The Eastern Mission by John Nevins Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 18, 1865

The Eastern Mission.

By John Nevins Andrews

BRO. WHITE: I left home Wednesday morning, June 14, for my field of labor in the East. Thursday evening I arrived at West Enosburgh, the place of meeting for the Vermont Conference. I found a pleasant home in the family of Bro. A. C. Bourdeau, whose kind attention is gratefully remembered.

On Friday the brethren convened for the business proceedings of the Conference. This part of the Conference was marked by harmony of judgment and unity of action. But as the Secretary of the Conference has already prepared a report of the meeting, I will omit particulars. Our meetings for prayer and social worship were very interesting. The Spirit of God rested down, and many cheering testimonies were borne.

The meetings for public worship on Sabbath and first-day were well attended by those who are not identified with us. The word of God seemed to take hold upon many hearts, and to make a deep impression for good. The meetings, as a whole, were cheering and refreshing to my spirit, and such I judge they were to many others. It was especially gratifying to me to meet with some of those who were among the first to observe the Sabbath in Vermont, and whom I had not seen for a long time. It was hardly less so to meet for the first time with a goodly number who have turned their feet into the testimonies of the Lord. But how many were missing that I met years ago in gatherings of this kind in Vermont. Some of them are still pressing forward toward the prize, and laboring with consistent faith and practice for the cause of God in the West; and others are sleeping in the silent grave. Strange that any are able to set their affections upon such a world as this, or to seek for their treasure in that which can but disappoint those who make it their portion.

I was happy to form an acquaintance with Bro. A. C. Bourdeau, and the church at West Enosburgh. I was much pleased with their plain, neat, and commodious house of worship. May there be many added to their numbers who shall adorn the truth by living it out in humble, consistent, and godly conduct.

I spent a second Sabbath with the church at West Enosburgh. Had the pleasure of listening to the testimony of a young lady, the daughter of Catholic parents, who for the first time took her stand with the people of God to walk in his commandments. May she find help from the Lord to meet the strong opposition that she has to encounter.

From West Enosburgh I came to Topsham, Me., by way of Boston and Portland. Was happy to meet with Bro. and sister Howland whom I had not seen for fourteen years. Here I met Bro. Cornell and spent some time with him in learning of the progress of the work in this State, and in making some arrangements for labor where it may be most needed.

Our meetings Sabbath and first-day in Topsham and Brunswick were thinly attended owing to the rainy weather. We are to have meetings in Portland the coming Sabbath and first-day if the Lord will, and after that to labor in the interior of the State.

I have devoted all my leisure time thus far on this tour to the preparation of an article on the commandment of Dan. ix, 25. The subject was so far written out when I left home that I hoped to complete it in Vermont; but it has increased in interest, and consumed more time than I expected as I have continued to study the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and the parallel scriptures.

There is an earnest desire on the part of those with whom I have thus far met, that Bro. and sister White may visit the East this season. Especially was this feeling strongly expressed at the Vermont Conference. I trust that such may be the order of Divine providence.

Letters to me may be addressed either to Topsham, Maine, care of S. Howland, or to Rochester, N. Y., Box 1200.

J. N. ANDREWS.

Westbrook, Maine, July 6th, 1865.