General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

OUR FIRST MEETING-HOUSE

S. N. HASKELL

[As we have been representing the growth of this work, and giving pictures of institutions in other lands, we have felt that a word about our first meeting-house would be appreciated by our readers. We have asked Elder Haskell to speak of that first church building.] GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.3

The accompanying cut represents the first church building ever owned by Seventh-day Adventists. It is located about three miles south from Washington Center, N. H. We inherited this building, as many of the company that met for worship in it embraced the doctrine of the second coming of Christ in 1844; and when they afterward embraced the Sabbath, they took the church building with them. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.4

As to the details of how the Sabbath truth came to them, and who were the first ones to embrace it, there may be a slight variance in relating the particulars; but the old church building for more than half a century has borne witness to the fact that the Sabbath was accepted by that company. I will relate the story which was told me by Mrs. Rachel Preston, whose funeral sermon I preached more than thirty years ago. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.5

Mrs. Preston’s daughter was married to Cyrus Farnsworth, who afterward became elder of the Washington Seventh-day Adventist Church. Mrs. Preston was a Seventh-day Baptist, and before the passing of the time in 1844 she went to visit her daughter, Mrs. Farnsworth. She naturally took with her some of her seventh-day Sabbath reading-matter. She told me that she was much disappointed because the people were so deeply interested in the coming of the Lord that they would not listen to her. She thought after the time when they expected the Lord to come had passed, they certainly would read her publications; but even then they did not seem to be interested. Because of this lack of interest, she felt sad indeed. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.6

Finally, one Sunday during the service, one member got up, and said he had been studying the Bible, and was convinced that the seventh day of the week was the Sabbath, instead of the first day, and that he was going to keep it. He was followed by another, and then another, until a small company took their stand to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus was formed the first company of Seventh-day Adventists. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.7

Others in different places began to keep the Sabbath about this time. Among them was Captain Joseph Bates. As soon as Brother Bates accepted the light on the Sabbath, he at once longed to give it to the earnest company of Adventists at Washington, and drove quite a distance to visit them. He arrived on Friday afternoon, and as soon as the greeting was over, he said to Brother Farnsworth, “I have new light.” Brother Farnsworth replied, “It is the Sabbath?” “Yes,” replied Brother Bates. Then he was informed that the little company at Washington had kept one Sabbath. This company in Washington took peaceable possession of their old meeting-house and have occupied it ever since. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.8

S. N. HASKELL.

We wish all our readers might look into the faces of the missionaries as they present their earnest pleas for help. God has placed a burden upon his servants, which is very manifest in the manner in which they plead for the millions in the dark lands from which they have come. And the hearts of all at this great Conference are being touched by these pleas. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.9

The weather is delightful, and the health of the camp, so far as we have heard, excellent. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.10

But few are leaving the camp, while others are still coming. All seem to be very anxious to remain until the close of this great Conference. A good omen. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.11

More than once we have heard brethren remarking upon the promptness of the large congregations gathering at the meetings. Very seldom has a meeting opened late. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.12

Notwithstanding several very sudden changes in the weather, there having been some quite cool nights, during rains, the health of the campers in general is good. But very little sickness has been reported. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.13

The West Indian Union Conference is holding a regular session of its conference during the time of the General Conference at this place. Enough of their committee and others are present from that field to enable them to do this. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.14

The newspaper press has continued to give liberal space to reports of the Conference. The Washington dailies have had their reporters frequently on the grounds, gathering news. The General Conference Committee appointed a Conference press committee, Brethren J. S. Washburn, S. B. Horton, J. S. Wightman, and W. A. Colcord, who have rendered good service in supplying news to Washington and outside papers. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.15

One can not fully appreciated the tremendous amount of work being accomplished during the time of this Conference. Union conference presidents are having almost daily conferences with their committees, planning for the work in their respective fields. Several minutes at the close of the morning Conference session every day are occupied in announcements of the meetings of various committees for the work of the day. Every hour is packed full of hard, earnest work. GCB June 2, 1909, page 290.16