CLOSING REPORT FROM MAINE by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1867

CLOSING REPORT FROM MAINE.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

It has been so long since I have reported, that I can now only give a brief notice of our meetings since last writing.

Feb. 7th, Bro. Andrews came back to Maine and stayed till the 25th. We were all glad to meet him and sorry that he could stay no longer. We shall try to heed the good counsel which he gave us.

Athens. Feb. 27 to March 6, I was at Athens. I found all holding on here and some new ones starting. The Sabbath School was growing in number and in interest. I found, however, that some of them were not willing to organize nor let the others. I felt sure that this was wrong, but hope that they will soon see it and do better. They purchased a library worth $22.00.

Hartland. March 7 to 15, I was at this place. A sweeter season I have not enjoyed in Maine than I had here. All seemed willing to come into order, and to do their duty. Hence, God has been blessing them much. Four made a start to serve God, and three were added to the church. One day we had a class-meeting, or an inquiry meeting. It was a very solemn time which none of us will soon forget. Then we attended to the ordinances for the first time in this church. I can not describe what a melting time we had. We found Jesus' words true; “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” I expect to see this church prosper, as they are moving out on the light as fast as they see it.

Norridgewock. March 16 to 27, I spent at this place. It has come to seem very much like home to me. Our Monthly Meeting held here was a very good one indeed. A good company came out and the Lord met with us. These meetings have been a great benefit to the cause in Maine.

Since my last report, above a dozen have come into the truth here. For six months, from one to five have embraced the Sabbath about every week. We now number over one hundred grown persons.

Our Sabbath School is doing finely. It numbers about one hundred.

Here also we had an inquiry meeting. Eight were received into the church. Bro. Putnam was chosen elder of the church. He has been a great help to the cause here, and we all highly appreciate his labors. We had the ordinances here also for the first time. We think that no church can long prosper and neglect any thing that the Lord has given us to do. It is best to do like holy ones of old, walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. Then we shall be blameless.

It was with many tears that I parted with this dear people. May the angels of God watch over them for good.

Wednesday evening, 27th we enjoyed a sweet prayer-meeting at Skowhegan. The Lord is hearing the prayers of the few there, and bringing others into the truth. At this meeting Bro. Atwood came out decided on the Sabbath. He became convinced by hearing the arguments against it. May God make him very useful here.

The 28th, Bro. Stratton and I came to Topsham and held a meeting in the evening. All are holding on here but need help.

The 29th to 31st was our Monthly Meeting at Portland. A goodly company, the largest that we have had in this section, came out to this meeting. The Lord especially met with us and we had a refreshing time—the best meeting by far that I have ever attended in Portland.

We closed the meeting by celebrating the ordinances. There was something very sweet and encouraging about this meeting. We feel that this church is on the rise. One was added to the church. We all felt very glad to have Bro. Stratton with us at this place. His labors are acceptable and profitable to the brethren and we hope to see him this way in the future more than we have in the past. A change of fields with the preacher, and a change of gift with the people, often prove a great blessing to both.

Thus closed my labors in Maine. I spent nine months there. With gratitude I acknowledge the mercy and blessing of God upon me during this time, as also the kindness of many dear friends to me. I feel sure that it was in the providence of God that I went to Maine, and I have a great desire to go back there if it is his will. I now go home to spend a few weeks in Michigan. D. M. CANRIGHT.