A REMINISCENCE by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 28, 1878

A REMINISCENCE.

By John Norton Loughborough

The State of New York was my home until twenty-two years of age. I was born in Victor, Ontario Co., Jan. 26, 1832. At sixteen I made a profession of religion. I bore my first testimony in a religious meeting in the house of Bro. Jonathan Lamson, near Clarkson Center, Monroe Co.

My first attempt to preach was made at Kendall Corners, Orleans Co., Jan. 2, 1849. I was seventeen the 26th day of the same month. I obtained permission of the trustees and minister of the Baptist church to hold meetings in their house. After two discourses had been given to large audiences on the fall of man and the restitution through Christ, I was told that they had decided to hold a singing-school in the house, and I could occupy it no longer.

I was invited by a Mr. Townsend to a school-house about four miles south of Kendall, where I gave five discourses. I was kindly entertained by this family, but as I had not a large stock of subjects matured, my tarry was short, although urged to stay longer in the neighborhood. While here I was attacked quite roughly by a Methodist minister. There happened to be also in the house a Universalist minister who was a special foe to the former. The Universalist, being requested to speak, gave the Methodist doctrine of eternal misery a very good refutation, after which I noticed both of their positions.

From Kendall, I journeyed on to a school-house near Two Bridges. Here I arrived near noon and obtained my dinner at the house of a Mr. Button near the school-house. After dinner I walked four miles through deep snow to see all the trustees, making sure of the school-house as long as I should wish to speak in it; I then circulated my appointment through the school, and in the evening commenced my work with a crowded house. I learned afterward that they “all rushed out to hear the boy preach.”

After the first discourse I told them I was a stranger there, that I had come to hold a few meetings with them if they could entertain me while I was there. Mr. Beardsley stepped forward and invited me to go home with him. I made my home at his house most of the time I was in the neighborhood. He embraced the doctrines taught. Others were kind and considerate of my wants. Nine discourses were given in this neighborhood; and thus was fairly opened my life as an itinerant.

I have often thought of this my first move in preaching. Striking out thirty-six miles from home, among entire strangers, with only $3.00 I could call my own, and even this was given to me by an Adventist brother after I had decided to start. As I have seen how God raised up friends then, it has encouraged me to trust him in greater emergencies.

Nearly four years from this time, in September, 1855, I first heard on the subject of present truth at the house of our beloved Bro. James White, at No. 124 Mount Hope Avenue, Rochester, N. Y. I took a public stand for the Sabbath, in that house, the first Sabbath in October of that year. During the winter I commenced to proclaim the views of Seventh-day Adventists, confining my labors to New York, and Potter Co., Pa.

In April, 1853, I visited the West. I spent five months in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, then came back into the State of New York. Bro. Cornell was with me in most of these meetings. How much we sought God together! How we felt our dependence upon him! God blessed at every point. Souls embraced the truth because the Lord was with us. God was with us because we felt our own weakness, our need of him, and earnestly sought him daily. Like efforts will produce like results still. God does not change.

Since 1853, I have spent two years in the State of New York, and the rest of my time has been spent in other States, a little more than ten years having been spent on the Pacific coast. It has been a matter of interest to me to spend the last two weeks in this my native State, and to note the onward march of present truth. Already has the cause assumed such proportions here that it has become a matter of necessity to divide New York and Pennsylvania into two Conferences. Here I meet more than a score of laborers, many of them young men who have lately taken hold of the work. If these all keep humble and make God their strength, we may look for still greater advancement in these Conferences.

At Wellsville, our church was nearly filled with Sabbath-keepers, and I was told that as many more were detained at their homes by bad roads. Twenty-two years ago I passed through Wellsville; there was then scarcely a Seventh-day Adventist there. The Lord has been greatly blessing his truth. The recent meeting seemed to have an encouraging effect upon those assembled. The Lord met with us in power. I spoke seven times with good liberty.

The Conference in Rome, N. Y., was well attended. Although a season of much business, it has been a time when we have shared much of the Lord’s blessing. The ministers’ prayer-meetings at 6 A. M. every day were a source of strength. I spoke ten times during the Conference. While speaking to ministers and people of our lack, of our source of strength, and of God’s willingness to help us if we seek and serve him aright, I was myself corrected, admonished, and blessed. “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.” We go to-day to Danvers, Mass.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Rome, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1878.