A REPORT FROM THOMAS BUCK JR. (Buck)

COMMUNICATIONS.

FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
Mount Pleasant, June 30, 1843.

Dear Brother Beebe:—After an absence of six weeks, I arrived at home on Monday, June 26, and found all well, and a number of brethren and sisters anxiously waiting my arrival. It is a cause of thankfulness to meet my family in usual health, and the most hearty and unreserved greetings of a circle of old and well-tried brethren, sisters, and other acquaintances; and to have the pleasing recollection of the happiness I enjoyed in the company of the brethren and sisters with whom I became acquainted. You know, my brother, the three weeks we were journeying together-visiting the Baltimore, Delaware, Delaware River and Warwick Associations, with how much good feeling and brotherly love they received us, and with what manifestations of joy they received our preaching; giving evidence they had experienced the same things, and been taught the same truths; and although the churches composing the four Associations named were scattered over the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York, yet when they met together you had the pleasure with myself of witnessing the perfect harmony, the brotherly love, the oneness of soul and sentiment, their earnest contending for Bible truths, for the good old paths, for the faith once delivered to the saints. O how fondly I cherish the recollection of my acquaintance and association with the ministers of the gospel, and the many children of God that I became acquainted with while on this last tour more than 300 miles to the north, and north-east; and also on my tour to the west, and south-west more than seven hundred miles which I made a little more than a year ago; and to find, notwithstanding the many delusive schemes of a greedy and covetous priesthood, and the wonderful zeal they manifest for proselyting, that there are so many of the children of God who have not been bewitched by their witchcraft.

After I parted from you at the Warwick Association, I commenced my return homeward in company with brethren Roberson and McCoy, and preached next day at Suckasunny, in the house of our steadfast friend, Col. Patterson, who I think ought to be a Baptist, at least I am much pleased with his views as written in his defence against the accusations made against him for his delivering letters out of the post-office on Sunday. The next appointment was with br. Suydam at Hackertown; next at Southampton. I am of the opinion that that church is in an unpleasant situation, owing to their connexion with the congregation. Next appointment at Philadelphia. Here too our dear brethren are unsettled; city atmosphere is not congenial to the spiritual health of God’s children. Next appointment at Bethel in Delaware; next at London Tract, stayed a night with our beloved brother Bayton; next at Rock Spring; next at Harford in Maryland; next at br. Herod Choat’s, near Reistertown; next at Patapsco; next at New Lisbon, where I parted from my old yoke fellow, br. McCoy, and that was our last appointment on the way homeward: from thence travelled more than 50 miles from after one o’clock Monday by 11 o’clock Tuesday, June 20. Rested at Mr. Helm’s (my son-in-law’s) until Friday, then left to be at my monthly meeting at Salem, which is statedly on the Saturday before, and the fourth Sunday in each month.

Now, my brother, I am constrained to acknowledge the goodness of God in the particular protection and support that I have enjoyed; for the brethren and friends administered to my necessities by giving me of their portion of food, feeding my horse, and they also gave me money to pay my necessary expenses, so that I lacked nothing; and all this was done of their own accord, without my applying for money or so much as expecting to receive any, and without the aid of missionary funds, or any other missionary preparation. I do believe when God calls to the ministry any that he has fitted, qualified and ushered into the vineyard, that if they put their trust in him, and not on a missionary board, that God will see them supplied, that he will put it into the hearts of his people to minister unto them of their carnal things. It appears that every day’s experience and observation more clearly discovers the trickery, wickedness and deception of all the schemes based on money under the delusive proposition of converting the world, and my mind is forced to the conclusion that those who pass for preachers, and put forth their strength to push forward these lucrative and popular schemes, are far more culpable than the people, and are the very heads of corruption. But the Lord is the strength of his people, and their portion forever, and he will favor Zion, and all the refuse of lies shall be swept away forever; for truth will and must triumph. O may our God be with us to keep and direct us in the truth.

My christian love to all God’s chosen, and prayer for your prosperity. Farewell.

THOMAS BUCK, Jun.