p. 44 | EASTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 30, 1858

EASTERN TOUR.

By James White

THE friends of the cause everywhere must feel a deep interest in the prosperity of the cause East, as that is the oldest field, where brethren have longest borne the cross of present truth, and have endured trials, and have sacrificed of their means to send light and truth throughout the wide field. And it will be expected that we should report something of the state of the cause East, so far as we can judge from our recent visit.

In the State of New York we had six meetings. At Rochester we met with a few friends of the cause, and enjoyed much freedom with them. Here, (where Satan's seat is,) the head-quarters of Spiritualism, No-Law, No-Sabbath, Age-to-come, and their consequent evils, are a few who are striving for eternal life. Here we were blessed far beyond our expectations. What a contrast between our feelings, and the scenes of trial there in past years, while suffering under toil, care, embarrassment, ill health, and great depression of spirits. Praise God for deliverance from the cruel burdens under which we then suffered.

At Roosevelt we had great freedom in endeavoring to feed the sheep and the lambs. Bro. Loughborough spoke on the Saints' Inheritance, which greatly cheered and encouraged the church, and deeply interested the entire congregation. It reminded us of what the Prophet hath said. "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. lviii, 13, 14.

In times past the church in this vicinity has suffered

much in consequence of those having large beams in their eyes, endeavouring to remove motes from the eyes of their brethren. This has been carried on till some have well-nigh had their eyes put out. But they are learning better. They now think the very best way for the whole church to get right, is for every one to be sure to get right himself. Then they will all be able to see clearly. Amen.

At Brookfield, Madison Co., our conference was held in the Christian chapel, a few rods from the house of Bro. Ira Abbey. On Sabbath the house was quite well filled. We did not expect to find half so many Sabbath-keepers in this vicinity, holding to the Third Message. We trust this meeting will prove a lasting blessing to the dear brethren in that vicinity. We had the pleasure of planting in the water, in the likeness of Christ's death, Bro. and Sr. Wheeler, Bro. and Sr. Cook, and another. E. W. Waters was present at this meeting, one who joined the Messenger spirits, and acted a part in that campaign of accusing, slandering and misrepresenting the true friends of the cause. The subject of the unity and gifts of the church seemed to break his spirit of opposition, and as far as we could judge, he began to feel his sins, and give evidence of a desire to retrace his steps. We hope the work is genuine. If God can let his Spirit strive with him, and bring him fully back to the fold, to again hold sweet communion with the saints, and be fitted for the association of Christ, angels, and the redeemed those who are acquainted with his aggravating case will have great reason to praise and extol the grace of God. We speak plainly of his wrong course, while we feel deeply his condition, and would do all in our power to help such an one. Brethren, see his confession in this paper. Pray for him, and help him if you can. His only hope is in making thorough work. Lord help.

At Mannsville we had a precious season. Here are a few living souls. Here we were impressed with the words, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John x. 27. Jesus leads the way and calls. He does not go behind and drive the sheep. The under-shepherds who speak instead of the Chief Shepherd, should lead the way and call the sheep. Some of our best, most sacrificing, and zealous brethren have erred here. They should keep in the love of God, full of the Spirit of their Master, then call. Blessed be God, the sheep will hear and understand. They should be very careful not to get behind the sheep to drive them, lest the flock be scattered, and some dear lambs be lost. The Lord bless them; they are learning better.

At Buck's Bridge the saints assembled in the House of Prayer, where a goodly number seemed to be greatly benefitted by the preaching of the Word, and exhortations. A number have joined the ranks in that part of the State. And while some have been leaving for the West, the Lord has been making others strong to hold up the standard.

At Rouse's Point we met with a few friends at Bro. C. O. Taylor's. There we were happy to meet with Bro. D. T. Taylor and wife, and Bro. C. F. Hudson, for the first time. Bro. Hudson had just closed his lectures on the immortality theme in that place, and Bro. Taylor in consequence of ill health had left his charge at Worcester, Mass., and was staying with his brother. These brethren heard four discourses, which we trust will induce them to fully investigate the subjects of the Law of God and Sanctuary. Bro. M. B. Czechowski and family were present, with several French brethren who have embraced the Sabbath under his labors. Bro. C. is well, and very active. He has a hard field of labor, but rejoices greatly in the truth, and has some success.

At Wolcott, Vt., we met a large assembly from different parts of the State. This was an excellent meeting. There was freedom in preaching the Word, also in social meetings. We were happy to meet with the Bros. Bourdeaux, their parents, and several others of the French brethren. The Lord is moving quite a number of this people out into the present truth. We shall long remember the Wolcott meeting, the meeting and parting with the old and tried friends of the precious cause of truth. Bro. Loughborough's testimony was fully appreciated by them. A change of gifts is evidently beneficial to the cause everywhere.

At Washington, N. H., we were greatly disappointed. A scattering influence had been among them, and we feared a dark season of labor. The weather was bad, and we feared a lack of interest would detain the brethren at home. But no; at the time appointed the Christian chapel was quite well filled with Sabbath-keepers. The Word preached seemed to search every heart, and the meeting closed with the best prospects of unity and harmony for time to come.

Our meeting at Clinton, Mass., resulted much like the one at Washington, only here we met with greater darkness; but the Lord worked mightily for his people. The erring were reproved, and the distracted and fainting ones were greatly encouraged. This meeting had a cheering influence on the friends of the cause.

At Portland, Me., our meetings were held in the City Hall. Quite a number of brethren came in from abroad. Several in the city have recently embraced the Sabbath. After our meeting closed in the hall, the Adventists opened their hall, where Bro. Loughborough gave two lectures, and led a Bible class on the Sanctuary question. Bro. Lunt writes that the interest continues.

We look back upon this tour with the greatest pleasure. As the burden of labor is evidently West, we feared that this long tour on old ground would be tedious and discouraging. But we were greatly disappointed. The Lord has great care for the old, faithful friends of the cause, and met with us at every appointment. We were astonished to find them all firm in the present truth. Not a man of any moral worth has left the ranks. Preachers had left them to labor in the West, and discouragements had pressed in on every hand, yet there they were, standing upon the rock of truth. And O, how sweet was communion with such steadfast souls. These little differences which have existed between brethren East and West in relation to the added law, &c., seem to be nearly lost sight of, and we are happy to say that there exists great respect for each other's honest views. In this position and spirit, the God of truth can lead us all by the Spirit of truth into all truth, on this point as well as all others. Some of our eastern brethren have lacked interest for the cause West, and a spirit of opposition has arisen against brethren moving West to labor. This has looked too much like sitting down and having a good time eating up the loaf while many poor children in the West were really starving. But we are happy to report a good missionary spirit in the East. They feel that the good cause is one, and are ready to come up to the help of the Lord. This is as it should be; while we trust that the churches West greatly respect the old friends and supporters of the cause East.

J. W.