North Windham, Maine by J. O. Corliss; R. S. Webber

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 16, 1875

North Windham, Maine.

By J. O. Corliss; R. S. Webber

MORE than ten weeks have elapsed since we first commenced meetings at this place; yet the way has not seemed clear to leave the work. After laboring eight weeks, and when there was every indication that a great work would be done, a Methodist preacher by the name of Fletcher was sent for to come and drive us out. He came and demanded the house (a union meeting house) all the time for one week. We offered to give him one-half of the time; but he would not accept it. He then threw in his appointments ahead for the next week for a protracted meeting, to continue as long as the interest demanded.

His effort against us consisted in a series of lies which were easily shown to be such. We give one as a sample. He said one of our ministers told him that every one who did not keep the seventh day would go to hell. Upon being asked privately who told him so, he said, “Eld. Seavy.” “But,” we said, “Eld. Seavy is not one of our people, and does not keep the seventh day.” “I know it,” said he, “he believes just as Eld. Grant does.” “How, then, did he tell you what you stated?” we asked. “Oh!” said he, “that was another point. He said all that did not believe in the advent would go to hell.” We then wrote to Eld. Seavy concerning the last statement, to which he replied by saying it was an utter falsehood. We might refer to other statements just as glaring as the above, but forbear.

Notwithstanding he was shown before the people in his true light, he persisted in his effort to crowd us out of the house for two weeks, or until the citizens drew up a petition with many names attached, and presented to us through a prominent lawyer of the place, and which reads as follows:—

“Believing that every one has the right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience—believing that the people in a free house of worship have a right to a voice in the matter as to who shall address them from the pulpit in such a house—believing that the course taken by the people who style themselves under certain religious denominations tends only to wrangling and dissensions, and believing that they have not conducted themselves with equity and fair dealing as regards the occupancy of our free house of worship; therefore, we, the undersigned, accustomed to attend religious worship in said house, in order to settle the present difficulty on the point of occupancy, respectfully request and invite the elders, Messrs. Corliss and Webber, whose upright bearing and Christian examples since coming to this place have tended greatly to interest and improve us, to address us from the pulpit in said church every other evening of the time that is not occupied by the regular engagements of our pastors, the Rev. Messrs. Wiswell and Trafton.”

The line of conduct pursued by a few here has of course tended in a measure to drive away the tender feelings and impressions made in the past, yet we cannot tell what the result will be fully. A few have taken their stand on the truth, and we hope for others. We shall not leave the place until all is done that can be, and we feel clear in our own minds to do so. Brethren, pray for us.

J. O. CORLISS, R. S. WEBBER.