Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 6, 1864

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

WHEN my last report was made, Bro. Cornell and myself were holding a tent meeting at Brunswick, Me., with large congregations, and good interest. The sickness of Bro. Cornell and his companion, greatly crippled our force, so that our effort there was not as thorough as it otherwise would have been. A few, however, have come out on the truth, and others are investigating. But we cannot expect the masses to embrace an unpopular truth in a popular village, especially if many of those whose attention is arrested by the truth, study to know how to please their popular friends, instead of learning the lesson of entire submission to God, let the consequences be as they may.

Since the close of the tent season, I have accompanied Bro. and sister White in their appointments in Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island. I can say for myself, that I have been greatly benefited in this trip, not only by their instructions in spiritual things, but also by the excellent information they imparted on health, diet, &c. I am satisfied their visit, though made under somewhat discouraging circumstances, has told for the advancement of the cause of truth.

And here I would say, that the instruction I have received on health, I am trying to practice. For the short time I have been striving to live strictly in accordance with the laws of life, I have been greatly benefited. It is, however, about one year since I commenced a reform in relation to meat-eating. As I had been in the habit of using meat three times a day when I could get it, for the first two months in reform I ate meat only once a day. Then for a couple of months I only ate meat twice a week. Then for a month once a week. Then for three months once a month. And for the last four months no meat has passed my lips. And for the last two months I have eaten but two meals a day. Never was sleep sweeter, or health better, or my mind more cheerful, since I first started in the service of God at the age of 17 years, than for the last two months. With the short experience I have had, I would not, for any consideration, go back to the meat, spice, pepper, sweet cake, pickles, mustard, headache, stomach-ache and gloom, and give up the good wholesome fruit, grain, and vegetable diet, with pure cold water as a drink, no headaches, cheerfulness, happiness, vigor and health.

But I do not urge these things upon others, or judge them about their meat. But I do esteem it a privilege to tell them what a temporal blessing I have found in this direction.

Since Bro. White's return to Michigan, I spent Sabbath, Nov. 12th, at Portland, where I preached twice. The little church there are much encouraged of late, from the tokens of good they see in their midst. May all the honest souls there that wish to serve God in sincerity, be gathered into one body.

Wednesday evening, Nov. 16, I spoke to a few at Bro. Howland's, in Topsham. I was glad to learn that some have come out decided on the truth since the Brunswick tent-meeting.

Last Sabbath and first-day I spent here. Spoke once on the Sabbath to a little company of Sabbath keepers. I spoke twice yesterday at Bryant's pond, and after the second meeting we repaired to a beautiful pond near the meeting house, where a son of Bro. Davis, who has of late come out to serve the Lord, was buried with Christ in baptism. A few months since, this young man was brought very near the grave by the power of disease. During his sickness, his mind was greatly distressed concerning his condition. His desire was not to get well, but to find acceptance with the Lord. I learned his condition by a letter from his parents, and tried to write words of encouragement to him. I was made glad to see him at the depot on my arrival in this place, recovered from his sickness and happy in the Lord. Since his recovery he has not forgotten his vows, but desires to walk carefully before the Lord.

I expect to have a meeting here Wednesday evening to complete the organization of the church, and then go on to North Jay. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Woodcock, Me., Nov. 21st, 1864.