Report of Meetings by John Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 15, 1870

Report of Meetings.

By John Harvey Waggoner

Oct. 28, received an urgent request from Bro. Haskell to join him in Westerly, R. I., for which place I started next morning, and arrived there sixth-day, P. M., in a heavy rain, which prevented a meeting that evening. Sabbath morning we had no meeting, and I availed myself of the privilege of attending the Seventh-day Baptist meeting. I was greatly surprised to hear Eld. Tomlinson give us a very ungenerous and unjust notice; surprised the more that from the pulpit of one of the oldest and most influential S. D. B. churches in America we should be so assailed, after hearing complaints from that denomination that some of our brethren had not met them in a fraternal spirit. We can silently bear the ungenerous, but the unjust puts us on the defensive. And in my reply in the evening I confined myself to the defensive strictly, briefly stating what the S. D. Adventists had done in the cause of Sabbath reform for the last ten years, without drawing any contrast between them and the S. D. Baptists. I also called attention, as a matter of justice to that people, to the contrast between the course of Eld. Tomlinson and that of Eld. Lewis, Prof. Allen, and others of that denomination, no less friends of the Sabbath cause, I think, than himself.

I was sorry to find the interest entirely down or against us in Westerly. The hearing was very limited; but a few resolved to keep the Sabbath, and some who had kept it for a long time resolved to meet together to study the word, and to try, by holy living, to raise the standard of truth in that community. I believe that under more favorable circumstances a good work might be done in that place; and I am more thoroughly convinced of the truthfulness of what Eld. O. P. Hull told me years ago, that the Sabbath people could only enjoy the blessing and favor of God by magnifying his law, and faithfully holding up the transgression of the law as sin. 1 John, 3: 4.

By invitation of Bro. Leighton, I visited New Haven, Conn., where I was pleased to become acquainted with a few health reformers, whose society I enjoyed very much, and I was only prevented speaking to them by the hall's being occupied which they wished to obtain, and my inability to remain. I hope to see them again.

We sent appointments to be at South Kingston, R. I., Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 15, 16. Bro. Haskell, who had some time been afflicted with sore throat, was worse, and I filled all the time rather than have him labor in his condition, and he went to his home. Here again I preached three times each day, and baptized six on the 16th. Most of the time I enjoyed great liberty in speaking. Monday evening, 17th, I spoke at Stony Brook. Some were interested, but I took them mostly to be a self-satisfied people. The two following evenings I preached in Washington school-house, (Green Hill,) first, by request, on the two covenants. There I found an interest to hear; the second night the house was crowded, and the best attention given. Next day and night there was a very heavy storm.

Sixth day, 21st, I went to Lafayette, Wickford Station. That evening I spoke again, by request, on the two covenants. Providentially, perhaps, the house was occupied part of the time, so we did not have so many appointments out. I had spoken ten times within seven days, besides the stormy night, and besides writing considerable for the paper. With the church in Exeter, I met at Bro. Sweet's to attend the ordinances. This was a profitable meeting. I wish I could convince the brethren that they lose much by crowding all the time with appointments for public speaking when a minister visits them. It is wearing to him, and unprofitable to them.

Second day, 24th, I left Rhode Island for Boston, where our appointment was for the next Sabbath. Having been going from place to place, I had a number of letters at Boston to answer, and I was obliged to suspend meetings for a few nights, to gather strength for those appointed. The meeting in Boston was a good one. Much freedom was enjoyed in speaking; the friends were all strengthened and encouraged in the faith. One more commenced to keep the Sabbath.

Though my Eastern trip was undertaken in much weakness, I have greatly enjoyed the blessing of God in my labors. Several times of late I have had unusual liberty in vindicating the Sabbath and the law of God. My only regret is that such constant labor in my weak state keeps my head in a condition in which it is impossible for me to do the writing I am anxious to do. I think those who have a clear call to write, for the benefit of the work everywhere, are out of the line of duty in wearing themselves out in labor merely local. I do not speak this for myself, however. But what shall be done about the many calls? I wish to give my hearty assent to the remarks by Bro. White on the course of Bro. Lane in Indiana. There are others around us almost or quite inefficient, who might now be as strong and successful as Bro. Lane if they had taken advice and pursued the course he has. And that has been the course pursued by all who have been successful in the work; while those who have hung around the churches have not raised the cause, but sunk themselves. It would be well if others would learn a lesson from this. An ease-loving, careless spirit has no place in this work. May the Lord send forth laborers into his harvest. J. H. WAGGONER.

Boston, Nov. 2, 1870.