Report from Bro. Bates.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. WHITE: According to appointment we met with the church in Otsego Allegan Co. March 26 and 27. The brethren were strengthened to press forward for victory. Owing to the almost impassable state of the roads we failed to reach our appointment at Watson. From April 15 to May 2d we met with, and had good encouraging meetings with the churches in Bowne, Vergennes and Caledonia, in Kent Co. and the brethren living in Ionia, Ionia Co. One family in Bowne had become deeply interested in the Sabbath question during the winter while meeting with the church, and were much gratified to hear our position for the first time. At the close of our meetings on first day the wife presented herself for baptism. A general meeting was arranged for the next Sabbath and first-day, 23 and 24, to close with baptism and ordinances of the Lord's house. A portion of the church from Vergennes and Lowell met with us. A sister from the first-mentioned place, who had embraced the truth during Bro. I. D. Van Horn's labors last fall, came also for baptism, and one from Bowne. The testimonies of the brethren and sisters on the Sabbath were heartfelt and cheering. Notwithstanding the continued rain-storm, the school-house was well filled with hearers on first-day, who also assembled at the water-side to witness three buried with Christ by baptism into death. From April 27 to May 2, we were with the church at Caledonia. We enjoyed some good praying seasons while visiting the homes of these brethren. Meetings on the Sabbath and first-day were well attended, and a strong desire manifested for salvation and eternal life. They have been in trial about some things, which has hindered their onward work in this cleansing time, but they are laboring to remove all wrongs, and be free. I leave here in the morning to meet with the church in Otsego. Monterey, Mich., May 5, 1864.