Meeting at Bakersfield, Vt.
By E. L. Barr
This meeting commenced Jan. 9th, and continued over the 10th, with an interest that brought to mind by-gone days. My health was so poor at that time that I did not feel able to put forth a single effort; but to see so much of the plain, humble gospel simplicity in some of our French brethren that have recently embraced the truth, and their manifest interest to hear more; to see some come miles with oxen and sled because they must hear the truth, and then to see the neighbors gather in to the large school-house until it was crowded, and then to hear their kind offers to entertain the friends from abroad in large numbers, was enough to make every lover of present truth for the time being, forget a large share of the sufferings of earth, and use what little life and strength he had to do these honest souls good. How cheering also to meet some dear saints of whom we had often heard but never seen before, and find them straight and strong in all the present truth. How encouraging to find such men as Bro. E. Kellogg rallying around the standard of the Third Angel. He was once an efficient itinerant minister in the Methodist church, but called out by the First and Second Angels' Messages to look for Jesus and share with the saints in their disappointment in 1841, and now is brought into the truth at this late hour to finish up his work and share in the glory when Jesus appears. Eld. Cole and his companion, formerly Baptist, but Adventist in '44, and now disposed to examine the present truth, were also here. May the Spirit of truth guide them in their researches. Eld. Rockwell, an Advent preacher also attended this meeting, but did not appear very anxious to have it go that we have the truth, yet listened candidly. The Lord in great kindness helped to proclaim his truth, to which good attention was given. We were also aided by Brn. Bourdeau and Evans, and the warm exhortations and straight testimonies of others. Our church meeting to provide for its spiritual wants was full of true christian union, and graced with the sweet, melting, heavenly Spirit of our Divine Master. We tarried with the kind hearted saints through the following week, not able to labor much, but glad to find the next Sabbath that three more had made their calculations to go with the commandment-keepers. Others were much interested, and we hope ere this, have joined themselves to the Lord, to be his servants. Two were baptized on First-day, and we trust others will go forward soon and improve this last chance to make their calling and election sure. And now while the Lord is adding to this young church, many of whom have been gathered through the faithful labors of Bro. A. C. Bourdeau, we do pray that each member may bear in mind continually the solemn time in which we live, and so move that God can add continually to their graces, until they are fully prepared to sing with the redeemed. Wolcott, Vt., Feb. 2nd, 1858. E. L. BARR.