The Tent-meeting appointed at Mill Grove was one of interest. But few of our brethren and sisters from abroad assembled, in consequence of the short notice. Quite a number, not in the truth, attended our Sabbath meetings, and on First-day, some two or three hundred listened with candor to the reasons of our faith as set forth from the word of God. Our congregations would have been much larger had the weather been pleasant. The Spirit of the Lord pervaded our midst through the meeting. Since the253meeting, two have already embraced the observance of God's commandments.
The Tent-meeting held in Oswego, June 16th and 17th, was one, we trust, of interest and profit. Quite a number of brethren and sisters from other places in the vicinity assembled with us. On First-day about 1000 people assembled to hear the truth. They gave their undivided attention and listened with candor. In the forenoon Bro. White spoke with clearness on the Sabbath question. After the congregation was dismissed, an individual who was once among us, and was disfellowshipped for his unscriptural course, broke out with railing and abusive language against the speaker. Although some things were said which, had they been said in a different spirit, might have prejudiced the congregation against us, and caused them to fear to listen to our testimony, yet here it seemed to have a contrary effect, for our congregation in the afternoon was much larger than before. The congregation gave heed to the word, as the writer spoke upon the subjects of the two-horned beast, and three angels' messages.
On our way from Rochester to Oswego meeting, we met two of those railers who have gone out from us, and of late have been striving to darken the minds of God's people in Central New York. Said one of them to me, "You are floored. You have no idea of what you have got to meet in Oswego. We," said he, "have been all through there." We presume he referred to what we have already mentioned, and contemplated the triumph of one of his own stamp. He then began to speak in regard to the Sanctuary question. Said that Christ would not enter the most holy place to cleanse it until the last sinner was converted that ever would be. We understand that this view is becoming quite prominent among that class of opposers. But they hold that the 2300 days terminated in 1844, and exhibit geometrical diagrams to prove the same. Here is a point which must be no small mystery to themselves. Says Daniel, "And he said unto me, Unto 2300 days, and THEN shall the Sanctuary be cleansed." We inquire, as we are near eleven years this side of the termination of the 2300 days, When shall the Sanctuary be cleansed? Why, sometime in the future. But the testimony of the angel was, "then," (at the termination of the days) and not eleven or twenty years after. This view looks much like another held by the same class. That the two-horned beast, with his image and mark, is in the past, and yet they state when the third message is given (which warns against that beast's work) it will be given by a holy class, as much as to say it is not yet given.
We look upon the class above referred to as railers, and we marvel that any who love the religion of Jesus Christ should permit themselves to sympathize with their hasty, bitter and unrighteous course. Paul plainly tells us in 1 Cor. v, 11 our duty in regard to such. "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." It appears from the above text that the church in the days of Paul were troubled with characters called railers, and we may expect to meet with no better treatment. Dear brethren and sisters, the Lord is opening the way before us, and prospects are encouraging for the spread of the truth. The Lord has laid on those whom he has permitted to see the truth, the duty of getting the light before others. The Tent operation with the blessing of the Lord, will accomplish much good. We shall look to our brethren and sisters to aid us forward in this work. We already have arrangements for meetings most of the season. We feel thankful for the aid already received in the Tent enterprise. The expenses for Tent and wagon, and necessary articles for pitching the Tent have amounted to $269,25; counting the sums that have been paid and the different pledges, there is still $67,15 to be raised on the Tent and wagon. It will also be necessary in order that those who travel with the Tent may be free, that each meeting should bear its own expense, which will be from $15,00 to $25,00.