DANVERS, MASS by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 17, 1878

DANVERS, MASS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

After being away from Danvers about two months, except to stay over night here once in a while, we came back last week, to begin labors again. Our church is done. It was all finished, to the turn of the key, before our meetings commenced. This is the way it ought to be. It is always bad to crowd in meetings when a house is about two-thirds done.

The building, the stoves, the seats, and everything complete, has cost $2050. Everybody admires the house. It suits me by far the best of any I have ever seen. Then it is so easy to speak in—it is just right. It is 32 by 52 ft., with 18 ft. posts. Over the entry, which is seven feet wide, is a fine prayer room, 10 by 26 ft., where the gallery usually is. We value this little room very highly. Inside, the house is finished throughout with ash, filled and polished. I think our brethren who are building, would do well to have a pattern of this house.

Sabbath day all were out. It was the end of the first quarter of our Sabbath-school. The secretary’s report showed an average attendance of ninety scholars for the three months, thirty of whom had not missed a Sabbath. Contributions for Sabbath-school, $62. The school has been very prosperous, and well conducted. We have good teachers and competent officers throughout the school. Interesting remarks were made on the occasion by several leading brethren.

Sabbath afternoon nearly one hundred Sabbath-keepers were present. Nearly all belong here, as we had not invited the brethren from abroad. It was an excellent meeting. Sunday morning the church came together, and raised toward $400 more on the house. This was better than we expected. In the afternoon came our dedication. Before the appointed time, the house was packed till not another could get in. Scores had to go away. The Lord seemed to favor us on every hand. The weather was fine. The music was the best we have ever had. Interesting and appropriate remarks were made by Eld. I. Sanborn, of Wisconsin, Eld. G. F. Haines, who has lately embraced the Sabbath, Eld. S. S. Mooney, another convert to the Sabbath, Bro. M. Wood, of Boston, and Bro. C. W. Stone. In the evening the house was again filled to overflowing.

I have now begun another course of lectures here, to continue as long as the interest requires. Two have lately taken hold of the Sabbath, quite a number are almost persuaded, and many are friendly. We feel thankful to the Lord for these blessings.

Again we ask for a large attendance at our State quarterly meeting at this place, Jan. 19 and 20.

D. M. CANRIGHT.