Untitled article by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 21, 1868

THE YOUTH OF NORRIDGEWOCK, MAINE.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

QUITE a large number of young persons have embraced the truth here, and are trying to serve God. Knowing the many snares and temptations before them, we have felt very anxious for them. Few young persons get the work deep enough into their hearts to hold them long. Hence we were glad of the coming of Bro. and sister White, hoping that their labors would help them. It seemed rather discouraging while they were here; but we can now begin to see some fruits of it. Several have lately made a start for the kingdom. All met at our house one evening, and I freely talked to them about their dangers, such as lightness, jesting, and joking, going to parties, &c. Some said, “What shall we do for amusements? Shall we not have any?” After discussing this point fully, they all concluded that there was amusement enough in that which was useful; that it is not necessary to seek amusement in fun, lightness, novel-reading, and such like.

We found that but very few had ever read the Bible through, nor had they read much of other useful matter. So it was unanimously resolved by them to give up entirely their parties, begin with the year and read enough in the Bible each day to read it through during the year; also to read Sister White's Testimonies, Spiritual Gifts, How to Live, and other books like them. This I thought was a good move. If carried out, it will bring the blessing of God upon them. I recommend the same amusement to all young Sabbath-keepers.

I am thoroughly satisfied that all, both old and young, might be, and ought to be, better informed on the different points of our faith than they are. We have excellent reading matter which is not read. This should not be so. Standard histories should also be read by young men and women. I would mention such as History of the United States, of England, of the Reformation, &c. It seems to me to be entirely wrong for the young to idle away their time in simple chit-chat and amusements which do nothing toward feeding the mind or enlarging the intellect. Let all improve these precious moments which never return. D. M. CANRIGHT.