DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I have been traveling and preaching most of the time since I was at Rochester. I have made two tours as far West as Grand Rapids' City. The message is firmly rising in Michigan, as far as labor has been bestowed. The way is opening in almost every direction to spread the present truth.
My first trip West was not very encouraging; our experience being so short, and having to meet some little trials thrown upon us, which did not belong to us.
I left home Sept. 1st, on my second tour, and heard Bro. Loughborough preach at Bro. Pierce's in the evening. My heart was cheered to see him, and Bro. Cornell, and hear them tell of the prosperity of the cause West.
Next day we went to Bro. Currie's, at Delhi, and had a very pleasant visit with them. We left them somewhat unsettled, but praying the Lord to help them in the more thorough study of the whole truth; for the truth we have. One family there decided on the Sabbath of the Lord as being the Christian's Rest-day.
We went from there to Lansing, and stopped with Bro. Olcott's family, whom we hope will keep the Sabbath. They take the Review, and are partially convinced of the truth.
The next place we held meetings was at North Plains, where we found the brethren holding on to the truth. After preaching upon the law, on Sabbath evening, a Congregational preacher rose up gravely, and said that the next time he came there to preach, he would give them the Christian Sabbath. I gave them to understand that the so-called Christian Sabbath was nothing more nor less than the Roman Catholic Sunday. I find that the Devil has got out his agents every where to counteract the government of God, in destroying his law.
At Vergennes we had a very good meeting. The brethren and sisters there appear to be trying to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly. Bro. and Sr. Kinney became established in the keeping of the Seventh-day Sabbath. We met with some of Satan's agents who undertook to quibble with us against the truth. Their mode of reasoning would do away the truths of the Bible and the being of God or Christ.
We had a very pleasant visit with our old friend J. P. Weeks, who has formerly been a Union preacher. We laid the truth before him as well as we could, and left him to investigate, praying the Lord to bless.
Our next visit was at Bro. Clarke's, who has been keeping the Sabbath some six years. He is firm.—There is not much interest in his immediate neighborhood.
At Grand Rapids there has been an increased interest since our late visit. Bro. and Sr. Pettabone and Bro. and Sr. Fitch have lately come out to keep the Sabbath. Bro. Fitch proclaimed the first angel's message in 1843, and shared in the disappointment, and knew not what it meant until the present truth was presented to his mind, in the third angel's message. I think that Bro. Fitch will have to go with the last message of mercy to a sinful world, which is so soon to be destroyed by the seven last plagues.—Rev. xvi. Bro. Fitch's health is not very good, but we believe, if God has a work for him that he will give him strength according to his work.
Bro. Pearsall has had taken away from his family, by death, their only little son, about eleven years of age, after his heart was broken by the present truth. We believe the Lord did prepare him for himself, and laid him away to rest a few days, from the troubles to come on the earth, to save him, as is best in his case.
We came to Bedford, Oct. 1st and 2d. Found the little band striving to grow in grace, and the Lord was with them. The opposers have mostly been tested, and have decided against the truth. I see the importance of visiting new places as fast as possible; for as soon as the people are tested, the voice of the third angel will die away for ever, and sweet mercy be no more. Then he that is holy will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still.
Yours in the truth, J. B. FRISBIE.
Chelsea, Mich., Oct. 7th, 1853.