Laboring Among the Saints in Maine
By E. L. Barr
Dear Bro. White:—I came to this State about the first of May, in company with Bro. Wheeler, where we have been laboring ever since. We have held meetings at Portland, Bangor, Orrington, Bradford, Ornesville, Hartland and Canaan, where we decided to return immediately home, leaving other places to be visited by those servants soon expected here. We have found the saints generally passing through severe trials, and in some instances it seemed as if the enemy had come in like a flood, with a determination to exterminate the saints. Our labors have not been in vain. The saints have been revived, and some few added to their numbers, of such, I trust, as shall be saved. In order to finish the work the sooner here, we separated at Waterville, and Bro. Wheeler went to Wilton to spend the Sabbath and First-day, and I came to this place where I met with Bro. and Sr. Harmon, from Gorham, and with them and the rest of the saints have found it blessed to remember the Sabbath-day and keep it Holy. On my way to this place I called at Bodoinham, where I found sister Flanders strong in the present truth, desiring to live by every word of God, and although she is confined to a sick bed, yet her confidence is unshaken in the promises of God; she therefore requests an interest in the prayers of the saints that her health may be restored, and she consecrated fully to God and his blessed cause. A short distance from Sr. Flanders, resides Sr. Tompson, who has been confined to a sick bed for many years, and is keeping the commandments of God, and wishes to be remembered, also, by the saints at the the throne of grace. Dear brethren and sisters, will you not pray especially for these afflicted daughters of Abraham, separated as they are, far away from those of like precious faith, and wasting away under the withering hand of disease. May God have compassion upon them, increase their faith, and display his matchless power to preserve soul, body and spirit blameless to his glorious kingdom. Let me say, in conclusion, delay not to put on the whole armor of God, that ye may stand against the wiles of the Devil. Trust in the Lord alone, and soon, very soon, our sufferings will forever cease. Yours, hoping to be glad with exceeding joy when his Glory is revealed. Topsham, Me., June 18th, 1853.