REPORT FROM BRO. HUTCHINS.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
SINCE my last report, I have spent one Sabbath with the church in Sutton. I believe all the brethren and sisters present were encouraged and strengthened in this meeting, to press forward for victory. I visited what I was able the few days I remained here. Though our brethren are few in number in this place and somewhat scattered, it is their privilege to continue to grow in grace, and in a knowledge of the truth. They may, and should, exert a saving influence on those with whom they associate, and with whom they deal in worldly matters. A sacred regard for our promises with all, “good works,” and “well-doing,” tell favorably for the religion of the Bible, for the cause of God, and the truth we profess to believe and obey. Jan. 16 and 17, Bro. A. C. Bourdeau attended meeting with us in Wolcott. He preached three discourses. I spoke once. The good Spirit was present to assist in the presentation of the truth, and to melt the hearts of those who heard, in tenderness. Bro. B.’s remarks were calculated to awaken our minds to a more vivid sense of the time in which we live, and to lead us to seek a preparation of heart, to stand in the day of the Lord which hasteth greatly. His visit with his companion at our house was agreeable. Praise the Lord for union with, and love for, his saints. Having had a desire for some time to visit the brethren in this section, I arranged with Bro. B. to be with him here on the 23d and 24th. The meeting being held at Roxbury on the Sabbath, instead of Braintree, as we expected, together with being delayed on our way there on sixth-day, rendered it necessary, if we attended the meeting, that we should drive some seventeen miles Sabbath morning. This distance we drove in about three hours, which brought us to the mountain-home of Bro. E. P. Cram. The presence of the dear brethren and sisters, with the good word spoken, cheered our hearts, and bade us take courage in the Christian warfare. Pilgrims, let us hasten on. The reward of eternal life is near. The King of glory soon will come. Last Sabbath, Bro. Evans spoke in the forenoon on the subject of faith. In the P. M., I spoke on suffering with Christ, from 2 Tim. ii, 12. Deep conviction seemed to rest upon the minds of the people, while in the hearts of the brethren and sisters, new desires appeared to be kindled to suffer with Christ here, if they could reign with him hereafter. At the close of the meeting, four arose, expressing a determination to keep the Bible Sabbath, whose attention had been called to the subject, under the labors of Bro. Evans, within the past few weeks, and four, or more, arose, requesting an interest in the prayers of God’s people. On first-day, we both spoke with freedom. Bro. E. labored to show the friends the importance of accepting the truth and walking in the light while it shines upon their pathway. I followed with a discourse from the words, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” If, simply to neglect salvation, we incur the displeasure of God, and finally lose Heaven, what must be the doom of such as spend a life of open rebellion against the Most High, who fight against his cause, and turn many from the truth? How will they escape? As I spoke on this point, the fate of the poor sinner seemed terrible; but the reward of the righteous, desirable above the power of language to express. And this may be ours on condition of faith and obedience. Our visit in this section with the brethren, and the friends inquiring the way to Zion, has been pleasant and, we hope, profitable. May none of these be turned from the right way, but may they all follow Jesus, till glory shall complete the work which grace has begun. Braintree, Vt., Feb. 2, 1869.