Vermont by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1872

Vermont.

By A. S. Hutchins

The past six weeks, I have been with the brethren in Jericho and West Bolton. Have held meetings every Sabbath and first-day. We trust these meetings, also our prayer-meetings, have been seasons of spiritual growth to the believers, and that they have made good impressions upon the minds of those who have not identified themselves with us.

The truth has been spoken with freedom, and we trust its refining, elevating principles, will so shine out in the words and deportment of all who try to reduce it to practice, as to manifest to the world its sacredness and intrinsic value. With the humble, earnest seeker for Bible truth, present, saving truth, it appears with increasing luster and attracting excellencies, more precious than gold, amidst the errors and false doctrines of the last days.

A sermon was preached here recently, in which the speaker is reported to have said that the temporal millennium commenced two years since. An elderly Baptist minister of the place, worthy of respect for his good sense and liberality of feeling toward those who preach the immediate coming of Christ and the perpetuity of the law of God, thinks if we have had two years of the millennium, that one could desire no more of the kind.

This sermon was soon followed by another from the same minister, in which he taught that the Old Testament is all fulfilled, and is of no farther consequence to the Bible student, only as a history; also, that the ten commandments are abolished. Can it be possible that our Methodist friends are going into Antinomianism, (and that, too, in the millennial state,) while their discipline teaches, “No Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral”? Their catechisms teach that the moral law is the “rule of our obedience.” And that none need be mistaken as to what the moral law is, they tell us it is written in the 20th chapter of Exodus.

Furthermore, a portion of their baptismal covenant, reads, “Having been baptized in the faith, I will obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life, God being my helper.” In justice to the Methodists here, I think it may be said, that but few of the membership, if any, indorse the sentiments of the discourse referred to.

Said one of the hearers, “If this sermon be true, the murder of James Fisk, cannot be proved wrong.” “They that forsake the law, praise the wicked: but such as keep the law, contend with them.” Prov. 28: 4.

The days of fasting and prayer were seasons of encouragement. The fervent prayers of some that God would raise up, and send forth laborers into the great harvest field, made our hearts rejoice.

Last Sabbath and first-day, Eld. A. C. Bourdeau was with us, whose presence and labors helped on the good work. Brethren and sisters have visited us the past winter, who have left a favorable impression. Tried and true friends of the cause can help us by occasionally spending a Sabbath with us. They can speak from experience words of encouragement to those inquiring the way to Zion. May the overcomer’s crown be ours.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

March 14, 1872.