Being detained at Waterbury, Vt., in consequence of the extreme illness of our dear Bro. Butler, we did not reach Washington, N. H., at the time appointed for the meeting to commence. But we were glad to find Brn. Baker and Barr present, and that the meeting had progressed well. There was quite a large number of Sabbath-keepers present who appeared to be firm in the faith, but there was not that freedom in the meeting as usual on such occasions.
Those who preached the word enjoyed some liberty, the brethren seemed comforted, and several not fully with us manifested a good interest to know the truth. Yet a gloom seemed to hang over the meeting much of the time.
The Lord showed his willingness to bless his people assembled, by graciously pouring out his Spirit the first evening.—But there was evidently a lack of active faith on the part of some of the brethren. Some had put the coming of the Lord too far off, and were getting worldly. Some who came in from abroad talked of their strong faith in the truth, while they evidently lacked true faith and humility of spirit. In fact, they need to know, what they have yet to learn, what it is to be a true follower of the meek and lowly Saviour.
Here is where some are deceiving themselves. They think that a theory of the truth will save them, while they lack many things that constitute a Christian. Such are generally troubled with a careless, light spirit, and a great lack of reverence. The third commandment is often violated by them, as they speak of God as though he was man. Such know not what it is to "sigh and cry for the abominations" that are around them. And before the "man clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side" can set a mark upon their foreheads, [Eze. ix,] or they be sealed with the seal of the living God, [Rev. vii,] they will have to be baptized into the work of God, and the suffering part of religion.
The trouble lies here. The present truth found them lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, "rich and increased in goods," self-righteous, feeling that they had "need of nothing," while their state, and the deception which they are under is described as follows: "And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked." Rev. iii.
We fear that some who have embraced the Sabbath are yet under this deception. They have neglected to obey the following counsel of the true Witness to the Laodiceans: "Be zealous therefore and repent." Those who are truly converted to the truth will be forward to confess past errors, and zealous in repenting of their backslidings.
It is a matter of grief that a very few individuals as soon as they embrace the Sabbath, and see but a small portion of the truth, and that imperfectly, are forward to go out and teach it to others, while they have so little judgment in spiritual things, that they need one to watch over them. They had better tarry in some Jerusalem for the necessary preparation to work for God, till "eye-salve" be applied to their eyes. By these unskilled teachers first introducing the truth into new fields of labor, much prejudice is raised, which makes the labor harder for those called of God to the work. This is Satan's arrangement to hinder the progress of truth.
What is most needed among us as a people is great humiliation before God. But some have not yet tasted of the bitter cup of repentance, since professing to believe the truths connected with the message of the third angel. May God save them from a lukewarm, self-righteous spirit. How blind must be that soul that settles down in security, feeling sure of heaven, because he keeps the Sabbath, and has the theory of the Advent faith. May God show such, what it is to be a Christian.
We would here notice a wonderful answer to prayer, in the case of Sister Huntley of Lempster, N. H., who was thrown from the wagon and badly hurt near the door of Bro. C. K. Farnsworth of Washington, N. H., as she was returning home, First-day, at the close of the afternoon meeting. At the commencement of the evening meeting, Bro. H. came and informed us of the accident, said his wife was much injured, but he did not feel free to call a Physician. He requested several to go and pray for her. Five went with him, while those at the meeting united in prayer for the afflicted. When we reached the house, Sister Huntley was almost helpless, and in great distress. It caused extreme pain to move her limbs, or for the sisters to remove her clothes so as to apply the oil as the Apostle directs. James v, 13–16.
We united in prayer for her to be "raised up," and the prayer of faith prevailed. Sister Huntley raised her arm and called on the Lord, with us. Then she sat up in bed and began to give glory to God.
She was now able to be dressed and leave the bed. At first a sister supported her, but this was not necessary long. She walked the room giving glory to God, while those present wept and joined in giving the glory to God. She then wished to return with us to the meeting and tell what God had done for her. She rode about a mile to the place of meeting, testified to the goodness of God, rested well during the night, and the next morning seemed as well as before the accident occurred.
We think that this case of answer to prayer was to show the brethren assembled at Washington that God is willing to answer their prayers for the sick, among them, and to teach them to have more faith in God. The meeting closed well, all feeling much encouraged.
Our meeting at Portland, Me., held Sept. 18th and 19th, was excellent. The friends in the city obtained a very convenient place for the meeting. A number of brethren and sisters came in from the country who bore good testimonies to the truth, which added to the interest of the meeting. Several of our Advent brethren who do not observe the Sabbath came out to hear. We had freedom in presenting the reasons of our faith. The Spirit of the Lord was felt in every meeting, reviving and cheering the people of God.
Perhaps there is no place where more prejudice has existed than in Portland. This is giving way. There we were again united in Christian fellowship with some that we once took sweet counsel with, but during the time of scattering, that union was entirely broken, and we feared that they would not again be united with the true church. There we could weep tears of joy with those that wept, and freely confessed past errors. Several have, since the meeting, confessed the Sabbath.
There are good reasons to hope for the prosperity of the cause in Portland, if its friends persevere in a judicious manner. We hope the traveling Brn. will remember this little church.
We held meetings with the Brn. at Hartland, Me., the evenings of the 21st and 22d. There is quite an interest to hear in that vicinity, and some have recently embraced the Sabbath.
Sept. 23d and 24th, we had a very pleasant visit with our aged parents in Palmyra. They have been much interested in the "blessed hope" of Christ's immediate coming, but with thousands of others they seem to have lost much of the spirit and sweetness of this hope. May God restore unto them the joys of his free salvation, and to their declining years, may the glorious hope of the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the just be to them a staff and sure support. We also spent a few happy hours with Bro. and Sr. Tenney of Albans. With Sr. T. (a sister in the flesh) and her husband, we wept in view of God's tender mercies in sparing us to meet again. Those were the happiest hours of our life. Time could never erase the impress made upon our feelings as we bid each other a hearty farewell in the Lord, and as we left them upon the door-step, weeping. We hope to meet to part no more.
According to appointment we held meetings Sabbath and First-day, Sept. 25th and 26th, with the friends of the Sabbath who met at the house of Bro. Davis in Bangor, Me. This was a meeting of labor, but we trust that it will result in much good. The meeting closed with the special blessing of God.—Wife received the kindest attention from Bro. and Sr. Davis, during her severe sickness on First-day, and in the evening God raised her up in answer to prayer so that the next day she came comfortably in the boat from Bangor to Portland.
Oct. 2d, 3d and 4th, we met with the brethren in conference at Panton, Vt., and we think it was one of the best seasons we ever witnessed. From the first evening till its close, the sweet, subduing Spirit of the Lord was poured out. Here several confessed the truth for the first time. It was a uniting, refreshing, heavenly meeting. The dear brethren in Panton are growing in grace and the knowledge of the truth.
Several who heard some of the reasons of our faith at the Wolcott conference came some distance to this meeting, and confessed faith in our present position. Here we were happy to meet our dear Bro. Butler, of Waterbury, whom we left unable to rise from his bed but a few weeks before. God is truly good to his people. The 6th we reached home.
We can now look back upon our Eastern Tour with a good degree of satisfaction. Our expectations have been more than realized. We have in almost every place been happily disappointed in witnessing the glorious display of God's power, and the triumph of his truth.
And praise the Lord, for what he has done for the little church in Rochester in our absence. Our dear Bro. Masten, who has been brought so low by the Cholera, and raised up by the prayer of faith, [See No. 11, page 86,] is at work in the Office, enjoying the precious hope of the gospel, keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And the brethren generally are greatly revived.
The Conference held here Sept. 25th, and 26th, has proved a blessing to the cause. Some have since come out decidedly upon the Sabbath. It was a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.