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Sketch of Experience
15
I had written to one family was received with profit to the persons
addressed. We still feel a deep interest in that family and ardently
desire that they may enjoy prosperity in the Lord, and although we
feel some discouragement as to the cause in Gratiot County we shall
be anxious to help the brethren when they feel anxious to be helped.
At the Alma meeting there were brethren present from St.
Charles and Tittabawassee, Saginaw County, who urged us to visit
them. We had not designed to enter this county at present, but to
visit Tuscola County if the way opened. Not hearing from Tuscola,
we decided to visit Tittabawassee, and meantime write to Tuscola
County and inquire if we were wanted there. At Tittabawassee we
were happily disappointed to find a large house of worship, recently
built by our people, well filled with Sabbathkeepers. The brethren
seemed ready for our testimony, and we enjoyed freedom. A great
and good work had been done in this place through the faithful labors
[13]
of Brother A. Much bitter opposition and persecution had followed,
but this seemed to melt away with those who came to hear, and our
labors seemed to make a good impression upon all. I attended eleven
meetings in this place in one week, spoke several times from one to
two hours, and took part in the other meetings. At one meeting an
effort was made to induce certain ones who observe the Sabbath to
move forward and take up the cross. The duty before most of these
was baptism. In my last vision I saw places where the truth would
be preached and bring out churches which we should visit. This was
one of those places. I felt a peculiar interest for this people. The
cases of certain ones in the congregation opened before me, and a
spirit of labor for them came upon me which I could not throw off.
For about three hours I labored for them, most of the time appealing
to them with feelings of the deepest solicitude. All took the cross
on that occasion and came forward for prayers, and nearly all spoke.
The next day fifteen were baptized.
No one can visit this people without being impressed with the
value of Brother A’s faithful labors in this cause. His work is to
enter places where the truth has not been proclaimed, and I hope our
people will cease their efforts to draw him from his specific work.
In the spirit of humility he can go forth, leaning upon the arm of the
Lord, and rescue many souls from the powers of darkness. May the
blessing of God still be with him.