p. 220 | MAINE by J. B. Goodrich

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 1, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 14

MAINE

By J. B. Goodrich

Aroostook Co., March 17.—I came to this county Jan. 8, and joined Bro. S. J. Hersum in labor. Our meetings have been good, and I trust profitable to those who have attended them. Some who were discouraged and backslidden have been reclaimed, and some have taken a decided stand for the truth. Our brethren generally have manifested a willingness to adopt the tithing system, and to do what they can to help forward the cause, but it is impossible to get money at present; they can pay debts at the store with produce, but get no money for it. This makes it very difficult to get means to buy books or take our periodicals.

At East Washburn we organized a church of twelve members, and four have since united, making sixteen in all. After the tent was taken down one year ago last August, a strong effort was made to destroy all that had been done during the tent-meetings. Ministers of different denominations have been here and preached against the Sabbath and law, and some have taken pains to go from house to house and advise our brethren and sisters not to go into church organization, or accept the visions of Mrs. E. G. White. The result is, as has been stated, a church has been formed, and the brethren and sisters are very anxious for Bro. and Sister White to visit them another summer, if they can consistently with other duties.

We have organized a health and temperance club here, and 138 in this county have signed the teetotal pledge; total to the three pledges, 175. This is encouraging. Some noble victories have been won over tobacco and tea. Only twenty-nine have as yet paid the initiation fee; others will as soon as they can. Every Sabbath-keeper in Maine should sign the teetotal pledge, and get as many others to sign as they can. Some who were not Sabbath-keepers that signed the pledge last fall, are now rejoicing in the truth. Get people interested in the temperance reform, and the way is prepared for them to accept the whole truth.

We re-organized the Sabbath-school at East Washburn. The non-revival of the wicked dead had been agitated in the place, and was causing some unpleasant feelings; so Bro. Hersum spoke upon the subject Feb. 8, showing that the Scriptures teach the resurrection of the wicked dead. Dr. Lonfest spoke in the afternoon on the opposite side, and Bro. Hersum reviewed him in the evening. Some have confessed their error, and renounced the non-resurrection doctrine. God has helped in this place. To him be all the praise. I thank God for the light of present truth.

My address, for the present, is Hartland, Me.

March 17. J. B. GOODRICH.