Article October 19, 1899 Issue

Faithfulness Rewarded

Kittie K. Morgan, Belle S. Gere

The truth of the Scriptural words, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them," has been so beautifully fulfilled at Macatawa Park, Michigan, during this summer's season, that we cannot longer withhold the good tidings from those whom we know will be glad to hear. The first Sunday in June, the lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly was read by two ladies from South Bend, Ind., in their cottage at this resort. These ladies are earnest Christian Scientists though young in the work, and are not yet church members.

There were four ladies present at that meeting; the following Wednesday evening an experience meeting was held in the same cottage, at which seven were present; the same number gathered together the second Sunday, at which time one of us was requested to take the place of First Reader, as she was qualified to do so according to the rules of the Church Manual. The number attending our meetings increased so rapidly, that a larger room had to be secured. Accordingly the request for the use of the Auditorium was made to the President of the Macatawa Park Association. We had been advised by many not to do this for three reasons : First, that the Auditorium had been built expressly for an Orthodox Religious Assembly, which convened there every summer for one week; Second, because an Orthodox service was held there Sunday afternoons, also a Sunday School; Third, and especially, because a very strong prejudice seemingly existed against Christian Science. But the demonstration of Love and Truth was so perfect, that when our desire was made known, the President immediately granted our request, by saying, "Why certainly; you can hold your service there in the morning, that is what the Auditorium is for, it was built expressly for religious services, and I understand that Christian Scientists do pray and sing."

In this needful hour, another, who had been working in our midst for two weeks, and one qualified for the work, willingly took the place of the Second Reader when asked to do so by one of the ladies who first started the Sunday service in her cottage. The first service was held in the Auditorium Sunday, July 16, with an attendance of over eighty. The building is beautifully located in the woods between high wooded hills, is roofed overhead and open on the sides, being closed at the end where the platform, organ, and reading desk are placed. The congregation increased in interest and number each week. The Wednesday meeting was held in the afternoon instead of the evening because of the unpleasantness of going through the woods at night. The services were well attended and awakened much earnest interest among the many visitors at Ottawa Beach as well at Macatawa Park.

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