PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE IN NORRIDGEWOCK, ME by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1867

PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE IN NORRIDGEWOCK, ME.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

I spent two weeks here after the Monthly Meeting. We have organized S. B. to amount to about $325.00, every one taking a part. Owing to the heavy burdens they have borne in building their house of worship, &c., their S. B. is not large this year, but will be increased next year. Nine tenths of this was voted to the New England mission. We have now paid the debt on the house, and every thing else, so that we “owe no man any thing.” We have organized a church under, I think, very favorable prospects. The most perfect unity, harmony, and love, prevail among them all. Nothing, as yet, has come up to injure the cause in this place. The “Resolutions on Dress” are also being carried out by them, so that they promise soon to be a plain people.

We have enjoyed a continual revival here for two months. We began at the root of the matter with the brethren and sisters. They had been cold, formal, and backward in the past; the prayer-meetings were not attended by many, and but few of those who did attend took any active part in them. They said that they could not do it. The real cause was pride, and a lack of the love of God in their hearts. At length they saw and confessed this. Then we began to have prayer and social meetings, and to love them too; they became the most interesting meetings that we had. God’s blessing rested upon them; the unconverted began to attend; were convicted, and one after another began to seek the Lord—both parents and children. Many who had been convinced on the Sabbath, now decided to step out upon it. And still the good work goes on, and I think that the Lord will work more mightily than he has if the church continues to move forward.

At first, some thought that I talked too straight, was too severe, and too particular. Several times I have heard them say, “That is too straight, it is no use, I can never live that way. This will kill such and such a one.” Yes, thank God, it did kill them, but the Lord has made them alive. Now they say “It was none too close; we deserved it; let it come though it cuts us all to pieces. I had rather know my faults now than when it is too late to put them away.” I think this sounds much better. It has been my experience that if you deal softly with persons, and wink at their faults in order to keep them with you and perhaps get them into the church, those persons will always be a blot and a curse to the society. Better make clean work though you have but two for a church. Lower the standard for one and you may for another, and soon you will have the Devil in and all will be ruined. If persons are established in the truth, the straight testimony will not hurt them; if not, we do not want them. Keep a pure church and all the honest ones will soon find it out and join you; while hypocrites will not trouble you. This is the conclusion we have come to here in Norridgewock.

I love this people dearly and feel quite at home among them. Indeed I feel quite contented and happy in my field of labor here in Maine. The people seem to have a ready mind to receive the truth and work for God as fast as they know what is right. So far as I know now, unity and confidence exist, both among the people and the ministers. We all feel as though the time had come when we could put shoulders to the wheel and lift together.

Again I would remind the friends in Maine that as the laborers increase, so their expenses also increase. Now shall we be sustained? Since leaving home for this State, my expenses for traveling, board, clothes, &c., have been one hundred and twenty-three dollars more than I have received. Others among you are now much in need of help; they are poor and laboring under disadvantages. Those who do not take part in S. B., or any who are able to give something more, can do so if they wish and help us in the present embarrassment. My address is Norridgewock, Me.

D. M. CANRIGHT.