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Our Tour East

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Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Nov 25, 1851

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 2, No. 7.

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Our Tour East.

By Editor

The readers of the Review and Herald will doubtless expect us to give some account of our recent tour, and of the conferences held at Medford, Washington, East Bethel and Johnson. And it is with pleasure that we give a sketch of what we have witnessed of the goodness of God, and of his glorious work among his dear people at these meetings.
Thursday, Oct. 23d, we left Saratoga, and arrived in Boston in the evening, where we found our dear Bro. Holt waiting at the depot for us. He guided us to 67 Warren Place, where we found those of like precious faith that we had not seen for some time. Here we found peace and rest.
Friday we went to the place of meeting, at Bro. Folsom's in West Medford. Here we found seven of our old tried friends from Maine, strong in the faith, who had come about 150 miles to attend the conference. There were also eight from Fairhaven and Dartmouth, and a good attendance of the friends of present truth in the vicinity of Boston.
We were much grieved to learn that some discord had been created among the brethren, by the presentation of fanciful views of unfulfilled prophecies. Such things are extremely painful to those who labor to unite the precious flock of Christ upon the great truths connected with the message of Rev. xiv, 9-12. The evil result of leaving the important truths of the present message, or connecting with them fanciful views of unfulfilled prophecy, were pointed out, and with the special blessing of Heaven, the brethren all felt deeply the importance of being “perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment,” and of united action in the great work before us. It was truly a meeting of great profit. The tender, weeping spirit of Jesus prevailed, and all present seemed to feel the importance of a thorough preparation for the day of the Lord.
There were some present who had not embraced the Sabbath. They came to the meeting honestly supposing that we were in error, and from false reports, and the injudicious course of some who have formerly taught the Sabbath with a rash censorious spirit, they supposed that we as a people, possessed a cold, denunciatory spirit. But when they learned our views of gospel order, union, &c., and witnessed the spirit of the meeting, and felt its melting power, they were ready to confess that God was indeed with us. And when the evidences of our position were presented, they yielded to the force of truth, and could rejoice in its freedom. Those who have formerly been in error confessed their faults in tears, and we never witnessed a more perfect union, or a more healthy interest, than existed when we left Monday morning. Bro. Holt remained and preached twice that day, very much to the comfort and instruction of those present. The brethren say that it was a season of great rejoicing.
Oct. 31st, we arrived at the place of meeting in Washington, (N. H.), and found a large collection of the scattered brethren. This was a meeting of deep interest, of trial and of joy. Here the brethren felt called upon to withdraw fellowship from one who had fallen into, and taught dangerous errors relative to setting up the kingdom, the Son of man on the white cloud, Rev. xiv, 14, and the Eden state, &c. We are perfectly satisfied that the direct tendency of the views referred to, is to lead souls down to certain ruin, still we view the individual as possessing a good share of honesty, but deceived by satan. After one has fallen a victim to the bewitching power of spiritualism, it seems almost impossible to get free from its blinding influence. But while we withdraw the hand of fellowship from him, who once was a fellow-laborer, we would “exhort him as a brother,” to renounce his errors, to come out of the fog into which he has so unfortunately run, and come along with those who are walking in the plain path of truth.
Though this was a meeting of labor, we think it was one of great profit. The brethren appeared to be firmly established upon the great truths so important at the present time, and joyful in the hope of soon seeing Jesus. A committee of seven was chosen (see Acts vi.) to attend to the wants of the poor, and we have reason to believe that it will be a great pleasure for them to do so.
Our beloved Bro. Wheeler, who has been doing what he could in the cause, in his embarrassing circumstances, has resolved to give himself more fully to the work of preaching the word of life to perishing souls. We have been with him in a number of meetings, and are satisfied that he, with God’s blessing, will exert a good influence, and accomplish much in bringing out the hidden jewels of the Lord. While our dear brother goes out in search of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, the brethren should not be backward to inquire after his temporal wants, and the situation of his family at home.
The Lord has done a great work for the children of the brethren in Washington. The past summer, about twelve have been hopefully converted, and give good evidence of their acceptance with God. May the Lord keep them from the many dangers to which the young are exposed in this corrupt age of the world.
The conference appointed to be held in the vicinity of East Bethel was at the house of Bro. W. Morse in Royalton. We anticipated many trials at this meeting, but were happily disappointed. The Lord worked gloriously for his people. Bro. Holt and Wheeler were present. Here also the importance of union was dwelt upon, and the Holy Spirit seemed to break down all opposing influences, and the honest children of God were made one. We might mention the names of some in that vicinity whom we highly esteem for their faithfulness and zeal in the cause of truth, who are very poor in this world’s good, but we forbear. We hope that those who have the good things of this life will not shut up their bowels of compassion, while they see them making every exertion to save souls from ruin. If the rich could only see and feel the importance of this hour, as some of the poor do, how easily they would be to advance this cause with the means God has given them; but the cares of this world, and the DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES choke the word in many.
In the vicinity of Royalton there is quite a number of faithful friends of the cause, and many others are becoming interested in the truth.
The conference at Johnson commenced Nov. 7th. Here we found a large gathering of the brethren and sisters, quite a number of whom we there met with for the first time. Bro. Holt, Wheeler, Baker, Ingraham, and other preaching brethren were present. The meeting was most manifestly led by the Holy Spirit. Everything like fanaticism, and opposing spirits was rebuked and held in check by the melting power of the Spirit of God which rested down upon the meeting quite to its close. It seemed wonderful that a meeting of such intense interest, where the brethren had such deep feeling, should be so free from unpleasant excitement.
Though every heart felt deeply, yet the sweet, gentle spirit of Jesus reigned, and the God of peace and order was glorified. We have stated in relation to other meetings of the kind that they were the best we ever attended, but we do not hesitate to say that this meeting far exceeded all others we ever witnessed.
Bro. Holt gave one lecture upon the commandments and law of God, with his usual clearness and energy. Others spoke upon the 2300 days, Sanctuary, angels of Rev. xiv, &c. The word had free course. Gospel order, and perfect union among the brethren, especially those who preach the Word, were also dwelt upon, and all seemed to feel the importance of following our perfect guide, the Bible, on these subjects, as well as all others.
We have not space to give a full account of this meeting, and must close by saying that it was one of deep interest from the commencement to its close. The preaching brethren were united as the heart of one man. And when the time came to part, and each go out into the wide field to seek out and feed the scattered flock of slaughter, tears of joy, mingled with sadness, flowed freely.
We intended to return directly home from Johnson, in order to issue this Number one week earlier; but duty seemed very plain to spend another week in Vermont, and visit the friends in the vicinity of Vergennes. By reason of stormy weather but few attended the meeting. In that vicinity rather a gloomy state of things existed, in consequence of the erroneous views, and blighting influence of one (a professed teacher) from whom we had to withdraw our fellowship. Many in that region are becoming interested in the present message, who would, doubtless, come out fully upon the truth were it not for the errors and inconsistencies of a very few of its professed friends. May God save his bleeding cause there, and bless his honest children. We had a very profitable and interesting interview with Bro. Everts and his family, Bro. and Sr. Bragg and Bro. Sperry, who are tried friends of the cause. Others in that vicinity are highly esteemed, and consistent believers in the present truth. While they see the errors of some on the one hand, may the Lord save them from the spirit of the world on the other.
Nov. 18th, we reached home in usual health, and found many letters received in our absence, and much to do. We never felt so good courage to toil on in this cause as now. God blesses every effort his children make to advance this cause, and certainly we should be encouraged. We witnessed ten fold more good accomplished on this tour than we anticipated. It is God’s marvellous work and he shall have all the praise.