Communication from Bro. Hart.
By J. Hart
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Perhaps it might not be uninteresting to the brethren and sisters to hear from our Tent-meetings. After leaving Bristol we went to Stockbridge. We there secured a piece of land and pitched our Tent, there being none of like faith in the place. As it was a very busy season of the year, we had no meeting on the Sabbath. On First-day a good congregation came out to hear. The meeting was very interesting, so that it was thought best to stop another week.45The next First-day the congregation was some larger. Quite a number of our hearers were those who were disappointed in the late Time movement, some of whom heard the reasons of our faith with joy. Several promised to walk in obedience to all the commandments of God, with tearful eyes which bespoke the feeling heart. From this we went to Waterbury, and pitched our Tent on the land of Bro. Butler. A goodly number of the brethren and sisters came together. There was a good gathering also of those who were but little acquainted with our faith, only by report, and that quite unfavorable. They listened to the reasons of our faith, behaving themselves kindly towards us; and as we have made it our practice to leave the Tent alone, they had an opportunity to climb one of the ropes and put on the top of the pole a flag in large letters, "Hear, then Judge." From this we went to Johnson, and held our meeting on the land of Bro. Peck. Had a large gathering of believers on the Sabbath. There was also on First-day a large congregation, many of whom knew but little of our faith, and had no disposition to learn. Our next place of meeting was in Irasburgh, on the land of Bro. Barrows. There seemed to be, at this meeting, a desire on the part of the church for a deeper work of grace, and a closer walk with God; which made our social meetings interesting. Our meeting on First-day was not so pleasant. The mass of unbelievers who came were very unwilling to keep their seats, were quite noisy, and somewhat disposed to show the dragon spirit, but did no damage to the Tent. We next went to Richford, where there are none of like faith. A number of the Advent brethren came out on the Sabbath, and were deeply interested in what they heard. On First-day there was a good congregation, with none on the outside disposed to make light of the truth which we presented. On the evenings of Sabbath and First-day the Academy was opened for us. There was truly an ear to hear. We have the very best of reasons to believe that there will be quite a number there who will step out on the truth, and those too, who will be an ornament to the cause. From the evidence that we have of the prosperity of the cause of truth the past season, it is evident that those who labor in this cause must change their plan of operation. We have been accused by our opponents of having a nutshell faith; but it is not so. But they might reasonably say that our labors were such. There must be more of a thrusting into new fields. The church must feel more of a missionary spirit. Let them send out into new fields with the Tent and otherwise, such as they think are qualified to present the truth, and sustain them in such places. If there is much more done in such places as Vermont, it will cause a sacrifice on the part of the church. Have we forgot, brethren and sisters, the labors of the servants of God to bring the truth to us, that we esteem dearer than life? If so, God grant that by calling to mind the past, our minds may be refreshed, and our hearts feel for those who, as yet, know but little about the present truth. Let those that have the truth, send laborers into the field, and with their prayers and means sustain them there. Waterbury, Vt., Sept. 12th, 1855.