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Report from Bro. Loughborough

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Jan 12, 1864

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 23, No. 7.

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Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report was written at Peterborough, N. H. From there I went to Washington, N. H. and held eight meetings. On the Sabbath, made a special effort for the young. Several arose to manifest their desire to start for the kingdom, and we had a free time in praying for them. May they have strength to press on. Sunday spoke with liberty to good congregations in the meeting-house. It awakened so much interest in the minds of the people, that a large room full came out on Tuesday evening to attend a prayer meeting, hoping to hear more. I accordingly spoke to them with much freedom on the condition of an inheritance in the kingdom of God. Wednesday evening had one of the best prayer and conference meetings we have enjoyed for a long time. More of the children arose for prayers. May the good work move on in Washington. We were sorry to find Bro. and Sr. Mead so much afflicted that they could not attend the meeting. Visited them and found them resigned to the will of the Lord, and with peace even in the furnace. I could not banish from my mind the promise of the Lord, as I went from the house, "To the upright there ariseth light in the darkness."
From Washington I went to Newport and held four meetings. Bitter opposition rages against those that keep the Sabbath; but they seemed to stand united and were much cheered to hear the truth again. It was stormy all the time I was there, so that but few came, only those who had deep interest; and they seemed to listen with the greatest eagerness. Found some had come out decided since the last meeting when Bro. and Sr. White were there. Sunday afternoon I returned to Washington in a rain storm. A gale of wind from the mountain broke my umbrella so I had to ride part of the way in the wet, but I had peace within while thinking how much better I fared than the worthies of Heb. xi, who were driven into dens and caves of the earth.
From Dec. 14th, to 17th, listened to an interesting discussion at Manchester, N. H. between Eld. Cornell and Eld. Miles Grant of Boston, on the question, "Resolved that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment still exists and is binding upon the people of this dispensation." After the discussion I tarried and had three meetings. Found several were decided by the discussion and came out and took their stand to keep the Sabbath. Our social meeting on the Sabbath, all testified was the best they had enjoyed since the tent was pitched in Manchester.
From Thursday evening Dec. 24 to Sunday Dec. 27 I spent with Bro. Cornell at Haverhill, Mass. Our meetings were interesting. Several I found had come out in the truth as the result of Bro. Cornell's lectures there which was much encouragement to the few sisters I spoke of in a previous report. Bitter opposition rages against those that have come out from their former brethren, but this only serves to strengthen them.
Tuesday evening Dec. 29th I met with a few at Worcester, Mass. but as they had not received my appointment but few came together. Had a social interview with the brethren. Found them with no meetings. I urged upon them the importance of keeping up their Sabbath meetings, if there were not more than three to meet. They agreed to have a Sabbath prayer meeting.
Wednesday evening Dec. 30th I spoke to a room full of interested hearers at the house of Bro. Priest, and after meeting had a social talk with the brethren and sisters about having prayer meetings on the Sabbath.
They also concluded to have one each Sabbath; and on the second Sabbath in Jan. the Brn., and sisters of both places have a monthly meeting at Worcester. The second Sabbath in Feb., at Clinton, and so on alternately.
Thursday evening met with a few at the house of Bro. Abel Farnsworth in Fitchburgh. Had a pleasant social interview with them and established a Sabbath meeting at the house of Bro. Farnsworth. From here I go on to Ashfield. Bro. Pierce has been sick and cannot meet with me as he writes me, until I get to Kensington. I am encouraged to labor for the prosperity of the cause in the east. Brethren pray for the eastern mission.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Fitchburgh, Jan. 1, 1864.