p. 140 | Eastern Tour

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1863

Eastern Tour.

We very much regretted the necessity of disappointing the friends at Memphis, Mich., Aug. 15th. For several reasons, either of them we think a sufficient excuse, we decided to remain at home one week later. We were glad to learn that the tent company remained, so that the disappointment was not so great as it otherwise would have been.

Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 22d and 23d, we were with the brethren at Somerset, N. Y., in feeble bodily health, yet the meeting possessed considerable interest. There was quite a gathering from towns around. We enjoyed rest of body and mind exceedingly in the Lindsay, Gaskell, and Aldrich families, before and after the meetings. These people know how to make pilgrims comfortable and happy. The brethren very liberally helped us on our way by donations, outside of their systematic benevolence.

The 29th and 30th we were with the New-York tent, at Port Byron. The heavy and continuous rains, and bad location for the tent, made this meeting almost a failure. We were happy to meet with brethren J. N. Andrews, N. Fuller, and C. O. Taylor, and several others of the old friends of the cause, at this meeting, and consult with them in reference to the charts and other matters pertaining to the cause.

We think that the vicinity of Olcott would be an excellent location for Bro. Andrews, where he and his could be tenderly cared for, and Bro. A. be left free to give his whole time and strength to building up the churches in the State. In no way, we think, can these brethren, or the church at Adam's Center, so well advance the cause in the State of New York, as to have a special care for Bro. Andrews. He is ever disposed to do too much, to go beyond his strength to advance the cause, and it must be a pleasure to any whole-hearted body of brethren to have a special care for such a man.

We are happy to learn that Bro. Andrews has become a very thorough laborer in organizing and building up churches. His caution and fine feelings have in time past held him from that plain testimony, and that thorough work which the state of the cause demanded. Having taken the position of a faithful and thorough laborer, his caution, fine feelings and sound judgment make him a laborer in the cause, of priceless value. The brethren must see that he does not labor too hard, and lift from him every burden possible, lest he break down in health, and his excellent labor and counsel be lost to the cause.

September 5th and 6th we were with Brn. Loughborough and Hull at the tent in Manchester, N. H. Mrs. W. remained with the little company in the vicinity of Boston. The congregations at Manchester were large and very attentive. Sunday afternoon the tent was more than full, and in the evening not less than fifteen hundred people came to the tent. Perfect order prevailed, and the preachers were treated with great respect. Policemen came on the ground to keep order, but found nothing to do. The people of Manchester were greatly disappointed to see a Second Advent meeting conducted in a manner to gain universal respect.

The Adventists of Manchester, (those who are worthy the name) seemed deeply interested in the meeting, and offered more homes for preachers than they could occupy. A good impression is made in Manchester, and a good blow is struck in the East. A favorable report of this meeting will extend abroad.

Sept. 12 and 13, accompanied by Mrs. W., we were again at Manchester. A cold storm Sunday morning drove us from the tent to Smyth's hall, where the congregation increased to about one thousand in the evening. After Bro. Hull closed his sermon, we made a few remarks in relation to the Seventh-day Adventists and their present operations, and introduced Mrs. W. to the audience, who listened to her for about fifteen minutes with almost breathless silence. The meetings were to be continued in the hall for another week, at the close of which, as we now learn, Bro. Hull left to meet his family in Indiana, and Bro. Loughborough stays a week longer.

The 18th we came to this place, where we found Bro. Howland and family firm in the faith as when we were with them sixteen years since. Here we had our first impressions of duty to preach and publish the message. In this place we chopped cord-wood sixteen years since to support our family, and get means to attend a conference in Connecticut, the first under the message. With this family we have ever found true friends and a hospitable home. Mrs. W. will remain here a few weeks, and prepare her third volume of Spiritual Gifts for the press, while we complete the Charts.

Topsham, Me., Aug. 24, 1863.