MAINE by James Sawyer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 7, 1878

MAINE

By James Sawyer

New Sweden.

At our quarterly meeting we had an interesting time celebrating the ordinances of the Lord’s house. Two offered to unite with the church, and others have since expressed a desire to do so. They meet with us, and take part in the Bible-class. There are many who will continue to take the HERALD. The way seems to be opening for teaching school in a district where great opposition was manifested at first. In the meantime, it is thought best to labor among the Americans six miles from this place, at the same time continuing Sabbath meetings among the Swedes.

Some first-day Adventists gave us an invitation to labor among them. We soon found great prejudice among other denominations. As some were interested, we continued labor, and the prejudice began to diminish. We then moved one and a half miles. Here a few Swedes attended the meetings, and we spoke in Swedish and English alternately. The Lord is blessing in the use of the Swedish language.

Some in this place are willing to obey the truth. One man and his wife have been keeping the Sabbath since last March. They began its observance from reading the Scriptures. Some friends expressed the belief that Sunday was the seventh day. The lady replied that she did not believe it, and began to examine the Bible to satisfy herself. The next Sabbath she kept, and the next Sabbath after her husband joined her. Over a month ago he left off using tobacco. He said he thought his tobacco cost him $40 during the last year he used it. I learn that another began to keep the Sabbath about the same time. Last Sabbath another family commenced.

Last Sunday spoke twice in a school-house filled with these people, and they were as anxious to hear the truth as a hungry man is for his dinner. This evening expect to resume meetings in the Adventist neighborhood, and continue them till the time of beginning school among the Swedes. Have spoken every evening for more than two weeks. The weather has been very cold, sometimes preventing a full attendance. The mercury congealed on the 8th inst. at 42° below zero.

JAMES SAWYER.