DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I wish to say to the saints scattered abroad that although unworthy I rejoice through the mercy of God that I have the light of the third angel's message to guide me through the darkness and perils of time's last hours, and have also the privilege of sharing in the trials and sufferings of the remnant, and hope to be purified by obeying the truth and be glad with exceeding joy when the glory of our soon coming King is revealed. My heart is comforted and encouraged to labor and toil on in view of what God is doing for his precious cause and suffering people, especially while I see the way preparing for the solemn warning of the third angel to be heard in new places.
On our way from Vermont to Maine we called at Lunenburgh, Vt., where two faithful souls had kept the Sabbath for about three years, and have cast an influence which tells to many minds that those who keep the commandments are blessed of the Lord. We called and conversed with some of their neighbors on the present truth, and by their request held a meeting in the evening. Had a free time, and quite a large congregation, (considering the short notice and rainy weather,) who gave the best attention to the word spoken. The next morning we journeyed on until about noon, when we arrived at Bro. French's in Northumberland, N. H., formerly from Vt. They were whole hearted in the advent cause in 1843 and '44, and did much to sustain it. Here we had a good opportunity to correct a wrong impression left upon their minds in regard to the faith of the Sabbath-keepers who were reported as believing that the Lord did come in '44. We hung up our chart and passed hastily over the three messages of Rev. xiv, and when we got through, one individual said, "Why, how different from what Esq. D. said they believed! Now tell us the reasons why you keep the seventh-day Sabbath. We take the Advent Herald and have heard but very little about the Sabbath-keepers." This request we complied with most cheerfully, as there are so many good reasons why we should keep the commandments. May the Lord enable them to receive and live out the third message as faithfully as they did the first and second.
From this place we hasted on to our appointment at Jay, Me., where we met the little church on Sabbath at Bro. Wm. Bryant's, and were blessed in keeping the holy Sabbath. On First-day we held a meeting at a school-house near by, where we enjoyed much of the presence of the God of truth while speaking to the candid congregation. On Second-day evening we held a meeting at Wilton, where we had quite a large congregation and good attention. Our next appointment was at Canaan, where we spent two Sabbaths: had very interesting meetings, and left in full confidence that as soon as the church gets right God will add to their numbers. We next went to Brewer, where we found the church striving to come up through much tribulation to the rest that remains to the people of God. The church has been much refreshed, and are still contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
I will here take the liberty to answer through the Review the question that has been asked by private letters: What is the little Michigan paper doing in your travels? Answer—nothing. O how I pity any poor soul that is so unfortunate in time's last hour as to be found scattering abroad. The productions of any class of religious teachers unless they are fully in the work of God and rightly dividing the word of life, can no more satisfy the honest inquirer after truth, than husks did the poor prodigal. O, dear brethren, how dreadful are the scenes that are just before us, and what vast responsibilities devolve upon every soul whose mind has been enlightened by the present truth, and what awful consequences follow when "these fall away." May the Lord give his saints to feel more deeply the importance of being as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves; and to unite their strength against the powers of darkness as the dangers thicken while nearing the harbor of eternal rest. Lord bless and bring the honest souls safely to land, is the prayer of your unworthy brother in the tribulation and patience of the saints.