THE PORTLAND MISSION by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, January 6, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 1

THE PORTLAND MISSION.

By S. N. Haskell

SABBATH and first-day, December 27 and 28, we met with the friends in the city of Portland, Me. It will be remembered that the camp-meeting in this State was held near this city last season.

In view of the interest manifested on the part of the citizens, it was thought best that rooms be secured, and for the time being that Eld. Hersum and wife take charge of them, and thus open a city mission.

Thus far it is evident that God has blessed the effort. Eight have taken their stand upon the Sabbath, and there are others who are interested in the truth. God is evidently showing what he is willing to do, even in old Maine, when a proper effort is put forth. At the present time from fifteen to twenty subscriptions are taken for “Sunshine” per day by the missionary laborers in and around the city. Should the work thus continue, the people of this city will have had their attention thoroughly called to the subject of present truth before the next camp-meeting; but like all other branches of this work, funds are much needed to carry it forward. Whether the mission-rooms continue or not, depends altogether upon the friends of the cause in this State. The mission cannot be run on credit, and at the present time it is much in need of help. Those who are now holding Bible-readings and doing colporter work must turn their attention to some branch of work that will give them financial support, unless aided by their brethren in the State. For want of means to carry forward the work will our brethren say, “Abandon this field,” while souls are embracing the truth! We cannot believe that this will be the case. In order for the mission to be successful, it is necessary that while some are canvassing for “Sunshine,” thus securing readers for the Signs, others should be holding Bible-readings and doing colporter work. There are two ways in which the mission can be immediately helped.

1. By donations to the mission in the form of thank offerings to God, of any sum our brethren please, from ten cents to ten dollars or more each. Such offerings should be sent to Miss Rosa Redmond, 113 Pearl St., Portland, Me. A record of all the names of the donors, with the amount they give, will be preserved. 2. By offerings of the fruit of the land, corn, wheat, potatoes, and vegetables of any kind. A barrel of flour would be thankfully received, or anything upon which those laboring in the mission can live. They need money to pay their rent, and provisions upon which to subsist. There are no brethren more willing to help in the cause of God than those in the State of Maine, providing that they know there is a necessity for it. The help here mentioned is needed immediately. The same kind of assistance would be thankfully received by the Boston and Worcester missions.

There is one thing more that the friends will not forget; i. e., to pray for God’s blessing upon these missions. It was cheering on the Sabbath to hear testimonies like the following: “This is the first Sabbath I ever kept, and it is the happiest day of my life;” “This is my third Sabbath,” “tenth Sabbath,” etc. Could our brethren and sisters have been present at our Sabbath meeting in Portland and heard these testimonies, there is not a family in the State of Maine, that has felt the love of present truth, but that would feel it a privilege to contribute something for the support of the mission.

Those connected with the mission rise at 5 o’clock each day, and at 5:20 they meet for council, to read the testimonies, and to pray for God’s blessing to rest upon their efforts. Should all our city missions adopt this course, it would be pleasing in the sight of God, and greater good would result from their efforts. Elds. Goodrich and Webber were present. It was the opinion of those attending the meeting that the T. and M. depository would better be located at this place. We have written thus plainly that our friends may learn the real needs of the mission. May God bless it, is my prayer. S. N. HASKELL.