p. 31 | MONTHLY MEETING AT NORRIDGEWOCK, ME

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1866

MONTHLY MEETING AT NORRIDGEWOCK, ME.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

This meeting was held Dec. 8, 9, 1866. It came in a very bad time, the roads being very muddy and the nights dark. It also rained some; yet there were some in from other places, though but few. We felt somewhat disappointed, but hoped for the best. Bro. Stratton and Blaisdell were somewhat unwell, and I was quite worn down. Sabbath evening, about sixty assembled, and we had a pleasant and free social meeting. In the morning we had a better one, as we began to get into the work more. Two discourses were preached to-day, with profit, we think. In the evening, about one hundred and twenty-five came together to have a prayer and social meeting. Bro. Stratton gave us some good advice about being short in our prayers and exhortations. The strong brethren and sisters generally forget this, and consume the time with their long prayers and exhortations. Thus the lambs, the weak ones, are shut out, and no good is done. This is wrong. A long prayer or exhortation has got to be very spirited not to injure a meeting. By a long one we mean anything over two or three minutes. Well, we engaged in prayer, and what a blessed season it was! Twenty-three prayers were offered up to God in twenty-five minutes. The Spirit ran from heart to heart; no time was lost; the weak ones gained strength to open their mouths, and God filled them with praise. Many, who a short time since thought that they could not even rise on their feet in a private meeting, we here heard praying to God. Thank God for this move among the weak ones.

Our social meeting was a social one indeed, an old fashioned love-feast. Our hearts ran together as the heart of one man. Union, free, heavenly union, was there. How lovely the faces of these dear brethren and sisters looked to me. No moments were lost here. Frequently Bro. S. would have to say, “Hold on brother, Stop sister, till this one speaks.” The testimonies seemed to come warm from the heart. Christ soon to come, immortality about to be put on, the city almost in sight—oh, what cheering hopes!

Some of the old veterans of ’44 were here. Bro. and Sr. Howland, of Topsham, were present and cheered us younger ones with their encouraging words. Bro. H. said he had been on this road above twenty years, and had no evil report to bring. As he told us some of his experience, how God had led them over the road, had worked for them in mighty power, and how his heart was now cheered to see the work rising in Maine, how strong his faith was that we should soon enter the city, meet the redeemed ones, and rest from our toils,—as he thus spoke, his heart was filled with praise to God, and we all wept for joy and felt that we too would be encouraged to go forward. God bless these venerable pilgrims and keep them till Jesus comes! Bro. and Sr. Barnes also bore a good testimony concerning this way. This meeting, they said, began to seem like ’43 and ’44. Near the close of the meeting, a burden for the unconverted came upon us. We felt that God was moving upon some to give their hearts to Christ. Strong appeals accompanied by the Spirit were made to them. One arose, then another, and another, till five started from the city of destruction for the kingdom of God. Companions started, fathers started, mothers and children started. Then there was weeping and praising God from many hearts full of gratitude.

Thus closed one of the best social meetings we ever had in Norridgewock. Our brethren and sisters here are learning how to work for God and enjoy religion. Our old soldiers from other places coming in and taking hold with us has helped them greatly.

Notwithstanding the bad weather, we had a full house on Sunday. The interest here is still good, and the work is going forward. God has crowned each of our Monthly Meetings with his rich blessing. Each has been better than the preceding one. It is wonderful to us what a great work has been done in this section within two months. Perfect unity and harmony now prevail among the whole body of Sabbath-keepers. As soon as we took this position God added his blessing, as much as to say, “That is right.”

We design to follow up this work as fast as possible. I think that the cause will have some faithful laborers here in Maine, when each one gets in the place where God can use him.

I stay two weeks at N. to set things in order. Let none forget the next Monthly Meeting.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Norridgewock, Me., Dec. 9, 1866.