THE GENERAL MEETING AT HILLSDALE by G. I. B.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 17, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 7

THE GENERAL MEETING AT HILLSDALE.

By G. I. B.

This was the first of the series of general meetings recently appointed by the Conference Committee in Michigan. We are glad to say that it was a decided success, and one of the most interesting meetings we ever attended in the State. In the first place, the director, Bro. H. W. Miller, took a great interest to get the people to come out. He visited the different churches, and personally invited many who he felt needed the benefit of such a meeting. The little meeting-house of our people in Hillsdale was altogether too small to accommodate our own people who attended. The Baptist friends, therefore, allowed us the use of their hall, which was a great accommodation.

Every church in the district, excepting the one at Jackson, was well represented; and they certainly missed an important privilege in absenting themselves from the meeting. We should judge two or three hundred of our people were in attendance on the Sabbath, and nearly all stayed through until Monday afternoon. The people came out to hear the truth, and God gave special freedom in presenting it. The nearness of Christ’s coming, the message of warning now being given, the work of the Spirit of God in the testimonies, the truths for the present time, the carelessness and indifference of our people, and the question of the missionary work, etc., were the subjects presented.

Present truth for the present time is what the people need. The importance of earnestness in view of the short period preceding the close of probation, the necessity of active labor to keep up spiritual life in this age of sad declension, cold formality, stolid indifference, and love of pleasure, these truths were well received by the people. The tears could be seen on many faces while the truth was being presented; and the interest of the meeting seemed to increase constantly from the beginning to the close. Our social meeting Sabbath day morning was a most interesting occasion. Eld. D. H. Lamson, who has recently passed through affliction in sickness, made most interesting and feeling remarks. He referred to the discourse of the previous day concerning the testimonies and the perplexities of his mind for several years in the past concerning them; how he had been brought into great distress and anguish; and how for the last few months the Lord had been letting the light shine upon his mind, and he had received a great blessing. He said that in several instances he had been brought near to the grave, and God had mercifully preserved him. The thought that possibly he might be called away, and not be able to labor any more in this glorious cause, was exceedingly painful to him. He referred to some most interesting circumstances he had himself observed where the Lord had given light through vision to Sr. White. Some of these are worthy of a more careful description. Though his mind had been in trouble in the past, he now expressed a most decided and positive conviction of the truthfulness not only of the visions, but also of all the blessed truths professed by our people; and expressed his desire to labor with greater earnestness and zeal than ever before. The Spirit of God rested upon him and every one in the congregation. He and many others were in tears. The remarks at other parts of the meeting were exceedingly interesting. We do hope the Lord will raise his servant to go forth and labor in the cause of God with all that earnestness that his heart desires.

Our missionary meetings were of deep interest. A large number promised to go and canvass the Signs and “Sunshine” and the REVIEW and other periodicals. The subject of the Australian

mission was talked over; and when the director presented the matter in a few words, and inquired if there were any who wished to give $100 to this important enterprise, six or seven immediately responded. Two at least of these had before pledged $1,000 each on the $75,000 fund. This amount was given besides what they had pledged in that fund, and given cheerfully. $875 was pledged in sums of from $50 to $100. The director feels confident that in this district alone this sum can be easily raised to $1,000 for the Australian mission. The funds for this important mission would soon be raised if others would give with the same liberality. We are not prepared to say that such steps should be taken everywhere; we have hoped that that mission would receive its funds mostly from those pledging $1,000 and upward; but there seemed to be a desire on the part of the brethren to help on this important mission.

If the general meetings in other parts of the State can be made as profitable as this one at Hillsdale, they will certainly be an important means of grace to this Conference. May God’s blessing rest upon those that shall follow.

G. I. B.