MONTHLY MEETING AT GREENHILL, R. I.
By J. S. Miller
It is again my pleasant duty to record another of our monthly gatherings. The meeting commenced as appointed, at the Washington School-house, Sabbath eve, April 17. At this meeting there were but five present from other neighborhoods, two of these being from other States—Bro. Haskell, from Massachusetts, and Bro. Nathan T. Preston from Vermont. There were, at this meeting, some twenty Sabbath-keepers, and ten or twelve children and friends. Bro. Haskell spoke with freedom for something more than an hour from the text, “Thy kingdom come.” Sabbath morning we repaired to the Green Hill meeting-house. There were some twenty Sabbath-keepers present at the commencement of the nine o’clock prayer-meeting, which was increased by preaching time to upward of forty adult Sabbath-keepers, besides some ten or fifteen children and others. This conference meeting was one of deep interest. It lasted two hours, and the time was well occupied with prayers and exhortations. The Spirit of the Lord attended us in a large degree. At eleven, Bro. Haskell commenced preaching, and for two hours spoke with good freedom from Rev. xii, 17. This discourse was truly meat in due season. The causes which led the dragon to make war upon the ‘remnant were well shown up, and the Scripture proofs relative to the gifts of prophecy were brought forward and presented in a pointed manner. At three, we met again and listened to another discourse, of two hours’ length, by Bro. H., on the time of trouble; in view of which the health reform was earnestly held up as a necessary preparation for that time. The brethren and sisters listened to this discourse with deep interest, and it is hoped that many of them saw more clearly their duty in preparing for those things that are coming on the earth. In the evening, Bro. H. preached a searching discourse from John iii, 16, in which it was shown that the cause of many of our troubles is a want of humility and love in our hearts. We have reason to believe that the straight testimony was heeded, and that some took courage who had before been halting. First-day morning, we met at nine, and held a social meeting, two hours in length. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and many valuable testimonies were given. After the close of the social exercises Bro. H. spoke from Job xiv, 14. The nature of man, death and the resurrection, were presented as clearly and extensively as the time would admit. First-day afternoon, the brethren held a business session, the object and result of which may, perhaps, be reported at a future time. Met again in the evening, at half-past seven. This meeting, the last of the session, was more largely attended than any that preceded it. Nearly half the congregation were friends outside the truth. Bro. H. spoke two hours on the subject of cross-bearing, as brought to view in the history of God’s people. This sermon, though lengthy, was listened to by all with deep interest. May truths then spoken take root in some honest hearts. As I look over this whole series of meetings, I am inclined to the belief that it will result in more permanent good than any we have heretofore had since the Monthly Meeting has been established. True, we may have enjoyed greater flights of feeling in some previous meetings, but in none have I noticed so much straight testimony so well received, nor have I ever before seen so many who at the beginning of the meeting were discouraged and cast down, who at the close seemed encouraged and strengthened. What our Rhode Island brethren now need, is to press closer together, and to press up in the work. We need to draw nigh unto God that he may draw nigh unto us, and to resist the Devil that he may flee from us. Let there be an effort on the part of all to retain the blessings received at this meeting, and let our Monthly Meeting for May, at Curtiss’ Corner, be made a subject of earnest prayer. Tower Hill, R. I., April 20, 1868.