Letter from Brother Bates.
By Joseph Bates
Dear Bro. White : I returned home yesterday from a tour through some of our principal cities and large towns, where I went to seek out those who have an ear to hear relative to the "present truth." By appointment I lectured in the Temperance Hall in Fall River, Mass., August 12th. As this was the first time that a portion of the present truth had been presented there, some of my hearers were somewhat excited with respect to their present and future relation, with the two-horned beast of Rev. xiii, 11—18. There were a few, however, who became interested to know the whole truth, and gladly received the books I handed them; and wished the paper directed to them. From thence I went to Springfield, Mass., where I lectured in Bro. Samuel Currier’s hall on the 14th. Here are some who I believe will embrace the whole truth, and stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. I here got Bro. Daniel’s name, but not before it was too late to visit him. I was glad to learn, through the paper, shortly afterwards, that he had embraced the whole truth. I left here the 15th, to meet with the brethren in Connecticut. Our meeting with them on the Sabbath and first-day, at Bro. North’s, in Berlin, proved a strengthening and reviving season. Their interest is still increasing, (just as it should with all true Sabbath-keepers,) as they see the great and dreadful day of God is now at hand. I baptized three who were much strengthened and blessed of the Lord. I spent a great part of the 18th, in company with Bro. Chamberlain, in Middletown,36visiting, and explaining our position, in private dwellings, to those that were willing to hear. New-York city was my next stopping place. I found the brethren in trial here. I remained with them until August 25, visiting and holding meetings. Our last meeting was a social, heavenly, melting season. Truth triumphed, freedom prevailed, and God was honored. Satan's purposes for that time defeated. May the Lord help them to flee from all his destructive snares. * August 28th, I arrived in Baltimore, Md. There I spent five days visiting from house to house; where I could find Advent believers. I was invited to hold one public meeting on first-day, and some others in dwelling houses. The scriptural view of the Sanctuary, connected with the end of the days in the fall of 1844, and the third angel's message, was new, and seemed to affect some of them deeply. Some confessed the Sabbath, others were examining, and reading the books and papers I furnished them with. Some of them were from Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire. Five of them send for the paper. May the Lord bless and prosper these dear brethren in the clear light of the third angel's message. Fairhaven, Sept. 9th, 1851.