DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The state of the cause in this place, is very near as it was when you were here. The brethren and sisters remain firm in the present truth, though some have had trials, and being young in experience, it affects them more than it would if they had been longer in the battle. There does not seem to be any discord or disunion among the brethren. Trials have come from other sources. After you were here, opposition raged strong, and has kept up ever since; but there are none that have embraced the Sabbath that think of giving it up.
The New-Time folks are doing all they can to support their theory and put down the Sabbath truth, so that it is hard work at the present to do much toward getting people to listen to the third angel's message. I tell the brethren to be firm, the third angel's message will yet go with a loud voice. The 1854 time is calculated to draw from the present truth, and to confuse the minds of the young and inexperienced, and to throw into trial and doubt, as I think, and so the enemy gets the advantage.
I am glad that Bro. Loughborough has taken up the subject of the two-horned beast, and has done it so much justice. It has been on my mind a great deal. It is an important part of the third angel's message.
I have thought much of the word, earth; for instance, out of the earth, and causeth the earth, and maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth, deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, &c.
Now turn to chap. xvi, 2, and read about the vials of wrath. And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image. It seems the plagues are located, and the first is upon the same place where the two-horned beast is, and there the third angel's warning voice is heard.