REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.
By James White
In our last, we stated that a general gathering was expected at Orleans, Sabbath and first-day, Feb. 23 and 24. But high water and a loss of sleighing hindered many of the brethren at a distance from coming in. At the hours of worship, the congregation was good. We spoke each day in the forenoon, and Mrs. W. spoke each day in the afternoon. This is a sacrificing, persevering people. Neither storm nor blow, snow nor rain, hinders them from meeting together. On one of the coldest, stormiest mornings of the winter, when we had given up having a meeting, load after load of men, women and children drove up, until the congregation was good. These, who have but little preaching, prize the labors of those who come among them with the plain testimony. Since we left home, eight weeks since, we have rode with our team one thousand miles, and have walked some each day, in all amounting to one hundred miles. This, with our preaching, writing, baths and rest hours, has filled up our time. Sabbath, March 2nd, we spoke in the forenoon, and Mrs. W. spoke in the afternoon. By request, our subject was the parable of the ten virgins, Matt. xxv, 1-13. We never felt greater freedom in comparing the several points of the marriage as stated by our Lord in the parable, than on this occasion, and never saw a more eager people to catch every word. What made this occasion still more interesting, was that there were only two persons in the house, excepting ourselves, that had part in our past Advent experience. Here we are reminded of those who in the early church, believed in Christ on the testimony of those who saw his miracles, witnessed his crucifixion and resurrection. They had the prophets who foretold the sayings of Christ, and those eye-witnesses whose testimony agreed with the prophecies. But these believers among Seventh-day Adventists who were not in the past movement, and know not by experience its power, have the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which harmonize with the experience of those whose eyes and ears were opened to the great and glorious theme of the second coming of Christ. Mrs. W. spoke nearly two hours in the afternoon upon the subject of faith. This morning, March 3, we decided that lengthy speaking was not so good for us, and concluded to divide the time with Mrs. W. in both the forenoon and afternoon. So we stated to the congregation that we designed to speak one half an hour at each service, and give them a chance to hear another whom they had rather hear. Our subject was Matt. xxiv. But we were soon lost in the sublime theme of the second advent, while the congregation seemed to eat every word; and when we sat down, we found we had been speaking one hour and a quarter. Mrs. W. then followed upon the subject of order and cleanliness, and the necessity of being prepared for the great event. We have just returned from speaking an hour this afternoon upon the three messages, and while we write at Bro. Maynard's, Mrs. W. is speaking within hearing distance.164We have taken our leave of this people for the present, who express a desire that we should settle among them. And we feel the strongest desire, if the Lord will, to settle with this dear people where our testimony, as is most natural, is prized more than in those places where they are blessed with much ministerial labor, and the labors also of efficient local elders and experienced brethren. When men come from ten to fifteen miles on foot, and aged and feeble women come from three to twelve miles on foot, at this season of the year, depend upon it they come to hear. We expect to leave here to-morrow, to fill appointments at Orange, Windsor, Battle Creek, &c. But as the weather is growing severe and stormy, we may not be able to leave. Greenville, March 3, 1867.