CANADA by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 4, 1878

CANADA

By S. N. Haskell

We met with the friends at Dixville, P. Q., according to appointment. There are about thirty Sabbath-keepers here, mostly those who have embraced the truth since last January under the labors of Eld. Bourdeau. The attendance was not large, owing to the fact that many were detained at home on account of sickness. The outside attendance was also small, as the Methodists were holding a series of revival meetings under a forty by eighty foot tent.

The meeting-house that was dedicated Sunday was originally erected, but not completed, by first-day Adventists. Some of their leading men subsequently embraced the doctrine of trine immersion. Those who taught them this doctrine kept the Sabbath and claimed to be Seventh-day Adventists, but the only point of truth they held in common with us, save that which is held by first-day Adventists, was the Sabbath. The meeting-house was finished by the friends who had embraced the truth, and is now held for believers in the third angel's message.

— Our meeting Monday was one of unusual interest. Systematic benevolence was organized, and money was raised to liquidate the debt on the house, amounting to over two hundred dollars. Others not present will doubtless increase this sum fifty dollars. Eight joined the church, one of whom still holds to his views on trine immersion; but he fully indorses the third angel's message as the present truth, and therefore waives his views on the baptism question. To urge these views while his brethren discard them would make the warning of Rom. 16:17 applicable to himself. Our last meeting continued from half past nine A. M. until four P. M., yet no one complained of weariness. All felt that the Lord was present.

Thursday, June 20, I met with the scattered friends in Sutton, and organized S. B. Sabbath and first-day, June 22, 23, I was at Fulford, where Eld. Bourdeau now resides.

If the cause in Canada East is properly pushed forward, that mission will hereafter be self-sustaining. The S. B. in this part of Canada now amounts to about five hundred and fifty dollars, and others will increase this sum. The brethren are of good courage, and are determined to push the cause forward. They already talk of holding a camp-meeting, and forming a Conference by themselves. We see no reason why this cannot be brought about soon, if the brethren keep united and humble and follow the example of other young Conferences in the spirit of sacrifice and devotion. It may be well to add that in each case the brethren expressed a desire to have their S. B. subscriptions commence with January, 1878.

Bro. Bourdeau was with me during the time I was in Canada, and assisted in the meeting. A few commenced, for the first time, to serve God by keeping his commandments, and the brethren generally expressed a determination to be more faithful than in the past. May the Lord bless the friends in Canada East. We left with an increased interest in this mission, feeling much attached to many of the friends there.

S. N. Haskell.