Communication from Bro. Bates.
By Joseph Bates
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Since my last from Hubbardston, Mass., Feb. 12th, I have visited New Ipswich, Bennington, Wilton and Washington, N. H., Irasburg, Barton Landing, Sutton, Wheelock, Eden, North Hyde Park and Johnson, Vt., and held meetings in all but the first place. At Wilton, N. H., the Lord answered prayer for the sick. The brethren and sisters who attended the meeting were greatly refreshed, and fully resolved to hold on their way in keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Bro. L. Hastings conveyed me from New Ipswich to Bennington and Washington, about forty miles. The Conference commenced in Washington Feb. 23d, and continued over the 25th. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, the meetings were well attended. Brethren came from twelve and twenty miles. The united testimony of the brethren during the progress of the meeting, evinced the fixed purpose of their minds in living out the great truths contained in the last message of mercy, and seeking to walk in the old paths, where will be found church order and gospel union. Feb. 27th, Bro. J. Stowell conveyed me to the R. Road in Charleston, some twenty-five miles, where we tarried all night with his brother. Here we had quite an interesting season. After hearing in relation to our position, Mrs. Stowell seemed very desirous to learn more about it. The Conference at Irasburg was cheering and good. Here I met with old and tried brethren in the precious cause of truth whom I had not seen for about three years; also many others who had been coming to the knowledge of the truth of the third angel's message, since that time; especially some who had gladly accepted proffered terms of mercy at the tent-meeting there last Summer. We were very glad also to meet with Brn. Stone and Hutchins, who took a part with us in the meetings. I believe that Bro. Stone would be much blessed of the Lord, in laboring for souls in the wide-spread harvest field of our glorious coming King. The meeting March 2d-4th, was at the house of Bro. Barrows, and in the Union meeting-house in Barton Landing. In the last-mentioned place, the people listened attentively to four discourses. We trust that the seemingly deep attention manifest on the occasion will result in much good. Some acknowledged the truth, and we hope that they will continue to receive and believe, that it may be counted to them for righteousness. In company with Bro. Hutchins, we also held meetings at Bro. Childs' in Sutton, and in Wheelock. The brethren and sisters manifested their love for the present truth and a strong desire to live it out that they may be prepared for the time of trouble “such as never was;” and many of their neighbors are manifesting a strong desire to grasp the increasing, progressing and unanswerable truths of the third angel's message. March 8th, Bro. Childs conveyed me some eighteen miles to Irasburg. From thence brother and sister Barrows took us to Eden and North Hyde Park, nearly forty miles. In these two places we held our meetings on the Sabbath and First day, at Brn. Stones and Ferry's. Here also the Brn. gladly received the precious truths of the last message of mercy, and seemed deeply anxious to have their neighbors and friends share with them: especially our last meeting in the school-house at North Hyde Park was solemn and interesting. It is clearly manifest that the Lord is working with his honest-hearted children for the salvation of their neighbors. Here also I was not only cheered with the greeting of old and tried friends of God's precious cause; but the smiling faces of many which I had not seen before, brought onward, and into the truth by the unceasing labors of those who love the truth, and also those who are preaching and making it plain in pamphlets and papers. We also had a profitable meeting at Johnson. From thence Bro. Loveland brought me to Morrisville, where we held a meeting in the town-house last evening to a promiscuous assembly. Our meetings Sabbath and First-day, 17th and 18th are appointed to be in Stowe. From thence Bro. Bingham offers to convey me over the mountain to Bristol. In view of the foregoing, we feel encouraged and strengthened in the work of the Lord, and know that by the grace and Spirit of the Lord we shall be made stronger and stronger to stem the current of all opposition from our contending foe; that in the end we may together shout “Victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name,” on the sea of glass, having then, at least, the joyful satisfaction that we did hear, and heed the dreadful warning of the third angel, and the last message of mercy to fallen, guilty man. Morrisville, Vt., March 14th, 1855.