Communication from Bro. Evarts.
By E. Evarts
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I have been for two weeks passing around among the towns in this part of Vt. I find the brethren and sisters humble, prayerful and striving to be at peace among themselves; and they have some encouragement by there being some willingness among the people to hear. Sabbath, 17th, I met a full house of the saints at dear Bro. Churchill's. First-day evening we had a full school-house of deep feeling citizens in Sterling. Some acknowledged the present truth in tears; but, whether the truth will abide or the wicked one catch it away or not, time will determine. Monday evening had a meeting at a school-house in Morristown, and good attention. Thursday evening had a meeting in the vestry of the Methodist house in the village of Johnson. Bro. Dougherty, the minister in charge, kindly gave the notice and attended: he appears to be a humble man. It is a new field. Bro. Bingham accompanied me through the whole week. We staid one night with Elder Carpenter of Waterville. His dear companion is strong in keeping the Sabbath and the present truth. Her three daughters are with her. Her husband appears favorable; but hitherto has been otherwise. She was brought to the observance of the Sabbath by her niece in Ohio writing a letter to her and sending Bro. Andrew's Review of O. R. L. Crozier. She never heard a lecture nor met with the saints in meeting. O! what great things our Lord condescends to do for our friends, when we put forth our small efforts in faith and prayer. Sixth-day evening we had an appointment at Hydepark village, in the Congregational meeting-house, by the kindness of Bro. Keeler, an influential member of said church. On arrival for meeting we found the house open and warm, but the "Free Masons" had held a celebration in the place during the day, and there was a "Log cabin exhibition" in the evening at one tavern, and a dance at the other tavern; so we were left without a congregation sufficient for a meeting. O how lamentable is the condition of this generation upon whom the end of the world is come. Sabbath, 24th, met with the saints again at Bro. Churchill's: a Congregationalist deacon attended, and left at intermission with apparent deep feelings, saying that he would try to persuade his companion to accompany him to our afternoon meeting; but he did not come: he carried with him some books on present truth. First-day, 25th, we had a meeting at Moretown, a new field—a good attendance—after two discourses, there was an urgent request of the congregation for another meeting in the evening, and a voluntary withdrawal of an appointment for a meeting in said house by a "time preacher" who had listened candidly through the day. We had an old fashioned weeping meeting following a lecture, and one took a decided stand on the whole truth with a testimony that had a sound within a sound; and others took a free part in the meeting, and begged for another meeting, which by the grace of the Lord we intend to hold according to appointment next First-day. Next Sabbath the meeting is at Bro. Lockwood's where I expect to be, the Lord willing.
E. EVARTS.
Northfield, Vt., March 1st, 1855.