The Missionary by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 5, 1885

The Missionary.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Report from New England.

THE cause of truth is evidently rising in this part of the country. It will be remembered that the camp-meetings in New York and three of the New England States, were held in large cities. In Worcester, Mass., where one was held, a number of our friends have been visiting from house to house, holding Bible-readings, selling publications, and doing other missionary work. The results of this labor have been very encouraging. Some twenty or twenty-five have embraced the Sabbath of the Lord, and decided to keep all of his commandments. In the city of Portland, Maine, where another camp-meeting was held, twelve or fifteen have taken their stand. In the city of Boston, also, quite a number have thus decided to serve God.

The recommendation of the International Society respecting "Sunshine at Home" and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, by which persons buying the book at the regular price will receive the SIGNS three months, has been taken hold of by our friends in New England, and over one thousand subscriptions have been taken. This was largely accomplished within thirty days after the proposition was made to combine this book and periodical.

We have held two general meetings in Maine, which we trust were not only encouraging to the friends there, but profitable to the cause. The State Tract Depository has been moved from South Norridgewock to Portland, and connected with the mission at that place. The friends in Maine are manifesting a special interest to carry forward the work. The Spirit of God is moving upon hearts, and urging persons to take advance steps. The present prospect is that the cause in New England will rise, and occupy a position far in advance of what it now sustains. Erelong we shall see a harvest of souls such as we have not before witnessed.

The general meeting held in South Lancaster, Mass., commencing Jan. 9, was one of unusual interest. Elder Canright, from the West, and the leading preaching brethren from Vermont, Maine, and the New England Conference, were present, and much time was spent in consultation respecting future labor. The New England Tract Society held its regular quarterly meeting at this time, and the reports showed that the labor performed during the past quarter had exceeded that of any previous quarter since the organization of the society. The society numbers about four hundred members, yet it has taken about seventeen hundred copies of the SIGNS during the year 1884, and has now found it necessary to increase the number to twenty-five hundred, some of which, however, are used in other Conferences. The International Society also receives a club of one thousand copies at this place, making thirty-five hundred copies which are sent out from this depository to different parts of this and other countries. Quite a number of persons present at the meeting had recently become interested in the truth, as the result of Bible-readings and other missionary labor in the cities of Worcester, Boston, and Portland. Some of these accepted the truth and took their stand with the people of God. The religious interest in the meetings, especially among the students of South Lancaster Academy, was good. At the beginning of the fall term there were some twenty-six or twenty-seven who had not made a public profession of religion. Of these, twenty-two were baptized during these meetings, and two who had expressed a determination to serve God returned home before the baptism. The number baptized included a son and daughter of Elder J. G. Matteson, missionary in Norway.

Sabbath and Sunday, Jan. 17 and 18, Elder Goodrich spent in Worcester, and Elder Burrill in Boston, and we learn that others embraced the truth at these meetings. It might properly be said that our quarterly meeting extended over two Sabbaths, although the winter term of the Academy opened during the intervening time. The baptism did not take place until Sunday, the 18th. Judging from what we see of the results of the meeting, and the plans which were laid for the advancement of the cause in this part of the field, we consider it one of the most profitable meetings ever held in this Conference. S. N. HASKELL.