Meetings in Portland, Maine
By S. N. Haskell
In the history of the people of God as recorded in the Bible, the Lord at times visited his people with special blessings; and he has not dealt differently with the remnant church, but has sent showers of blessings at different times to refresh his heritage. During the meetings just closed in Portland, the Lord visited his people and blessed them. April 17 was the date set for the meetings conducted by Elders R. D. Quinn and K. C. Russell and Dr. D. H. Kress, assisted by Elders F. W. Stray and G. B. Starr. The first service was held Friday evening, and Sabbath day the Sabbath school was omitted in order that the entire day might be spent in heart searching, prayer, and testimony meeting. The services began at 9 A. M. and continued until 5:30 P. M., with a short intermission at noon. Young people's meeting was conducted at 6 P. M. by Sister R. D. Quinn, the young people's secretary for the Atlantic Union. Sunday evening, services were conducted for the public. The meetings throughout were different from those usually held on such occasions. The leaders read from the Scriptures, the Testimonies, The Desire of Ages, and other of Sister White's writings; then opportunity was given for those present to express themselves. There was an earnest seeking of the Lord, and a deep heart searching, such as characterized the believers in the early history of this work. One after the other would confess those things which he saw were separating him from the Lord. This work went on during three days of almost continual meetings. Monday, the last day of the series of meetings, the services began at nine o'clock in the morning and continued until past four in the afternoon without any intermission. Apparently every soul present was set at liberty in Christ. There was no excitement on the part of any, but a deep heart searching on the part of all. The message borne was in harmony with the Laodicean message of Revelation 3. A Baptist minister who had recently begun to keep the Sabbath said, in the17last social meeting, that he was going home to confess to his wife and associates; and two men who had heard the truth but had not taken a firm stand to obey, expressed their intention of obeying the Lord. There was no specialty made of any one point of doctrine, the important theme being Christ manifested in the believer's life. When these individuals saw Christ in truth, they were constrained to say, as was one of old, "The Lord is in you of a truth," and they wished to unite with the commandment-keeping people. The meetings closed with a reconsecration of every one present. An earnest appeal was made to the people by those conducting the meetings, to take time each day to study their Bibles, and the writings which have been given us by the spirit of prophecy to help prepare us for the time before us. It was suggested that all begin a special reading course, by reading and carefully studying one chapter in The Desire of Ages each day; and when they have finished that book, begin another one of the many books given us by the Spirit of the Lord for our instruction at the present day.