OUR TOUR TO THIS STATE by Editor

Publishing Committee · SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. · Jul 21, 1851

OUR TOUR TO THIS STATE.

By Editor

June 10th we left Paris, (Me.) and spent the 11th with our dear friends at Topsham, who are prospering well in the Lord. It was a joyful season indeed to us, while mingling with such free spirits, after being so long confined and pressed with care.

According to appointment, we met with the friends in Boston the 12th. Brn. Bates and Smith were present, also quite a number of the brethren and sisters, most of whom have quite recently embraced the present truth. The Lord met with us, and his free Spirit rested down, while the word of God had free course, and was glorified. The standard of truth is once more raised in that city; and we hope the brethren there will be able to shun those evils which have so cruelly scattered the flock there in past time, and that they will let their light so shine before others, that they may also be led to rejoice in the observance of all the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Since 1844, setting times for the Advent have been urged upon them for the word of the Lord. Such a course has been perfectly calculated to destroy true faith, and weaken the cause of truth. It is evident that the purpose of God in the proclamation of the time has been accomplished, and that since our great disappointment in 1844, the preaching of time has had a blighting influence.

June 14th and 15th we spent with the brethren, in Conn., who assembled from different towns in the vicinity of Middletown. Our meetings were good. Some things of intense interest transpired, while we were there, which called forth our united thanksgiving to God for his enduring mercy. Much interest was felt for the salvation of the children of the brethren there, and we hope they will turn wholly to the Lord.

CAMDEN CONFERENCE.

This meeting was held on the 20th, 21st and 22d of June, and was the best Second Advent meeting that we ever attended. The number of believers present was about 75. It was the unanimous testimony of the brethren, (some of whom had attended spiritual meetings for about thirty years) that this meeting exceeded any meeting of the kind they ever witnessed. Here, for the first time, we saw our beloved Bro. Case, of Jackson, Mich., and formed a happy acquaintance with him, also Bro. Bowles, and four others from Jackson, who came to meet with the brethren in this state.

There were also five from Saratoga county present. Elder Jesse Thompson and his companion, (at whose table we are now writing,) were of this number. Bro. Thompson was intimately acquainted with Bro. Miller, and traveled much with him. But when our work for the world closed in 1844, instead of setting himself to work, as some did, to try to re-arouse the churches to the subject of the Advent, he remained silent, until he heard the message of the third angel—Rev. xiv, 9—12.

At this Conference our dear Bro. Beach of Charlton came out clear into the whole truth, and was greatly blest. We also became acquainted with Bro. A. Woodruff, with whom we feel united in the strong bonds of Christian fellowship. May the Lord bless him abundantly, and enable him to teach the way of life to others.

This seemed to be a meeting of almost perfect union. The atmosphere was as sweet as heaven, while all with unusual liberty took a part. It was a free meeting, yet without confusion, or the least distraction. If fanaticism would for a moment strive to manifest itself, it was at once checked, and rebuked in such a manner as to render it powerless, and leave the best of feeling, and a healthy influence.

WEST MILTON CONFERENCE.

According to appointment this meeting commenced June 27th, and held three days. Brn. Holt, Rhodes, Case, Lathrop, Lindsey and Andrews were present. Though it was a meeting of labor, yet freedom was enjoyed

the last day. Here we had the pleasure of seeing, and hearing from, our dear Bro. Bellows of New-York City, who is a firm believer in the present truth. We think this meeting will result in much good. Sixteen were baptized the last day. The Lord has given Bro. Thompson his entire family to go with him. Many in this vicinity seem to have an ear to hear the truth, and we are confident that they will yet fully receive it.

We are satisfied that the time has come for the brethren to exert themselves, to get the light of the third angel's message before the sincere. But this is not all, the scattered brethren must meet together, and exhort each other, and get spiritual life and strength. Small conferences, with God's blessing, are calculated to do the brethren the very good they need. It is true that a large portion of the brethren are not one half awake. Many consider it too great a task to go forty or fifty miles to meet in conference with those of like precious faith. But if they realized the importance of this time, and the worth of salvation, they would be ready to make any reasonable sacrifice for their own, and others' eternal welfare. Many have too much worldly business, and so many cares, that they think they cannot leave the things of this poor little world, for a day or two, to attend to the things of another, an eternal home. It is time that such were curtailing their business in this world, and enlarging their interests for a better world. Those who still remain thus glued to this world must perish in its destruction.

We feel it to be our duty to exhort the brethren, especially those who have recently embraced the message, to meet often. Says the Apostle, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching."—Heb. x, 25. This text never could apply with as much force as at this time, when we clearly see the day of wrath, the day of the seven last plagues fast approaching. We would advise the brethren to have small conferences often, and see that they are well attended.