Meetings in Maine by Chas. Stratton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 22, 1867

Meetings in Maine.

By Chas. Stratton

I LEFT home, Dec. 12, to fulfill my appointment. Met in the evening with Bro. Canright at Norridgewock. Assisted in organizing a church. The 13th, went to Albion. Stopped one night with my brother. Found him interested in the present truth. Oh, that there were more messengers to carry the truth to the people who sit in darkness! From thence to China, Deer Hill, the 14th. Enjoyed a very pleasant interview with Bro. Hammon and his family. Our union was sweet as we bowed around his family altar. I learned that there were eight Sabbath-keepers in this place, but in rather a discouraged condition. Sabbath, met for worship. The weather was extremely cold, consequently the house was in a like condition, and I fear some of the hearts of the brethren also. First-day, held a meeting of profit, I hope. Preached twice. Prayer-meeting in the evening, very interesting.

Meeting in the evening of the 18th, composed of Sabbath-keepers, First-day Adventists, F. W. Baptists, and Spiritualists; but the Lord gave us some victory. Evening of the 19th, meeting very solemn. Sabbath evening, a meeting of very deep interest. One brother preached us quite a sermon, giving us some evidence that he had a gift to labor more publicly. An old lady in her seventieth year arose and requested an interest in our prayers. Sabbath morning, met in a school-house. Organized a Bible Class and Sabbath School of twenty-two members. In the afternoon, talked on the present duty of the church, with good effect. Evening meeting at Bro. Hammon's. Organized Systematic Benevolence to the amount of $48.00. As the First-day Adventists had a meeting on first-day, by previous appointment, we thought best to meet with them. But a rain storm prevented many from getting together. We listened attentively to the speaker, as he took his text in 2 Pet. i, 12. One thing of which he was not negligent to put us in remembrance was, that the old covenant of ten commandments could only pardon sins in the past, but the new covenant could pardon sins in the past, and save us from sin in the future. But before he sat down, he told us that present truth was repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I felt like praying, Lord give him present truth, and help him to preach it. We left the Sabbath-keepers steadfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord.

CHAS. STRATTON.

China, Me., Dec. 24, 1866.