p. 134 | Report from Bro. Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 22, 1864

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report was from North Jay, Me. From that place Bro. Pierce and myself came on to Canaan, Me. Sabbath, Feb. 13, we spent with the brethren and sisters of Canaan and vicinity. In the forenoon Bro. Pierce gave an interesting and feeling discourse on loving God and keeping his commandments. In the evening after the Sabbath we had a meeting to consider the subject of order. Brethren were present from Eddington and Skowhegan. We organized S. B. for Canaan and Hartland, amounting to $25,48 per year. For Bro. Woodman and others from Skowhegan, $23,14 per year. And for the few at Eddington, with what has since been added, $28,60 per year. The names of eight were enrolled at Canaan, and attached to the church covenant, and a clerk and leader were appointed. On Sunday we held meetings in a Baptist meeting-house in Hartland, which the trustees kindly gave us the use of for our meeting. We gave three discourses on the law and Sabbath, which were listened to with profound interest. Bro. Pierce was led out with freedom to exhort the people, wetting down his testimony with tears, as he frequently does. The people took over $2 worth of books, and plead with us for a full course of lectures, which we trust will soon be given them.

We received a very urgent request here to meet with the few that remain in the vicinity of Paris, Me. And as our mission was to try and "strengthen the things that remain," we decided to spend a Sabbath and first-day with them. On our way we spent a day visiting and resting with the kind family of Bro. Howland, of Topsham, Me. Here is ever found a pilgrim's home or the servants of God. Here is the place of the sickness and death of Bro. Henry White. This is the place where I last saw him. It was with feelings that are better felt than described that we learned from the lips of this family the account of the last days of Henry.

From Topsham we came on to Portland, Me., Thursday, the 19th. In the evening Bro. Pierce gave an instructive discourse on the gifts of the Spirit of God.

Sabbath, Feb. 20, we had meetings at the house of Bro. Davis, in Woodstock, in the vicinity of Paris, Me. Bro. Pierce spoke to those assembled from 2 Kings xx, 20, with acceptance. In the evening we considered the subject of order and systematic benevolence. Eleven enrolled their names. A leader and clerk were appointed. Some were led heartily to confess their backslidings, and resolved anew to serve the Lord. Systematic benevolence was organized here, amounting to $31,20 per year. The little flock seemed much encouraged and strengthened by our visit. On Sunday we gave two discourses to attentive congregations in a Universalist meeting-house at Bryant's Pond.

Monday, returned again to Portland, and had meeting with a few in the evening. This was our last appointment in Maine. The Lord has given us freedom at every point in the State, and the churches seem encouraged to take hold with greater zeal in the cause of the Lord.

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the 23d and 24th, met with the few in Manchester, N. H. Found them very much rejoiced to see us. We had freedom in speaking the word among them. Found fifteen keeping the Sabbath there. A good congregation came in to hear, although there was another Advent meeting in progress at the time. Others are becoming much interested in the truth, and we hope may be led to take their position to obey it.

Thursday, the 25th, came on to Roxbury, Vt., the residence of Bro. Pierce. Found his family well and cheerful, ready to make the sacrifice of the society of the companion and father, in order that he might fulfill the mission in which the Lord has called him. While in Roxbury we had an opportunity to hear of the influence of Bro. Pierce among his neighbors. He has "a good report of them that are without." Members of other churches appreciate his gift in exhortation, and say "he is a good man." One minister says, "If he will attend our meetings he may occupy all the time he wants; his gift will strengthen us." I trust those who keep the commandments will not be slower to appreciate moral worth than our neighbors. Those who want "oily testimony," and would-be "smart men," may be dissatisfied with Bro. Pierce's gift. But those who want the work of the Spirit of God in their hearts, and a testimony filled with ideas matured by good judgment and solemn meditation on the things of God, may listen with profit to the feeling instructions of Bro. Pierce, hold him up by their prayers, and imitate his daily example.

We found in Roxbury the Congregationalist minister, Eld. Ladd, had kindly offered us the use of his church, taken up his own appointments, and given out appointments for us Sabbath and first-day. We feel true gratitude and thankfulness for this unsolicited kindness.

Our meetings were well attended, and good interest manifested. We tried to give some instruction to the church; but our meetings being mostly of a public character, there was not all that opportunity to labor for the church that was desired. Evening after the Sabbath we enjoyed a good social meeting at the house of Bro. Pierce. Several of the young covenanted anew with God's people at this meeting to be faithful, and walk in the light, among them the kind children of Bro. Pierce. We left Roxbury Monday, the 29th, cheered in spirit and refreshed in body, and came on to Stowe, Vt.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Irasburg, Vt., March 11, 1864.