VIRGINIA by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 27, 1876

VIRGINIA

By Dudley Marvin Canright

WEDNESDAY, July 5, I went to Mt. Jackson, near New Market, Va., where Brn. Lane and Corliss had been laboring. They had just closed a tent-meeting there. The interest was very small. All my meetings with them were held in Bro. Woods' meeting-house, about four miles from New Market. The brethren began their work at New Market with a very good interest, but were soon entirely shut out from any public place of meetings. This crippled them considerably. However, about twenty remain firm for the truth. They hold Sabbath and other meetings in a private house.

Father Woods, an influential member of the Christian (not Campbellite) church, on whose farm is a good meeting-house, opened this to the brethren. Here they had a good hearing. Father Woods with many of his large family which are settled near him, and others of the neighborhood, heartily embraced the present truth. I think there are about thirty Sabbath-keepers here. Geo. Woods, a minister, has charge of two Christian churches, to which he now preaches the Sabbath and the whole truth. At my meeting, he gave up his pipe and tobacco for an English Bible presented by his brethren. A good exchange!

I began meetings Thursday night, and continued till Sunday afternoon. We had a large attendance; there was a deep interest, and I had freedom in preaching the word. I dwelt principally upon the history of our work and of our people, our customs, our institutions, ordinances, Systematic Benevolence, and the like. This was what the brethren and the people wanted to hear about. Those who hate the truth had circulated all sorts of foolish and slanderous reports concerning our people and the two brethren laboring here. It was said that they had no one to back them, that they would soon leave, that there was nothing permanent in the work, &c. Though not really believed by our friends, yet these false rumors made some hesitate and others fear; so my coming and testimony were much help and encouragement to the brethren in their work. Sabbath Bro. Corliss baptized four. Others will go forward soon.

Several things make the work hard and slow here.

1. The suspicion with which a Northern man is regarded at the South. Opponents can use this scarecrow when all else fails. But this cannot last long.

2. The Lutherans and the Dunkards are the main churches here, and they are very bigoted and intolerant. Besides, their members have no family prayers, nor do they take any part in social meetings, either in speaking or praying. It seems almost impossible to break up these old ideas and habits. Less than half a dozen out of all the Sabbath-keepers here take any part in social meetings as yet. A radical change must soon be wrought in this respect or the cause will greatly suffer.

3. Generally, the people do not read much. Many cannot read at all. This cuts off, to a great extent, our work with tracts. But of late a great improvement has been made in this respect.

Most of the people seem to be quite intelligent, well-behaved, open-hearted, and willing to hear. The Shenandoah Valley is one of the richest and most beautiful countries I have ever seen. The water is abundant, cold, and clear; the air is pure and healthful; the soil, rich; and the mountain scenery, grand and delightful. Of course, the people are well off, having spacious buildings and all the comforts of life. Brn. Lane and Corliss have labored hard, and have gained many friends to the cause besides those who are keeping the Sabbath. A good token is that every week some one is embracing the truth. A good foundation is laid, and a good work is begun. Patient labor, and a steady holding on to the work, with a little time, will, I believe, give them a good Conference in Virginia.

As a great cry had been raised against us for our plan of s. B., and it was affirmed that we demanded one-tenth of all a man owned when he joined the church, I preached upon this subject on Sunday, stating the real facts, viz., that s. B., is one-tenth of a man's increase, not a tenth of what he owns, and that even this is voluntary, and no matter of compulsion. Our people were all well pleased. Those present then raised a subscription of $82 for the brethren. Absent ones will probably raise it to above $100.

I left Brn. Lane and Corliss, and their families, in excellent health and good courage. They have pitched the tent in a new place. They have some important improvements in their tent, of which I wish to speak hereafter.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Rome, N. Y.