BALTIMORE, MD by Dudley Marvin Canright

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

BALTIMORE, MD.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

[The following report came after the Progress Department was full; so we give it a place here.]

On my way to Maryland, I stopped over one day in Washington City, at the pleasant home of Bro. and Sr. Cook. I found sisters Cook and Dillon intelligent and earnest workers in the cause of present truth, though alone in the city. They have done much in the tract work, and not without fruit. One who embraced the truth here has gone West. A Bro. Pope here became convinced on the Sabbath, but did not keep it. Returning to Baltimore, he began to advocate it together with the rest of the message.

Several families became deeply interested in the truth; and after investigating for months, three whole families left the Methodist church, and began the observance of the Sabbath a few months ago. One of these brethren was superintendent of the Sunday-school and otherwise prominent in the church. As is generally the case with those who embrace the truth by reading, all three families are first class people—all mechanics.

I found that a certain fanatical Adventist preacher, who has embraced the Sabbath but opposes about everything else in the message, had been among them and got them some confused, as they were so young in the truth and had no help. He teaches that the Lord has already come, the righteous have been raised, the stone has smitten the image, and other such wild and fanatical notions. As soon as we showed them the truth on these points, they all gladly received it and felt greatly relieved and rejoiced to find such a blessed harmony in the Bible and the truth. I think they will not be easily deceived again.

A minister owns a small meeting-house near where these brethren live. This he freely gave us the use of while I was here, and he attended all my lectures himself. I remained over two Sundays, speaking every evening. The attendance was not very large, yet there was some interest. The above-mentioned minister said it was the most pleasant week he had ever spent; that he had learned much; that we had done much good, etc. He was sorry that every body did not hear us. He takes no exception to any part of the truth, but rather advocates it.

Another minister whom I visited told me that he had believed for some time that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and that if it was not for his business (he is county recorder of wills) he would keep it. Strange position! His wife has been keeping the Sabbath some months. Still another minister here admitted the truthfulness of all our positions on the advent, the Sabbath, the fall of the churches, etc., and even argued these questions for me.

But, alas! it seems to be very hard for these ministers to break away from their old traditions. I fear that it will end here with them all. However, three persons took their stand to keep the Sabbath, making in all ten Sabbath-keepers now in this city.

Sabbath, June 17, we went to a pleasant place on the river and baptized seven souls. This was the first baptism among our people in Maryland, but we hope it is only the beginning, to be followed by many more. To me, one beautiful and touching feature of it was this: Six out of the seven were the united heads of three families, husbands and wives, all about the same age, about thirty-five, and all in harmony in the truth. Each husband led his wife down into the water, and there together they were baptized. May they all go into the city together.

The next day we organized them into a church. Bro. Jones was elected and ordained elder. They also organized a T. & M. Society, which all joined. After setting before them the Bible plan of benevolence, they all most heartily endorsed it, promising to give one-tenth of all their income to the gospel. But as times are now so remarkably dull, they are liable to be out of employment, more or less, at any time; so they all pledged to take out one-tenth, each week, of whatever they do receive. As I am sure they will do just as they have promised, I could see no better plan to go by. As they are now earning, this will amount to about $150 per year.

Thus a good beginning is made in this old State. Quite a number more are almost persuaded to keep the Sabbath, and we hope for some of them. The church will go to work now more thoroughly in the tract work. Baltimore is a very fine city and has some of the most beautiful parks and residences I have ever seen. It abounds in wealth, rich churches, and abundance of pride. Yet there are honest souls here who can be reached. Is not the Lord's providence indicating that we should enter these cities more than we have?

I am happy to state that Bro. Pope, who brought the truth here, took a firm stand with us on the Sabbath at these meetings. I go now to visit another company across the bay.

D. M. CANRIGHT.