A Visit to Richmond, Maine
By Lee S. Wheeler
It was my privilege June 8-11 to attend the Maine general meeting held at Richmond, in the beautiful Kennebec Valley. This section is interesting on account of its reminiscences of the early days of the message, being the scene of Elder and Sister White's experiences and labors at that time. At Topsham, not far away, many of the meetings were then held, and it was here that Sister White had some of the18most important visions recorded in “Early Writings” and other publications. At the house of Sister Curtis, at Topsham in 1845, she held forth the large old-fashioned Bible weighing eighteen pounds; for a long time while under the powerful control of the Spirit, pointing out passages for the comfort and encouragement of the believers. It was during a general meeting held at Topsham in 1846 that she had the view of the planets and “gap in the sky,” related in “Rise and Progress,” which convinced Elder Joseph Bates that the visions of Sister White were from the Lord. She also had that year at Topsham, at the home of Brother Howland, the vision of the Heavenly Sanctuary, Time of Trouble and Deliverance of God's People, recorded in “Early Writings.” In 1849 at a meeting held at Topsham, Sister White made the remarkable prophecy in reference to the development of spiritualism to be found in “Early Writings.” And here Elder and Sister White set up housekeeping in deep poverty. At Richmond we held our meetings in what was then the “old Reed meeting-house,” referred to in “Life Incidents,” where Elder White and others used to preach. I also enjoyed visiting what is now the home of Brother and Sister Webber at Richmond, a pleasantly situated and spacious rural homestead, with old-fashioned fireplace, where in those days Elder and Sister White found comfort and opportunity for writing. The meeting-house, newly remodeled, is the meeting place of our little church in that community, which has been strengthened by some of our families who have moved there. Many brethren and sisters came from other parts of the State to attend this gathering, and we had good meetings, blessed with the presence of the Lord. It was very impressive, now when this message has swollen to a “loud cry,” and is “returning East with power,” to stand and speak in this place which echoed to the first sounds of the third angel's message. As we looked back over the years of this generation, and saw how those first rays of light have spread to all the world, and as we reviewed the fulfilment of things foretold among us at that time, all hearts seemed confirmed anew in the testimony of Jesus. Elder Bicknell, president of the conference, and Elders Goodrich and Hersum were present and spoke at the meetings.