p. 190 | Quarterly Meeting at New Ipswich, N. H

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 26, 1872

Quarterly Meeting at New Ipswich, N. H.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THE Quarterly Meeting of the New England Conference commenced Friday evening, Nov. 7. Every district was represented except R. I., yet quite a number of those who usually come with their teams were detained on account of the horse disease which is raging at present here in New England. Eld. J. N. Andrews met with us, and spoke Sabbath forenoon and evening after the Sabbath, also first-day evening. Sunday morning, at 5 A. M., we met at the house of Bro. Buzzell for a special season of prayer. Some realized the blessing of God on this occasion in a remarkable manner. At 9 A. M., a session of the T. and M. Society. Quite a degree of interest was manifested in those matters which have an especial bearing upon the interests of the cause. How we can more successfully spread the truth, and unitedly come up in the work of the Lord, are questions that should stir every heart that has fully embraced the cause of present truth. Such questions are usually discussed and acted upon at our general gatherings, therefore at such meetings there should be a general attendance as far as practicable.

There is a lack among some of our brethren and sisters, in attaching that importance to the subject of health and dress reform, that the case demands. Extra trimmings and ribbons, returning to former habits of diet and dress, are sure indications of a backsliding heart. God is in this work, and the watchword is onward, in the work of reform. This was realized by some at the meeting, and a health organization was effected to create, if possible, more of an interest in this branch of the work.

The call that has been made from time to time for men to move to Battle Creek, and assist in bearing burdens there, was considered, and a good degree of interest was manifested to do something in this direction, believing the cause to be one, and that the heavy burdens which have so long rested upon a few, should be felt by the brethren abroad. Bro. C. W. Comings of Cornish, N. H., was recommended to move to Battle Creek for this purpose. Much interest was manifested to have our works and periodicals have a wider circulation. There are five hundred families in the New England Conference that should have the REVIEW this coming year, who are not now subscribers.

The Youth’s Instructor should find its way into a thousand families that it has never yet entered where there are children. The report shows that the Reformer was making over five hundred more visits now, than one year since in this Conference. Many of those are four months’ subscribers. There should be at least two thousand yearly subscribers added to the Reformer list before the close of 1873. This can be done if a proper effort is put forth. One brother who had never done scarcely anything in this direction previous to the last quarter, obtained over one hundred new subscribers within the last three months. Who, during the next quarter, will get fifty yearly subscribers? Who, 25? Who, 10? Who, 5? and none should fail of obtaining one. It should visit every respectable hotel in New England within the next three months. A spirit of consecrated zeal, with a systematic effort, giving ourselves to the Lord, a willingness to fill any sphere, act in any capacity the providence of God may assign us, will accomplish more in the service of God, than many of us have ever yet realized.

It is time that we fully awake to the importance of the time in which we live, and put forth such an effort as God can accept. This cause is a laudable one, and one which Heaven can smile upon. We hope our quarterly meeting will prove one of profit to the New England Conference.

S. N. Haskell.

South Lancaster, Nov. 11, 1872.