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THE CAUSE IN VERMONT

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Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 6, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 19

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THE CAUSE IN VERMONT.

By A. S. Hutchins

Though for a few months past the weather and traveling have been quite unfavorable for holding meetings in our State, I have, in that time, held meetings with nearly every one of our churches. In these meetings we have seen some tokens of good. Our regular quarterly meetings for this month were very thinly attended, if they were held, owing to extremely bad roads and rain.
To the dear brethren and sisters who feel that the present is a time of trial of our faith, I would say, Take courage in the Lord. Just “over there” is the inheritance of those who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.
With this blessed hope to buoy up the spirit, shall we sink because our faith is tried? Says Peter: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
As foreign substances are separated from gold by the trial of fire, and the genuineness of the gold proved without losing anything of its nature, weight, color, or valuable property, though subjected to the strongest known heat for any number of years, so genuine faith is proved by the endurance of temptations and trials.
Let us not cherish the idea that our trials are more numerous or more severe than those that others experience, and thereby lose our trust in God; but rather remember the words of the apostle:—
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13.
As churches and individuals, let us humble ourselves and draw near to God. Let our tract and missionary workers toil on. Some are embracing the truth by reading. One writes me, “I took twenty-one names for Good Health with the ‘Household Manual,’ in three days.”
From the green hills and mountains of Vermont, praises to God will be heard from those who shall yet embrace the truth, and joy and gladness will echo across our valleys. It may not be in my time, it may not be in thy time; but strong men will yet sound the message in Vermont, and the cause will arise.
Several young men in our Conference hold a preacher’s license, who may do much to publish the last message of mercy, if they keep near to God, and have the spirit of sacrifice and a readiness to bear the cross. But we must realize the solemnity of the work, and appreciate its importance. “Without me ye can do nothing,” says Christ.
He is coming again. He is near, even at the doors. It is no time for discouragement now. “Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Bro. R. S. Owen writes encouragingly from the southern part of the State, where he is laboring, and Bro. C. W. Stone contemplates running a tent here some weeks during the ensuing summer. May united prayers be offered that the Lord may direct his servants aright. April 27. A. S. HUTCHINS.