Eastern Tour | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1863

Eastern Tour.

In our last report we stated that we had decided to stay in Brookfield, New York, over another Sabbath and first-day. This we did with even better success than we anticipated. During the week we had an excellent opportunity at Bro. Abbey's to rest and do much writing.

The gathering the second Sabbath was larger than on the first, and more of the young from Sabbath-keeping families. We were happy to meet at this meeting Elder J. N. Andrews and wife, and Bro. and sister Gardner.

Sabbath we spoke on the law and baptism, showing the relation they sustain to each other in the Christian system, principally from the book of Romans. There seemed to be but one mind on the subject throughout the entire meeting. Evening after Sabbath we had a meeting of labor for those who seemed waiting at the cross, and several made important decisions. There seemed much to be done, and time was limited, as most of the friends must leave first-day noon, so we appointed meeting first-day morning at sun-rise. Breakfast was eaten by candlelight, and the rising sun saw us gathering to the old Christian chapel. This meeting held till 10 A. M., when we went to the water where eighteen were buried with their Lord in baptism. Of these were eleven young converts, and seven who had been baptized before, but now seeing more clearly the "form of doctrine" delivered to the Christian church in which the law of God sustains a close relation to baptism, saw their duty clear to be immersed also. We were very happy in baptizing Bro. and sister Andrews of this number.

Our interview with Bro. Andrews was most pleasant and cheering. His health is good. The Lord has done a great work for this dear brother. The church at Brookfield has its numbers increased from twenty-five to forty. May it increase in faith and good works as it increases in numbers. Numbers, especially of the young, always increase the labor and responsibility of the church. Bro. Andrews' thorough labor in organizing churches in the State of New York, has laid a good foundation upon which to build up the cause in the State. We shall be happy to labor in the State as we have opportunity; for we now have confidence that our labors will be followed up by a good influence.

Monday morning before daylight Bro. Abbey took us into his carriage, and we rode with him to Utica where we took the cars for Boston, and for Maine. During this five weeks' tour we have preached much, written considerable, and sold books, charts, and collected on the Review and Instructor to the amount of one thousand dollars. Mrs. W. has labored excessively hard, especially in writing. At Adams' Center she wrote early and late, and between meeting. And first-day afternoon she wrote six pages of testimony while Bro. Andrews was preaching, which she afterwards read with other matter before the State Conference. She sat within four feet of the pulpit and used her Bible for a writing desk. When asked what she thought of Bro. Andrews as a speaker, she replied that she could not say, as it had been so long since she had heard him. When the sermon was finished she arose and addressed the congregation twenty minutes.

The labor of this tour has been too hard, especially at this season when exposed to severe colds. We reached fort Howland worn, so far fatigued and wearied in mind that for several nights could sleep but little, and in this situation have taken severe colds which will delay our writing about one week. We hope in God. We choose to wear rather than rust. The readers of the Review shall hear more from us, and we shall take a few weeks to rest and write.

Topsham, Me., Dec. 1, 1863.