DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I arrived home on the 12th, after an absence of three months, and found my family well. Thanks to God for his preserving care of us, in these perilous times.
My last, (published in No. 17,) was from Buck’s Bridge, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. The conference there was held at the house of Bro. John Byington, who but a short time since was a Wesleyan Methodist Preacher. After an examination of the third angel’s message, [Rev. xiv, 9–12,] himself and all his family have volunteered to stand for the long neglected and trodden down Sabbath of the Lord our God. The meeting was a blessing to God’s dear children, others listened with candor. One brother, who had been examining the Sabbath question for several months, took a decided stand.
Dec. 14th, we had an interesting meeting in Canton. I believe there are others there who will receive the truth. Also in Lisbon we found some about decided to keep the Sabbath. And 17th, 18th and 19th, had a good conference at Norfolk, at Bro. Haskell’s. Those that were in the present truth, were much encouraged. Several were examining the Sabbath question, and will undoubtedly embrace the whole truth, if the cause moves steadily on there. At the close of the meeting, five were baptized. Dec. 21st and 22d, we visited the brethren in Bangor: our last meeting with them was encouraging. Hope the lecturing brethren will aid them all they can.
From thence we traveled eastward to Perry’s Mills, and Champlain, N. Y., again. At the first mentioned place, we were kindly received by Brn. Whipple and Taylor, who, with their companions keep the Sabbath. There were some others there who listened attentively.
Dec. 25th and 26th, held a conference at Panton, Vt. The conference which you attended there in October last aroused the people, and there are some willing minds still investigating. I hope and trust the meeting will prove a blessing to many.
We held another meeting by invitation in the vestry of the W. Methodist Chapel. The people listened attentively. Some, we trust, are settled in the truth ere this. From thence, Bro. Elon Everts brought me on my way about eighty miles to Fort Edward, N. Y. We stopped at several places on our way, and found others interested.
Jan. 1st and 2d, we spent in Low Hampton, N. Y., with the relatives and widow of our departed Bro. Miller.
Sister M. welcomed us, and listened attentively to our explanation of the last message from the Chart; said she did not know but the Sabbath which we taught was right.
Before retiring for the night, she showed us the room where Bro. Miller devoted so much of his time to searching the scriptures, which eventually prepared him to explain the first angel’s message to the world. Rev. xiv, 6, 7. The old-fashioned desk, Bible, chair, and other furniture which he used, also the place in the same room where he died, awakened in our mind the scenes of the past; how he and thousands of others devoted their time in explaining to the assembled multitudes throughout this land the above named message, based on the 2300 days of Daniel’s vision.
We also visited the grave-yard. His white marble monument stands but a short distance from the highway, about five feet high, presenting to the traveler a front nearly two feet wide, in the center of which, about four feet from the ground, is an open book very neatly chiseled out of the marble block. On the right leaf, in large black letters, is engraven the following scripture: “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed.” Dan. viii, 14.
On the left leaf is engraven the following: “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. Dan. xii, 12, 13.
After the day meeting in the Advent chapel, on the first day of the week, the evening was appointed for us. We gave them the third angel’s message, and believe the Lord accompanied it by his Spirit. Some gladly received books and papers to investigate the subject. We hope and pray that they will not be turned aside from this work by any sophistry of man.
From Fort Edward we came to Ballston Spa on the 5th, and held two meetings, and made a short visit to Milton. In Bro. Thompson’s neighborhood, some are becoming interested.
We spent the Sabbath and First-day in meetings with our brethren in New York City, and returned home by way of Fall River, the 12th. We wish to say to our brethren who are out giving the message, that Fort Edward, Sandyhill and vicinity, Ballston Spa and New York City, are not so frequently visited as some other places. JOSEPH BATES.