Untitled article by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 13, 1867

EDDINGTON, ME.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

JULY 26, Bro. Goodrich and myself came from Hartland to Bangor, intending to walk to Eddington, seven miles. But it rained so that we stopped in a barn to wait till the storm was over. It being after dinner time, we thought we would call at the house and get some dinner. While we were talking the man of the house came out, and we told him what we wished. In a very crusty manner, he replied, “If you had asked a little sooner, I don’t know but what you might have got something; but I don’t know whether you can now or not.” After this he walked around the barn and eyed us very sharply as though he wished we would leave. We, in short, got no dinner there. We concluded that he was a relative of ancient Nabal. 1 Sam. xxv.

At length we met the friends from E. and so arrived there just before the Sabbath. Here is a church of about fifteen members, besides several Sabbath-keepers who do not belong to the church. They have had but little labor here for a long time. We enjoyed a good season with them in their Bible Class and Sabbath School. All seemed much interested in it.

We had some freedom in speaking the word. We found the most of them pretty well out on the Reform. Four of the sisters had on the reform dress, and the others intend to put it on now. They like it very much.

We re-organized a s. b., raising it some, though it is not very heavy now.

A difficulty between two or three members of the church, in which, of course, all sympathized more or less, has for several months thrown darkness and discouragement over their meetings. Our principal object in coming was to try to settle this. We spent all of Sunday afternoon investigating it. Then, after consulting about it, in the fear of God and love of the truth and our brethren, we plainly told them our decision. At first it was hard to see it and hard to submit. But when the church unanimously sustained the decision, the will gave way and confessions were made. We closed with a season of prayer. Then what a scene followed! I shall never forget it. As they began to confess to each other and forgive one another, the tears began to flow and they all began to weep and cry aloud and embrace each other. It was as affecting a scene as I have witnessed for a long time. It was a sweet place.

Thus we trust that harmony is once more restored among them. May the Lord bless them is our prayer. After this, it seemed to me that I loved the erring ones better than I could if they had never done wrong. I heard others say, “I shall love you now better than ever before.” It is noble to repent, to confess our errors, and to ask pardon for them. It is humiliating to pride, but it is blessed to do it. Then I thought that the reason why Jesus loves his people so much, is because he has forgiven them so much. This trial also shows the use of organization. May the Lord now keep them in union. D. M. CANRIGHT.