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DANVERS, MASS

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

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 14.

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DANVERS, MASS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

The interest in our meetings has never been greater than during the past week. We have been very busy with the meeting-house project. Have received $1400 subscription, so far. Have bought a very fine lot, near where the tent stands, for $525. Have let the job for building a meeting-house, 32x52, 18 ft. posts, with a good gallery arranged for a prayer-meeting room. The cost of the house all completed, except the seats, done in the best manner, will be $1700. House to be done Dec. 15. We have calculated on help from our brethren in the Conference.
Last week it was very warm, and as nothing special was up, our audience dropped down to about two hundred; but the ministers of the place held a council and decided that they must do something to save their craft; hence there were three sermons preached against us on Sunday. We dismissed our meeting, and gave all a chance to hear them. Monday we scattered bills in all the towns around, announcing a reply. Everybody is excited over the matter. The last two nights we have had as large congregations as at any previous time during our meetings. The tent was crowded, and many stood outside. I had freedom in reviewing the orthodox minister on the Sabbath question, and the Methodist on the advent. So far as we can learn, it has been the best thing for us that has happened during all our meetings. These things have brought up our interest again as high as ever.
Last Sabbath was a good day with us. Friends came in from every direction. After the sermon I counted ninety-five persons present. About a dozen were brethren from Ipswich, and some were children, but all were Sabbath-keepers. As nearly as we can now count, though we are finding new ones every day, there are seventy-five observing the Sabbath; and we find them to be a better class than ordinary. Several are quite well to do in life, and all are intelligent and respected. We shall have good timber for leaders, teachers, etc.
Sept. 20, 1877. D. M. Canright.