p. 108 | EASTERN TOUR

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1861

EASTERN TOUR.

According to appointment we met with many of the scattered friends of the cause in Northern New York, at Buck's Bridge, Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 17 and 18. The gathering was larger than we anticipated, so that on the Sabbath we had a good congregation. Here were the vacant seats of several families who used to assemble at the House of Prayer at the Bridge, viz., Byington, Hilliard, Graves, White, Mead and Falshaw. These will be happy to learn that we had an excellent meeting, the best we ever enjoyed in the place. Their places were partly filled by some who have joined the little company of Sabbath-keepers in Northern New York. We were happy to meet sister Whitney and three of her sons, and some others at this place for the first time. The meeting on the Sabbath was excellent.

In the morning we felt exceedingly sorrowful. We had been reflecting upon the state of the cause, the amount of hard labor which had been bestowed in this part of the field to accomplish so little, the lack of order, and the lack of feeling upon the subject in the State. It seemed to us that it was useless for us to endure the fatigue of traveling, cause our friends so much trouble, and take of their hard-earned money to meet expenses, to have merely a good meeting, without seeing the cause advanced. But the clouds parted as we moved forward to speak to the people, and it was a season of refreshing and rejoicing to all. First-day we spoke twice to good congregations. At the close of the afternoon discourse Mrs. W. spoke with great freedom, and called in a crowd from the Methodist congregation collecting opposite our place of worship.

We feel to thank God for this good meeting, yet as we look back upon our labors in the State of New York we are stung with the thought that the balance of influence is either against, or silent upon, the subject of organization. We decide that those who, after seeing the fruits of confusion, do not now see the necessity of organization, never can see it, and never will see it. We therefore take no responsibilities only to preach, and attend to the business of the Association. And without the best of evidence that preachers and people were united in the East in seeing the necessity for that organization not opposed by the Scriptures, we could never consent to risk another eastern tour. Some who have opposed organization act as though they thought they had fully cleared themselves by ceasing their warfare. They will doubtless see the time that they will feel deeply the importance of redeeming the time they have lost in opposing the right, and will wish to undo what they have done on the wrong side. But now is the time to do what they can to free themselves, and to help others.

We pity those preachers in the East who deplore the state of things among us, yet do not see how they can be remedied with the existing lack of union on the subject of organization. They can at present do but little more than to try to hold together the broken fragments until the time of shaking shall arouse all who may remain firm to the importance of organization and discipline. We shall be greatly disappointed if the number of Sabbath-keepers does not decrease for the next twelve months.

Almost every day brings to view new facts calling for system. Bro. Czechowski needed the guidance of a well-organized body. We did for him what we regarded as our duty, and commended him to the care of our excellent Bro. Taylor and Whipple, near whom he was located. This was the best we could do. But Bro. C., following his own judgment, went to New York city, was helped much, yet suffered much, and accomplished very little. Such things discourage our liberal brethren, and burden and sink the cause. We are done moving out in any enterprise connected with the cause until system can lie at the bottom of all our operations. Mrs. W. and self have interested ourselves in behalf of the poor; but in the absence of systematic arrangements among us much care has come upon us, and at least three-fourths of those whom we have been instrumental in helping became our enemies. Now let others who choose push the battle in confusion, but we are making all preparations for a safe retreat till the army of Sabbath-keepers be organized, and the rebels against organization be purged out.