MEETINGS IN MASS. AND MAINE.
By A. S. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: Since my last we have been visiting the churches in these states. The next Sabbath after our meeting in Fitchburg, we spent in Boston, and the Sabbath following, in Lynn. In each of these places we enjoyed some of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The brethren and sisters, at least some of them, seemed to feel the necessity of a closer walk with God. Their resolutions were good. But will they carry them out? Will they pay their vows unto the Most High? Some, we expect, will. O that all who profess a love for the soon coming of the Lord, and for the holy law of God, might deeply and fully realize the solemn time in which we live, and manifest their attachment to these sacred truths by holy living, and an entire consecration to God. It is greatly to be feared that some who have had much light on the present truth, and perhaps been numbered for some time with commandment-keepers, will soon find their hope rests upon a sandy foundation. Now is the time to heed the counsel to the Laodiceans, and get ready to stand when the Son of man cometh. From Mass. we came to this state. The first Sabbath and first-day we spent with the church in Portland. The Lord gave me some freedom in presenting the truth in this place. The brethren and sisters seemed strengthened and encouraged to press forward for the crown of life. The next Sabbath we also spent in this place, which we trust was a profitable season to us all. Here are a few lovers of truth, who seem to be striving for the kingdom in a lawful manner. On first-day we went to Falmouth, where I preached two discourses in a school-house to an attentive congregation; one on the personal and immediate coming of the Lord, and the resurrection of the righteous, and the other on the Sabbath. The Lord strengthened and aided much by his Spirit, and gave me good freedom in talking to this people, and we can but hope that some who listened to the evidences of our position there with deep interest will take a stand for the truth, who have not yet decided to. Bro. Daniel Cobb and his wife, of this place, decided to keep the Sabbath. Through the influence of Bro. George Cobb, (his brother,) of Brunswick, he was induced to attend our first meeting in Portland. He and his wife walked to the meeting (five miles) to hear preaching on the present truth for the first time. They said at the close of the meeting they felt at home. Said Bro. C., "I never attended a good meeting before." The next Sabbath they came again to meet with us at Portland; said they could not stay at home. Before we left their house they said they should keep the Sabbath. For years before, Bro. C. had not prayed in his family, but he took part with us in prayer around the family altar. O may the Spirit of God guide them into all truth, and graciously sustain them in keeping all the commandments of God, and they finally have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city with the redeemed. Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 20th and 21st, we spent at Topsham. The few brethren and sisters here were together, and we felt some of the blessing of the Lord in our little meeting. The evening after the Sabbath there was a discourse preached on the signs of the times. A few were in to hear who manifested some interest in the subject. First-day forenoon I preached in a hall; also again in the evening. The Sabbath was the subject which I presented in the last meeting, and while showing the perpetuity of the moral law, and of the holy Sabbath according to the fourth commandment, the sweet blessing of the Lord rested upon me, and made me free indeed. Praise the Lord, that I ever saw that "the law is holy," "spiritual." "This is the sum of every part,
To love our God with all our heart;
That we should love our neighbor too,
And what we wish from him, should do." " 'Tis short, and sweet, and good, and plain,
Easy to learn and to retain;
May grace divine our souls renew,
And 'twill be sweet to practice, too.' " Last week I came to this place. Bro. C. Woodman accompanied me from Leeds. The brethren and sisters think our visit was ordered of the Lord. Their prayer has been for some time that he would direct some one this way to help them. Here we find some that give evidence of a desire to lay up a treasure in heaven. They seem to be getting ready for the coming of the Just One. Others who have some light on the present truth, and profess to keep the Sabbath, are evidently stumbling-blocks in the way of others. O that the church may soon be free from their blasting influence. On the Sabbath we had three meetings, and two yesterday at the school-house. In the forenoon quite a large congregation (for this place) was out to hear, most of whom seemed interested. In the afternoon not as many present, but with one or two exceptions there was good attention paid to our remarks. One old man broke in upon me several times while talking on the subject of the law of God; but there was too much candor possessed by our hearers, and too much interest felt in our subject to be much disturbed by his noise. Perhaps I need not add he was a no-law man. Evidently there are ears to hear the truth in this state, and we trust many hearts to obey it when they are enlightened. But how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? Yours in hope.
Canaan, Me., Aug. 29, 1859.
A. S. HUTCHINS.