A Tour Through Western New York
By Joseph Bates
DEAR BRO. WHITE: During my last tour with Bro. Edson in western New York, from Feb. 2d to March 11th, we visited about twenty places, and held meetings with the scattered flock. Many which had not read the "Review and Herald" were anxious to receive it. Many said we will examine this subject, and if we see the Sabbath is binding we will keep it. We found a company in Marion who listened very attentively, that had never heard the third angel's message before. They wished to hear more on the subject. One of them confessed the Sabbath. Others said, we mean to examine it. At Mill Grove (Feb. 6th) we found a united company of waiting ones, hungry for the truth. We spent three days in conference with them. The truth took effect, and the melting power of God came upon parents and children. God graciously answered our prayers in the conversion of two young men, sons of our dear Bro. Roswell F. and David Cottrell. They were baptized, also, three others. Many of the children were deeply affected, and manifested a strong desire to learn, and keep all the commandments of God. Feb. 9th, held an evening meeting at the house of Bro. and Sr. Smally in Clarence. We trust they are keeping the Sabbath. Feb. 13th, came to Fredonia. Bro. John Hamilton received us kindly, and opened the way for us to present the truth at his house. In this and the adjoining town (Laona) we spent two Sabbaths, and held several meetings in different places. Brn. John Hamilton and Adam Miller, with their wives, came out decided in all the present truth. Sister Miller had previously kept the Sabbath. Our meeting closed with a conference at the house of Bro. Hamilton, at which time we endeavored to examine popular objections. By request of Bro. Hamilton, we attended their advent meetings on the first day of the week. Their two local ministers were present, and complied with the request of Bro. Hamilton for us to lecture, and said we might occupy the forenoon. Our subject was the ending of the days, in Dan. viii, 13, 14, connected with the third angel's message. One of the ministers followed me in opposition to my subject, declaring in a vehement, and indignant manner that the Sabbath was not binding, &c., still referring to our discourse, said it was a dishonest way of presenting the fourth commandment, and called for an open rebuke from heaven! Said he, we do not now live by the law. The nine commandments are embodied in the gospel of the Son of God, but the fourth is not. The other minister commenced by saying, produce me a command of my Lord for keeping the Sabbath, and I will keep it. He then read Matt. v, 38, to prove the authority of Jesus to abolish the commandments, the 17th to the 19th verses to the contrary notwithstanding, said he, the nine commandments are embodied in the sayings of our Saviour. As the meeting was coming to a close, we asked the privilege of presenting a few questions for the meeting. Will you please to read the text from the New Testament, to prove where the Saviour has embodied the first commandment of his Father. 1 Cor. viii, 6 was read by one of the ministers as proof. We asked if that was the testimony of Jesus. An attempt was made to prove that Paul's argument here was the same, as that of Jesus. As we took notes of their testimony, when we read, others remembered that they made the statements above recorded. We still called for the text, or a qualification of their assertion. They would not admit that Jesus embodied all of the commandments of God in his answer to the lawyer, recorded in Mat. xxii, 35—40, for if they had, it would have proved too much, because "all the law" would embrace the fourth commandment, which they asserted was left out. We stated that we had more questions to ask on this subject, but we should not present them until the first one was answered. Instead of showing bible testimony they put on their over-coats and left the meeting in disorder. The rebuke, so justly called for, resting upon their own heads, for attempting to oppose the truth of God. From Feb. 22d to the 27th we visited Gerry, Jamestown and Busti. In all these places we found souls willing to listen to the whole truth. We trust they will decide for God and truth. Feb. 28th, spent the Sabbath at Ellington Center. It was a blessed season to us all. May the precious truths which they acknowledged be cherished, and sanctified to them for their eternal salvation. At Bro. Ashley's, where we were holding a meeting the next day, a young couple were present. The man was not a professor, but evidently an honest seeker after truth. Observing him in a deep study after meeting, we asked, What he was about to do with this truth. He raised his head and said, "I am going to keep the Sabbath." His wife said she should, also. Bro. and Sr.7Ashley responded, so will we. Thus a meeting for Sabbath-keepers was established forthwith. At Napoli (March 1st) held a meeting at Bro. D. Waterman's, next day at Bro. Bushnell's. Here Bro. Edson left me, and I went to Shongo, and held a meeting. The audience listened very attentively. From thence (the 4th) went to Bro. H. Hopkins in Bingham, Potter Co. Pa. Here and in Ulysses we had attentive hearers, and I think profitable meetings. There are several here that profess all the present truth, and a number of others deeply convicted of the same. Held a meeting in Bath the 9th. I was sorry that I could stay no longer with the brethren. I think they need help. On the 10th had a free meeting at Bro. Lebbeus Drew's, Pultney. Bro. Drew helped me on my way, and thus I reached the Ballston Conference in time. JOSEPH BATES.
Fairhaven, March 25th, 1852.