MEETINGS IN NEW ENGLAND.
By C. W. Sperry
DEAR BRO. SMITH : I have been greatly encouraged since I left home. I have been absent now eight Sabbaths, and visited many churches, and found an increase of interest in general. The first Sabbath after leaving home I met Bro. Bourdeau at Roxbury, Vt., where several have embraced the truth since the conference last fall. Much interest is still manifest in that place. We expect to hold more meetings there on our return. We next visited the church in Jamaica, Vt., and found that the church had passed through much affliction, which weighed them down. Some trials had also discouraged some; but the Lord blessed and the church was strengthened. We next visited Buckland, and Ashfield, Mass., where we remained over two Sabbaths. Found the brethren and sisters engaged in the work, and some out of their families have lately been converted and become praying souls. Four out of one family followed the Lord in baptism. The Lord is blessing the children in this place as the fruit of their interest in this work. They meet once a week to braid hats for the benefit of the cause; besides which, the children have a book of their own, containing their weekly donations on the systematic benevolence. Four of these children were baptized last fall, and the work is going on and prejudice is giving way. We had invitations from those not in the truth to hold meetings in their neighborhood, to which we complied only one evening, as our arrangements led us onward. The interest in this place is increasing. From Ashfield we went to Kensington, Ct., where we rejoiced to see the progress made since the conference last fall, and hope and trust that the brethren will continue to grow in grace until they bear much fruit. We had so many invitations from different places to labor that we would have been glad to remain in that section for some time. After the first Sabbath in this place Bro. Bourdeau went to Hampton and remained over the second Sabbath, after which, I joined him at Hampton, where was a good interest to hear from those out of the truth. From several neighborhoods we were urged to go and hold meetings. We had meetings with good effect until duty called us to our appointments in other places. Our meeting in Dartmouth increased in interest from its commencement to its close. Those who had opposed the truth came in and melted under the same. They took all the books we had and wished for more. The brethren expressed their surprise at the interest. It appears that brethren in different places have had hardly faith enough for themselves; but may the Lord increase their faith so that they can have some for others. This truth is of the Lord and will bear away the victory. We are thankful for the new acquaintance formed with the brethren in Dartmouth and Fair Haven. But as our time was limited, and the interest was so great in our last place, we concluded to return to Hampton, where we now are, and find some have come out on the truth, and more are interested. Upon both Sabbath and first-day we had good congregations. The evening after the Sabbath we met with the brethren and had a profitable time in attending the ordinances of the Lord's house, which the church had not enjoyed for some years, and some never. Some had kept but few Sabbaths. They were blessed and strengthened. Others tell me that they shall keep the Sabbath. I want to say for the encouragement of brethren scattered abroad that the interest is increasing in the East. And I hope the brethren in New England will wake up more and more to the work, and look less to their trials and more to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. May the Lord help us to put on the whole armor and press the battle to the gate.
C. W. SPERRY.
D. T. BOURDEAU. P. S. Since writing the above we have had two more meetings, at the close of which ten or twelve arose and expressed their decision in favor of the truth, and their desires to walk in the same. Several came forward and subscribed for the Review. Also urgent invitations were given for more meetings in other parts of the town; and we are sorry that we are under the necessity of leaving to meet our next appointment.
C. W. S.