MEETINGS IN NORTHERN VT. AND CANADA.
By A. S. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: The first day of December Bro. Sperry and I commenced meetings in the town of Eden, Vt., where we remained till we had given eighteen lectures. A deep and increasing interest was manifested in these meetings from their commencement to their close. Bro. A. Stone was with us in every meeting and assisted in preaching the word. He said so deep and candid attention was never before paid to the presentation of our views in this place. Two ministers attended several of the meetings. One of them took every discourse he heard in shorthand-writing. One man and his wife decided to keep the Bible Sabbath, and are now rejoicing in the present truth. Others who had given up the Sabbath mourned deeply that they had done thus, and resolved to go again with the people of God. These meetings gave new courage and energy to the brethren and sisters in this section, to press forward in the way to life, till our warfare is ended and the Life-giver shall come. We hear very encouraging reports from the church there. Sabbath and First-day, 15 and 16 ult., we spent with the church in Wolcott, where we preached five times with good freedom. The brethren and sisters here seem to manifest a desire to consecrate themselves anew to God, and to enjoy more of his Holy Spirit, and press onward for the price of immortality and eternal life. They have commenced the work of erecting a small house of worship. Our next meeting of two days was at Irasburgh. On the Sabbath the meeting was held at Bro. J. Barrow's93house, and on First-day in a school house. This was decidedly a good meeting. While listening to an impressive discourse from Bro. A. Stone, on suffering with Christ, it seemed that at best we had learned but little in the school of suffering. With too much reluctance have we trod the cross-bearing, self-denying path which leads to the land of rest. In vain we talk of heaven or hope for it unless we cheerfully and obediently walk the narrow humble road that leads us there. We must awake and arm ourselves for the great conflict just before us, or we shall fail of being numbered with them that "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." One man has commenced to keep the Sabbath here since the Conference, whose influence we hope will tell much in favor of the truth. Sabbath the 29th, we spent in Enosburgh, with the brethren and sisters from Richford, Montgomery, Berkshire, Enosburgh, and other towns. The schoolhouse in which we met (near Bro. Bourdeaux's), was crowded full. The word of the Lord, which was spoken with freedom, seemed to sink into the hearts of those who heard it, quickening and encouraging them to pursue their heavenly journey. Many warm, spirited, and stirring testimonies were borne by God's dear children, which not only strengthened themselves but fed others. The next day we moved the meeting about two miles, for the purpose of a larger house. This, too, was well filled. A candid attention was paid by the friends present to the evidences of our position. The Lord helped and blessed us as we tried to show the truth of the Holy Scriptures. We preached four times in this section. The brethren were very anxious we should tarry longer, but we felt there was a demand for our labors in Canada in new fields. So Bro. D. T. Bourdeau and myself left for this town, praying the Lord to direct us to the right field of labor, while Bro. Sperry remained to spend the next Sabbath and First-day in company with Bro. A. C. Bourdeau. Brn. A. C. and D. T. Bourdeau, and Sperry and myself have given twenty-three lectures in one new field, and seven in another. A report of these interesting meetings as soon as I can write it. In great haste,
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Sutton, C. E., Jan. 30, 1861.