TENT MEETING IN JAMAICA, VT by C. W. Sperry; H. G. Buck

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 25, 1856

TENT MEETING IN JAMAICA, VT.

By C. W. Sperry; H. G. Buck

AFTER tarrying three weeks at Greenfield, N. Y., a heavy rain came, and so constant that we could not get down our tent during the week, so we were obliged to tarry the fourth Sabbath, during which time we endeavored to stir up the people with the truth; and while we gave the privilege and request for any one to bring objections to our position, we were answered with threats of burning our tent and other vile insults; but this did not hinder us from being free in the Lord. Many confessed that we were right, but few are willing to walk in the truth.

We then came to Jamaica, Vt., and found as we passed along the road a few faithful souls striving to do all the will of God, with a wicked world around to defame and deride. Our tent was pitched on Sixth-day. On the Sabbath a few besides the brethren were out to hear. On First-day a good congregation, among which were Advent believers of several kinds, and two Advent ministers, one of whom shook his head at our theory concerning the Sanctuary and Sabbath, saying that the earth is the first apartment of the Sanctuary, and the other is in heaven. God's law he would have nailed to the cross and nine of the Commandments re-enacted. On the first day of the week take the place of the seventh; authority for which he quoted as follows: "In the end of the Sabbath (Jewish) as it began to dawn towards one of Sabbaton, (or Christian Sabbaths;)" and in his conversation he showed so much caviling to carry his points that his hearers were convinced that he was wrong. We thought it best to continue our meetings in this place, and appointed and held one on Third-day, P. M., at which time some came out and we had a free time.

We appointed a meeting also for the day following; but that night it began to rain, and soon after dark a set of "lewd fellows of the baser sort" cut our tent to the ground, cutting the pulley-rope several times, two large guy-ropes, eight wall-ropes, and fifteen slits in the roof of the tent from 10 to 30 inches long, and sixteen in the wall. It continued to rain until Sixth-day, when we tied our ropes and erected our mangled tent and enjoyed a good season in the afternoon, in talking the truth and praying for our enemies, instead of fretting ourselves because of evil doers.

Then was fulfilled the saying, "The wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shall thou restrain." A change was wrought in the community. The sympathies of the people were turned towards us. We heard no more shoutings from our enemies, but all was still, and those who had made us threats, helped erect our tent, and volunteered without our request to watch it the remaining nights that we remained in the place. The appearance of the tent did not discourage us, but increased our energy in this last work and conflict for our Master and Pattern, who has said, When ye suffer for Christ's sake, happy are ye. We felt, was indeed fulfilled.

On the Sabbath we had a good hearing from a number who came out to hear more of the reasons of our faith. On First-day we had many more than we anticipated, for the heavy rain had carried off several bridges which made it impassable for wagons. The congregation sat with apparent ease from 10 o'clock A. M., until about 5 P. M., while our haggled tent told all day of the perils of the last days, and the patience of the saints.

We gave two long discourses on the Three Messages of Rev. xiv, and the Two-horned Beast of Rev. xiii.

One Advent man who stood in high estimation came out decidedly and said, he believed God had been with him all the way and he would have the whole truth. He had been much opposed to our position previous to this meeting. But as he had the ideas from ministers and people against us, he demanded of them the Bible, and when brought forward they were powerless and speechless. Several others said they should try to keep all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. We had a refreshing season while attending to the ordinances of the Lord's house, which increased much the brotherly love.

It required one and a half days for several of the brethren and sisters, and some who had not fully come into the truth, to mend our tent. And while our tent bears the marks for the truth's sake, the Lord help us to live so as to bear in our bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus, that the life we live may be by faith on the Son of God. C. W. SPERRY. H. G. BUCK.