COMMUNICATIONS by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 13, 1853

COMMUNICATIONS.

By A. S. Hutchins

From Bro. Hutchins.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—On my way to Rochester, I held meetings at the following places in this State. At Brandon in the evenings of Nov. 9th and 10th.—It was truly a matter of comfort and satisfaction to learn what the Lord had done for the brethren there within a few months. In company with Bro. Sperry I visited this place last August, at which time there was not a Sabbath-keeper in the town. Now there are ten rejoicing in the holy Sabbath; and still conviction is fastening deep upon the minds of others.

The brethren at B. have met with strong and continued opposition. The claims for Sunday-keeping have been presented and urged by ministers and their doctrine has seemed to be gladly embraced by many. But with this attempt to scatter error and darkness among commandment-keepers, and to lay the truth low, the enemy could not rest satisfied. Another position must be assumed. I found there a teacher who presents the claims for keeping holy the seventh day, believing it to be (as he says) the only sanctified time, and the only day to be observed as the Sabbath. With the position before his hearers, that the “seventh day is the Sabbath,” he next attempts to prove that the seventh day comes on the first day. (Sunday.) Though I had a personal interview with this man, yet I could not learn from him on what his evidences were based for preaching that Sunday is the seventh day. He said at some future time he would give me his views; but was not prepared then to do it. None can fail to see that if this position be tenable, that those who have been teaching the observance of the first day of the week to commemorate Christ’s resurrection, should be recalled to present the same evidences in favor of keeping Monday which is the true first day, if Sunday is the true seventh day. Truly error has many mouths, and proclaims a multitude of poisonous and conflicting sentiments, while truth speaks one and the same thing.

Sabbath, Nov. 12th, I met with the brethren in Bangor. Our meeting was one of profit to us all.—On the evening of the 13th, I lectured to a large congregation at Fort Jackson. One sister has been keeping the Sabbath there for some months, and still feels strong in the truth. In the evenings of the 16th and 17th, I lectured at Norfolk.

Sabbath and First-day, 19th and 20th, met with the dear brethren in conference at Potsdam. In this meeting, in answer to earnest and fervent prayer, both in the meeting and between the hours of worship, the deep searching, and melting Spirit of the Lord rested down upon us, and a glorious and triumphant victory was obtained by the dear saints.—One young brother, a member of the Methodist Church, and an honest seeker for the truth, there fully resolved to take the Bible as the rule of his action, and keep all the commandments of God. I felt a deep anxiety that this dear brother should embrace the whole truth, and I expect he will. O may God guide him safely on through all the trials and conflicts of life, and may we be permitted to meet again beneath the cloudless sky of a blessed eternity.

Our Conference at Lorain on the 26th and 27th, resulted in much good to the dear brethren there. I have seldom enjoyed greater freedom in presenting the truth than I did on First-day. On the evening

of the 29th, I met with the brethren at Oswego. A few were present to hear, who listened with attention to the word spoken. On the evening of the 30th, I met with a few brethren and friends at Hannibal, and spoke to them on the commandments of God.

I remain fully resolved to go to heaven by the way of the cross. O the reward that awaits the faithful servant, looks glorious to me.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 4th, 1853.