The Meeting at Battle Creek.
By J. Clarke
It is not my place to write a report of this meeting, though it might not be out of the way for many reports to be written of so good a meeting as this. Too much praise is not likely to be awarded those who selected the city of Battle Creek as a site for the Publication Office. This place is very pleasantly situated at the junction of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo rivers. An artificial channel unites the two streams affording ample water power for five flouring mills, besides a variety of manufactories, which are in active operation. The Mich. Central R. R. passes through this city, giving it a business like aspect and affording opportunity for enterprise. There are many beautiful residences; and the school houses and other public buildings are well and tastefully built and arranged. The first three days of Conference were spent wholly in business. Wednesday the General Conference, Thursday the Mich. Conference, Friday the Association meeting. And I was surprised at the amount of business to be done, and was much confirmed in witnessing the faithfulness and care of those who bear the burdens. The prosperity of the cause is not cheaply purchased, nor is business slackly done at Battle Creek. Early and late, and long and earnest, and laborious and watchful are those Conferences; and no office in the church is a sinecure. Work, work, is the order of the week. In the office building no lounger is tolerated; and men of business are brief, and the hand of industry earns well its wages; and promptness and energy alike characterize the labors of each one. At the front door of the Office from the opening of the meetings, a committee of arrangements were to be seen, who politely received those coming to the meeting, and assigned to each a home, so that hundreds of worshippers of the true God found pleasant retreats during the intervals of divine worship; and though numerous, each one felt at home and each one knew where he should find a host. Hospitality and Christian courtesy reminds one of patriarchal times, when men yet retained somewhat of God's image. At the tent no frightful crinoline floated upon the benches, but modest youth greeted with respect matured age, and the chastened eye, the glowing countenance, and careful conversation, showed that the heart was not unkept, and we reverted mentally to those passovers of Hezekiah and Josiah, when God blessed his ancient people. As the full chorus of the "Morn of Zion's Glory" rang out on the free air from hundreds of voices, the "chariots" foretold by Nahum passing close by set up a deafening whistle, and seemed determined for a moment to remind us of the reality of the sentiment of our song, adding sublimity and truth and power to the exercise. Were it not late spring time, and I a farmer with hurrying work, I would tell you how Bro. Andrews urged us to buy a certain kind of valuable stock now at a low estimate, hardly at one per cent, as Moses did; a kind of stock soon to rise infinitely; how Bro. and Sister White cheered and encouraged us on; of what plans are being laid for our health and prosperity; of what information upon important matters of the past present and future. I would tell of what pleasant and holy conversation we had, but I cannot now; but will say to you that I for one had a good time at this meeting and am satisfied that others had.
J. CLARKE.