EASTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1859

EASTERN TOUR.

By James White

BRO. SMITH: We are now at Bro. Buckland's in Carlton, N. Y., where we find a good home for pilgrims. When we arrived here last evening it seemed hardly possible that we had left our brethren in Jackson, Mich., only sixteen hours before. We were hurried over the roads, through the dust, and from one train to another, with such speed that we seemed to forget headaches, and other ills, and we feel much refreshed with the night's sleep, and the cool breeze of this morning. The tent is going up just over in the field, and notice of the meeting given in the region round about. Hope to have a good meeting.

One object of this tour is to awaken interest in behalf of missions in those parts of our own country which seem to be waiting for the word of God, where there are but very few if any friends of the cause. The time has come to increase our efforts, let our light shine, and sound the alarm abroad. We shall also call the attention of the Sisterhood to the wants of widows and orphans among us, and introduce a system of action in accordance with suggestions of "The Good Samaritan."

Hope the brethren will cheerfully open their hands wide, especially those who can give for these good objects without embarrassing themselves.

One thousand dollars should be raised this fall to be sent to our missionaries in books, for them to give where they cannot sell. What they sell will help them to pay other expenses. The Office can furnish books in such cases at 40 per cent discount. We think Eastern brethren will raise half this sum, and we shall expect that Western brethren will raise the other $500. If any brethren wish to help, and have no present means, but expect means within a year, they may send their notes and we will hire the money. The work must go ahead. May the Lord bless our efforts. Amen.

Aug. 22d. Our tent-meeting in this place is closed, and the tent on its way to the place of N. Y. Central conference. There was a general gathering of the brethren in Western N. Y. at this tent-meeting, yet the number present was small compared with such meetings in Michigan, and some other parts of the country.

On Sabbath-day the people in the vicinity came out to hear, and made up about two-thirds of the congregation. On first-day there was a large assembly out at half past ten, two, and five, who appeared as candid and gave as good attention as any assembly we ever spoke to, and quite a number came forward and bought our books. We felt distressed to leave this people. Could the tent remain three or four weeks, and the people hear the truth from such brethren as are constantly laboring with our tents, we have no doubt but a good church would be raised up in the vicinity of Carlton. But our appointments are ahead, and we must hasten on to meet the brethren in other places. We doubt not the way is preparing for successful labor in this State. The cause has long languished for want of united action. The numerous friends can fully sustain the cause and not feel it. Our preachers will labor where the way is opened for them, unless especially impressed to labor in some particular location. The brethren in Michigan have raised from one to four thousand dollars yearly to advance the cause in that State, and their numbers and strength have increased twenty fold within four years, while New York, without united, energetic action, has made but very little progress in numbers and in strength. The people of the Empire State are waiting for the word of God, and will not the church arise, and let her light shine? United action is indispensable to the progress of this cause—every brother and every sister must raise the helping hand.

Bro. R. F. Cottrell is laboring in Western New York with good acceptance, and some success. He, being stripped of his property by unjust hands, now lives as did Paul, in his own hired house. We are glad to see a degree of interest awakening to sustain him in his labors.

J. W.