Report of Meetings by R. J. LAWRENCE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 1, 1864

Report of Meetings.

By R. J. LAWRENCE

Bro. WHITE: I left home January 20, to visit the churches. My team took me to Pontiac where finding that the through train did not leave until eleven in the evening, I took the accommodation train to Fentonville and spent the evening with Elder Taft, then took the cars at half past one for Owasso, where I arrived at half past three. Stayed in the depot until daylight, then found Bro. Harper who took me to Bro. E. S. Griggs' and he to St. Charles, 23 miles, where we arrived at eight o'clock evening 21st. The 22d, I visited some. Sabbath and first-day I spoke four times. Had a very interesting social meeting. Baptized six. There was a matter came up that consumed Sunday evening without accomplishing a settlement, and being obliged to return to Owasso to fill an appointment I agreed to come here again on my return home. Accordingly I left, Monday, for Owasso. Arrived at Bro. Griggs' at dark, got a little refreshment and went with them to the district school-house, and spoke to a few that came out. Tuesday took the cars at Owasso for St. Johns. From this place I traveled through the mud on foot five miles to Greenbush. Got to Bro. D. Richmond's and found the brethren collecting for meeting. I gave three discourses. Here the church seemed very much encouraged and strengthened by the word.

From Greenbush I went about four miles southwest to a school-house by request of one of the brethren, and preached at eleven o'clock. From here Bro. Stiles took me to St. Johns, here I took the cars for Muir expecting there to meet Bro. Howe, but missing him, took passage in the mail wagon five miles, then footed it two miles in the dark and mud to within one hundred rods of his house when he overtook me, and took me to his house in Orange. Here I preached five times. But few out on account of a severe storm. Bro. Howe was taken sick Friday evening and was not able to attend meeting at the school-house any more.

Here I saw the request in Review to visit Greenbush, and also an urgent request to visit Matherton, which I decided to do. Accordingly on Monday, Bro. Wilson took me to Orleans, where I stayed until Thursday morning and visited at Bro. King's Olmstead's and Wilson's. Thursday morning Bro. Wilson took me to Bro. Maynard's in Fairplains. Here the brethren have built them a very comfortable place for worship. It is completed except seating and painting and finishing coat of plaster. They seated it with rough boards for the occasion. Brethren were here from the Orleans and West-Plains churches, Sabbath and first-day Feb. 6th and 7th.

Here the Lord gave freedom in trying to preach. I spoke four times. We had a very interesting social meeting on the Sabbath. The churches were strengthened. First-day afternoon we had a good season in attending the ordinances. I then went to Orleans and found Bro. Brigham waiting for me. Monday the 8th, went to North Plains. Here Bro. Leander Kellogg met me and took me to Matherton ten miles. There are nine Sabbath-keepers in this place, four of whom never heard a discourse on present truth before. Some conversation with Bro. Kellogg, the reading of some books and the paper, has convinced them on the Sabbath. They were very much interested in the three discourses I gave in this place. We had a meeting Wednesday, P. M. for the benefit of those that were keeping the Sabbath. We gave testimony on the duty of elders, deacons and their wives, also on sobriety, cleanliness, &c. Here I think is a good opening for lectures and they are very anxious; also ten miles from this place, at Maple Rapids. Cannot Bro. Frisbie visit those places, and give lectures.

Thursday the 11th of Feb. Bro. Kellogg brought me to Pewama where I took the cars for Owasso.

Friday the 11th, Bro. Griggs took me to Chesaning. I preached to the church in the evening and Sabbath forenoon. In the afternoon a social meeting. The Lord came down in power and we had a heavenly meeting. The St. Charles church were mostly here. In the evening we met at Bro. Walker's, and attended to the ordinances. First-day I preached the funeral sermon of sister Mathews.

In the afternoon went to St. Charles. The church met at Bro. Adair's in the evening. I read testimonies from Christ and the apostles on the duties of officers of the church, and the members in their different capacities. Afternoon we resumed business which continued until three o'clock in the morning, when difficulties were settled. An assistant elder was elected the deacon resigned, and another one appointed in his place, and the church is again apparently in a situation to go forward in the great work of overcoming.

Monday the fifteenth visited some and preached Sr. John Holliday's funeral sermon. In the evening a conference and prayer-meeting for the benefit of Sr. Weldon who has not been able to attend meetings for some time.

Tuesday the sixteenth, returned to Owasso, took the cars to Pontiac. Met my son there with the team to take me home, where I arrived after an absence of four weeks and one day. Found all well.

R. J. LAWRENCE.

Rochester, Mich.