Sabbath Work in Vermont
By Elon Everts
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Bro. Bates has been laboring in this vicinity, viz: New Haven, Panton and Weybridge, and a heavenly influence has accompanied, a blessing followed, resting on the brethren and sisters, and some acknowledged the Sabbath, and others are anxiously inquiring, and one interesting conversion. Bro. Bates and myself were at Low Hampton, Jan. 2d. Bro. Bates lectured in the Advent Chapel in the evening. I judged by the attentive, anxious appearance of the brethren, and also their expressions, that they were fed, and that their cautious fears were vanishing away. At the meeting's close, one Baptist member, a trustee of their house, arose, and invited Bro. Bates to come and lecture in their house; he said that he would open, warm and light the house, and welcome us in, for he wished to hear; for, said he, "I believe every word you have preached." Although thankful for his kindness, we declined the offer, and departed in the morning. A kind feeling pervades the brethren, and their kindness toward us was christian. Some there acknowledge the Sabbath, others, anxiously inquiring, and say that they wish more lectures, and a number in the Baptist church want to hear. We found Brn. Grandy and Curtis and their companions at Glens Falls. More tears in humble devotion and gratitude, I seldom witness. O! how thankful for our call, a portion of meat to refresh their hungry souls. Three, I trust, are decided on the Sabbath. We found a Bro. Freeman and his daughter in Sandyhill, who appeared interested in the Sabbath, and a colored sister Weston who saw the Sabbath, and said that she should keep it. We went to Fort Edward and found Sr. Little and her husband. She said that she had prayed a long time for some brethren to call. How lonely she felt. Her dear husband sympathized in tears with her. O, how impressively Eze. xxxiv, rests on my soul, when I behold the scattered, lonely, weeping children. Yet, how comforting the promise. "I will search my sheep, and seek them out, and deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. I will bring them out from the people; I will feed them in a good pasture, upon the mountains of Israel shall their fold be. I will seek that which was lost, and bring that which was driven away; and bind up that which was broken, and strengthen that which was sick: and I will set up one Shepherd over them, and he shall feed them. And I the Lord will be their God. And I will make a covenant of peace with them: they shall dwell safely; and none shall make them afraid. Amen. Praise the Lord, that he has set his hand to gather his people. The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." My soul weeps over those lonely, starving ones, when I think that death is coming, and all are appointed unto death; and one way only of escape is appointed; and that is to heed the third angel's message, that is, patiently to endure our trials; keep God's commandments, and the faith of Jesus. But the holy Sabbath draws so straight a line, that many, I fear, try to climb up some other way; not realizing the weight of importance of simply obeying God. They like Naaman, look for men-great acts. "Who hath despised the day of small things?" ELON EVERTS. New Haven, Vt., Jan. 9th, 1853.