p. 79 | Meetings at Hartland, Me by Dudley Marvin Canright

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

Meetings at Hartland, Me.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

According to appointment I came to this place Dec. 27th. It was with feelings of doubt and fear that I came, as I had been here twice last summer, and was unable to accomplish anything. Nearly all were opposed to organization, and would do nothing on s. b. The consequence was, that their meetings ran down and most of them became much discouraged. Seeing how they were prospering in other places where they were organized, they began to think better of it here. I never knew a place where they were in greater need of organization than here, as every thing was at loose ends and the cause suffering much reproach.

Arriving at the school-house on the appointed evening, I found, as it was somewhat stormy, no congregation, no light, and no fire. At length we raised a company of six and had a meeting. The next evening we had a few more, and in a few evenings, we had a house full and a good interest which lasted to the end. Bro. Blaisdell joined me after one week and helped me through. We pointed out to the brethren and sisters the inconsistencies of their past course and the great necessity of a speedy reform in many things, if they would have the cause prosper here. There were a few who did not need this, but most of them did. On New Year's day we met and talked these things over, and solemnly promised to make a new start and live much better the coming year. From that time they began to take hold more in earnest. Both brethren and sisters laid aside their work and

came out to meeting, both day and night, Sabbath and week-days. One thing pleased me much: I could appoint a meeting at any hour, early or late, forenoon, afternoon or evening, and the very minute would find nearly every one in his place ready to begin. This is right. We had many solemn, interesting, prayer and social meetings. Nearly all got into a place where they could work for God, and he for them. They needed much trimming up and reforming, and they seemed to take earnestly hold of it.

We staid over two Sabbaths, preached fifteen discourses, and had twelve social, and two business meetings. Four made a good start to serve God. We organized a Sabbath School and Bible Class of fifty members, raised $28.00 for a Sabbath-School Library, organized s. b. to amount to $148.72, and organized a church of nineteen members. There are twelve more who did not come into the organization. I have confidence in those who were thus organized that they have the root of the matter in them and will work for God. Bro. Chas. Gifford was chosen elder, Bro. John A. Davis deacon, and Bro. Alfred O. Burrill clerk. I obtained four subscribers for the Review, one for the Instructor, one for the Reformer, and sold several dollars' worth of books.

Truly the Lord helped us here. We were all encouraged to work on till Jesus comes. I have a high opinion of the excellence and worth of many in this place, and hope that the cause of God will now prosper among them.

From my experience in the past I conclude that much more, in proportion to the time and labor spent, can be accomplished by staying two weeks with a church, than there can by staying only one week. It generally takes one week to get things well under way. Leave them there, and they soon settle back where they were before. Another week will tell greatly in confirming the work already begun. At least this is my experience in visiting churches. Well, the Lord is still at work for us here in Maine, and better days have now come, for which we all feel thankful to God.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Hartland, Jan. 7, 1867.