REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 9, 1869

REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

I do not know that circumstances are ever accepted as an excuse for not writing to the REVIEW, but I can assure its readers that my pen has done all that my time and labors would possibly permit for the last few months. Since my sickness of last winter in Maine, which so affected my head, my eyes have been steadily failing, so that it is far more taxing to write than it was before that, but I have not suffered this to interfere with my labor or writing as yet.

After the New York Camp-meeting, I remained at Kirkville over the following Sabbath, but a very heavy storm prevented such a meeting as we anticipated. I trust it was a season of benefit to the church. My stay there gave me an opportunity to learn of the influence of the camp-meeting on the community, and reports from every direction were most cheering. Such quietness and order, and freedom from all fanatical excitement, were so unusual for a camp-meeting, that it won the respect and admiration of all. Prejudice was removed, and especially was this the case in regard to Sr. White. Many who had never seen her, had heard the foolish falsehoods circulated against her, and came with the full effect of them on their minds; but when they heard the plain, practical truths of the Bible, the pure principles of Christianity presented in the earnest and powerful manner in which she was aided of the Lord to speak them there, all these feelings were swept away. A great responsibility now rests on many who heard the truth at that meeting. The brethren and sisters are greatly encouraged; the only regret I heard expressed was this, that it was necessary to have a business conference at the time of Camp-meeting; as it seemed desirable to have more meetings of a devotional character.

On the way returning to Boston, we found a bridge burned, and had to tarry all night in the mountains, about 20 miles east of Pittsfield. This added to the severe cold from which I was suffering, and I arrived in Boston in a worn condition. Here I found Bro. Cornell feeling quite unwell, and I preached at the Hall in Chelsea four times on Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 2 and 3. On the 5th, we left Boston for the Maine Conference. Our journey was pleasant and prosperous, till we passed Augusta; about five miles below Waterville, we found the railroad track destroyed by the flood in the Kennebec. The train backed down, but we feared there might be no travel on the road for several days, so we took our hand baggage and took the wagon road for Waterville. There we found the bridge gone, and we had to cross the railroad bridge. It was dark, and the bridge being covered, made it very dark inside; while the waters raged and foamed like a cataract beneath our feet. I must confess to having my nerves severely tested. But we went on to Kendall's Mills, and soon forgot our toils in the cheerful, hospitable home of Bro. Warren Clark.

I was much pleased to visit the friends in Maine, whose interest in the cause of God had so endeared them to me. “The field is the world”—the cause is one; and there are souls in Maine who have the spirit of the present truth, who rejoice in its prosperity, and mourn when it declines. May the Lord give them joy in its revival in that State. The state of the cause there is hopeful, and there has never been so good opportunity to labor to effect since I have known that field as now. May the Lord of the harvest “send by whom he will send.”

I made a short visit at Richmond, and found the believers all firm in the faith, working for themselves and others. I wish that every church in Maine had the same zeal and spirit of labor.

“Oh! that each in the day of his coming may say, I have fought my way through; I have finished the work thou didst give me to do.”

J. H. WAGGONER.

Boston, Oct. 29.