NEWS FROM THE MESSENGERS.
By Joseph Bates
BRO. SMITH:—After spending two Sabbaths in Hebron, Jeff. Co., Wis., I commenced a series of meetings at Lake Mills, and Aztalan Jan. 16th, which continued over two Sabbaths. At the first place I was welcomed by Bro. and Sr. Bragg, recently from Vt. It seemed almost like being in Vt., where I had formerly shared their hospitality in connection with other dear children of God, who were willing to have every word of God. They took much pains to open the way for the last message to be placed before their new neighbors. The effect is yet to be unfolded. At Aztalan, the brethren were quickened, and some of them much revived by the presentation of the truth. One of their number who had left them through discouragements thinking some other way would answer, came back with renewed determination to walk with the remnant, all the rest of the way. Some others listened with attention and we trust will continue to examine and embrace the truth. The Lord also bless them for their labor of love in helping us on our way. Jan. 29th, came to Columbus, Columbia Co. Here we found Bro. Hall and Chase anxiously waiting for some one to explain our position to the people in a school district in the north part of the town, where the doctrine of the Advent had never been preached. Although the weather was intensely cold, the meeting continued from Fifth-day to next First-day evening, with increasing interest. The last evening, the Lord seemed to set the truth home with more than mortal energy, spirited exhortations, showing the importance of heeding the last notes of warning of the Third Angel were pressed upon the waiting congregation. Many of them took books to examine our position still further. In the P. M. meeting, two Methodist preachers were present. One of them appointed to preach on the Sabbath question next First-day, at 2 o'clock, P. M. The people wished to hear more on the Advent and Sabbath doctrine and made a request for us to give them a few more lectures, and if the Methodist minister preached against the Sabbath, reply to him. Feb. 5th, came to Fountain Prairie by invitation, with Bro. David Chase, recently from Fairhaven, Mass. Preached four evenings in the school-house; some appeared very much interested, having never heard the Advent doctrine preached before. We hope some seed was sown in good ground, and will yet bring forth fruit unto God and the Lamb. Feb. 8th, returned to Columbus, and commenced meetings again according to appointment. The Methodist minister came to his appointment and preached against the weekly Sabbath of the Bible. His text was from Ex. xx, 8-11, from which he attempted to prove Sunday to be the true Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and said that one seventh part of time was what was to be understood from the text. He quoted Luke xxiv, 36; John xx, 19, 26; Acts xx, 7, and some of the said-to-be Christian fathers, to prove that the day was changed, and said that those who teach Saturday for the Sabbath are judaizing teachers. And he further said, Our Lord changed the day, but not until after his resurrection. We do not know of any instructions that our Lord gave about the change. But we believe he changed it. He further exhorted his hearers not to be carried about by every wind of doctrine, especially about the Sabbath, but have their faith fixed upon the Scriptures. He then closed with an assertion that the resurrection was also a memorial of the redemption of our bodies. We reviewed his subject in the evening. Some men of judgment, who made no pretensions to religion, listened very attentively to hear on both sides, and said that the Methodist minister did not prove one single point that he attempted. We believe that some will keep the Bible Sabbath in Columbus. The Lord guide them into all truth. I expect to hold meetings in this place to-morrow and next day, and pass on to El Dorado, Rosendale and vicinity. Ceresco, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Feb. 15th, 1856.