DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I thought that a brief account of my last tour to some of the towns and cities of Ct., Mass. and R. I., might probably interest some of the readers of the Review.
Sabbath and First-day, Jan. 22d, and 23d, we spent in conference at Berlin, Ct. Sickness and bad traveling prevented a number from attending. I have since heard that two or more, have embraced the whole truth.
Our dear Sr. Chamberlain of Middletown, was sick, nigh unto death. The Lord manifested his power in raising her, and restored her to her family and brethren, in answer to prayer. Praise his holy name.
From Ct. we passed to Springfield, Chicopee Falls, &c. We spent a few days in the latter place with Bro. D. Daniels. There are a few Sabbath-keepers here. A sister who had been much perplexed to know where the truth of the Advent doctrine was, who had strong faith in the 1844 movement, listened to a statement of our present position, [Rev. xiv, 12.] and joyfully embraced the truth.
Jan. 30th, First-day, the way was open and we gave a brief exposition of our whereabouts, in three lectures in Springfield Mass., in Currier's Advent Hall. Several of the leading members of the meeting saw the untenableness of their position, and acknowledged that what they had heard was the truth, and wished to hear more. We spent two evenings with them, and the following Sabbath, and left them much strengthened in the truth.
First-day, Feb. 6, we lectured twice to the Advent congregation in Chester Factory, Mass. The minister who invited me to occupy the time, raised such opposition to the commandments of God, and the holy Sabbath, at the close of the meeting; (clearly manifesting the rage of the Dragon, as John in vision saw that it would be, 1757 years ago;) that some were sorely tried. Some wished to have the paper sent them, determined to examine for themselves. I have learned that Bro. Daniels has had a good meeting with them since.
February 9th, held a meeting at Bro. Paine's in Hardwick, Mass. Himself and family are striving for the kingdom. Bro. P. accompanied me to Barre, and Athol, Mass. At the first mentioned place, we called on an Advent brother who had been given up by his Physicians, who told him that he might possibly live ten days. After hearing us explain, he embraced the third angel's message in full, and requested us to present his case to the Lord, in accordance with James v, 14. After prayer was offered, he dressed himself and passed out of his sick room, praising the Lord for what he had done. Thus the Lord healed Bro. C. in answer to prayer, for believing, and acknowledging the last message of mercy. To him be all honor and praise. Amen.
The same day [Feb. 11] we rode to Athol, and commenced a meeting at Austin Ellenwood's. Our subject was the Sanctuary, and the cleansing of the same at the end of the 2300 days. The congregation professed to be Sabbath-keepers, in the message. At the close of the meeting, several of their leading members were vociferate in their prayers, and exhortations, with stamping and pounding the chairs, and the floor to convert us to what they believed was the true Sanctuary. They declared that the church was the Sanctuary, and that Christ had come, and entered his Sanctuary and was now cleansing it. Seeing their excited state, I calmly objected to their views, and such spiritualizing expositions as they were endeavoring to press upon us.
Seeing that arguments were failing, Mr. E. hastily crossed his room to try what could be done by physical force. He seized me by the shoulders, and shook me most violently. When I asked the reason why he had attacked me thus, he replied, it was not him, God had done it to divest me of error, &c. We stated to them that we had neither sympathy nor fellowship for such Sabbath-keeping. It would avail them nothing. With an exhortation to worship God with reverence and holy fear, we left them.
From the 14th to the 18th of Feb. we labored in Worcester, Mass. As nothing had been done here in explaining the third angel's message, we had much prejudice to remove. The subject is now being investigated by the reception of the paper and books to read and compare with the Word, and past history.—Some I trust are keeping the Sabbath, and there are other honest souls there who I believe will unite with them. Hope our brethren will visit them as they pass that way.
February 18th we passed from W. to Providence, R. I. Here two parties of Adventists, as in Worcester and in Bristol, R. I. are arrayed against each other. The honest inquirers after truth among them have been looking in vain for a re-union, or peace.—The breach is continually widening, and no hope that183either party can be saved in such a state of enmity, and opposite, distracted views. They are also taught, that those who teach the ending of the 2300 days, and the third angel's message, are deluded, and only common disturbers. But when they are willing to hear the message explained, "How different," say they, "from what we have heard. Why, this is our past experience in the Advent doctrine, and it looks like truth and we mean to examine it."
We found so much opposition to contend with here, that we began to question whether it was duty to stay. Still we received neither light nor liberty to leave. There are many professed Advent believers in P.; the organized company is the most numerous.—I attended three of their meetings. At the first I asked permission to present the third angel's message:—Received no answer. First-day, at the noon intermission, I was conversing with a brother about our past history. Deacon P. came to the stove where we were, and ordered me to stop, and said they had heard enough such kind of teaching, &c. I called again in the evening, at their prayer and conference meeting. At the close of their meeting the truth was called for as I had not heard before. I quoted Rev. xiv, 12, and stated, that was the present truth, and began to explain the ten commandments, and had got along as far as the penalty of violating the fourth, when the minister ordered me to stop, and called on his church to rise and show their disapprobation of my teaching. This summons they obeyed.
The way was opened in another quarter, and I gave four lectures at private houses, and three on First-day, at Amity Hall. You will see by the order sent in, that the paper, and books are called for, and also the Charts. Investigation is now being made by those in P. who a few days ago were strongly prejudiced against the present truth. They could hardly believe until they heard, that there was anything worthy of their attention in the third angel's message, or that there was either a paper, or books published on the subject. I trust there are many honest souls in P. that will not be fettered by false teachers; but will have the whole truth. After ten days tarry in P. the way was clear to pass to another place.
Feb. 28th and March 1st, we spent in Bristol, R. I. Here we found some willing to listen, and also to investigate. I pray the Lord to guide their minds in the way of truth. We held one meeting at Fall River, and returned home the 3d Inst.
We have just closed a conference in Fairhaven, appointed for Bro. Barr, the 5th and 6th. The storm and bad going kept some back. The last day the attendance was good, and the truth seemed to take effect. One soul has come out on the Sabbath. We hope Bro. B. has since been laboring in Dartmouth.
JOSEPH BATES.
Fairhaven, Mass., March, 9th, 1853.