REPORT FROM BRO. STONE by Bro. Stone

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 7, 1868

REPORT FROM BRO. STONE.

By Bro. Stone

FEB. 5, in company with Bro. Howlett, I set out for Compton, C. E., distant some 60 miles, to visit the few scattered brethren in that vicinity. A storm of snow and wind, followed by intense cold, soon overtook us, making the traveling so difficult that it took three days to reach the place. We put up with Bro. J. Hool, in whose kind family our wants were amply met.

Here is a small church living remote from any other church, and some of them 25 miles or more from each other, and are seldom visited by a preacher, yet they are holding on with a commendable zeal, not forsaking the assembling of themselves together as often as practicable, but seem to have a settled purpose to exhort and encourage each other, and to aid in pushing forward the great interest of the cause by promptness in paying s. B., and in watching over each other for mutual benefit.

Sabbath, Feb. 8, A. M. the church, except a few who were sick, met at the house of Bro. Hool, where two discourses were listened to with much interest and good feeling, after which a social meeting in which all took part; the testimonies evincing a deep and settled feeling for the salvation of others, especially of their children. In the evening the ordinances were observed with edification and profit.

On the 9th, the roads being impassable, we remained at Bro. Hool's. On the morning of the 10th, the thermometer standing at 28 below zero, and the roads badly drifted, we set out behind Bro. Hool's ox team, driven by his son. This day we made 10 miles only, and put up at a hotel, leaving Bro. Howlett at Stanstead to visit some friends, and brethren in that vicinity. On the 13th I reached home in good health, thankful for the sense of Divine approval, which I feel in all my feeble attempts to do the will of God.

On this tour we had the pleasure of a brief call upon our aged and venerable Bro. Stale, of Derby Center, Vt., who, with his companion, has been keeping the Sabbath for several years, and embraces most of the views taught by the third angel's message, including the health reform.

Sabbath, the 15th, I met with the Richford and Sutton church at the house of Bro. Currier, where I gave a discourse on the sanctity of the Sabbath, and how it should be kept. All present seemed to feel that the commandment is exceeding broad, and that reform in this direction is still called for to make us what we should be. Confessions were made with deep feeling, and purposes of further reform on this point were expressed. On the 17th set out for Stowe, where we spent several days visiting, and on the Sabbath met with the church, where we spoke freely on the law of God in general, and the law of the Sabbath in particular. The church were blessed and strengthened by the straight testimony, and expressed a determination to try to live out all the requirements of God as brought to view in the third angel's message.

It was at this place, on the 25th of February, I received intelligence of the sickness of my companion, and was in consequence suddenly called from my field of labor, as will probably be noted in the Review before the publication of this report which I am now writing (March 24,) by the side of her sick bed, from which I have not been absent but a few hours at a time since my return. She is much reduced, and still labors under the influence of an effusion of the heart.

I leave all in the hands of God, believing that he has a care for me and mine, though unworthy.

I take this opportunity to express my heart-felt thanks to the brethren and sisters among whom I have labored the past winter; your kindness is appreciated, and I trust will not be without its reward.

My labors will be resumed should Providence so order.