MEETINGS AT PETERBORO, N. H by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 14, 1868

MEETINGS AT PETERBORO, N. H.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

In company with Bro. Haskell, I came to this place, Sabbath, July 11, where I have spent three weeks in holding meetings, and visiting from house to house.

Peterboro is a manufacturing village of about 1500 inhabitants, situated 60 miles west of Boston. It is 11 miles from the railroad at Mason, to which place the stage runs daily. It is a very good farming country around for New Hampshire. The truth was presented here some five years ago, by Brn. Hutchins and Bourdeau, at which time there was a good interest, and a number embraced the Sabbath. But, as the work was not followed up, the interest has since all died out, and many have given up the Sabbath, and some who still profess to keep it have little or no interest in the message, do not attend meetings, nor take the REVIEW. There are some 25 or 30 who occasionally meet together here; but they are scattered over eight different towns, so that it is very inconvenient for many of them to get out on the Sabbath. Many of these have kept the Sabbath since 1844. Three years ago Bro. Huntley, their elder, died. This was a great loss to the church, as it left them as sheep without a shepherd. I conclude that the church has been losing ground ever since. Some have had a great trial over the health reform.

It has been very hard and slow doing anything for this church, as they are so scattered; yet I have tried to have patience and diligence, and to do the best I could.

It is also now in the midst of haymaking, and is a bad time to hold meetings; but I have succeeded in visiting nearly every one, and I think that some little good has been done by the help of the Lord. Some have had their doubts and objections to the reform removed, and have decided to go forward with the body. But there is much to be done yet. After looking the matter all over carefully, I am satisfied that it is the duty of some of those living off several miles from the center, to move nearer the village. This would accomplish several objects. 1. They themselves could get out to meetings easily every Sabbath. This would certainly be a benefit to them. 2. Their children could then go every Sabbath. This would enable them to have a Sabbath School and Bible Class, and perhaps be the means of interesting the children, and saving them. 3. This would encourage and strengthen the few who usually meet together here. 4. It would give us a chance to have Monthly Meetings and general gatherings here, by furnishing a home for those who would come. 5. When a minister comes here he would do much more with half the amount of labor, if they were nearer together. 6. In this condition they might have a good, gathering influence on the community. Some might then be gathered in.

It seems to me that these reasons are sufficient to move these scattered ones a little nearer together, if they love the truth enough. If this can be done, we can have a good little church here of about 25 members. I do not think that any great sacrifice need to be made in buying and selling, if they will move in the fear of God. I hope yet, by the blessing of God, to see a flourishing church here. Brethren and sisters, shall it be so? Where is the man who has the ability, and who feels the burden of the work, who will lead this little flock through into the kingdom? May the Lord raise them up such a man.

There are some things in this church that please me much. There are no divisions nor quarrels among them; they all seem to love each other. This made me love them very much, and the Lord will bless them for it, too. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another." May this always be so.

Then, with a very few exceptions, and these are coming along, they have confidence in the whole message, and in those whom God has chosen to lead out in the work. I thank God that I have once more got where it is not a crime to say that I believe the Testimonies. Nearly all the Sabbath-keepers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts have a strong faith in the Testimonies, and love for them. They have seen their fruits in the past, and know that they are good.

Pecuniarily, this church is poor, yet some of them have sacrificed nobly for the cause. Bro. Daniel H. Gould, a short time since, gave $500 into the cause. The other day his wife and daughter gave me $25 for the California Mission, &c., and now Bro. Gould has another $100 ready to put into the work. This they have done besides paying liberally on the S. B., &c. Bro. G. must be a rich man then? Yes; rich in faith and treasures in Heaven; but, as to this world, he is only in comfortable circumstances, and works with his hands for his living.

I know men in Maine who are worth two and three times as much as Bro. G., who have money and notes at interest, who think they are very liberal in giving $30 or $40 per year, in all they give in S. B., &c. They take no shares in the Health Institute, no shares in the Benevolent Association, no shares in the California Mission, and, I fear, but few shares in Heaven. God will reward every man according to his deeds.

Others in this church have sacrificed much in times past. There are some who do not give what they ought to. They have been prospered, and they are becoming worldly. I fear for them. Their souls will soon become barren, unless they cherish a spirit of sacrifice. May God save them.

There are some ten children and youth here, who have never taken up the cross. We tried to help them. Some of them have some interest, and some feeling. Some are careless, and without any interest. We still hold on to them by faith and prayer.

I sold a large number of Spiritual Gifts, How to Live, &c., here, so that I believe all are well supplied. Those who are without these works are neglecting light from Heaven.

While here, as I was riding one day, the horse became frightened by a dog, and ran out of the road, and threw me from the wagon. Sr. Huntley was in the wagon, and the reins were on the ground. But the horse soon stopped, and I picked myself up uninjured. I felt that the Lord had preserved us.

July 26, 1868. D. M. CANRIGHT.