Tent Meetings in Vt by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 31, 1856

Tent Meetings in Vt.

By A. S. Hutchins

Our first meeting with the tent for this season, was held at Waterville, June 14th, 15th and 16th. The greater part of the friends who came to hear knew but little respecting our views, except by report, which of course was quite unfavorable. But on First-day our congregation was quite large, and listened with interest to the word spoken. Several took books, with a desire to investigate the points of Bible truth presented.

Our convictions are that these meetings will prove a savor of life unto life, to some of the kind and candid friends there.

Before the commencement of the meetings the report was in circulation that each individual who entered the tent would be charged from three to six cents. How much surprised the congregation was to be welcomed to the tent without charge, we do not know. But several did seem quite astonished to learn that we have never taken up a public collection to defray our expenses; and well they might, for while we were erecting the Tent, one of the ministers of the place came under the tent and remarked (we were informed by a friend) that the tent was a money-making concern, and added that he presumed we had taken thousands of dollars under it. We pity this professed Christian minister, and are sorry that he had not learned that where the gospel is preached in its purity, that the hearers are not followed up with the collector's hat or box.

Our next meeting was held in Bakersfield, near Bro. A. C. Bourdeaux's. He did what he could to encourage his friends and neighbors to attend the meeting. On Sabbath we had the privilege of presenting the refining, saving truths of the last message of mercy, to more attentive hearers than we could have expected. On First-day our congregation was smaller than we had supposed it would be. The probability is that more would have been present if it had not been for a F. W. B. Quarterly meeting in that section. But the word was spoken with freedom. Bro. Bourdeaux, and family, and friends, were much interested in these meetings.

We do most earnestly pray that the Lord of the harvest may so guide Bro. B. that he can soon enter the field and labor for the rise and spread of the truths which have made his soul so free, among his brethren. Dear brethren, forget not to pray that the Lord would raise up and send out more laborers.

We next pitched the tent in South Troy. We were quite sorry to know that the leading Advent brethren in this place, who once rejoiced greatly in the soon coming of the Just One, were so strongly opposed to hearing us, as to employ a Methodist minister to preach to them, and that, too, within one fourth of a mile of the tent. Notwithstanding this very discouraging feature among those who once cheerfully left the fallen churches, and loved well the blessed sound of the coming of the Redeemer; yet we felt that our efforts to do the people good there would not all be lost; for some there love the truth and others are seeking for it. O, may the Lord stir up his professed people there, to an inquiring to know their true standing and situation in the mind of the great Searcher of hearts. "Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping."

Last Sabbath and First-day the tent was at Derby Centre. At the close of the first meeting on Sabbath, Elder Cummings, who has been so active in preaching the New Time theory, arose and requested the privilege of throwing in some objections to our views of the Sabbath, and of asking some questions upon the subject of the Sabbath, stating that his desire was to obtain light. This privilege was granted him in the next meeting. At the opening of this meeting we stated our position upon the Law of God, and our firm belief that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord. Eld. C. objected and took the no-Sabbath position; and as a matter of course mangled and wrested the Scriptures to sustain his groundless position. Our interview was some three hours long. Several seemed quite interested in the remarks made. But we do not know that Eld. C. was particularly benefited.

One thing is certain: unless he had more relish for the Sabbath truth, so clearly brought to view in God's sacred word, and so precious to all lovers of the holy Sabbath, than we had for his no-Sabbath heresy, he was not much fed and strengthened.

"When men oppose that law of love, They lack the wisdom from above; Deluded souls! they're in the dark, Without the truth—without the Ark."

In our interview Eld. C. admitted if there is any Sabbath, that the seventh day is the Sabbath: also that he had not the least doubt but that the seventh day comes on the day usually called Saturday.

On First-day our congregation was large, and listened attentively to the word spoken. We were informed that many were convinced, or rather well convicted of the truthfulness of our position on the Sabbath question. We left Derby, confidently believing that our efforts there will certainly be blessed of our heavenly Parent; and that some of those dear friends will by and by keep all the Commandments of God. Bro. C. O. Taylor was with us in our last three meetings, and took part in speaking the word, for which we felt thankful. A. S. HUTCHINS. H. G. BUCK. Barton Landing, Vt., July 8th, 1856. P. S. In my last communication, for Bro. and Sr. Sheffield, of South Troy, read, Bro. and Sr. Litchfield. A. S. H.