEPH BATES.

Milford, Oak. Co., Sept. 8, 1863.