ROME, N. Y by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 17, 1876

ROME, N. Y.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

We can report some progress for the present week. The novelty of the meetings is now all over, and considerable opposition here and there begins to be shown, though nothing uncommon. Our audience has kept up good, being about four or five hundred every night, with more on extra occasions. We have sold from two to ten dollars' worth of books every day, and have obtained about twenty-five subscribers for the REVIEW, and received twenty-three dollars' donations, and have had things brought into the tent, and plenty of invitations out.

Sunday morning a Methodist minister preached against the Sabbath. We review him Tuesday night. His argument was moderate and created no impression.

Sabbath day, about twenty of our brethren and sisters came from abroad. With these we had about one hundred out. After speaking awhile, we had a good social meeting, in which the friends took hold, freely confessing the whole truth, and expressing deep gratitude for the light they had received. When we called for a vote of all present who were either keeping the Sabbath or meant to in the future, sixty-three arose, making above thirty who are newly converted to the truth. There were before about a dozen Sabbath-keepers in and around Rome, who will now meet here, so that we now have nearly forty-five Sabbath-keepers in this company. Many are interested, for whom we still hope. Next Sabbath we begin a Bible-class.

A great many have heard a few sermons, have gone away deeply interested, and taken books with them. One young man from Iowa, has embraced the truth and gone back there. The other day I received the following letter with $1.00 enclosed:—

“New London, N. Y., Aug. 5, 1876.

“REV. MR. CANRIGHT: I am holding a subordinate position in the engineering party which is making a survey of this (middle) division of the New York canals, for the purpose of making estimates for bottoming down the canal.

“While working in the vicinity of Rome last week, I had the pleasure of listening to four or five sermons under your tent. I have usually attended the M. E. Church, but have never made any open profession of religion.

“While in Rome I attended your services as frequently as my other duties would permit, and was sorry to be obliged to move farther west. I think that the doctrine which you teach is very rational and beautiful.

“Before coming away I wished to call and see you, but did not have an opportunity. I send you $1.00 to help you on in your good work. May God give you health, is the wish of OSCAR W. FERGUSON.

“Office Canal Engineers, Syracuse, N. Y.”

We trust that in this case seed has been sown upon good ground. In all, I judge that two or three thousand persons have listened to the truth thus far during these meetings. We thank the Lord for the success so far, and hope we may still meet with more encouragement before the meeting closes. D. M. CANRIGHT.

Rome, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1876.