p. 106 | Meetings in Mich

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 7, 1865

Meetings in Mich.

BRO. WHITE: My last report was from Woodhull, Jan. 19th. From thence I went to St. Charles, Sag. Co. where I held seven meetings, from Jan. 20–23d. One was baptized and two united with the church. Many of the church in Chesaning were present and participated in the meetings, and all united in celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, and were strengthened to live out the great truths they have professed.

Jan. 23 and 24, held meetings, and visited the church in Chesaning, Sag. Co. This church has of late been deeply afflicted and tried, but is now rising and being strengthened in the Lord. We were glad to see that the church in St. Charles has a kind care for them. We hope they will still love to help them forward.

The 25th, I enjoyed a precious season with the little church in Owasso. Bro. J. H. Ginley was received and numbered with them.

The 27–30th, held five profitable meetings with the church in Green Bush, Clin. Co. Some of the brethren from Gratiot came to the meeting. In their social meetings they manifested a strong desire to live out the great truths they had embraced and go with the remnant church to Mount Zion.

Bro. M. Richmond took me to North Plains, Ionia Co., where I held three meetings, Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st. Brethren from Orange, Orleans, Fish Creek, and Bro. Philip Strong, with a full load from Bushnell, where he had just closed up a three weeks' meeting and reported fifteen willing to keep the Sabbath. Our social meeting was lively, heart-cheering and refreshing. At the close we celebrated the suffering and death of our Lord and Saviour. Two of Bro. P. Strong's company were buried with Christ by baptism, and arrangements made for him, and the Sabbath-keepers of Bushnell to meet with the churches of Orleans and Fair Plains at the new meeting-house in Orleans on the coming Sabbath, 4th inst.

I then accompanied Bro. F. Howe and family to Orange, Ionia Co. where I visited, and held six meetings, Feb. 2–6, to the comfort and strengthening of the church, who with a few exceptions, are all urging their way through these perilous times and gladly receiving the promised increasing knowledge in the path of the just. Their neighbors manifested more willingness to hear than for years before.

This last, is the fourteenth church, besides three other places where Sabbath-keepers are not organized, which I have had the pleasure of visiting since Dec. 14, 1864, in what is called the eastern district in Mich. Many thanks to the dear brethren and sisters who have kindly received and cared for me at their homes, and conveyed me to my appointments from seven to forty miles, where there was no public conveyance.

Sabbath, Jan. 11, met with the church in Monterey, where we enjoyed a good, quiet, and profitable meeting. Our brethren gladly observed the fast, and entered into the work unhesitatingly. I was glad to read your remarks and the appointment in Review, Vol. xxv, No. 10, and wish to say how heartily I concur in the consistent Bible course you have recommended for all the loyal people of God to find their way quietly and safely through this wicked rebellion. I hope that all the loyal people of God will continue to observe the second Sabbath in each month as a day of humiliation fasting and prayer for the purposes you have recommended. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psa. xlvi, 1.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Feb. 1865.