p. 336 | Untitled article by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 12, 1867

REPORT OF THE MAINE CONFERENCE.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THURSDAY evening, Oct. 31, we, with several others, went to Skowhegan to meet the friends who came on the cars. Among these we were happy to greet Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Andrews. It gave us new courage to once more see these tried servants of God. Although we had read of the improved condition of Bro. W., yet we were not expecting to find him so much improved in every way. He seemed so cheerful and happy that we were reminded of former years. To God be all the glory.

Friday morning a large number of brethren and sisters came in from all parts to attend the organization of the Conference. All appeared to have a deep interest in the cause of God, and to be willing to labor to advance it. A hard battle has been fought in this State over the subject of order. Many have had a wrong idea of organization, and a fear that our brethren who came to labor here wished to rule them. We have labored to remove all these unfounded fears, and were now rejoiced to see order established here with the hearty approval of all but a few disorderly spirits. Bro. White and Bro. Andrews favored us with their counsel and experience.

Sabbath evening Bro. and Sr. W. spoke with freedom to a full house of attentive listeners. This was the first time that they had ever visited this place, though but a few miles from his native town. Hence the people were anxious to see and hear them.

Sabbath morning we came together to enjoy a social meeting. Many good testimonies were given in favor of the truth. Some ideas advanced, and the manner in which some spoke, called forth from Bro. W. remarks to this effect: “Some who profess to worship God, show by their irreverent words and careless way of speaking in the house of God that they have no idea of the majesty of the Divine Being, and the solemnity of his worship. They speak about the great God as they would about a horse or any common thing. They seem to aim to call forth a laugh from the congregation by saying some odd or witty thing. This is all wrong, and an evil in the sight of God, that should not be countenanced among our people.” These remarks were timely and much needed by some who profess to believe the truth. He also spoke with regard to the scattering, withering influence of disorder, and mentioned a notable instance of it. This stirred some very much, and it was thought to be unwise, severe, and out of order. But subsequent events proved it to be just what was needed.

At 10½ A. M., Bro. W. spoke on the subject of baptism, showing its nature, its use, and who are its proper candidates. It appeared very plain from Bible evidence which was introduced, that those who have been baptized and then have backslidden far from God, should be baptized again, when they again die to sin and begin again to live for Christ. But the most important point was, that those who were baptized while in error, and while breaking the law of God, should be re-baptized when they received the light of truth and begin to keep the law of God. This was made plain by many pointed arguments. We hope soon to see the effects of this discourse, and feel confident that we shall.

Sabbath afternoon Sr. W. spoke with her usual clearness and force upon the subject of health. She showed its importance, and its connection with the work of God in these last days. It was much needed here, as but few have adopted in full the Health Reform. Many realized its importance as they never did before, and resolved to take hold of it immediately.

On Sunday the house was crowded to overflowing, and some went away for want of room. It was thought that about five hundred found seats. Bro. W. spoke on the subject of the Law and Gospel. This was a deeply interesting subject, and the Lord gave his servant clearness and power in presenting it. As we listened to him, it seemed to us that God had restored Bro. W. to more than his usual strength and clearness of thought. We hope and expect to see fruit of this labor here. In the afternoon Sr. W. spoke to the people on the subject of the humiliation, sufferings and glory of Christ. The Lord was in it. The falling tears told that it reached the heart. The gentle, convincing Spirit of God was there to soften the hearts of opposers and convince the inquirers. In the evening, she spoke on the subject of dress. This was listened to with deep interest by our brethren and sisters and many others. Much prejudice on this subject was removed, and its importance is beginning to be felt.

Thus closed the religious meetings of our first Conference in Maine. We can say emphatically that they were good. But to the cause, the business meetings were far more important. I know that there were some, who profess to be in the message, that would have given much to have kept Bro. and Sr. White

away. They thought that they did not need them nor their help. They “feared for the cause” if they should come. They feared that these servants of God who have led out in the work from its foundation, would not “use caution enough, and would hurt some one’s feelings!” But, thank God, they came, and came in the Spirit of God, and came just in time to save the cause from reproach and confusion. Both of them fearlessly bore their testimony against wrongs, and against those who stood in the way of the work of God. It cut close and deep, and in some places where we did not look for it. But let every man be found wrong, rather than that the sacred work of God be reproached. Never before did I so fully realize the great importance of the gifts in the church, and never did I have so strong faith in them as now. Many, nay, nearly all, felt the same. Thank God for the testimonies. We also realized that God has laid upon Bro. W. a work that no other man could do. The cause needs all the gifts, each one in its place.

Deep wrongs had existed here which had gone unrebuked; murmurers and fault-finders had been listened to, feared, yielded to, and coaxed, till they were about to triumph. Sr. White pointed out these things with faithfulness, in the spirit of meekness. May the Lord ever spare them for their work. They labored, and not without effect, to impress the minds of the people with the exalted character of this work. It is not a common work, but a special work, a holy work, a searching work, a work for the Judgment. To bring it down on a level with the common religion of the times, to mix them together, will not do. The standard must be raised high. If men cannot come up to it, then let them turn away; for they would only be a curse to the cause if it be lowered to meet them. Make straight work, make clean work, and God will take care of the consequences. May the Lord give us holy boldness, and help us to fear more to offend God than rich and influential men. These men, if petted, and coaxed, and yielded to, are always a reproach and a hindrance to the cause. Let them come right or not come at all.

Well, this Conference has been a school to us which we shall not soon forget. We now confidently look for better times. “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten.” For myself, I never felt so much confidence in the third angel’s message as now; I never prized the gifts as now, never loved God’s tried servants as now.

The faithful labors and continued care of our dear Bro. Andrews for the people, are appreciated by them. May the Lord help us to heed his many faithful admonitions to us.

D. M. CANRIGHT.