Experiences in Maine by W. E. GERALD

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 11, 1915

Experiences in Maine

By W. E. GERALD

THE past season’s work in Maine has been a glorious triumph in the matter of the distribution of the silent messengers of truth. In five months the Lord has helped me to sell 12,000 copies of our ten-cent magazines—Bible Training School, Life and Health, Liberty, Watchman, Protestant, and Signs of the Times. The spirit of prophecy has said that our publications are to be scattered like the leaves of autumn. The total number of periodicals which the Lord has helped me distribute in Maine, by working one hundred months in a period of fifteen years, is 125,000,—value, $12,500,—which is equivalent to one copy for every six persons in the whole commonwealth.

God is certainly blessing our noble brethren of the editorial staffs of these periodicals, so that by their pens the truth is being proclaimed with clearness and power, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Zech. 9:13: “When I have raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow [of truth] shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet.” As one whose part is to carry to the people the tidings published and to push the battle to the gates of the great citadels and strongholds of religious prejudice, bigotry, skepticism, and infidelity, I have realized the precious fulfillment of the Master’s promises.

When I came to Portland this fall, I felt rather timid about working this place with our periodicals, knowing that many had been sold around the city to assist in liquidating the church debt. But as I entered upon my first day’s work, God gave me a special token of success by filling my heart with the unspeakable joy of his presence. Day by day, as I trod the old familiar streets, I realized that his omnipotent power was with me.

I cannot forbear speaking of two singularly pleasant and profitable Sabbath days I spent at the White Memorial Church. One was the occasion of the general meeting in November. As God’s servants read from the Bible and the Testimonies statements relating to the war and our work at this time, a deep solemnity rested upon the congregation. It was a great privilege to be present at the rededication of the Portland church on January 2, and to have part in the celebration of her “jubilee.” Prophecy is certainly fulfilling in regard to this place. The company here is verily entering upon the experience of Isaiah 61. Just think of it, only about fifty members have raised $542 for the Harvest Ingathering! This is a wonderful triumph. It seems as if the Spirit of God in a special way has been brooding over this.

place ever since Brother Haskell and wife came and planted their standard in the name of the Lord in response to the call of God’s servant.

It was a glorious day for God’s pilgrim people in Portland when Brother Sanderson stood up and waved in his hand a bunch of canceled notes, to the value of $6,000, saying he was glad to have the enemies of the Lord by the neck. He then related the several dates on which they had been captured, and it was a thrilling story. Then as he burned them, he said, “So may all the enemies of the Lord consume away into smoke.” As you can imagine, there was weeping for joy, also a glad and generous response when the call was made for an offering to pay the last interest money. Three hundred dollars was quickly raised for that, and fifty-five dollars with which to paint the outside of the building.

Many of God’s people who have waited long and struggled hard for the accomplishment of their hope, now feel like the Israelite captives when they returned to Zion, as described by David: “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”

W. E. GERALD.