p. 71 | MAINE | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 22, 1878

MAINE

Aroostook Tent, East Washburn, Aug. 12.

Since our last report, July 29, the interest here has steadily increased. About forty-five are now keeping the Sabbath, who were not keeping it when we pitched our tent in this place. Last Sabbath, six were buried with their Lord in baptism. It was a pleasant season. After the discourse in the afternoon, forty-nine testimonies were borne in quick succession, and after the discourse on the evening after the Sabbath thirty-seven were given. God witnessed, by his Spirit, that he accepted the service of the day.

Last week Tuesday, three no-Sabbath, trine-immersion Adventists pitched a tent a little more than a mile from ours; this drew off a portion of our congregation. They boasted of what they were going to do, but it has not been done yet. Next Sunday we expect one Eld. Rideout, from Presque Isle, to preach against us on the Sabbath question.

We expect to remain here two weeks longer, and then shall start for the camp-meeting. J. B. Goodrich. S. J. Hersum.

New Sweden.

The Swedish brethren here are much interested in sending publications to relatives and friends in old Sweden. They also improve all the opportunities for tract and missionary work here. It having been thought best, in company with Brn. Gelotte and Sjöbom I visited their French neighbors. The first time, ten families were visited. A few tracts were left, and four persons were found to read the French paper. In a few days they were visited again, and another reader was found. One week after, at our third visit, seven more families took papers, and the former readers expressed a desire to subscribe. One subscribed and paid. Then the priest came among them and learned what had happened. Last Sunday, in church, he gave orders that all tracts and papers should be returned; that while they were retained the children and others should not be allowed to see them; and that if not taken back they should be burned.

Several who returned the papers showed in their countenances that they were sorry to do so. They said they saw nothing objectionable in them, but the priest had ordered them returned, and they dared not do otherwise. We shall pray that this love of the truth that has been kindled in their hearts may increase, so that some may venture to investigate for themselves, and fear God rather than man. They treated us very kindly, and talked reasonably on the subject of religion.

Last Sabbath, J. P. Gelotte was set apart as elder of the Swedish Seventh-day Adventist church of New Sweden. As the brethren have heard of a Danish colony in New Brunswick about twenty-five miles away, and Bro. John Olson can speak the Danish language, if the Lord will, a delegation of three, provided with tracts and papers, will soon visit them. J. Sawyer.