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The Work in Maine

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 10.

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The Work in Maine

By H. W. CARR.

Owing to the prejudice which existed in the East in the early days of the message, Sister White gave instruction that much more could be accomplished in the West at that time, but that after the work should be established in the West, the message would return to the East with power. Those who are familiar with the experience of moving the denominational headquarters from Battle Creek, Mich., to Washington, D. C., in 1903, saw the beginning of this prediction.
Many times during Sister White’s last days she mentioned Portland, Maine, as a special city to be visited by the returning light of truth. Readers of the REVIEW will recall the appeals made for means to help in building a memorial church in Portland. This effort seems now to have been a preparation for the return of the work to the East with power. The local brethren broke ground for the new church building, which was soon erected; but the funds were not sufficient to cover the cost, and there remained an $8,000 debt, with its constantly accruing interest.
About three years ago Elder S. N. Haskell and his wife undertook the task of liquidating this debt. It was a hard fight. Elder A. E. Sanderson was called from Boston to assist them, and later the writer was called from western New York. Blow after blow was dealt to the enemy, until Jan. 1, 1915, the last mortgage was burned in the presence of a rejoicing congregation.

New Inspiration

Courage came into the hearts of the people. An annex was built, and the church was equipped with a beautiful baptistery, and accommodations were provided for classrooms and conference headquarters. This was all paid for. The church membership was doubled; gifts to missions increased to fifty cents a member per week; nearly $1,100 was raised in the Harvest Ingathering effort; and, best of all, a bond of unity, fellowship, love, and confidence took the place of dissension. These favorable conditions made it possible for still greater accomplishments.

City Effort

There is a manifest desire on the part of the people of the city to hear the truths of God’s message for today. Recently the city hall, the largest auditorium in Portland, was secured for January 23, 26, and 30, and three evening lectures by Elder A. G. Daniells were thoroughly advertised. The first evening, a congregation of 1,800 persons listened with intense interest as he explained with vigor how the present world crisis is a fulfilment of Bible prophecy.
The following evening Elder Daniells was invited to speak at the Business Men’s Club. They had heard of the impressive talk of the evening before, on “The European War and Bible Prophecy,” and requested that it be repeated to them. About two hundred and fifty of the leading men of the city listened with deep interest as he explained that the present scramble for Turkish territory must result in the removal of the Turkish capital to Jerusalem, and that the deliverance of God’s people will soon follow.
On Wednesday evening, January 26, a congregation of nearly one thousand persons listened with much interest to Elder Daniells’s lecture on “Miracles of Modern Missions.”
“Armageddon” was the subject on the last evening. It was very manifest that the congregation of nearly two thousand felt a solemn conviction of truth and duty as the impressive assurance of the speedy approach of the “time of trouble such as never was,” came to them from the Word of God in a clear and earnest way. We thought of Sister White’s prediction that the message would return to the East with power, and we fervently thanked the Lord for what we witnessed.
The city papers gave good space for reports of the meetings, with many favorable comments on the points made by the speaker. The thorough advertising given the little book, “The World’s Crisis,” has resulted in many expressions of appreciation from the best citizens of Portland, and many orders for the book by mail, over the telephone, and by personal calls at the office.
The city hall was offered free of charge to Elder Sanderson to address the people Sunday evening, February 6, on the subject “The Kingdom of Peace, or the World to Come.” The city is awakened as never before. Arrangements are being made by the church to carry forward the good work already begun, and similar efforts will be made in Boston and other large cities.
H. W. CARR.