p. 104 | TO THE SCATTERED SABBATH-KEEPERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1868

TO THE SCATTERED SABBATH-KEEPERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: By the appointment of the Conference, and I trust also by the will of God, my lot has fallen to labor in these two States this year—look after the interests of the cause, strengthen the things which remain, build up the churches, and add new ones to the faith. This I feel both ready and anxious to do, so far as in me lies. The few weeks that I have spent here, I have employed in trying to learn the condition and wants of the cause. With one fact I have every where been painfully impressed, viz., the scattered condition of the Sabbath-keepers. I know of over 150 Sabbath-keepers in these two States, and yet not more than half of these are where they can conveniently attend meeting on the Sabbath. One lives in this village, two or three in that, and three or four in the other, &c. Some live so far off that they have not been to meetings for months and years. The small church of Peterborough is scattered over eight different townships! In this state of things it is almost impossible for our labors to amount to much. It takes most of our time and strength to run from house to house. If we get a few together, it is discouraging to think that in a few hours they will be scattered, not to meet again for months.

But this is not the worst of it. Very few of these scattered ones are living out the truth as they should. They have but little of the spirit and life of this message. They are not living out the health and dress reforms as they ought. Indeed they do not think that they are necessary, or that they can live them out. They are constantly associated with the world, and see and hear but little about these reforms, and hence think but little of them. Those who do adopt them generally have many difficulties to encounter in living them out, as they have no one to help them, or to encourage them.

But another lamentable result of thus living away from all others of like faith is, that the children are growing up and going away from home without being converted. These all give up the Sabbath as soon as they go for themselves. The few who do keep the Sabbath marry unbelievers, and are soon lost to the cause. Again, these scattered ones do not see and feel the wants of the cause, and their duty to help in

it. Thus the burden of the work comes on those who are more together.

These are facts known to all. Is it the will of God that these things should be so? I can not think that it is. Sabbath-keepers have felt at full liberty to move right off from 10 to 40 miles away from any church, and take their children where they are almost sure to be lost. They think that they can do a little better pecuniarily, and so all other considerations are sacrificed to this. The result is terrible. Probably there are cases when duty may call a Sabbath-keeper to move away from all church privileges, but it can not be so with all the cases that I have in my mind.

Now what shall be done? I propose that these scattered ones make a move, and move together. With some sisters who have unbelieving husbands, and children who have unbelieving parents, this would be impossible. A few others might be excepted; but there are many who might make this move with little or no pecuniary sacrifice. Try it; make an effort; ask God to direct you and open the way. You do not know what you can do till you try. Many of you, where you are, are a dead loss to the cause. You neither help any one, nor can any one help you. Come, brethren and sisters, we are at work in a good cause, and we want your help, and we want the privilege of helping you. I can not take the responsibility to say just when, where, and how, you should move; but seek God for wisdom, and hold yourselves ready to go where it looks light.

I will offer a few suggestions; then if you want any further information come and see, or write to me. We need some place in New England where we can have a general meeting or Convocation at least once a year. We need a strong church somewhere that could bear the burden and enjoy the privilege. As to location I know of no better place in all New England than South Lancaster, Mass. It is about 35 miles from Boston, to which the cars run often each day. Hence it is easy of access from Maine and the eastern parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The cars also run directly to Nashua, Manchester, and Concord, N. H., and thence into Vermont. They also run directly to Worcester, 15 miles south, and thence to Providence, R. I., and to Springfield, Mass., &c. Indeed I do not see how there could well be a more convenient place for a good meeting than this.

South Lancaster is a small, quiet, country village, one and a half miles from Clinton, a smart, business, and rapidly-growing city. Lancaster Center, a small village, is only one mile. Other villages are situated near by in every direction. Men and women and children of almost any trade or calling could find business here quite readily. Carpenters, shoemakers, blacksmiths, dressmakers, &c., &c., would probably do well here. It is the best of land for farming and gardening. Here would be an excellent chance for a good gardener. It is one of the most beautiful and healthful villages that I have seen in New England. The streets are very wide and clean, and shaded with large, beautiful trees. We have the very best of soft, spring water. We get first quality graham flour made to order in the village.

Land and property, of course, are quite high. I understand that there are houses for sale in the village for $1000. Farms can be had quite reasonable. $1000 would buy a farm within 2 or 3 miles, which would support a small family, with industry. A man would do well here to keep a few cows, and sell the milk. We feel anxious for some one to come for our own benefit.

There are now five families of us in the village. We have meetings every Sabbath. We shall soon have a convenient hall, owned by Bro. Rice, fitted up for our meetings. We intend to give a course of lectures here some time, none ever having been given.

Now we invite our scattered brethren and sisters to come and see us, and settle here if they think best. We are only a few here at present, but we love the whole message in all its parts, we love the cause, and are trying to live for it, and for God, and we love each other. This church numbers only 21 members in all; none are rich, most of them are poor, several of them are young girls, yet their s. B. is $360 per year, with a share in all the other benevolent objects. We expect that the Lord will accept our humble offerings and grant us his blessing.

We invite our friends who are passing through Boston for the West or East to call on us. At Boston take the cars at the Fitchburg depot to Groton Junction, thence to South Lancaster. From the west, through Worcester, Mass., or Concord, N. H., take the Nashua and Worcester railroad.

There are other places that offer good chances for Sabbath-keepers. Amherst is 5 miles from Manchester, N. H. It is a good farming country, with plenty of fruit and berries. Here farms are cheap. A man with limited means would do well to go there. There is a company of about 15 there who are in harmony with all the message, and are trying to live it out. There is a prospect of others embracing the truth there. They are anxious to have others move there. For particulars address A. W. Smith, Manchester, N. H., or F. W. Mace, Amherst, N. H.

I do pray that God will stir us all up to see the importance of this work, and help us to get where we can be of use in the cause.

If any further information is wanted, address me at South Lancaster, Mass. D. M. CANRIGHT.

July 21, 1868.