The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

An Experience in Richmond, Me

As an illustration of the revival work that went with the preaching of the advent doctrine, we will quote from the report of one who was actively engaged in that movement. In speaking of a quarterly meeting held at Richmond, Me., representing thirty Freewill Baptist churches, he says:— GSAM 137.1

“As I entered the place of worship, Elder Rollins, who was seated by the side of the pulpit at the farther end of the house, arose and said, ‘Brother White, you will find a seat here by me.’ After the sermon, liberty was given for remarks, and I spoke with freedom upon the Christian life, and the triumphs of the just at the second advent of Christ. Many voices cried, ‘Amen! amen!’ and most in that large congregation were in tears.... Near the close of that meeting, after getting my consent, Elder Rollins arose and said: ‘Brother White, who sits at my right side, will speak at the Reed meeting-house this evening, upon the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Come up, brethren, and hear for yourselves. We have sufficient room to entertain you all. Come up, brethren, it will not harm any of you to hear upon this subject.... He very well knew that most of his brethren would leave their meeting in the village, and go three miles to hear me, and that their appointed business session would be broken up. And so it was. Three fourths of the ministers and nearly every delegate left, and the Reed meeting-house was crowded at an early hour. My subject was Matthew 24. The spirit of God gave me great freedom. The interest was wonderful. GSAM 137.2

“As I closed with an exhortation to Christians to fully consecrate themselves and be ready, and to sinners to seek Christ and get ready for the coming of the Son of man, the power God came upon me to that degree that I had to support myself with both hands hold of the pulpit. It was a solemn hour. As I viewed the condition of sinners, lost without Christ, I called on them with weeping, repeating several times, ‘Come sinner, and be saved when he shall appear in his glory. Come, poor sinner, before it shall be too late. Come, sinner, poor sinner, come.’ GSAM 137.3

“The place was awfully solemn. Ministers and people wept, some aloud. At the close of every call to the sinner, a general groan was heard throughout the entire assembly. I had stood upon my feet explaining the chapter and exhorting for more than two hours, and was getting hoarse. I ceased speaking, and wept aloud over that dear people with depth of feeling such as he only knows whom God has called to preach his truth to sinners. It was nine o’clock, and to give liberty to others to speak would be to continue the meeting till midnight. It was best to close with the deep feeling of the present, but not till all had had a chance to vote on the Lord’s side. I then called on all in the congregation who would join me in prayer, and those that wished to be presented to the throne of mercy, that they might be ready to meet the Saviour with joy at his second coming, to rise up. Every soul in that large house, as I was afterwards informed by persons in different parts of it, stood up. After a brief season of prayer, the meeting closed. GSAM 138.1

“The next morning I returned to the village, accompanied by at least seven eighths of that Freewill Baptist quarterly meeting. Every one was telling what a glorious meeting they attended the evening before. GSAM 138.2