p. 54 | Progress of the Cause by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 10, 1876

Progress of the Cause.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

ROME, N. Y.

Another week has passed in our tent-meeting. We have now been here sixteen days, and spoken twenty times. The interest has not decreased any the last week. Some evenings it has been cold and rainy, and yet our tent has been filled every night, except one stormy night. The number of our audience has only been limited by the capacity of our tent. Last evening, after crowding every seat inside, hundreds stood around outside.

We have disposed of about sixty dollars' worth of books, which is a great many, considering how scarce money is. We have also obtained a good list of subscribers for the REVIEW. We canvassed thoroughly the subject of the signs of the times, which was well received. The life and death question raised a great interest, hundreds expressing themselves as greatly relieved in their views of the Bible; and we found many who had partially believed that way before. The introduction of the Sabbath question has not diminished the interest any. Nearly every one admits already that we have the truth upon it.

Last Sabbath we held our first Sabbath meeting. We had one hundred out. After speaking a short time, twenty-three arose and testified for the truth. It did our hearts good to hear the hearty indorsement they gave to “the present truth” and the Sabbath. Many wept. It was an excellent season indeed. How many are keeping the Sabbath we cannot tell, but probably about twenty or thirty. We have more invitations out than we can possibly accept. All over the city houses are open to us, and we are invited to make it our home in more than a dozen families, where we can have every convenience. Many of the most intelligent and respectable families in the city are our warm friends, and some of them have already embraced the truth. We have a large representation from every church in town. On every hand we hear men talking like this: “I never understood the Bible before.” “My Bible has become a new book.” “I never have been satisfied with the old views.” “For months I have been praying to God to send us light.” “This is just what I have been longing for for years,” etc. Scores are attending here who never go anywhere else to meeting; and the interest is extending out into the country for miles.

Surely the Lord has specially prepared the way for this meeting. The influence of our excellent camp-meeting has had much to do with it. Our brethren in New York can thank Bro. and Sr. White for this tent-meeting, as it is through their influence and by their urgent request that we came here.

We have pitched a family tent beside the big tent. Here we make it our home, and we find it very convenient when we are not away. Friends bring in plenty of food.

No one, as yet, has directly preached against us, but of course this will soon come. We still ask to be remembered in the prayers of our brethren.

An intelligent German has just called, and says that he remained at home away from his business one week to attend these meetings. Now he and family have embraced the truth and greatly rejoice in it.

A business man from Canada heard us over Sunday, and said it paid him for his whole journey. God bless these hungering souls.

D. M. CANRIGHT.