p. 77 | Letter from Brn. Waggoner and Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 1857

Letter from Brn. Waggoner and Bates.

By John Harvey Waggoner; Joseph Bates

BRO. SMITH: Since entering upon the labors of this season we have felt more than ever before, the greatness of the work. Truly, the harvest is plenteous, and the laborers are few. Seeing these things are so, our hearts are cheered by the announcement made by Bro. White, in the Review, that the brethren intend to bring the Vermont Tent to this state for a season. We feel to thank God, assured that our prayers for help in this wide field are about to be answered.

For the encouragement of the brethren in Vermont we would say, that the field is open in every direction, and the people are willing and anxious to hear. We cannot supply the calls, or meet the expectations of the people even in this part of the state, and there are extensive fields, east and west of us, where a tent could do much good. Our minds have been strongly directed to several places, both east and west, but we can move only in one direction, and now rejoice to know that some of these places may be visited by another tent. These fields, as well as this in which we are now laboring, are entirely new, and our success so far is beyond our expectations.

We would say, that if any plan of operations has been devised, or any arrangement been made between Bro. White and the brethren east, we would like to be informed of it as soon as possible, that our arrangements may be made accordingly.

We would also invite the brethren to correspond with us freely; if they wish to avail themselves of the benefits of our knowledge of this field, we shall be very glad to render them any assistance in our power, to aid them in their undertaking.

Operations with the tent may be conducted to much better advantage in this country than in the east. We hold meetings every evening in the week, and “seed-time and harvest” do not interfere with our work. But the season is short, and if no present engagement interferes we should think best for them to come with as little delay as possible.

J. H. WAGGONER. JOSEPH BATES. Colon, St. Joseph Co. Mich July 6th 1857.