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Report of Our Work in Maine

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 40.

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Report of Our Work in Maine

By Stephen N. Haskell

WE have now been in Maine about two months, and these months have been ones of earnest activity. Maine has passed through one of the greatest crises as far as the temperance campaign is concerned that any conference in the country has ever passed through to my knowledge. It is probable that there is no part of the world where the believers in the message are more stanch than in the State of Maine. Some had an experience in the former messages. As immovable as the rocks in the State, are these brethren so far as the principles of the truth are concerned. The message was first preached in Maine. It was in Portland that the spirit of prophecy, which has been so prominent and has filled so important a position in the third angel’s message, was first manifested.
In early times the Lord wrought wonders in the State of Maine. He manifested great power in the healing of the sick, and in working deliverances for his people. It was here that arrests were made because of complaints that the people were disturbed by prayer and the shouting of praises to God in the night seasons. In these various experiences there were special manifestations of the power of God in bringing confusion to the adversaries and deliverance to his people.
God honors places when their men prove faithful. It was upon Mount Moriah that Abraham offered his son Isaac. It was on the same mountain that David purchased the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite, and made his offering which he refused to make if it had cost him nothing. Upon the same mountain the temple of Solomon was built. God will yet honor this State by raising up in it a strong company to defend the truth, and to bear the last message of mercy to the world.
In early times, from this State as well as from other States in New England, both men and means were furnished to carry the message to the West. Now it has returned to the East, and we look for great things to be accomplished in the Eastern States, especially in Maine.
When we arrived in this State, we found the temperance campaign at its height. The ablest temperance speakers in the country came to the relief of the prohibitionists here. Those in favor of alcoholic drinks also spared neither pains nor money to secure the vote in their favor. We soon discovered that the majority in favor of prohibition was not large. To us it appeared to be a special providence of God, as it gave an opportunity to our people to place themselves on the side of truth in regard to the temperance question. We at once entered the arena, receiving from the Review Office a donation of a thousand of the Temperance Instructor to begin the work. Our brethren, as far as they understood the situation, rallied to aid us in the distribution of the Temperance Instructor. Portland, Bangor, Biddeford, Lewiston, Augusta, and nearly all the cities and towns of any size were supplied with the Temperance Instructor. These were placed directly in the hands of the people, as we made a thorough house-to-house canvass. In many places the temperance people joined our laborers, and worked faithfully in circulating the Instructor. Over seven thousand were distributed by these temperance workers alone.
The W. C. T. U. people in portions of the State where there were no Sabbath-keepers, heartily took part in the work. About fifty-five thousand copies of the Temperance Instructor were scattered over the State of Maine. It was generally acknowledged that there was no literature used in the campaign that could compare with the Temperance Instructor. As the time of the election drew near, the intensity of the work increased. Several companies were working in different places. Those whom we had considered our enemies because of our different views on religious liberty, commended us for what we did. One man of prominence wrote to one of our brethren, ‘Your paper was one of the strongest factors in the fight, and probably made as many votes as our small majority.’
We have been acquainted with the work in the East for nearly sixty years, and we never have seen any State more stirred than Maine during this campaign. It has brought our denomination before the people in a favorable light; and it is very possible that had it not been for the effort put forth by our people and others uniting with us in the distribution of the Temperance Instructor, the majority against prohibition would have been so large there would have been no question over the election. There never was a more opportune time than now to scatter our literature among the people.
Our brethren came to the camp-meeting full of courage and hope, and it was stated by many that it was the best camp-meeting ever held by Seventh-day Adventists in the State of Maine. We understand that nearly, if not quite, two thousand dollars was raised by pledges and cash for different departments of the work. Eleven persons were baptized. The question of entering Portland was considered, but as our brethren have interested companies in different parts of the State, it was thought best not to take their laborers and place them in Portland where there was no special interest; so after duly considering the matter, we gathered a company from workers who were not in the conference employ, rented a house in Portland, and have already begun work.
We have found some interest manifested. Those whom we have with usdoing house-to-house work are individuals of mature years and experience in the cause of God. They have learned to believe God, and are looking for the salvation of souls. We are expecting, as in times past, to connect with our work the health and temperance work, the selling of books, both large and small, and the distribution of tracts and papers, as well as the holding of Bible readings in the homes. We ask a special interest in the prayers of God’s people, especially of those who have taken an interest in this temperance campaign. We are looking for a harvest of souls, and we do not expect to be disappointed. The conference of Maine is able to carry only a portion of the expense of this work in Portland, so any donations from our brethren in any part of the country will be thankfully received, and due credit will be given. Our address is 63 Grant St., Portland, Maine.
S. N. HASKELL.