INTERESTING REMINISCENCES.
[Before the passing of the anniversary of the tenth day of the seventh month, October 22, our aged brother, Washington Morse, wrote us from Pittsfield, Vt., Oct. 7, 1901. His words, considering his age and his past experience in the work, will be of interest to all our readers; and we trust that some of the zeal manifested in his late experiences may start anew the flame in many hearts to engage anew in this good work.—Ed.] DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As we are nearing the fifty-seventh anniversary of the ending of the prophetic periods, Oct. 22, 1844, I feel impressed to acknowledge God's great goodness to me during the year past. While I have been called to mourn the loss of my dear companion, with whom I had lived and taken sweet counsel for sixty-four years, God, in His great mercy, has spared my life and raised me up from the depths of sorrow to see as never before what a glorious truth He has committed to His remnant people. The first day of March I took my last lingering look at the grave of my dear wife, and started to carry out her wishes for me to again take my place to labor in the missionary field. As I began to move out among those whom I had left two years ago, I felt that a great change had come over the people. The truth contained in the books they bought years ago is taking deep root in many minds, and many questions are asked. I found ears to hear, and doors open in many households, and received urgent requests to visit the churches. I was urged to attend the church that I left fifty-six years ago, and as I took my place to speak to them, I was made very free. God gave me a testimony that was well received. For several Sundays I was there, and at every meeting I was made happy in talking to that people, and other churches in like manner; and when the time came that I was to leave that field, Peterboro, Ontario, many expressed their sorrow that I was going away. The last day of July I left Canada for old Vermont, my native State, having been absent forty-five years. I have found great liberty in laboring not only among my dear brethren in the present truth, but with the Methodists, Congregationalists, and others. I have visited Barre, Chelsea, Williamstown, Northfield, Roxbury, Randolph, Brookfield. The last-named place is the town where I was born, eighty-five years ago. I visited the house of my birthplace. This was the house my father built ninety-three years ago. Many long-forgotten memories were brought to my mind. At Williamstown, I, with many others, left my work in July, 1844, to go out to give the midnight cry (see Matthew 25), and traveled from town to town. Here was where we hung up our scythes and sickles, and left our crops to stand to preach to the people. And as we went from place to place, and passed fields where crops stood unharvested, we knew what that meant. In those days, there were tollgates from Burlington to Barton, Vt.; but they were all opened for those preaching the Judgment Hour Message, as far as my memory serves. I am happy to say that many are the blessings I have received since coming to Vermont. I find many open doors to preach the present truth. I am permitted to preach in the Methodist churches in different places. I came to Pittsfield one week ago, and attended meeting the night I came. I was made happy that night and the next night. The meeting was given into my hands, and at the close of the services the elder wished me to preach on Sunday or in the evening. I did so. My text was Dan. 8:14. I had great liberty, and the congregation seemed chained to their seats. The pastor in charge took my hand, and said, “God bless you, my brother.” This he did at three different times. My dear brethren, the sanctuary is the keynote of our message. Before I went to the meeting I had a discourse laid out in my mind; but after I came into the church, it all left my mind, and the sanctuary was brought before me in power, and I never had such freedom in speaking on that subject before. The same great love that I used to feel under the first message filled my heart as I presented the truth concerning the sanctuary and the judgment. In Williamstown I attended an association meeting held in the Congregational church, where there were several ministers. After listening to several mournful reports, I was moved to speak, and God gave me a testimony in very deed. Judging from the amens, it was well received; and many were the hearty greetings I received. I find my hands more than full. Many are the letters I receive, saying, “Come back and labor with us,” or, “Do not fail to come and visit our church.” And as I leave those where I stop, I hear it said with weeping, “Pray for me, and pray for my husband.” O my brethren, we are not half awake to the wants of the people. Cut loose, cut loose from the entanglements of this poor world, which is soon to be destroyed, soon to be in its chaotic state again. Jer. 4:23. In Dan. 12:13 a blessing is pronounced upon those who wait and come to the end of the thirteen hundred and thirty-five days. This period began in A.D. 508, and ended in 1843, and the blessing has reference to the increase of knowledge, and marks the full beginning of a work which is to continue unbroken till the Lord comes. The three messages of Rev. 14:6-12 constitute this work. These messages are inseparable, and altogether form the last threefold message. The essential work of these messages is told in plain language. It is a warning of the judgment hour, the fall of Babylon, and the worship of the Beast and his Image. Now, how can any one receive the blessings here pronounced under this light without understanding the messages in their fullest extent? The thing which the angels desired to look into is the unfolding of God's word since the time of the blessing promised in 1843. My brethren, to us is committed this solemn and yet glorious work of giving the people this light, and shall we let the fleeting, transitory things of earth turn us aside from so sacred a work? Now it is said to us there is no longer delay. If we have delayed this message, let us no longer do so. “Say not ye there are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” I have nothing but good cheer to report. My health is excellent. Last week after a hard day's work, I started at five o'clock and walked six miles, and talked until nine in the evening with much of God's blessing. God has bidden you all to remember the men of gray hairs. And He has said that you should consider it a sacred duty to care for them. Especially I ask your prayers.