Note from Bro. Bates by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 9, 1864

Note from Bro. Bates.

By Joseph Bates

Bro. White: We visited Wright the 22d inst., to attend the funeral, as per obituary notice. After this we held four meetings with the church and people there on Sabbath and first-day. The people here have an ear to hear about the present truth, and with some few exceptions, the church is struggling to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ.

Spent January 25 to 27 in Byron Center. Sr. Campbell had been very sick, but is recovering. A few Sabbath-keepers there are trying to hold on their way and overcome the wicked one. A Disciple preacher, by the name of Wheeler, had just been teaching the people there that God's law and Sabbath were abolished at the crucifixion, and the Old Testament was done away, and we had nothing to do with it. Perhaps Mr. W. had not yet read in the New Testament testimony like the following: "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail;" Luke xvi, 17. "And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead;" verse 31. "For had ye believed Moses ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me; but if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words;" John v, 46, 47.

Joseph Bates.

Monterey, Jan. 28, 1864.