AROOSTOOK CO., ME by J. B. Goodrich

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1876

AROOSTOOK CO., ME.

By J. B. Goodrich

During my stay in this county, I baptized thirteen at Oakfield, and organized a church of eighteen members. I expect others will join soon. Some converts spoke for the first time in our last Sabbath meeting. Several have commenced the work of reform in good earnest; thus far the Lord has helped them, and he will still help them if they trust in him.

At Linneus, I baptized five, and organized a church of thirteen members. May the Lord help these brethren and sisters to live the truth, and others will soon join them. Thus the work moves on, and the truth will finally bear off the victory. To the Lord, be all the praise. But Satan still lives, and he will do all he can to destroy what has been done. I do not expect to find a place on this earth in its present condition where he will not show himself; but the gold will shine, and it is not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom, but he that doeth the will of our Father which is in Heaven.

June 10, we held a T. & M. meeting at Dist. No. 3. It was a very interesting occasion. It was cheering to hear the testimonies of those who have been led to embrace the truth by reading tracts and papers. Our people are not half awake to the importance of the work in which we are engaged. The T. & M. Society is doing a good work, and yet we are not doing all that we ought to do. We show just how much faith we have in this message by our works.

A person who can find nothing else to do but to murmur, and find fault with others who are trying to do something in the wide harvest field, is developing his own folly and will soon find himself so far in the rear that he will be left entirely out of sight. The message is onward. It will go without me, but I cannot be saved without the message. I may fail, but the work endures forever.

It is no use for a minister to complain of others because they have no more ability and power, when he himself is standing in the way. May the Lord help us in Maine to arise and put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the adversary.

But James tells us that “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity;” and no man can tame it. “It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Says Paul, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” But God is faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it. It is safe trusting in him, he will give us the victory.

J. B. GOODRICH.

June 15, 1876.