A Tour Among the Scattered Flock
By Joseph Bates
Dear Bro. White:—A brief sketch of my last tour west may interest some of the scattered flock. Our conference in Berlin, Conn., Feb. 15 and 16, was very good. Much interest was manifest in the proclamation of the “present truth.” I believe the Lord set it home on the hearts of children and parents. Some were present and took a part with us that were acquainted with the first and second angel’s message, who, I trust will also receive the third, and be found, and known as the restorers of God’s Holy Sabbath, in the great and eventful day of the Lord. We also held meetings in Middletown and East Hampton.—In the first place, several came in to hear our message. At the close of the meeting two of them presented some of their strongest objections to the seventh day Sabbath, and shut door; but they were powerless and did not affect the hearers, because they failed to produce a “thus saith the Lord” to stay up their inferences. The others professed their sincerity relative to the “present truth.” I hope they will embrace it fully. In the last place we found two who had been supplied with the papers, and were anxious to hear and ready to say they believed, so far as they had heard. The next Sabbath, (Feb. 22,) I spent with Bro. Waters’ family, in East Hamilton, W. N. Y. The Lord refreshed us. In Norwich, (24 miles south,) held meetings at Bro. Burrows. Here we found some hungry starving sheep, two of them wanted the paper sent to them. The types and third angel’s message made their past experience so clear, they were anxious for more light. My prayer is, Lord lead them into the whole truth. In Peterborough, I learned that Gerrit Smith, who is so famed for his beneficent acts to the poor, especially to the liberated colored people, was, with his companion keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, but not in the message of the third Angel, Rev. xiv, 12. He listened a little while; said he must examine the subject, regretted very much that his companion was absent from home, as she was very much interested in the Advent.—Had two meetings here. One Sister, I believe, received the Sabbath in the message, some others seemed deeply impressed. In Camden, we met with the brethren from Oswego, Scriba, Sterling, and the three families just removed from East Hamilton, and Brookfield. The dear brethren who had been wading through deep trials were much strengthened with the union of the little church from East Hamilton. I trust they will continue to renew their strength. The conference on the Sabbath and first day, (March 1 and 2,) was an interesting, quickening season. Truth seemed to take deep hold on many minds. Quite a number who had been laboring, and struggling for liberty, and freedom from the enemy, were set free in answer to prayer. In Deveraux, I found Sisters Cady and Brissee hungry for the truth. We had a season of interest with them, and some others. Bro. Brissee, I trust, will have the whole message. When I arrived in Boston, (March 6,) I learned that Bro. Rhodes had found some that loved the present truth there. It is very evident, dear brother, even from the facts of this short tour, that God is now gathering his people by ones and twos and threes, from almost every place where the third angel’s56message is proclaimed, right out of the ranks of our persecuting foes. The old adage among sailors holds good here.—One volunteer is worth ten pressed men. Let us praise God for this growing, cementing, strengthening truth, that is drawing the remnant on to rock bottom. This gathering host have nothing to fear. The truth in this last message will make them mighty through God. One that has it will chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. Amen. Fairhaven, March 9, 1851.