The Monthly Meeting at Cornville, Maine by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 27, 1866

The Monthly Meeting at Cornville, Maine.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

According to appointment this meeting was held Sabbath and Sunday, Nov. 10, 11. The weather was warm and pleasant. On Sabbath evening a goodly company assembled in the house of worship. Bro. Howard, Stratton, Blaisdell, Barnes, and myself, were present. It seemed to be the impression of each one that this meeting was, in some way, to be an important one for the cause in Me. Though the meeting this evening was not very free, yet it was solemn and profitable. Sabbath morning there was assembled probably the largest body of Sabbath-keepers that ever met in Maine, there being over two hundred. They came from Norridgewock, Rome, Starkes, Athens, Canaan, Hartland, Edington, Topsham, Falmouth, &c. For about an hour we enjoyed a free, social meeting. Cheering testimonies were given, backsliders confessed with tears, and those who had long been resisting the truth acknowledged that they could do so no longer. Two sermons were preached to-day with very good freedom. Bro. Howard spoke on the unity of the people of God. It seemed to him that they ought to be united as one soul before the coming of Christ. This he had long and earnestly desired to see. He had thought that the doctrine of the Advent near would do this; but instead of this, with pain, he had seen the first-day Adventists divided and subdivided. At length he saw the Sabbath, the commandments of God, and the third angel’s message. This he now believed to be the gathering message which would unite the people of God and prepare them for the coming of Christ. With this all heartily agreed.

At six o’clock in the evening the brethren and sisters convened for a social meeting. How shall I describe that meeting? Well, God met with us indeed. As Bro. Howard led out in prayer, the Spirit of God seemed to indite his petition and we were raised above the world. Our dear Bro. Stratton who has so long and so faithfully labored in this section, was filled unutterably full with joy in the Holy Ghost. The Spirit ran from heart to heart, and many earnest prayers were put up to God to bless his people and move forward the work in Me. The social meeting lasted three hours, and the time was so well occupied that some attempted three times to speak and failed! We all became very happy in the Lord and there was a shout in the camp. Never did I hear singing that sounded so sweet as upon that occasion. The Lord was in it. Some here made a start to serve God; some who a short time ago could not speak in a private prayer meeting, here gained strength to confess Christ; some who had long felt it their duty to keep the Sabbath but had hardened their hearts, now with tears confessed that they had lived in condemnation, and had become backslidden in consequence. They earnestly exhorted others to be careful how they followed their example lest God should leave them in darkness to go to perdition. I hope that it may prove a solemn warning to others. “Unity,” seemed to be the sentiment of every heart. Let us press together, receive the whole truth, and then God will work mightily for us. I think that we made a good move in that direction. When meeting closed, every face beamed with joy and each one said to the other, “O, what a glorious meeting we have had!” Bro. Howard remarked that he had never seen it done in Maine before, and that he could now see his way clear where it had before been dark. Indeed this was the sentiment of many hearts.

Sunday morning we had an excellent social meeting, after which Bro. Blaisdell spoke to us about the signs of the times and the coming of Christ. The Lord gave power to the word spoken. I heard a number say, “I am going home to keep the Sabbath.”

Thus closed one of the best meetings that the commandment-keepers have had in Maine. All was union and harmony. We go to our homes more firmly resolved to serve God than before. Verily, God has manifested his approbation of these Monthly Meetings and I hope that we shall all try hard to support them.

We now go to different places to gather the fruit of this meeting. Brethren scattered abroad, pray for us in Me.

D. M. Canright.

Cornville, Nov. 12, 1866.