Milford, N. H by E. B. Lane

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1875

Milford, N. H.

By E. B. Lane

We pitched one of the New England tents at this place June 11, and remained nine weeks. Mrs. Lane and myself were sick four weeks with ague and diphtheria, which hindered the interest of the meetings, but we finally succeeded in securing a good attendance, and some half dozen have taken their stand with us. Mrs. Lane has been laboring with them since camp-meeting, endeavoring to get them established and in working order. Leading men of the place have proposed hiring a hall and inviting us to return. I never labored in a place where there was stronger prejudice or a more complete victory gained than here.

The editor of the Milford Enterprise spared no pains to help by publishing favorable reports of the meetings and giving items of our faith and history from week to week. This is also true of the Amherst Farmer's Cabinet.

Mrs. Lane gave a health and temperance discourse in the tent, and by special request of over fifty of the leading citizens repeated it in the Town Hall, which will seat over one thousand, and which was well filled. The renowned Hutchinson family visited the place and attended our meeting, singing several of their beautiful sacred pieces, and at the close of the meeting Mr. Asa H., from Minn., made some very feeling remarks before a congregation of about three hundred concerning his love and esteem for us as a people, repeating the dying request of his beloved son: “Father, always be kind to those Seventh-day Adventists, never speak a word against them, but love them as brethren; for they were so kind to me and mother while we were at their Health Institute.” Mr. H. spent a few days at Battle Creek on his visit East, and spoke in the highest terms before the congregation of the work going on there, and entreated of them to look into the things we were presenting and extend toward us Christian sympathy and fellowship. Many other items of peculiar interest transpired which added to the advancement of the cause.

Although we were there a long time, and but few embraced the truths we preached, I still feel that Milford is a good field of labor, and have a desire to return as the providence of God may open the way. We felt God’s blessing and Spirit with us. I am now laboring with the tent at Leominster, helping Bro. D. A. Robinson. Four have already decided to observe the Sabbath. Many more are convinced. Cold evenings and rains reduce our congregations, still we design to continue as long as duty requires. The Spirit of God seems to take hold of hearts, and we are of good courage in the Lord. Brethren, pray for us.

E. B. LANE.