OUR Meeting at Boston, Sept. 17th and 18th, was small, as but few of the friends of the Sabbath came in from abroad. We had decided that several small conferences would accomplish more good, with much less expense, than one large one; we therefore appointed three in Massachusetts, and one at Washington, N. H.
We were indeed glad to meet with old, tried friends, who were among the first in the Sabbath cause with Advent believers, also several who have embraced the Sabbath the past year. Our meeting on the Sabbath was one of labor. It was a season of solemn searching of heart. On First-day the word was spoken to those present with as much freedom as could be expected.
For two years past the cause has advanced but little in the vicinity of Boston. Two years since it seemed evident that the hand of the Lord was stretched out in mercy to gather many souls in the vicinity of Boston. Quite a number embraced the Sabbath. But about that time, injudicious movements of some who visited them, whom the Lord never sent, caused confusion and trials among them, from which they have never recovered. We have no doubt but that if all the professed friends of the present truth had moved in gospel order, and kept at the feet of Jesus, the number of Sabbath-keepers would have been greatly increased, and now they would have a public place for meeting, where hundreds could assemble to hear the word of life. We know that it is the will of Heaven that this cause should prosper; but God will not, in our opinion, suffer it to advance any faster than it moves in gospel order.
There are two evils which are very painful to the informed Christian. One, in some who think it their duty to deal very plainly, is a rough, censorious spirit, which drives people away from the truth. The other is a smooth, flattering tongue, which leads to pride, self-righteousness and to hell. O God help thy people to plainly speak the truth in love; to weep over those who err from the truth, and with faithfulness point out their wretched condition.
The present state of things in Boston and vicinity is much better than it has been. The brethren seemed much encouraged, and we are sure that if a persevering, judicious course is taken, the cause may advance there as well as in other portions of the field. We had the pleasure of stopping several days with Bro. Otis Nichols and family, of Dorchester, whose house has for several years been our home when we have been in the vicinity. May God bless them, and other dear friends, for their continued labors of love to us.