Report of Meetings in Boston.
By Merritt E. Cornell
OUR lectures at the Christian chapel were well attended, and the interest good, considering the interruption, by other meetings, the excitement of the holidays, &c. About twenty acknowledged they had heard the truth on the Sabbath question, and ten or twelve voted a resolution to keep it. Among the number was a deacon of the church, who seems to fully comprehend the trials attendant upon a reform movement, and is resolved to meet them with Christian fortitude. We have been greatly cheered by his frank and humble confession of the truth, and his exhortations in our Sabbath meetings. The result of our labors is greater than we could have expected. The opposition of all classes of Adventists, added to the usual and general prejudice of the churches and the world, has made it hard beginning here in Boston. For years, false reports have been circulated, and our views so strangely misrepresented, that the prejudice to be met and overcome, is immense. Perhaps the time has now come when it is but right that our views should be held up in their true light in this great city, where for so long a time, we have been represented as Judaizers, because we keep the ten commandments. We hope not to fail, or be discouraged, but in patience to labor on till the candid shall know just what we do believe. Since we began here last summer, more than two hundred have been convicted of the duty to keep the Sabbath, but so far as we know, not over fifty have had moral courage to obey. Among these are some noble examples of “daring to do right.” Bro. Stratton, an architect and house builder, engaged on a ninety-thousand-dollar job, a trustee, treasurer, and janitor in the Christian church, with a multitude of other burdens and cares, moved out to keep the Sabbath, without stopping to confer with flesh or blood. With talents of means and influence, and a willing heart, Bro. S. nobly stands by us to help on the good work. In one of our good meetings, he remarked, “I have watched the progress and workings of this message, and the more I see of the opposition, the more I am convinced of the righteousness of this cause.” Bro. Murphy, a book-keeper, expected to lose his place, and proposed to his employers to drop off $100 from his salary because of his absence on the Sabbath. The firm had a consultation, and reported him that nothing would be taken from his salary, and if he really considered it duty he could have the day to himself. How we did rejoice with him! He has now taken hold to serve the Lord in earnest. About two weeks ago we were astonished to learn that an artist in the city had closed up his place of business on the Sabbath, for more than two months, and opened it on Sunday. He had not heard or read on the subject except the Bible. He was prosecuted for Sunday-breaking, and beaten in the lower courts, and appealed. Before the case came up in the superior court, he was called to answer for a second offense before the lower court, and employed I. D. Richardson, an able attorney, and was cleared. “You would have been pleased,” said he, “to have heard Mr. Richardson plead for the rights of conscience, and admit the claims of the Bible Sabbath.” Addressing the judge, he said, “Your honor, if I were to answer under oath, as to what day is the true Sabbath, according to the Bible, I should have to say Saturday is the day, and your honor would say the same.” The first case has since been called up in the superior court and a verdict of “not guilty,” returned. An important decision has been made and a good precedent established, and it is reported in the daily papers. After much inquiry, this conscientious young man heard of our meetings in Chelsea, and, with his wife, came to our Sabbath meeting. Though not professors they manifested a deep interest, and expressed a desire to be identified with us. They will attend our next course of lectures. M. E. CORNELL. South Boston, Mass., Feb. 3, 1870.