JT-13-Supplementary: Joseph Thomas' Letter.

Supplementary: Joseph Thomas’ Letter.

Union Vale, Dutchess co., N. Y. March 1, 1835.

DEAR BROTHER:--According to your request, having a moment’s leisure, I will narrate to you a few particulars of my journey that have occurred since my last. At Fonda’s Bush, I was joined by my good old brother in Christ, Elder J. Andrews, whom I had seen on Stone’s River, Tenn., twenty-five years ago. Our meeting was comforting and encouraging to me, as it renewed and associated many youthful and happy scenes and feelings long gone by, never to be seen and felt in reality again. In the evening I preached to a crowded audience, composed mostly, I suppose, of rigid sectarians, and non-professors. I gave some of their systems a push as I passed along, which, without a prop, will give them a shake.

Next day I passed on to Craneberry Creek, and preached in Elder Andrews’ congregation to a full house. Here my soul felt sweet liberty in proclaiming the good tidings to sinners, and the word seemed to enter the hearts of many. The Lord was with us. From this place I went on to Broadalbin, and preached in a neat and convenient meeting house, belonging to the Christian church, on Thursday evening. In the same place, on Saturday twice, and on Sunday, to very large and solemn congregations. During these meetings the brethren seemed much comforted and strengthened, and many weeping eyes appeared in the solemn crowd. I hope great good will result from this meeting, as we had evidence that the Lord was with us. From this place I resumed my travel, and on Sunday evening, I met a numerous assembly in Galway. Here great solemnity rested on many countenances, and brethren seemed confirmed in the truth of the gospel. This was a time and place of notice and lasting remembrance with me. This was a plain, decent, humble, and old fashioned meeting house, and the first house of worship ever erected by the people called Christians in the State of New York, about twenty years since! And here I saw some of the old veterans who first enlisted in the good cause of Christian liberty in this State, whose hearts were yet warmly engaged in the spirit of that blessed gospel which made them free. Here I was met by Elders King, Rider, and Mosher, and yourself, and felt myself highly favored and strengthened to be reinforced by such a phalanx of soldiers, panoplied and so well qualified to fight in the ranks of Christian freedom. From this place, accompanied by Elder Rider, I went to Milton, and at night preached to a few people. The first small congregation I have met in the State. But here we proved that the Lord is not confined to time, nor place, nor numbers, for he bestowed a blessing on the souls of several of his children, who met with us here. On the next morning, I made a visit to that memorable, worthy and almost worn out laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, Elder L. Hathaway, who lives in this vicinity. He is one of the old stock of preachers, brought into the Christian cause, some twenty years ago, when the object of such men were not then to stiff, and starch, and brush up in Babylonish habiliments, and vapor in the world’s fashion, but the object was to reform the corruptions of Christianity in the simplicity and plainness of the spirit of the gospel. The solemnity of his countenance, the plainness of his hair, the simplicity of his dress, and the dignity of his mien, strongly reminded me of the days of my youth, when our first Christian preachers in the South forsook Babylon, and all the gaudy trimmings of the world to follow Jesus. Then they were plain, serious, pious, holy, zealous, regardless of popularity, and of the world’s admiration, and were astonishingly successful in winning souls to Christ. Long live those first, worthy, weather-beaten heralds of the cross! Our visit was truly pleasant and soul refreshing, and an acquaintance which cannot be erased from my memory.

Here I was joined by Elder J. King, who was to accompany me to my appointments one week. At night, I met a large assembly in Ballston. Here is a neat and spacious Christian meeting house. Our meeting at this place was serious and interesting and here I saw the good, venerable old sister Miller, who opened her door for the first Christian preacher in the State. From this place we rode thirty miles, crossed the Mohawk river on the ice, came into the mountains where the snow was very deep and the wind excessively cold. At night I preached to a very large assembly, in a plain and handsome Christian meeting house in Berne. The people were attentive and serious, and I think many good impressions were felt, but here for the first time in all my journey, by the many fatigues I have borne, and the chilling winds of the day, I failed in strength, and could not finish my discourse. Here I became acquainted with Elder Taylor, whose talents are promising, and whose soul seems to be on fire in the good cause. From this place, I went on and the next evening I preached at Westerlo, in a plain and spacious Christian meeting house, to a crowded audience. There the Lord was good; I felt strong and happy, and the word went with power to the hearts of many. I tarried the night with Elder Teats, whose kindness refreshed and strengthened me. From this place we went to New Baltimore, and put up with brother Miller. At night brother preached, I was unable to attend. Thence we went to Freehold, where a large audience was waiting for me, in a neat and elegant Christian meeting house. Here I preached with uncommon freedom, and the Lord’s spirit came down upon us like rain upon the mown grass. This was a time of from the presence of the Lord. Here I became acquainted with Elder Spoor, a gentleman, a Christian and all endeared friend to me. On next day, Sunday, I preached at the same place, to a crowded audience. The good Lord again poured out his Spirit, to the great joy of many of his children, and to the tendering of the hearts of some of the ungodly. After sermon, brother Spore conveyed me to New Baltimore, where in the Christian meeting house, at night, I preached to a large and attentive congregation. This was a solemn and interesting season. In all these regions the Christian cause is respectable, and far ahead of the orthodoxies that surrounded it. Next morning I parted from my dear brother Spore, hoping to meet where the weary rest; and went on my journey, crossed the great river Hudson, on the ice, in company with brothers King and Taylor. On the bank of this river I parted from brother King, who had been a kind and agreeable companion and pilot to me one week. At night, I preached to a large audience in the Christian meeting house, in Clermont. The people were serious, and we had a good time. I tarried the night with Elder Winans. The next day I went on, and preached to an attentive audience in Rock City. Next day in our meeting house in Milan, to a large assembly, where, while I was treating on the nonsensical speculations of the Trinity, two or three bigots fled, and left me conqueror in the field. Here I met with Elder J. Marsh, whom I had seen seven years ago in Ohio. With him I spent an agreeable night. Next day, I proceeded to Stanfordville, and in a spacious and neat Christian meeting house, preached to a large and solemn audience. At night and on the next day, I preached at the same place. These were softening and refreshing seasons. I put up with brother Sherrill, who with his family treated me kindly, and with whose company I was highly pleased. Thence I came and preached at brother Fowler’s to a full audience. This worthy old man and family were kind to me. Thence in our meeting house in this place, this day, (Sunday,) to a large assembly. The people here appeared more careless than common, yet I think the Lord was with us, and the brethren were comforted. The people all have, since my last to you, been kind to me, and in some instances, liberal and bountiful, for which I feel grateful, and hope the Lord will reward them. In my next, when in New York City, I think I shall give you some general observations. I am yours in Christ.

JOSEPH THOMAS, (Pilgrim.) [From the Christian Palladium, Vol. 3, No. 22.