Meetings in Vermont by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 8, 1870

Meetings in Vermont.

By A. S. Hutchins

Since holding meetings in Charleston, I have spent two Sabbaths in Wolcott, one in Middlesex, one in Stowe, and one in Braintree. At Stowe, I also spoke on first-day evening in a school-house. Visited some. Found a few friendly to the truth. They desired more meetings. Have an appointment to preach there next Sabbath and first-day.

On the evening of the 13th inst., preached at the house of our friend W. Chipman, in Waitsfield, to a few candid and attentive hearers. We were much interested in our short visit with this kind family. Sr. C. has been keeping the Bible Sabbath about one year. I think her companion was strongly convicted at our camp-meeting that we have the truth, and was almost persuaded to go with us. We hope he may yet take up the cross, win the crown, and as parents and dear children, this entire family may enter into the joy of our Lord.

They manifest a strong desire to have a course of lectures given here. But I do not feel that I have health sufficient to engage in so important a work alone.

Last Sabbath, it was gratifying to meet with so many scattered ones from different towns, at the house of Bro. Cobb, in Braintree; and know that all felt encouraged and strengthened in the Lord. May we all be the better and live nearer to him for this privilege. Some of the brethren are soon to leave this part of the State. We hope the remaining ones will do their best to sustain meetings, and to keep up an interest. “Union is strength.”

On first-day evening, I spoke in the meeting-house, to a very attentive audience. Two speakers had occupied the house through the day. I was informed that their efforts were to sustain the no-law theory. Bro. Evans had spoken the previous evening on the perpetuity of the law of God. At the close of my discourse on repentance and faith, I invited all the congregation to rise to their feet, who believe the commandments of God are not binding on Christians. Not one arose.

Who will arise in the morning of the resurrection to call men blessed for such preaching? If the tendency of advocating the no-law or no-Sabbath delusion is to either sanctify the preacher or lead to the conversion of his hearers, the fact has yet to come to light. “Oh! that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Williamstown, Oct. 27, 1870.