p. 3 | AN EXCELLENT MEETING by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 29, 1876

AN EXCELLENT MEETING.

By M. Wood

The late quarterly meeting of the New England T. & M. Society, which we looked forward to with such intense interest, is now numbered among the things of the past. In answer to the many inquiries in regard to the meeting, I would say that it was a success. It was blessed of God and honored by the presence of his Holy Spirit. Those in the New Hampshire hills who might have attended this meeting, but did not, met with an irreparable loss. These privileges which we now enjoy of assembling ourselves together are too lightly esteemed by the professed people of God, and some of us, when it is too late, will awake to a realizing sense of opportunities sadly neglected. God has spoken good concerning Israel, and warns us by his Holy Spirit to cut loose from the world, and by a life of self-denial, consecrated to the cause of God, seek for an inheritance in the city of our God, where the inhabitants will never say, “I am sick.”

But to return to a description of the meeting. Elds. Haskell and Robinson enjoyed unusual freedom in presenting the words of eternal truth. Sabbath afternoon, Bro. R. spoke upon the coming of the Lord, a theme of thrilling interest to the patient, waiting, toiling child of God. His discourse was very affecting, and was listened to with marked attention. The flood-gates of feeling were lifted, and the pent-up tears of both old and young freely trickled down smooth and furrowed cheeks. Oh! it was good to be there.

The interest manifested by the brethren and sisters in attending this quarterly gathering far surpassed anything ever experienced in this Conference. There is an ardent desire to arise and come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty powers of darkness. Some came a hundred miles to attend this meeting; others walked from six to ten miles to attend, deeming it a privilege to do so. How does that sound to our brethren who cannot go a hundred yards to attend a prayer-meeting? One gentleman, not a professor, remained until after the evening meeting on Monday, and then walked six miles to his home. Some started for the first time to serve the Lord, determined by his help to keep all the commandments, the despised fourth included. May the Lord of the harvest give sustaining grace!

This meeting was one of the largest ever held in Washington, N. H., and in importance was second to none ever held in this Conference. There were moves made and plans adopted, which will, if practically put into execution, greatly advance the cause of God upon the earth, preparatory to the coming of Christ. But to make these resolves, and pledge ourselves before God to exercise more faith in his cause, to bear the burden assigned to workers in the various branches of the tract work, to give our time, talents, and means toward the promulgation of present truth, and then go home and sit down, quietly folding our hands, is an abomination in the sight of High Heaven.

To us, brethren, is granted the exalted privilege of working with God. Hear Paul: “For we are laborers together with God.” 1 Cor. 3:9. Brethren and sisters, old or young, rich or poor, the invitation to labor in the vineyard of the Lord is extended to all. Come out from your retirement and seclusion, avail yourselves of the privilege thus offered, and identify yourselves with the harvesters for God.

M. WOOD.