New Sweden, Maine by James Sawyer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 4, 1877

New Sweden, Maine.

By James Sawyer

After an absence of nearly two weeks from friends and brethren who seem very dear to me, and from a work in which our interests are very closely related, we take up the pen to give a brief account of our journey to Maine. Time forbids to relate the successful missionary effort in Detroit and the interesting interview with a young physician on the cars as we passed through southern Canada. Suffice it to say, we passed the home of our childhood in Port Byron, York State, without hardly realizing that we were on that beloved spot. On we hastened toward the sunrising, over the way where twenty-five years ago we journeyed under such different circumstances. We well remember the parting words of a fond mother and the kindness of a beloved father as we went forth then to battle with the storms of life. We are thankful that a parent's prayers followed us amid the temptations and trials of early life. We believe God had a care for us then; we think our dear brethren's prayers avail for us now. Thank God for a union which shields the weary traveler in every land, and that causes angels to be sent forth “to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation.”

We arrived at Portland, where we were refreshed by the encouraging words of Bro. and Sr. Lobdell, as well as by the healthful food on their table. This dear brother has realized some of the blessings of heeding the maxim, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The next day we had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of an American and a Swedish brother. The meeting with this Swedish brother was interesting in view of our former religious correspondence. We were sorry we could not spend the Sabbath with our Swedish friends in Portland, but appointment at Somerset Mills forbade it.

At Somerset Mills, we were welcomed by Bro. Tuck, a man who, among many others, knows how to value the benefits of health reform.

As we here learned that Eld. Goodrich would not be present, we felt disappointed, though not discouraged. Eld. Goodrich, not knowing of the vote of the General Conference in regard to the work in New Sweden, had gone to that place himself to do what he could for the Swedish brethren. The brethren had come in from different places, and our heart was cheered to see the pleasant faces of these faithful, tried ones. Bro. Putnam, from Norridgewock, assisted on first-day, so that the meeting closed with much encouragement, at least to me. As we met from house to house in Somerset Mills, we felt the blessed influence of this little company whose hearts are so closely knit together. Their determination to be thorough reformers and heartily to engage in the tithing system according to the Bible plan, shows plainly that they are workers whom the Lord will bless.

On we journeyed to Holton by way of Bangor. This place is situated about half a mile from the international boundary. We had to pass through the province of New Brunswick to reach it. It contains about three thousand inhabitants. As we determined to see Bro. Goodrich before we went farther, and as we had gained a day in our journey, our mind was led to the idea of spending Thanksgiving day in selling almanacs, and getting subscribers for the REFORMER. It being a holiday, our work was somewhat interrupted; however, in the stores and shops we sold twenty-four almanacs and obtained two subscribers for the HEALTH REFORMER.

We then set out on foot to go to Linneus, where is a company of Sabbath-keepers. We had only got beyond the limits of the town, when we met our dear Bro. Nickerson, from Linneus, who had come with a horse and carriage to meet me. Arriving at Linneus, we found Bro. Goodrich, who had just returned from New Sweden.

The next day we accompanied him eight miles to Oakfield, where was a church of about twenty Sabbath-keepers. Meetings were held Sabbath evening and Sabbath. The ordinances were for the first time administered in the presence of this church. There were those at this meeting who came a long way. The cry from three different neighborhoods was, “Bro. Goodrich, can you come and help us? A house is ready, and the people want to hear.” Some followed eight miles, to a place where a meeting was held evening after the Sabbath. At the time appointed, there sat an anxious audience, ready to hear. One man had come ten miles on foot to hear the first Adventist discourse.

The brethren from Oakfield and Linneus met in the meeting-house at Linneus Corners on first-day, where three meetings were held. The last was in behalf of the tract and missionary work. At a meeting held in the evening in an adjoining neighborhood, we had abundant evidence of the power of the truth in the earnest and heartbroken testimonies that were given by those who had lately embraced the present truth under the labors of Bro. Goodrich.

We are now in Aroostook Co., Maine. Our next report will bring us more particularly to the work which has been allotted us. We hope our brethren will remember us in their prayers.

JAMES SAWYER.