Voices from Michigan

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 6, 1865

Voices from Michigan.

THE following brief extracts from letters brought to the Conference, show the state and feelings of some of the churches in this State, and will be of interest to all who are glad to hear of the prosperity of those of like precious faith.

Alma. The Seventh-day Adventist church at Alma, Gratiot county, Mich., was organized the 16th day of March 1865, composed of seventeen members all of whom remain in good standing, together with three that have been admitted since the organization. We have regular meetings every Sabbath, and very punctual attendance. Prayer and conference meeting in the forenoon, and Sabbath School and Bible Class in the afternoon.

Brethren pray for us that we may ever be found faithful and zealous in this good cause, ever desiring to know our Master's will, that we may be found prepared to meet him when he comes.

Battle Creek. The church are united and prosperous. Union and harmony prevails, and with a majority of the members an increased desire to get into a better place—realizing to some extent the times in which we live, and the necessity of a closer walk with God, to enable us to pass safely through the perils of the last days, which are upon us.

Bowne. We have an interesting Sabbath School and Bible Class every Sabbath. Union and harmony prevail, and God's blessing is with us as we meet from Sabbath to Sabbath, for which we praise his holy name. We feel very thankful for the faithful labors of Brn. Bates, Byington, and Lawrence, and hope still to share in the distribution of such labor.

Charlotte. The majority of the church are trying to live according to the word; but we feel very much in need of faithful and judicious labor. Oh may we arise and trim our lamps before the Bridegroom returns.

Colon. There are a few here who are waiting for the consolation of Israel, striving for the kingdom. We bless God for so much as he has manifested for us when we have met in his name, for his worship. Truly God is good. We bless him for preserving mercies, and that we still live to praise him. We pray that the Holy Spirit may descend in your midst, and direct in your deliberations.

Eureka and Fairplains. The church is united and striving for the victory. We have prayer and conference meetings every Sabbath, except the first Sabbath of each month, when we meet with the Orleans church. We also keep up a Sabbath School and Bible Class.

Greenbush. We feel to render thanks to God for his rich blessings to us in these times of trouble and perplexity. We thank him that he has ruled our national troubles in such a way that his people may enjoy quiet and peaceable lives. We are few in number, but we want to be numbered with the people of God. We feel willing to sacrifice all the pleasures and enjoyments of this world, if we can but obtain a home in the new earth. The youth and children with us are still striving to overcome, and seem determined with the rest of the church to go through to the kingdom. We believe that God is about to manifest himself to his waiting people in a way that he has never before, and may we all overcome our sins, and be prepared for the great work that is before us.

Hillsdale. We are happy to be able to report an increase

of interest on the part of the majority. Yesterday, the Sabbath, an appeal was made to the church on this point, and a request made for all who felt an increase of interest, and a determination to enter with more zeal upon the work of overcoming, to manifest it by arising to their feet, when, with but one exception, all arose. We therefore look for a more thorough work of reformation. May the Lord grant it.

We have endeavored to observe all days of fasting recommended by the church, and they were special seasons of interest with us. While we have endeavored to draw near to God, he has graciously drawn near to us.

We have faith in God, and mean to move forward, that we may have part in the great work soon to be accomplished.

Hanover. We feel like pressing forward in the message. There is a good degree of union among us.

Locke. We have a Sabbath School in a prosperous condition, with about thirty scholars, a portion of whom have been baptized and joined the church.

Lapeer. We hold meetings on the Sabbath, and Tuesday evening, also have a Sabbath School and Bible Class.

We have a strong desire to move forward with the body, and get ready for the loud cry of the message which we believe is soon to be given.

Monterey. Notwithstanding the deep trials this church has been wading through for the last eighteen months, with a few exceptions, we are earnestly striving for the kingdom. We firmly believe in the fulfillment of prophecy, and the visible manifestation of the power of God in scattering the enemies of our country, in answer to the prayers of his people that the way may be prepared for the third angel's message to go forth with a loud cry. We have two prayer and conference meetings during the week. Conference meeting in the forenoon, and Bible Class and Sabbath School in the afternoon of the Sabbath.

Our Sabbath School is quite interesting, with an average attendance of fifty. We have a library of about one hundred volumes, which furnishes good reading matter both for children and adults.

Pray for us that God would still be merciful, and we be able to stand in the day of the Lord.

Memphis. We are united and prosperous. There is considerable interest manifested in our meetings, and some have recently experienced religion and express a determination to go with us. We have a Sabbath School and Bible Class which are well conducted and prosperous.

Our meeting-house will be finished next month, and it is the unanimous voice of the church that Bro. and sister White take the first opportunity to be with us, and to appoint the time to dedicate our house of worship.

Oneida. We can truly say that there is love and union in this church. We realize the solemn time in which we are living, and are striving to overcome every evil thought, word and action, and get where the Lord would have us, that we may work for the cause, and be ready to meet the Lord when he shall appear.

Salem, Ind. As a church, we are earnestly striving to get on the armor, and stand where our influence will tell in favor of the great truths it is ours to hold forth to the world. We are united, and enjoy much of the blessing of our heavenly Father in our little meetings which we are permitted to enjoy on God's holy day. We can say with much satisfaction that as a church our prospects are brightening, and hope springs up afresh in our hearts as we see the end approaching.

Tompkins. Those that are left in this place, meet regularly every Sabbath, and have evidence that the Lord meets with us. We want to be prepared to rise with the message, and go through with the "remnant" to the kingdom.

Tyrone. As a church we are all striving to keep pace with the body. Our meetings are spiritual and profitable. We sustain a Sabbath School and Bible Class.

Vergennes. Feeling an increasing interest in the third angel's message, we cannot express it any better than to say, that we have raised our s. b. fund from $62.90, to $101.22.

We feel thankful for the visits of Brn. Bates, Byington and Lawrence the past Conference year, and hope to be remembered still in the same way.

We have been strengthened and blessed by the days of fasting and prayer, and the position on the sealing makes our salvation look nearer than when we first believed.

We hope to gain strength with the people of God, and come up with them and at last have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God.

Wright. We are enjoying a good degree of union and prosperity. We wish to express our gratitude for the ministerial labor bestowed upon us during the past year, and ardently hope that in the providence of God we may be blessed with more during the present Conference year.

West Windsor. It is over nine years since the most of this church have been striving to obey God by keeping all his commandments. We have not yet become tired of well-doing, but on the other hand we want to arise with the message that we may be prepared to meet our Lord at his coming.

We meet every Sabbath for prayer, and are much blessed and strengthened. We also have a Sabbath School and Bible Class.

West Plains. We are but a small church, but we are trying to overcome, and are very thankful to God for the watch care of the committee, and also for the timely visits of the messengers at our Quarterly Meetings. It has proved a blessing to us and done us good.

But although our number is small, we do not feel discouraged. The promise is to those that endure to the end. And the Master has said, "Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." With this ever in view, and the assisting grace of God, we will try to be overcomers.