Since our last communication, published in the Review of August 7, we have been holding meetings in Springfield, Mass., Berlin and Middletown, Ct.
Our meetings in Berlin continued over two Sabbaths. The weather was very favorable, so that both First-days quite a number came to hear, and some appeared anxious to know the truth. At our first meeting a colored preacher from Upper Canada attended, and added his testimony in favor of a closer walk with God. He is lecturing in the State of Connecticut, to obtain means to ameliorate the condition of our oppressed countrymen, escaped from the slave power of our boasted land of freedom, who have found a refuge from their cruel bondage in the British dominions. When about to leave he declared himself fully settled in the belief of the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and said he should teach it. He was supplied with a few such books as he desired, and said he should pass through Rochester, N. Y., on his way to Canada, and call at the office for the Review. Thank the Lord, that he is qualifying teachers who have influence with this class of our fellow men who are now free, and have the privilege to keep the weekly Sabbath of the Bible when they hear it taught.
At our second meeting in B. a young man came out fully decided to keep the Lord's Sabbath, and walk in all the ordinances of the Lord's house, blameless. Some others were also deeply interested, and came for books, to still further enlighten their minds on our position. In accordance with the command of the great head of the church, three were baptized, henceforth to walk in newness of life.
In answer to prayer the Lord healed the sick, strengthened and refreshed the living members of the church, and encouraged us to still labor on for the salvation of precious souls. All praise to his holy name.
On the 17th inst. we pitched our tent in the city of Middletown, on the Connecticut river, and held meetings on Sabbath and First-day, 18th and 19th. How perceptible the difference between a city congregation and one in the "highways and hedges." The first so much more prejudiced against the truths connected with the doctrines of the second advent than the latter.
The parable of the three invitations to the great supper, in Luke xiv, 16-24, given by our Lord, answering to, and in agreement with, the three angels' messages in Rev. xiv, 6-12, makes this all clear; viz., the third and last invitation answering to the third angel's message, is to be proclaimed in the highways and hedges; the preceding invitation, answering to the second angel's message, in connection with a cry at midnight, having already been given in the streets and lanes of the city, that is in the midst of the professed organized churches, where God's people were to be found. But before the third invitation closes, the loud cry of the third angel's message will gather God's people from every section of the wide-spread harvest field, that his house may be filled.
We would not be understood by the above that all our hearers were prejudiced against our position, for some we learn are much troubled about keeping the Lord's Sabbath, and walking in all the ordinances of the Lord, blameless. We have hope that they will now decide to keep all the commandments of the Lord. The Church have kindly cared for our wants, and aided us much by their efforts to sustain and carry forward the meetings. Bro. and Sr. Belden opened their house to entertain the Brethren for two successive meetings in B. Bro. and Sr. Chamberlain, of Middletown, opened their doors for all the lovers of truth. In our praying seasons we have heard their thanks and praise to God for aiding, strengthening and greatly blessing them in the performance of their respective duties, and how glad they were to have the people of God come in with them, and partake of what their homes afforded.
This we have also noticed in the several places where we have held tent meetings this season. The message is God's. It is his last work! It would be marvelous indeed if he did not bless his self-sacrificing37people, who were endeavoring to carry out the work he has laid out before them. He has, and still does, and will, bless all who willingly work to promote his cause. There are two other places in Connecticut to which we are invited to give the message, by men not with us in the truth. We go, believing that God will also bless them for opening a door for their neighbors to hear and judge for themselves.
JOSEPH BATES.
Middletown, Ct., August 21, 1855. E. L. BARR.