EASTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 16, 1857

EASTERN TOUR.

By James White

SABBATH, June 20th, we met with the brethren of Northern New York in the house of prayer, at Buck's Bridge. The comfortable place of worship seemed inviting. It is an easy place to speak. It is a very plain but comfortable place of worship. The house was nearly filled with Sabbath-keepers. We spoke to them on the Sabbath, but with little freedom. A prostrating influence has been with this people, which caused the hearts of the dear people of God to be sad. We are informed that the testimony to the Laodiceans did a good work for this people, and the hearts of the brethren were much cheered. But at this time a misguided soul came from Vermont among them, professing to be especially taught of the Lord. The majority of the brethren decided that this person was not sent of the Lord. A few were undecided, and some sympathized. In this condition the church had suffered about four months. Here was sufficient cause for the sadness of the church, and lack of freedom.

On First-day the house was filled, and in giving the reasons of our faith, we enjoyed freedom. Before we parted with the brethren in N. Y., they assisted this person home, became united, and the Lord manifested his great goodness, and unbounded mercy in our midst. Praise his name.

The 27th and 28th, we joined brethren Rhodes, and Wheeler, Cottrell, and Ingraham at the General Tent-meeting at Parish, N. Y. There was quite a collection of brethren from the surrounding country. Most of the brethren in that region have been passing through deep trials, and came to the meeting much discouraged. The spirits of many present were depressed, and our meetings on Sabbath moved heavily. On First-day there was liberty in preaching to the unbelieving multitude.

We now feel confident that a spirit of fault-finding has been destroying the spiritual life of the people of God in Central N. Y. It has been accusations and church trials over and over, until many seem to have forgotten how to worship God in spirit and in truth. Individuals have brought their charges against brethren, and have picked at straws, who would have done better in attending to the condition of their own unsanctified hearts—persons who have no business with the work of God, only to watch themselves. These persons have been heard, and tedious church trials have been suffered which have driven the spirit of the present truth almost out of the land. "Feed my sheep," "Feed my lambs," said Jesus Christ to Peter. We think that modern Peters, and modern Johns, will help the church more in dealing out food, than in all the tinkering of useless church trials. The Lord bless you dear brethren, it is food, not all physic that the flock needs. And if those who have more than they can do to help themselves in the road, take hold of the lines to guide the church, tell them to let them alone. Point, O point the church to the foot-steps of the great Shepherd, and as you lead off, tell the people of God to follow him, to follow Christ.

July 4th and 5th, we were with the Tent in Ulysses, Penn. Our meeting here was much like the others, only more interest was manifested by the large audience to hear on First-day. We found our Bro. Ingraham poor, and depending chiefly on the labor of his hands to support his family. True the brethren in Penn. are not wealthy, but they can support two such preachers and not feel it. They have had the faithful labors of our dear brother, but have been unfaithful as to their duty to him, till the Lord is removing him to another field. Such men as Bro. Ingraham, at such a time as this, must be where their whole being may be engaged in the work. We would say to such preaching brethren, Fly to the rescue of precious souls, and when you want means, let us know it, and we will divide to the last with you.

We reached home the 9th. Bro. Ingraham was to fill our appointment in Ohio on his way west. Sabbath the 11th we met with the dear people of God in this place, who seem to be prospering, and enjoyed a precious season. During the last eight weeks we have traveled about 2400 miles, have preached generally four times each week, have transacted business amounting to between three and four thousand dollars, and return improved in health and cheered in spirits. Had it not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up quick. Praise his dear name for all he has done for us. Praise his holy name. Some poor souls have been waiting and watching, and hoping that the REVIEW would go down, and that we should die. True we may fall suddenly, if the Lord removes his sustaining hand. But as one said in Wisconsin, that he was giving up all hopes of the REVIEW going down, so they may also despair of our dying at present.

We would return to the Lord our sincere thanks for his preserving mercy and sustaining power, and thank his dear people who labored to make us happy while with them, and helped us from place to place after a godly sort. J. W.