Report from Bro. Strong.
By P. Strong
Bro. White: Since my last report, I have held meetings in the following places: Orleans, Sabbath and first-day, Feb. 4 and 5. Held four meetings. A good interest was manifested by those without to hear the truth. Commenced meetings, Feb. 6, in Bloomer, at the Miner school-house. Held four meetings, then returned to Bushnell, to hear Eld. Jenkins against the sleep of the dead. I reviewed him the next evening, and spent174the Sabbath with the brethren. These meetings had a good influence on the minds of the people. I returned to Bloomer again, Feb. 13, and continued meetings till Feb. 21, with good interest, the congregation and interest to hear increasing every night. The Methodists and Baptists had held a protracted effort in the same house not long before, without success, and without getting much of a congregation. And when they saw the people turn out to hear, and manifest an interest in what they heard by getting books, it exasperated the shepherds, and a portion of their flock, so that they shut the house against me. The supervisor invited me to continue my meetings in his district, two miles south-east of there. I therefore gave out an appointment for the next evening. But the Baptist Elder was on hand very early in the morning, and prevailed on the school-teacher to appoint extra evening schools; and if this failed, the director said he would close the house. Two decided to obey. Finding the way closed up here for the present, I commenced meetings with the church in Matherton, Feb. 28. The Methodists closed a series of meetings Monday eve, and I commenced Tuesday eve in the same house. I gave thirty-one discourses, and replied to two discourses given by Eld. Mount (Methodist) on the two-fold nature of man. Bro. Canright joined me at the close of my meeting and gave five discourses, which were a great benefit to me, as well as to the cause. Fourteen have decided to obey God, and keep his commandments, as the result of the meetings in that place. I can say that I have enjoyed the blessing of God through these meetings. I established a Sabbath School and Bible-class, and regular prayer and Sabbath meetings. There are twenty-three in all keeping the Sabbath there. I closed my meetings April 3, and joined Bro. Lawrence at Bushnell, April 4, and remained with him through his meetings at the Plains. I was much strengthened by hearing his testimony. Sabbath, April 8, spent with the church at Fair Plains, and at Orleans, Sabbath, April 15. Orleans, Mich., April 17, 1865.