The Seventh-day Adventists of Maine held their eleventh annual Conference on the camp-ground in Richmond, Aug. 29, 1877, at 10 o’clock A. M. Prayer by the president, Eld. J. B. Goodrich.
The following churches were represented by delegates: S. Norridgewock, Deering, N. Jay, Hartland, Woodstock, Cornville, Brunswick, Oakfield, Linneus, and Somerset Mills.
Voted, That Bro. U. Smith, and all other brethren in good standing in their respective churches, be invited to take part in the deliberations of this Conference.
Voted, That Bro. W. R. Clark represent the Sabbath-keepers in Cambridge.
Voted, That the Sabbath-keepers in Lovell and vicinity be taken under the watchcare of the Conference, and that they be represented by Bro. Geo. W. Howard.
Voted, That the Sabbath-keepers of Fryeburg be taken under the watchcare of the Conference, and that they be represented by Bro. L. L. Howard, Jr.
Voted, That the Sabbath-keepers of Freeport be taken under the watchcare of the Conference, and that they be represented by Bro. S. J. Hersum.
Voted, That the Sabbath-keepers in Milton be taken under the watchcare of the Conference, and that they be represented by Bro. Hemmway.
Voted, That the various committees be appointed by the Chair, whereupon the following were appointed: On Nominations: T. S. Emery, J. A. Davis, and W. R. Clark. On Auditing: S. P. Ward, C. R. Davis, S. F. Grant, M. B. Patterson, A. W. Low, and Alonzo Nickerson. On Resolutions: Eld. U. Smith, T. Bryant, S. J. Hersum. On Credentials and Licenses: Geo. W. Barker, T. S. Emery, W. W. Putnam.
The minutes of the last Conference were called for, read, and approved.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Monday, September 3, at 8 A. M., the second session was opened with prayer by Eld. U. Smith.
The Nominating Committee presented the names of the following brethren for officers of the Conference for the coming year: President, J. B. Goodrich, Hartland; secretary, Timothy Bryant, N. Jay; treasurer, Samuel F. Grant, Hartland. Executive Committee, J. B. Goodrich, G. W. Barker, William Morton; Camp-meeting Committee, G. W. Barker, T. S. Emery, and R. J. Goodrich. These persons were duly elected.
Voted, That the matter of locating the camp-meeting for 1878 be left in the hands of the Executive and Camp-meeting Committees.
Voted, That the church clerk and S. B. treasurer of each church be requested to bring their books to the Conference, to be examined by the Auditing Committee, to see if correctly kept; and if any fail to do so the president shall examine them or cause it to be done.
The Committee on Credentials and Licenses recommended that Elds. Goodrich and Webber receive credentials; that Bro. S. J. Hersum be ordained and receive credentials; and that Bro. P. B. Osborn receive license. The Conference voted in favor of each of the above named persons as recommended.
In accordance with this action Bro. Hersum was ordained Monday forenoon, Sept. 3. Prayer by Eld. U. Smith, charge by Eld. J. B. Goodrich.
The Committee on Resolutions then offered the following, which were adopted:—
Whereas, We see many new faces at this camp-meeting of those who have received the truth during the past year,
Resolved, That we can but express our gratitude to God for this token of his favor.
Whereas, Much has been accomplished in this State by the circulation of reading matter, twenty-six in one locality having accepted the truth without once listening to the living preacher,
Resolved, That such facts should stimulate us to more earnest efforts in the use of this means to advance the cause.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with our brethren of foreign tongues, who are unable to read the defense of the truth as it is set forth in the English, and hence are more exposed to the foul work of the emissaries of Satan.
Resolved, That we hereby express our union with the suggestions of the General Conference in regard to quarterly meetings; and we will carry out the same in this Conference.
Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the president of this Conference, Bro. J. B. Goodrich, for his arduous and efficient labors in behalf of this Conference the past year.
Resolved, That we hereby express our appreciation of the arduous and efficient labors of sister E. H. Morton, who has furnished daily and faithful reports of this meeting to the leading papers in this State.
To the above the following was added by the Conference:—
Resolved, That we express our thanks for the faithful and efficient labors of Bro. Smith and Robinson at this meeting, and for the encouragement which we have received therefrom.
TREASURER’S REPORT.
Received during the year, $935 95
Paid out during the year, 935 95
SECRETARY’S REPORT.
No. of churches, 13; No. of church members, 263; No. of Sabbath-keepers not united with any church, 122; No. of Sabbath-school scholars, 187; No. paying S. B., 158; amount of S. B. pledged to the Conference, $810.42.
Adjourned.
J. B. Goodrich, Pres.
Timothy Bryant, Sec.
To Members of District No. 10, Iowa Tract Society
By M. M. Kenny
TO MEMBERS OF DIST. NO. 10, IOWA TRACT SOCIETY.
As it is nearly time for our next quarterly meeting, I would ask, Have you a good report to send in at the close of the quarter? If you have not, then improve what time there is left. Do you say, I don’t know how to approach people on the subject of religion? Then follow the instructions of the apostle James: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Did you ever try this? If not, you have lost a great blessing.
The more we work in the cause of the Master, the more we will want to work. But let us be careful that we do not go about this sacred work in our own strength; for if we do, we shall be sure to fail. Let us remember that “he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.” Take courage, then, my brother, and go to work. Do you want to hear the sweet voice of the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” If so, go to work and do well. We have everything to encourage us to work, for the cause is onward. Many are embracing the truth we love so well from reading. I have just received a letter from Bro. Farnsworth in which he says he finds our ministers are most successful where the T. and M. workers have done the most. Some of our churches are calling for some one to come and preach the truth near them. If you want your neighbors and friends to hear the truth, scatter tracts and papers, and thus prepare the way for the preacher; then when you come to the quarterly meeting, bring a report of what success you have had, and whether the people are anxious to hear or not.
We want a report from every member at our next meeting; there are some members who have never yet reported. “My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” Paul says, “Provoke one another to good works.” Try it once. We have over one hundred members in this district. Now let us have over one hundred reports. The Nevada church has twelve members, and sent in nine reports last quarter. Marshalltown came next with seventeen members and thirteen reports; State Center has sixty-five members, and sent in thirty-two reports. Now let us make a better showing this quarter. If you have nothing to report, go to work in what time is left, and you will have. Remember time is short, and what is done must be done quickly.
Some are complaining that they do not have as much of the Spirit of God as they would like to enjoy. Dear brother, the reason is you do not work enough to get it. To illustrate: I have a well, and six families use water from it. I have watched some of them when they came to get water. One will come and put his pail under the pump, and work away leisurely, and it takes twelve strokes to fill the pail. Another will go to work with a will, and fill the pail with six strokes. What makes the difference? It is not in the pump or the water, but in the person. Now, let us one and all go to work with a will and a determination to do something, and then none will complain of not enjoying themselves. M. M. KENNY.
GETHSEMANE
Wan were the dew-drops on olive and lily,
Dark was the garden, and damp was the stone,
Where through the midnight, slow-passing and chilly,
Jesus in sorrow kept vigil alone.
Echoed the rocks to the cry of his anguish,
Cold to the ground fell the sweat of his pain.
How could they leave him, so burdened, to languish,
Those whom he loved, and who loved him again?
Little it seemed, but an hour, to awaken—
Waken and wait, while the Master in prayer,
Desolate, agonized, well-nigh forsaken,
Sought of his Father for help from despair.
First, when they slumbered, he tenderly begged
them,
Gently reproachful, to watch and to pray;
Now, as if cut to the heart to behold them
Sleeping anew, he turns sadly away.
Oft as we ponder Gethsemane’s story,
Oft as we think of our Master alone,
Come to our spirit the gloom and the glory,
All intermingled, of garden and throne.
E’en in his heart-break, the best and the dearest
Failed him; but we, in our midnight of need,
Ever shall find him the swiftest and nearest,
He, the unsleeping, our soul-cry will heed.
—Harper’s Bazar.
CONFERENCE DIRECTORY
for Ohio the present Conference Year.
PRESIDENT.
H. A. St. John, Clyde, Sandusky Co.
SECRETARY.
E. H. Gates, North Madison, Lake Co.
TREASURER.
A. A. Hutchins, Clyde, Sandusky Co.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
H. A. St. John.
I. Edgerton, Cleveland, O.
O. Mears, Bowling Green, Wood Co.
CAMP-MEETING COMMITTEE.
Wm. Beebe, Norwalk, Huron Co.
H. H. Van Camp, Bowling Green, Wood Co.
Geo. Bisel, Darlington, Richland Co.
"ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE."
By Venn
I find, with regard to myself, that the benefit of prayers, and other means of grace, bears exact proportion to the care I take to implore the influence and operation of the Spirit in them; that when I am only a little concerned in asking of the Lord the inestimable comfort of his help, my spiritual duties afford me little comfort in the exercise, and leave no lasting impressions. On the contrary, when I am importunate with the Lord to put life and power into the ordinances, and to make me feel some correspondent affections, I am enabled to say, “Truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”—Venn.
The Power of a Devout Life
A devout life has untold power. Like the forces of nature, it is often hidden or obscure; but it holds and shakes the world. Men may refuse to hear your preaching; they are not able to evade the argument of a blameless and holy life. The aroma of it fills all the atmosphere; its doctrine distils like the gentle dew, or like the small rain on the mown grass; its lines go out through all the earth, its words to the end of the world; there is no speech nor language where its voice is not heard.
Your religion, to be of any worth, must be such a life. Profession is well, but it is only the gateway to the life—only the sign of the inward substance. The gospel was not proclaimed to give you a creed, but to render possible to you a devout life. You will be a power among men, not in proportion to your knowledge, or your natural endowment, but in proportion to the sanctity and fullness of your religious life.
NAPLES, ITALY.
By John Nevins Andrews
I have now spent three weeks in this city, and have made diligent improvement of my time. I wrote a short report immediately after my arrival, which I trust has reached Battle Creek. I have formed a deeply interesting acquaintance with Dr. Ribton and his family. I have with him visited many persons in this city, and have conversed with them upon the Scriptures. We should have had many public meetings if it had been possible to obtain a hall. But though the laws of Italy are very tolerant, the power of the Roman Catholic priesthood is almost omnipotent. If a man rents us a hall the priest can ruin his business by forbidding his customers to deal with him any longer, and by causing every person who has rented the other parts of his building to quit the place if the hall be allowed to heretics.
I have, however, used every hour possible in giving instruction from the word of God. My own spirit has been refreshed, and I think those who have listened have been benefited. Bro. Ribton is very desirous to give himself to the work of the ministry. I cannot doubt that God has called him to this work. He has a collegiate education, having graduated at the University of Dublin. He is well instructed in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, and can preach in English, French and Italian. He is, however, most familiar with the Italian language, and his heart is greatly set on doing something for Italy. He is fully convinced that the advent of Christ is near at hand, and he desires to give warning to the world. I have learned from him how he became interested in the Advent faith. A long time since I sent to Dr. Zimple, of this city, some of our publications. Dr. Z. gave some of these to Bro. Ribton, and thereupon Bro. R. wrote to me for others, which I sent him. He has diligently studied these books, and has a very thorough understanding of them. His first light upon the Sabbath came from the Sabbath Memorial, which Dr. Z. had received from Bro. Jones, of London. Bro. Ribton is well instructed in the law of God and in the history of the Sabbath. If he walks humbly with God I believe that he will be a useful minister of Jesus Christ.
Bro. R. has sought diligently for a long time to find a hall for public service in this city. For reasons which I have named this has been a very difficult undertaking. It is wholly impossible to obtain a hall for Protestant service for a few weeks, for if one is taken at all, it must be by a regular lease for six months or a year. A few days since a hall in the central part of the city was found, which could be had for fifty francs per month, if we would take it for nine months. After much prayerful consideration I have taken the responsibility to hire the hall. I would have referred the matter to the General Conference Committee, but the decision could not be so long delayed. I believe that after a few months this expense will be met by the friends of the truth in Naples. Bro. Ribton feels deeply the responsibility of the work upon which he has entered, and he will do everything in his power to lead men to the truth and to make the work self-sustaining. He will seek to benefit not merely the Neopolitans, but the foreign residents of this city, with many of whom he is acquainted. This class of persons, if converted, could help greatly by their means, for they are generally wealthy.
Naples is a city of more than 600,000 inhabitants. It is a point from which the truth can be sent in many directions, and into many countries bordering upon the Mediterranean. If the truth can be established here, it will be an important center from which to extend the light. It must be done. I cannot doubt that it will be done. Men and means will be needed to extend the work, but neither the one nor the other will be wanting. God is in this work, and it will go forward.
I came here to baptize Bro. Ribton, and a few others, and in hope of finding a Sabbath-keeping printer for our paper. So great was the difficulty to find time for this visit to Naples, that I thought a very few days must suffice for my stay in this city; but though other duties have caused me unceasing anxiety, I have remained here more than three weeks. I have given this time to teaching the word of God to all that I have been able to meet, but especially in the study of the Scriptures with Bro. Ribton. We have had only one public meeting, but if our hall could have been earlier obtained we should have had many.
Besides the family of Bro. R. there are a few others in this city who have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and there are several who confess their faith in it as obligatory upon men, but who do not yet obey. I have visited nearly all these persons, and I hope that the most of them will walk in the truth. In company with Dr. R., I have visited an English lady who has begun to keep the Sabbath from reading the papers and the tracts. She is a teacher of languages, and has the command of German, French, Italian, modern Greek and Russian. She was a teacher in Russia for six years. I asked her if while in Russia she heard of a denomination of seventh-day Christians living in that empire. She said that she had often heard them mentioned. I asked what was said of them. She said they were spoken of contemptuously, because they do not acknowledge and unite with the national church. She heard nothing else said against them. I think this testimony must confirm what I have heretofore written concerning the existence of Sabbath-keepers in Russia. The time is not distant, I hope, when we shall open communication with them.
Thursday, August 2, I baptized four persons in the sea at Puteoli, the port at which Paul landed when on his journey as a prisoner to Rome. Acts 28:13. It was a very precious season, and the association of the place with the events of the past made an impression upon my mind which will never be effaced.
I have felt great responsibility while here, and have made an earnest effort to faithfully discharge that responsibility to the acceptance of Christ. After some months, if God will, I think it may be my duty to come back and to remain for a longer time. The way is now open for public preaching in this city, and I hope for much good from this attempt to preach the word of God. I ask that many prayers may be offered in behalf of the work in Naples.
To-morrow I set out, if God will, on my way to Switzerland. I must visit sister Revel, of Northern Italy. She was the first person in Europe to receive the Sabbath from the preaching of Eld. M. B. C. She has stood firm for many years though called to meet great opposition. After this visit I must spend a little time with Bro. Bourdeau at Valence. We shall consult together as to the future of our work. What has been written in the REVIEW will have great weight with us in the decision which we make.
I have written to Bro. Ertzenberger to know if he can leave Germany for a time. If so, my convictions are that it will be my duty to commence public labor in Bâle in the German language. I think there is a good field for the truth in Bâle, and I am anxious to enter it as soon as possible.
I have much evidence that our paper, LES SIGNES DES TEMPS, is taking hold of the people. I believe there are many places where a harvest of souls can be gathered from those who have been reading the paper and the tracts. I hope hereafter to be able to give much time to preaching and yet to keep up the publication of our paper. Do not forget to pray for us.
J. N. Andrews.
Naples, Aug. 5.
A RICH EXPERIENCE.
By S. N. Haskell
Bro. and Sr. White came upon the camp-ground at Groveland, Mass., in great feebleness. We were rejoiced to see them, but felt sad that they were in such a worn and feeble condition. Sister White was much strengthened in speaking to the thousands that assembled at the camp-meeting, and especially so at Danvers in the tent where Eld. Canright has been laboring. Under the circumstances, it was thought advisable for them to visit Lancaster. Accordingly, the Tuesday following the camp-meeting they came to this place by private conveyance.
Wednesday evening, while the brethren and sisters assembled at the chapel were making the cases of God's worn servants a specialty in prayer, a few bowed at the side of Bro. White, praying over him and anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Sister W. was led out in an unusual manner to pray for the healing power of God. Angels seemed to fill the room, and all felt their presence. Bro. White arose and declared himself blessed and strengthened by the power of God; and all felt the assurance that One higher than man had rebuked the disease that was upon him. So sensibly was God's presence realized that the voice of praise might be distinctly heard in and around the house for some time, and that night there was but little sleeping. God's blessing made the hours too precious to be passed in sleep. Bro. W. is still weak, but is coming up in the name of the Lord. God gives him strength daily; his food digests; he rests well.
Sabbath, Sept. 1, was a day long to be remembered by the church in South Lancaster. As the service was about to close, after the church had spent five hours together in such a solemn and heart-searching meeting as is seldom realized, Bro. White came to the chapel, his countenance beaming with the blessing of God, and declared what the Lord had done, and was doing, for him, which, like an electric shock, thrilled all hearts.
It has been a great pleasure to have the privilege of ministering to the wants of God's servants in their worn condition. We feel that in this, and in permitting us to have them with us a few days, God has highly honored us. We would not be unmindful of this honor, but would seek to more fully honor God in our bodies and spirits, which are his. To us, as a family, it has been a rich experience, for which we thank God.
S. N. Haskell.
WHERE IS THAT YOKE OF BONDAGE?
By C. W. Stone
DAVID says, “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps. 1:2. And again, “How love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” This is the testimony of a man after God’s own heart concerning that law which Jesus obeyed (John 15:10), which he said should remain in force while the earth stands (Matt. 5:17–19), which Paul said faith in Christ does not make void, and which he established (Rom. 3:31), that law by which James says we shall be judged (James 2:12), and which he calls the “law of liberty.”
Such has been the testimony, not only of prophets and apostles, but of Christian men of all ages down to near the present time. Thirty-three years ago, in the providence of God a move was inaugurated for the restoration of the true Sabbath. This is in accordance with the purpose of God, as we now see that he revealed this very move to his servants the prophets more than eighteen hundred years ago. But this, like every true reform that has taken place since Adam’s day, cuts right across the practice of the world and a formal, lifeless church; and when the claims of the Lord’s Sabbath are brought to bear with irresistible force, men arise and say the law of God is abolished. No one ever thought of such a position until they found that law condemned their acts; then, instead of squaring their lives by the law, the93great and perfect rule of right, they think to destroy the law, and then stand free.
Now how do they get rid of it? I will tell you one way: they mix it up with the ceremonial law regulating circumcision, the priesthood, and all the ceremonies pertaining to that form of religion, and then call it all a yoke of bondage, and say it was done away at the cross. This is a quick method of easing the conscience, but not a very safe one. Now a person can see at once that it is the ceremonial law that Paul calls a yoke of bondage in Gal. 5:1, as the two next verses plainly show that the yoke of bondage was the law enforcing circumcision. So at the council of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, the grand theme of discussion was circumcision. Acts 15:1. Paul arose to discuss the matter, and he there said that this law of circumcision and ceremonies was a yoke that their fathers were not able to bear. It was at length decided by that council that they should not further teach that law (verse 24), save to recommend four “necessary things” found in it,—to “abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication.” Now the moral law does not tell us what meats to eat, nor to abstain from blood, but the ceremonial law does. They were not, therefore, discussing the moral law.
It is a remarkable fact that the sharpest of our opponents, when called upon to point out the “yoke of bondage” in God’s holy law, do not dare to locate it in the ten commandments, after all. While at Newburyport, Mass., several weeks ago, I had a conversation with Dr. J. Litch, a man who once enjoyed great light upon the prophetic word. Said he, “That law of God is all done away. It is what the apostle called a yoke of bondage.” Said I, “Do you make any distinction between the ten commandments and the ceremonial law?” He said he did not; “they were simply different installments of the same law. When God gave the ten commandments, he would have given the rest also; but the people besought him to speak no more to them, and God delivered the balance to Moses in the mountain.” I asked him how it happened that God stopped writing on the tables of stone when he had written the ten commandments; and without waiting for a reply I said, “I would like to ask you a few questions.”
“Very well, you may.”
“You say the law of God is a yoke of bondage. Now as I read in that law, please tell me when I come to the yoke.”
I then read the first commandment, and said, “Was not that always just and good, and will it not always be so?”
“Yes.”
I read the second, and asked, “Are you and I so anxious to make a wooden god and worship it that this command is a yoke?”
“No; that is all right.”
Then I read the third, and queried, “Are you and I so full of cursing and swearing that this commandment is a grievous yoke to bear?”
“No.”
I read the fifth. “Was it not always right, will it not always be right, that children should honor their parents?”
“Yes.”
I read the last five with similar questions, and received like answers. Then I read, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” “Is it not right to keep holy the Sabbath day, and will it not always be so?”
“Yes; but—”
“Then where is your yoke of bondage?”
“Oh! it is not in that part of it, unless it be in that Jewish Sabbath.”
I found that the trouble was not so much with the Sabbath, after all, as it was with the day on which it comes. But the Lord pronounces a blessing on the men that shall “call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable,” and that keep the Sabbath from polluting it. Isa. 58:13; 56:2. If men were willing to obey the Lord, the Bible would mean the same to everybody, and all men would understand it to mean just what it says.
C. W. STONE.
THE MAINE CAMP-MEETING.
By Uriah Smith
This meeting was held, for the third season, on the old camp-ground in Richmond, Me., Aug. 29-Sept. 4. The ground was in a better condition than at any previous meeting. The preachers’ stand, which had become brown and weather-beaten, was covered with white cloth or paper, and over this covering were gracefully arranged festoons of evergreens and flowers, and appropriate mottoes. The book stand was fitted up in the same way. This was the work of a few sisters, who, with wise forethought, took it upon themselves to attend to this matter, and who deserve much credit for their taste and labor. Many of the tents in the vicinity of the stand were also ornamented very beautifully with wreaths and bouquets of flowers, which gave to the place almost the appearance of a fairy grove. This made it more pleasant for the dwellers in camp, and made a good impression on those who came in from without. The good condition of the ground and the order and neatness of the tents were the frequent subjects of favorable remark.
There were some thirty tents on the ground, occupied by nearly two hundred believers. Quite a number of these were those who have received the truth the past year, showing that the word is still not without effect in Maine. Here, as in all other parts of the field, there is a great desire awakening in the public mind to hear and read more respecting the present truth. Twenty-six, in one locality in this State, have become firmly established in the truth without hearing a sermon. The brethren feel encouraged to push forward the work more earnestly than ever.
The social meetings were uniformly most excellent, sometimes as many as sixty good testimonies being borne in twenty minutes. At a social meeting on the Sabbath at 5 P. M., twenty came forward for prayers. There was deep feeling; and it was a scene to be long remembered on account of the great blessing of the Lord.
On Sunday the congregation was not large, there being only about 1500 or 2000 present in the afternoon. But it was thought that there was really more interest felt in our work than at any previous time. The great majority of those who came, came to listen; and quite a number were heard to remark one to another that they had no doubt that the Seventh-day Adventists were right in their teaching. One lady who had been hindered from attending the previous S. D. A. camp-meetings in this State, said that her experience had been such at this meeting, that she would never be absent again, wherever they were held, if she could get to them. The preaching was well received. Two were baptized. There are now some nine companies of Sabbath-keepers in the State, about ready to be organized and unite with the Conference. Some here commenced for the first time the observance of the Sabbath.
On Monday forenoon, Bro. S. J. Hersam was, in accordance with the vote of the Conference, ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands. This was a very interesting occasion.
All the meetings were faithfully reported by sister E. H. Morton, for the leading papers of the State. She had prepared the way for this by preliminary articles giving a sketch of the rise, progress, and principles of this people, which were published in the papers referred to, and extensively copied into others. The Conference recognized, by resolution, her efficient service.
The general expression was that this was the best camp-meeting yet held in the State. The people were much disappointed in not having the presence and labors of Bro. and sister White. But learning that they could not be present, they made up their minds to submit cheerfully and put their own shoulders to the work more earnestly. Bro. R. S. Webber was also prevented by sickness from attending the meeting.
Over seventy testimonies were borne in quick succession in the parting meeting Tuesday morning. All declared themselves greatly benefited and strengthened by the meeting, and determined to carry its good effects home with them. So may it be. U. S.
THE INTEREST INCREASING.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Yesterday a gentleman came over from the city of Salem, four miles distant, to see us about moving our tent there. He was superintendent of the street car railroads of that city. He said they had consulted about the matter, and had authorized him to visit us and urge us to come there. They had procured a good place for the tent, would move us and meet all our expenses, etc. This seemed remarkable to us, as they had only known of our meetings through the papers, and we had no thought of going there. Of course, it is too late to go with the tent, and other urgent openings probably will not allow us to go there at all. He was very much disappointed.
This morning, while driving through the main street of Salem, in front of a printing office, we saw displayed in large letters the following bulletin: “Salem Post. A Sunday Dialogue Giving the Origin of the Sabbath and Its Early Observance. Eld. Canright, and Others, on the Same Question.” Observing a few moments, we saw many stop and read it. I obtained a copy of the Post, and found that a good share of its reading matter was devoted to this question. The report of our tent-meetings occupies a column, giving the substance of our arguments on the Sabbath question, and on other points. Other papers are doing the same thing. This shows how extensively these meetings are moving the people.
Salem is an old city with a population of many thousands. Some there are already keeping the Sabbath as the result of our meetings. We received a letter this morning from Lynn, inquiring about the Sabbath question. Infidels, Universalists, spiritualists, worldlings, and, indeed, some from nearly every class, have already embraced the Sabbath. Such an extensive interest I have never seen in all my life. Surely our New England brethren need not think the third angel’s message cannot succeed here. We believe that the Lord means by this to show them that their sacrifices, and labors, and prayers, in this work have not been in vain. All of us are busy as we can be from morning till late at night. I am exceedingly tired, but hope for rest in a couple of weeks. D. M. Canright.