Meetings in Monterey, Mich.
By James White
WhILE we were holding a protracted meeting at Battle Creek, Bro. Hull was preaching to the people of Monterey, who turned out and filled the commodious place of worship built by the brethren last summer. Bro. Hull had the ears of the people, and by the help of God was mightily shaking the foundations of popular traditions. His well-timed discourses on the evidences of Christianity caused skepticism to reel, and look around for better props than it had hitherto leaned upon. Our protracted meeting closed Sabbath, Jan. 3, with the baptism of fifteen, and the Lord's supper, in which about two hundred participated. Next sixth-day we drove our team to Monterey, fifty miles, over a dreadful rough, frozen road. The interest in that place was great, and Bro. Hull was failing for want of rest. Sabbath morning Mrs. W. was so lame from the violent shaking of the carriage, that she could hardly walk69across the room, but was able to attend the meeting and give her testimony. The meetings on Sabbath, the 10th, were profitable. First-day the house was crowded, and extra seats provided. Here the brethren were greatly disappointed, as they did not expect to see their house filled only on such occasions as a General Conference. You that are building houses of worship, take care that you do not make them too small. At the close of the meeting on first-day we immersed ten, which was witnessed by a large concourse of people. The impression was good. Sabbath and first-day, Jan. 17 and 18, was the time appointed for Quarterly meeting with the church in Monterey, so we remained with the brethren during the week, and enjoyed Bro. Hull's preaching each evening. Sabbath, the 17th, the brethren came in from other places, and the congregation was large. We spoke twice, and Mrs. W. gave her testimony with freedom. Several took part in our meetings for the first time. On first-day the congregation was large and very attentive. At the close of the second meeting the congregation again assembled at the water to witness the immersion of thirteen. The brethren had removed the ice, and had carpeted the shore with straw. The weather was mild for the season, and the afternoon sun seemed to smile upon the scene. It was as delightful and solemn a baptism as we ever witnessed. Here were the youth, in the morning of life, cheerfully following in the footsteps of Christ, also men and women in the strength of their noon, taking up the cross and bearing it after him. But the most touching of all was to see three who had once walked with the brethren, but had some four years since been carried away by infidelity, now, on being reclaimed by the labors of Bro. Hull, show their faith in Christ and Christianity before the large assembly by being baptized. They patch their old baptism on to their new experience? Not they. These persons have started in earnest, and wish to make clean work. God is blessing his faithful people in Monterey. We know of no church that has been truer than this one. They have ever sympathized with those who bear the burdens of the cause, and have cheerfully received instruction and reproof from the Lord, and now God is setting his seal of approbation. Since November we have baptized forty-two persons in Monterey, and the work is still going on. Compare this with the state of things in those places where Sabbath-keepers have been doubting and vacillating, and dishonoring the cause. It is time for all Sabbath-keepers to find the true position, and get right before God, that they may exert a good influence, and share his blessing.