Communication from Bro. Hutchins.
By A. S. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: I have just returned home after an absence of nine weeks. In this time I enjoyed many precious seasons with the dear brethren and sisters in Vt., N. H., Mass., and N. Y. My heart was greatly cheered and comforted in meeting with those of like precious faith, whom I had met with before, and also in forming happy acquaintances with others pressing forward to mount Zion. The happy change which is taking place in all the churches where I have been for months, inspires my heart with new zeal and courage. The first Sabbath and First-day after leaving home was spent at Johnson. The good work of confession of faults, with a strong resolution to reform, was still going on. Since then we learn from Bro. Stone that the same good work continues. The two following Sabbaths we spent in the west part of the State, with Bro. Sperry. The Lord helped us much in our meetings. Wrongs were confessed and a sweet union restored among those whom the enemy had labored hard to destroy. From here Bro. S. and myself proceeded on to Jamaica, where we held meetings four evenings and two days. We were convinced that our labor here was not in vain. Though, as in all other places in labor for the church, since the counsel to the Laodiceans reached us, the counsel was heeded, "Be zealous therefore and repent," before any signal victory was gained. But then we could rejoice together, while the Holy Spirit was poured upon us copiously. O praise the Lord for his mercy, compassion and love for his children! May the little church in J. be enabled to stand fast in the liberty wherewith they have been made free, is my prayer. Our next meetings were in Boston and Charlestown. In these meetings there was a deep searching of our own hearts. We felt in some measure the force of the injunction, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." By so-doing we were enabled, at least partially, to see and feel our own poverty, destitution and blindness. And we felt that if we were prepared to stand when the Son of man cometh, we must buy the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and have the eye-salve, quickly. From here we passed on to Lancaster, where we held meetings most of the time for four days and evenings. A recent letter from there proves that the many family confessions made in these meetings, resulted in forming a deep, sweet, and we trust abiding, union. The children of Brn. John C. Day and E. R. Seaman were interested much for their souls' salvation while we were here. The Lord bless and gather the children with the parents, is our fervent prayer. We left here (seven of us from Vt.) with our teams and worked hard three days, urging our passage through the drifting snows to Washington, N. H. The weather was extremely cold, and the traveling bad; but with the truth burning in our hearts, and sustained by the soul-cheering hope of soon meeting the Just One, we felt well able to breast the chilling blasts of the wintry winds. The meeting at Washington was a good one; though the inclemency of the weather was such that but few were present from abroad. The church there receive the counsel to the Laodiceans, and are striving to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. From W. we passed on to Unity. Spent a little time with Bro. Stephen Smith, who waded twelve miles through the snow on foot to confess his past wrongs and connect himself again with the remnant; here we also met your mother, who is strong in the faith of the Third Message, and was trying to persuade others to faithfulness. We then proceeded to Claremont where we held one evening meeting. Great freedom was enjoyed in presenting the evidences that we are living under the sounding of the last Message of mercy. A number were present who stood out firm in the faith of the Advent in 1844. Their inquiring heart for truth was touched, and the silent tears flowed freely. They greatly desired us to come again and further present the truth. The meetings at Rouse's Point, and also at this place, were held agreeably to appointments. In these meetings, while fasting and praying for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, our prayers were heard and answered, and we were all blessed by his presence. We felt that we are in the judgment, and that it is more becoming for us to rend our hearts than our garments. In some measure we felt the force of the injunction, "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet." Joel. I firmly believe we have reached a point of time when we must fast much. "Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." The "little flock" alone will be secure in that awful day, which "hasteth greatly." "Loud let the troubled ocean roar,
In sacred peace our souls abide,
While every nation, every shore,
Trembles and dreads the swelling tide." Barton Landing, Vt., Feb. 18th, 1857. P. S. I have but just spoken of our Conference in this, as we expect a more full report to be given soon.
A. S. H.