BATTLE CREEK T. AND M. INSTITUTE.
By James White
This was a very large class. Ministers from several of the States were present. Elders Whitney and Stone had the pleasure of drilling between two and three hundred, embracing a large amount of active intelligence. Here men and women were prepared, not only to act in the tract and missionary cause, but to instruct others in the same good work. The public services during the Sabbaths covered by the period of time given to the duties of the Institute, were seasons of the deepest interest. Social meetings were refreshing; and the seasons of prayer, enjoyed by the ministers who assembled morning and evening in the room where we now write, were very precious. Elders Corliss, Decker, and Colcord, all suffering from wear and disease, were special subjects of prayer. At the close of the Tract and Missionary Institute, the following resolutions were passed by unanimous rising vote:— Whereas, Eld. B. L. Whitney, of Rome, N. Y., who has been with us for the term of eighteen days, and has occupied sixteen days in teaching the principles and practice of tract and missionary labor, has endeared himself to us by his Christian walk, his gentlemanly deportment, and ability as teacher and conductor of Tract and Missionary Institutes, therefore Resolved, That a vote expressive of our grateful thanks is due our beloved teacher for his patient and efficient labors with us. Resolved, That it is the sense of the class that our thanks are due the church at Battle Creek for their liberalities and kind attentions to our wants. We have good news from the Institute now being held at Oakland, Wis. The work of the class opens with sixty members, and many encouraging features. Judging from the past, we feel very confident that Eld. Whitney, with the blessing of God, will make the several institutes to be held this spring in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, a great blessing to these Conferences. J. W.