MARYLAND by W. W. Stebbins

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

MARYLAND

By W. W. Stebbins

Reports from new fields are items of interest to all the friends of truth.

Quite recently a few families of Sabbath-keepers purchased homes on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, to enjoy its fine climate and rich fruits, hoping also to “let our light so shine” that our new neighbors, who had never heard there was a “present truth” for them, might see and believe. These neighbors we have learned to love sincerely. Labor for others increases our love for them always.

Being liberal in their views, and without prejudice, they gave us work to do in their Sunday-school, and opened their school-house for our Sabbath meetings. About the 22d of June we received a visit from Bro. Canright, who remained with us over two Sabbaths, giving lectures at every reasonable opportunity. The good fruit of this labor is very apparent among the handful of believers; and many are reading their Bibles as never before, and thinking seriously, some of whom we hope will yet be confirmed in the truth. We are trying to do the friends good, and to teach them the truth in their Sunday-school and prayer-meetings, and by preaching to them twice a week. The interest is yet good.

Eld. Nicholson, Protestant Methodist, has had an appointment here every two weeks. At his suggestion the Sunday-school was organized. At his last meeting he made a very weak effort to sustain Sunday-keeping, charging us with supplanting him. He also charged upon his own people an indisposition to sustain his meetings and to erect a tent to worship in. This being the case, he said he would take up his own appointment and recommend to the Conference no future one for this place, and he would thus give the intruders the field. But still more he would do. With a great deal of dignity, he said, “I hereby disband the Sunday-school.” This hasty, spite action has gained him no friends, neither has the truth lost by it.

The following evening we replied to his arguments, holding forth the Bible Sabbath. At the same time we called for a vote of the people whether the school should be disbanded or not, when nearly every man, woman, and child voted to continue the school. Thus has he left his flock. May God help us to feed them.

Our neighbors are kind, and we are satisfied that, could a tent come here, great good might be done. We are in good spirits and drawing near the Lord. God’s truth will triumph. We petition for the prayers of God’s people, and for help as soon as, in the judgment of our leaders, it can be granted. W. W. STEBBINS.

Bethlehem, July 24, 1876.