p. 15 | Portland, Maine by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 8, 1916

Portland, Maine

By K. C. Russell

Realizing something of the deep and widespread interest in the results of the special lectures on the war problem which were delivered some weeks ago in this city by Elder A. G. Daniells, I am taking this opportunity to present to the readers of the REVIEW the present status of the effort.

A review of the Portland special meetings would be incomplete without making mention of the important part Elder A. E. Sanderson played as the chief promoter and leading spirit; therefore the success of the meetings should, to a great extent, be attributed to his strong faith and great enthusiasm.

Owing to the large expense that was required to carry on the meetings in the city hall, it was thought best to transfer them to another place, and thus reduce the expenses both in rent and in advertising. As the result of this move, our attendance was greatly lessened, but we believe that the really interested ones have followed us to the smaller hall, and now to our church. We are conducting only two services each week for the general public, Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Of course with only two services a week it requires a longer time to get the message before the people than it would if we held services every night. At this writing we have delivered only three sermons on the Sabbath question, and can report, as the result of the meetings and other work which has been done by my associates and our brethren and sisters of the Portland church, that between fifteen and twenty persons have taken their stand for the truth.

A man from Saco, near Portland, took his stand for the Sabbath truth when he first heard it. He at once appealed for a minister to be sent to his town to present the truth, promising liberal financial help. In harmony with his request, we have begun a series of meetings in the place. Elder S. W. Walker is in charge of these meetings. Already a good interest has been created.

Perhaps one of the most encouraging features in this effort in Portland is the favor that we have had with the newspapers of the city. We are able to secure excellent write-ups of our sermons in all three of the daily papers, twice each week. Sometimes these write-ups are on the most testing truths of the message, and are more than a column in length, so that even when our attendance is not large, we can realize that we are speaking to many thousands of people through the columns of the press.

The second Maine State Exposition is to be held in the new Exposition Building in this city, June 5-17. It is expected that at least 100,000 people will be in attendance. We have secured a booth in the Exposition Building, in a very central location, where we shall have all our literature on exhibition and for sale, and shall demonstrate our health principles.

For the past two weeks Brother G. E. Cornforth has been conducting a cooking school in this city. Some of the leading citizens are becoming deeply interested in this branch of our work.

We intend to continue a vigorous campaign here in Portland, with a corps of Bible workers, in connection with our two public services each week. In this way we expect fully to develop the work here.

K. C. RUSSELL.