MEETINGS IN VERMONT by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 1, 1877

MEETINGS IN VERMONT.

By A. S. Hutchins

With gratitude we call to mind our meetings in Vt., the last three weeks. Bro. Haskell and myself have been through the State, commencing with the north-west part of the State, and closing in the southern part. Our Conference has for some time stood in need of just the help furnished by the labors of Bro. Haskell. His clear and forcible manner of presenting the tithing system, has awakened an interest in every church visited, not previously known among us, on this point.

The figures on Systematic Benevolence have been liberally raised, considering the brevity of the meetings, and the fact that not all our brethren have been reached in our trip through the State. I am confident much more could have been accomplished could Bro. H. have remained longer. But he felt hurried on to other fields of labor and important duties.

The subject of Tract and Missionary labor received attention, the brethren and sisters generally voting to raise a sum equal to one-third of their s. B., to be used by the Society in carrying forward the interests of the work.

Our brethren and sisters will please bear in mind that the sum pledged for this object should be paid quarterly in advance, if not all paid at the commencement of the year; and that it is not for individual members to use at choice in sending out periodicals or tracts.

If we carry out the system presented by Bro. Haskell in this matter, and which we have voted to do, we shall have ready funds to act on more extensive plans than we have heretofore been able to execute. And we may expect the blessing of the Lord to rest upon those who freely come up to the requirements of the word of God in paying tithes, and in giving of their substance to help send out the light and truth to the thousands who wait to receive the last message of mercy.

The voice of the Master is, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3: 10.

Here the Lord kindly invites us to “prove” him. Do we dare to do it? Many will, and will receive the promised blessing. Relative to the rise on s. B. figures, and the pledge of a sum for T. and M. purposes equal to one-third of our s. B., I think we may count on the payment of both of these. The brethren have not acted upon the spur of the moment in coming up to these points, but have pledged with deliberation.

The fields are everywhere whitening. There are promising fields, especially in the southern part of Vt., where the truth has never been preached. We have a new and excellent sixty-foot tent, with funds to meet the demands for running it in the summer of 1877.

We do therefore again lay our petition before the General Conference Committee, and ask them to consider our need of help, and if possible early to send us the right man. And though we would be modest in our choice, I would say, it is very difficult for us to yield our wish that Eld. G. I. Butler should return to his native State, and here sound the message of the third angel. A. S. HUTCHINS.

Feb. 15, 1877.