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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 13, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 15.

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VERMONT

By A. S. Hutchins

ROXBURY.

Preached here one evening and twice on the Sabbath. Brethren and sisters from several towns were with us in our meeting on Sabbath day. A presentation of the evidences of the near coming of the Son of man, and an examination of the scriptural Bible Sabbath in the last days, and the testimony revealing the restoration of the privilege and duty of the church to honor and keep it holy, called forth expressions of gratitude and joy from believing ones.
The visibility of this church has been well-nigh lost the second time by removals to other localities in former years; while a lack of growth in grace, and of the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,” &c., have kept the hearts of others separated, blighting their happiness, and weakening their influence and power for good. Until both the law of nature and the law of grace are changed, it will remain true that “jealousy is cruel as the grave; the coals thereof are the coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” Says James, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren.”
Labor from house to house to remedy evils resulted in apparent good. May it prove real and permanent. May the ties of consanguinity and the religion of the Man of Calvary so unite hearts here that it may be said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Systematic Benevolence was raised to more than three times what it was for last year.

WOLCOTT.

In view of recent high winds and the severity of the weather, we found more at this meeting than we expected. There has been some revival of interest in tract and missionary work in this district within a few months. Several have embraced the Sabbath. Thirty reports were returned from a membership of thirty-one, as nearly as could be ascertained.

IRASBURGH.

The appointment for this meeting with the general quarterly meeting, proved to be an unfavorable time to secure hearers, as there was at the same time in the village a protracted meeting, and quarterly meeting of the Methodists. Three sermons were preached. Owing to the time taken for this object, and the fact that so many felt they must leave for home on first-day, our space for tract and missionary interest was necessarily brief.
As we pen these lines, we have a consciousness that our small Tract and Missionary Society has not done its duty in the noble mission before us, that we are verily far behind in active and self-sacrificing labor, and in reporting even what we may have done; also in donations to forward the work. Some of our brethren, to be sure, have made pledges for different objects connected with the cause of God beyond present ability to pay; and some, doubtless, beyond their duty. It is not the wish of brethren who know best the wants of the cause to press these liberal souls. But there are others who should wake up to duty as never before, especially in the circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, which comes to us freighted with such precious truth for perishing men.
May the “Earnest Appeal” from the General Conference Committee, and “Testimony No. 26,” awaken, arouse us, and hasten us to our posts of duty. The Lord is coming, the solemn warning must go forth. The world must hear it! The precious jewels must be gathered, and the church prepared to welcome their returning Lord with the most triumphant exclamation, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Irasburgh, Vt., March 27, 1876.