Vermont Meetings in West Bolton, Charleston, and Sutton
By A. S. Hutchins
After the organization of the church in West Bolton and Jericho, I remained there through the month of May, holding meetings both Sabbaths and first-days. Our last meeting was held in the house of Bro. H. B. Smith, where the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated with this church for the first time. It was a precious season, and a good impression was left upon the minds of all. June 8 and 9, attended meetings in Charleston. Sabbath, 15, spoke to the church in Sutton. On first-day, the 16th, spoke twice in the Freewill Baptist house. As when here last January, some listened with deep interest to the word spoken, while the majority of this large church are afraid of “new things,” even though they are found in the word of God, the great and unfailing rule of the Protestant’s faith. My soul feels most deeply for the Freewill Baptists, my former brethren. Oh! that they might return to their former devotion and consecration to God, to their zeal and sacrifice in his cause, to the ardent love for perishing souls which characterized preachers and people in the rise of this denomination. Then would they most earnestly seek to know the will of God, and cheerfully bear the cross, amidst reproaches and persecutions. Sabbath and first day, 22 and 23, held meetings in Sutton. The Lord was truly with us in the celebration of the ordinances of his house. It was one of the happy hours of my life, to be permitted to baptize Bro. Dean and his companion. May they be numbered with the overcomers. On the 24th, by request, I spoke at 5 P. M. in the Whipple school house. Had freedom in presenting the hope of the Christian. I hope and trust our visits and feeble labors here may not be lost. May some of these dear ones be gathered when the Lord shall come. Sabbath, 29, preached twice at the house of Bro. Barrows, in Irasburg. Let none of the brethren and sisters be discouraged in this section of the State, that tent and camp meetings are brought no nearer to them. The cause of God is one, and his servants are trying to move in his fear, and we all need your prayers. Hope on, hope ever; there are souls yet to be saved in your section. Let your light shine. Sabbath, July 6, spoke to the dear friends in Johnson. Their testimonies and good resolutions were cheering. Truly, God is good. To serve him is inexpressibly sweet, and the great gathering of the saints, and rest, unending rest, in Heaven, desirable beyond the power of language to describe. “In that eternal day
No clouds or tempests rise:
There gushing tears are wiped away
Forever from our eyes.” Johnson, Vt., July 10, 1872.