Developments of Our Work in the Eastern States
By Arthur G. Daniells
In the quotations from the Testimonies, given in the two preceding articles, it is very clear that it has been the Lord’s purpose for half a century to do a very decided work in behalf of the masses in the Eastern States before his work closes in the earth. This was promised sixty years ago. During the last ten years definite and repeated instruction has come to his people to enter upon this work. Counsel has been given us as to the spiritual preparation necessary for7such a work. Light has also been given regarding the scope of the movement—that it was to be broad and strong and efficient. For some time the believers in Maine have been studying this instruction very carefully, and have been trying to carry it out the best they knew how. They have evidence that the Lord is rewarding them for all they have endeavored to do in his name for the advancement of his cause in that State. Our first meeting in the city hall was attended by nearly two thousand persons. The most of these were strangers whom we had never met before. The Master himself was present, imparting a sweet calm and a commanding influence that could be felt by all. We had prayed that the Lord would so deeply impress the minds of those attending the meetings that after returning to their homes they would think most seriously of the message presented. The next day we had evidence which made us feel that our prayers were being speedily answered. In the afternoon of the day following our first meeting, an invitation came to us from the business men’s club to repeat the address of the previous night at their monthly club meeting to be held that evening. This gave us an excellent opportunity to present an important and impressive feature of our message to two hundred or more of Portland’s leading business and professional men. We not only traced the historical and political phases of the subject, but placed strong emphasis on the Scriptural side. It seemed to us that the interest of these men deepened as we endeavored to show how wonderfully and clearly the present history of the nations is filling in the prophetic outlines. We have now held ten or twelve meetings in the city hall, with an attendance ranging from eight hundred to three thousand. The regular Sunday night attendance has been about eighteen hundred. Those who come to the meetings seem very friendly. Six hundred or more have handed in their names and addresses for literature to be sent them on the subjects we have presented. Besides the meetings held in the city hall, we have given addresses in a number of suburban halls around Portland, and in Lewiston, forty miles north. In all these meetings we have found many persons very friendly, and deeply interested in the subjects presented. A gentleman living in Bangor, one hundred and forty miles north, has attended two of our services in the city hall in Portland. This is good evidence of an earnest desire to hear. We have now organized our small force of workers for a steady, systematic, continuous effort in the State. A house has been rented for a city mission headquarters. Elder K. C. Russell has direct charge of the evangelistic work. He is being assisted in the preaching by Elder A. E. Sanderson. Three or four Bible workers, two nurses, and two colporteurs are associated with the ministers in the city effort. Elder Carlyle B. Haynes is assisting the writer in holding a few meetings in city halls of the leading towns in the State. It is earnestly hoped that these efforts will be blessed of the Lord in awakening many people in Maine to a realization of the time in which we live, and also in leading them to take their stand for the message of God now due the world. The Portland daily papers have given liberal space for the reports of our addresses. It is estimated that a fair report of each sermon was carried by these papers to 100,000 persons in the State. Having done the best we know how to carry out the instruction that has come to us, and having planned for an earnest, faithful continuance of the effort begun so encouragingly, we are looking to the Lord to lead the people to obedience. He alone has power to send deep conviction to hearts and constrain them to turn away from the world. This experience in Portland has taught us a number of things. It has revealed to us our unpreparedness for a general great awakening throughout the cities. We are unprepared spiritually for a great movement. Nor have we the experience needed to deal with great audiences. We are short of well-trained, efficient workers to fill the openings a great awakening would create. Local conferences are not in possession of the funds required to carry on city work on a large scale. And yet a mighty awakening must soon take place, and a great, quick work must be done in order to finish our work in the generation to which it is to be confined. Perhaps our greatest lack is in a deep spiritual life. We understand now better than we did two months ago why the messages given through the Spirit of prophecy placed such emphasis on spiritual preparedness for a great movement in Maine. These messages appeal to the ministers and workers and to all the members of the church to put away sin as manifested in pride, self-sufficiency, envy, jealousy, criticism. They are exhorted to remove all differences and all causes of differences from among them. This is absolutely essential to the manifestation of God’s power in arousing and saving large numbers through our efforts. It is so easy for pride to come to the front when large things are being done, and it is so easy for jealousy and criticism to be leveled against those who are in the front of the movement. All these wicked things have a chilling, paralyzing effect upon all who come within their reach. Surely there is great meaning in the opening statement of the account of Pentecost: “They were all with one accord in one place.” What could those disciples have done with those thousands of awakened people if their own hearts had been full of pride, self, jealousy, criticism? The heart cleaning, the Spirit infilling, were needed for the work they had on their hands when the multitudes were aroused. From our recent experiences in the cities of Portland and Pittsburgh, it is my deep, firm conviction that the time has fully come for a greater work to be done for the masses in our cities than we have yet seen. Large halls will be filled with people anxious to hear God’s message. Many favorable avenues will be opened to the messengers of the Lord. The promise of a “new era” to the cause in Maine must be a promise of a new era to the cause of God throughout the world. And that promise is surely an earnest appeal for a deeper spiritual life, for a truly victorious life, on the part of ministers and people. May all this come without delay, in order that the work of God in the earth may be quickly finished.