DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The Conference at Dartmouth was one of deep interest. It commenced under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and continued to increase in interest until the close. Union and freedom in the truth prevailed. I had freedom in presenting the reasons of our faith and hope. The fervent prayers and warm-hearted exhortations of the brethren and sisters evinced a deep interest in the cause of our soon coming King. A favorable impression was made on the minds of those who came in to hear, and some were constrained to acknowledge the truth of our position. May God enable such to break away from the surrounding influences, and walk in the light of truth.—In short, the meeting was one of the best I ever enjoyed.
I visited Fairhaven, held a meeting with the brethren and friends there. From thence, in company with Bro. Gurney, went to New Shoreham, Block Island, R. I., calling at Westport and Fall River on the way. Arrived on the Island just before the Sabbath, Oct. 30th. I spent five days on the Island, holding meetings daily, with increasing interest until the last.—The brethren were much blessed, and the truth left deep convictions in the hearts of some that were not in the faith of the third angel's message. The last evening I spent with them, when the little church "came together to break bread," was a season of deep interest. The presence of our divine Lord, by his Holy Spirit, was with us to own and bless. The saints wept and praised God for joy, and we parted in joyful hope of soon meeting our glorified Redeemer, with all the saints in the kingdom of God.
The brethren on the Island have been passing through deep trials, on account of the wicked course of F. T. Howland and some kindred spirits that have been among them, and succeeded in drawing two or three under their influence. But the rest of the church took a decided stand against their wicked course.—And although Mr. Howland and his associates were requested to cease their disturbance or retire from the meetings, yet they persisted, and when the brethren withdrew to another room, they continued to make so much disturbance in and around the house that the neighbors would bear it no longer, and told the brethren that something must be done. They were, therefore, constrained to ask "Cesar," not to protect themselves, but to prevent these men from disturbing the neighborhood around. The town authorities addressed a note to Mr. Howland, requesting him to give bonds for good behavior, or leave the Island, and he accordingly left, thus the brethren have been free from this disturbance.
I spent the Sabbath, Nov. 6th, with the brethren in Boston. Had freedom in reviewing our past history, and presenting the evidence that our hope is soon to be realized. There is evidently an improvement in the state of the cause here and the church are beginning to arise from the effect of the trials through which they have been passing. May the Lord enable all to profit by the light he has given, and come up united to the work of the Lord. Amen.
In view of what God has done, and is doing for his people, and especially for what he has done for unworthy me, I feel truly grateful to him and encouraged to endure the trials of the way. I never felt the importance of walking carefully before the Lord as I have for a few weeks past.
Dear brethren and sisters, the last message of mercy is being given. God has laid upon his people the responsibility of bearing this message to the world. Says Jesus, "ye are the light of the world." Matt. v, 14. How important the trust that God has committed to us. How careful should we be that in our daily course we reflect the light of the third angel's110message, and show to all around that we have living faith in what we profess to believe. A form of the truth will not save us. We must have the principles of God's law, which is love, deeply fixed in the soul, so that our entire being, with all that we have and are, will be given up to God and his cause, a living sacrifice. And a sacrifice does not increase on the altar, but consume. A lamp or light that burns, is continually consuming the means that sustain it.—The conflict will soon be over, and truth, eternal truth will, through Christ, bear away the victory.
Yours to suffer and rejoice with the saints, in hope of eternal life, FREDERICK WHEELER. Dorchester, Mass., Nov. 7, 1852.