p. 76 | MICHIGAN | AdventAI

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 29, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 5

MICHIGAN

Morley, Mecosta Co., Jan. 13.—Have been holding meetings in a school-house four miles east of this place. While we did not see all accomplished that we could desire, yet we leave a few witnesses to the truth. Bro. D. A. Wellman was with me during the first two weeks of these meetings. Obtained six full subscribers for the REVIEW and three for Good Health, and sold $37.85 worth of books.

We leave the brethren here in good courage, and with a desire to labor for others. G. H. GILBERT.

Carlton Center, Jan. 15.—Commenced meetings at this place Dec. 21, 1879. Held meetings two weeks, with fair attendance and good attention until the thaw and rains, when we deemed it best to close for a few days. We did so, and spent the time in visiting. We have commenced meetings again, and are speaking on the Sabbath

question. We have some hope, and feel a degree of courage in the work. If we can have the help of Him who said, “Without me ye can do nothing,” we shall be able to accomplish some good.

Will our brethren remember us in their prayers. E. VAN DEURSEN.

Flint.—The quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 10, held at Flint, was thinly attended. But very few were here from other churches, and not all the members of this church even were present. This was owing to the almost impassable condition of the roads. The Spirit of the Lord came into the meeting, and more than made up for the deficiency in numbers.

The reports showed that there had been some activity in the missionary work, and still we had evidence that but little more than one-half that had actually been done was reported. At this meeting the Flint church cheerfully raised its proportion of the debt which has been on this district, and has crippled its efforts in the missionary work. The meeting closed leaving all of good courage, and fully determined to be more active and persevering in the good work of placing the light of truth before the minds of others. E. R. JONES.

Sand Lake, Kent Co., Jan. 19.—Jan. 1, 2, Bro. Burrill was with us at Morley. Three meetings were held, and a T. and M. society was organized. These meetings were timely, and a source of encouragement to the brethren.

Jan. 3–5, we were at Sand Lake. On account of the weather, but one meeting was held on the Sabbath. Sunday forenoon, Bro. Burrill spoke on the ordinances of the Lord’s house. In the afternoon a special effort was made for the young, and six came forward for prayers. The evening was devoted to the subject of S. B., the brethren present pledging themselves to pay the Lord’s tithe for the coming year. Monday forenoon the ordinances were celebrated, and a T. and M. society was organized.

The brethren here are of good courage, and we trust they will be benefited by the instruction received. D. A. WELLMAN.

Newton and Spring Arbor.—The T. and M. quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 3 was held at Newton, at the regular time. We were favored with the presence of Sister White, who gave us three discourses. She enjoyed a good degree of freedom, especially Sunday morning. As she earnestly warned men to turn away from burying themselves in the things of this life, and entreated them to seek the hope and joy there is in believing in Christ, hearts were melted to tenderness. Quite a goodly number not of our faith attended the meeting. They gave the best of attention to the word spoken.

There was not so good an attendance from all the churches in the district as we think such meetings demand; however, those present manifested a real interest in the T. and M. work. There were some present who were able to give good instruction in missionary labor, and not a few voted to devote one week’s time to this kind of work during the coming quarter. We have already seen the way open before some of these. How ready the Lord is to assist us if we will only work for him. Brethren, in the future let no trivial circumstances keep you away from meetings of so much importance. Let us be in earnest in this work, and then the Lord will work with us to the salvation of precious souls.

The quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 2, being one week late, was held Jan. 17, 18, at Spring Arbor. At this meeting there was a good representation of the churches in the district, individuals being present from Springport, Tompkins, Bunker Hill, Jackson, Summit, and West Liberty. Bro. W. C. White and W. C. Gage were with us, and rendered valuable assistance. Three discourses were given, and the rest of the time was devoted to the T. and M. and H. and T. work. Much interest was manifested in the T. and M. work, particularly that part of it that relates to arousing our own people to a more lively interest in the truth. Steps were taken to have Testimony No. 29 thoroughly circulated. The subject of family reading was not overlooked. Seven full sets of Spirit of Prophecy were sold.

To this point in the meeting a good degree of outside interest was manifested, but the circulation of an appointment for a temperance meeting Sunday evening brought many more. The church was filled, so that chairs and benches had to be placed in the aisles to seat the people. Thus crowded, they remained for two hours and a half, to listen to and participate in the exercises of the evening. Although a temperance club of fifty-five members had been formed here, yet at this meeting sixty-three signers were obtained to the pledges. The temperance work here reaches outside the ranks of the church, and we hope our brethren will have judgment to direct the work with discretion. M. B. MILLER.