Stoddard and Springfield Tent Meetings by F. Wheeler, J. Hart, E. Everts

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Oct 17, 1854

Stoddard and Springfield Tent Meetings.

By F. Wheeler, J. Hart, E. Everts

At the Tent Meeting in Stoddard N. H., Sept. 29th to Oct. 1st, although on ground where the Advent and Sabbath truth had been kept out, and although threats of pulling down our tent had anticipated our arrival, and there was but one Sabbath-keeper in town, yet praise to our dear Lord, we had good congregations, and order. The tent stood safe each night, one fourth mile from any house, while we slept quietly in the house. A good impression was made on many, and a mass of prejudice removed; and dear Bro. Dodge (on whose hospitality and farm we held the meeting) embraced the Sabbath, and was, with his dear companion, and mother from Vt., baptized in the likeness of the burial and resurrection of our dear Lord. May the Lord reward them for such kindness to us shown.

Oct. 6th, we pitched the tent in the large, busy city of Springfield, Mass., on a beautiful common in the very heart of the city, where the circus had just performed and paid $60.00 for use of ground; but it was given free to us. The R. R. Co. gave us free benches, and the Police, unasked and unpaid, watched the tent and the great gathering from 300-400, the first evening, to some 1200 on First-day and evening, while the most respectable of the city listened with deep interest. Some would say, "I should like to see what the clergy could do with that, it is truth." Quite a number, we cannot tell how many, confessed the seventh day to be the Sabbath. The weather was so warm, that with curtain up it was quite comfortable.

F. WHEELER, J. HART, E. EVERTS.