The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92401 2522789 
 
BX6121.B7°7A3 Un ' VerSi,yL " ,rary 
 S UHHnuiwi!i he life and reli S'ous experie 
 
 3 1924 012 522 789 
 
PZ^^ £^L> 
 
 
SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
 
 AND 
 
 RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 ELD. LUTHER BOUTELLE. 
 
 WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 
 
 WILLIAM H. MITCHELL. 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR 
 
 BY THE 
 
 ADVENT CHRISTIAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 
 
 144 Hanover St., Boston. 
 
 1891. 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 To the headers of this book. The author of 
 these pages would say, that not until recently were 
 they contemplated, and this only by the desire of 
 friends, who urgently requested that something of 
 the kind be written by me. 
 
 As I had kept no journal of my life-experience, I 
 have had to depend upon my memory in giving this 
 narrative. I have given only a glimpse of the way 
 along down to the present time. 
 
 The goodness of God has been manifested during 
 all my life, and I wish it might have been more set 
 forth in these pages. This I have attempted to 
 show : the special care that God has for those who 
 trust him, and do his will. Also the regard he has 
 for the accomplishment of his word, and the keeping 
 of his promises. 
 
 In sending forth this imperfect sketch of my 
 
 lengthened life, my prayer is that it may be for the 
 
 glory of God and the strengthening and comforting 
 
 of all who read these pages. 
 
 L. Boutelle. 
 
 Okelsea, Maes, 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Books have their influence, and therefore leave 
 their impress on the human mind. Some have a 
 very debasing effect; others elevate and refine. 
 The lives of good men have a very healthy influence 
 upon society, hence a record of the incidents and 
 events of their lives wherein God hath wrought 
 graciously with them is valuable to preserve. The 
 wise man saith, "The memory of the just is blessed." 
 
 Whd does not feel that he is made better by read- 
 ing the lives of great and good men ? "When Paul 
 wrote to the Hebrew church he related some of the 
 wonderful events in the lives of the suffering saints 
 of God. When the king of Israel was holding con- 
 verse with the servant of the prophet Elisha, he 
 desired him to tell him all the great things that 
 "Elisha did." So like the king when we hear of 
 men of eminent piety we desire to know something 
 of their religious experience. 
 
 More than a quarter of a century has passed since 
 I became acquainted with the author of this narra- 
 
INTRODUCTION. ▼ 
 
 tive, and our frequent interviews and correspondence 
 have been so pleasant, that I have often thought a 
 brief narrative of his life and religious experience 
 written by himself, together with many of his ex- 
 cellent articles published in years past, might make 
 a book which would be both interesting and profitable 
 to the religious body with which he has long been 
 connected, as well as his numerous friends. 
 
 A few months ago I suggested to him I should be 
 pleased to have such a book to place in my library. 
 The thought struck him at first unfavorably at the 
 advanced age of his life, the task seeming too much 
 for him to undertake ; but, upon more mature re- 
 flection he consented to undertake the work, and 
 now this little volume is completed and sent forth 
 to greet the thousands of his friends and acquaint- 
 ances with whom he has mingled in years past, and 
 to whom he has faithfully preached the unsearchable 
 riches of Christ, and heralded the speedy advent of 
 the Messiah. 
 
 In conclusion, I would say, I hope this little book 
 
 will find a hearty welcome among the household of 
 
 faith, cheering, comforting and instructing, like its 
 
 author during his minstry of the word of God among 
 
 his fellowmen. 
 
 W. H. Mitchell. 
 
 Kennebunk, Maine, Nov. 5th, 1890. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PASS. 
 
 Preface iii 
 
 Introduction iv 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Parentage, Birth and Early Life 9 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 Later in Life — Choice of Occupation 16 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Married and Settled in Life 19 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Conviction and Conversion 24 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 United with the Church 29 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 A Strange Sound — New Subject 38 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 Leaving Home to Give the Message 45 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Returning Home, Incidents 56 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Great Interest in the Coming of Christ 62 
 
CONTENTS. VU 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 The Great Disappointment 65 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 Resuming the Work with Good Courage 71 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Still Pressing on in the Work 77 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 Changes, with a New Time 83 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Experience and Deep Affliction. 88 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 Sick, Miraculously Healed 92 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 Health Restpred. A Neighbor Quieted 99 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 Healing in Answer to Prayer 112 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 Afflicted with Loss of Hearing MS 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Death in family. Visit to Vernon, Vt 123 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 I. Divine Healing 128 
 
 II. Is Christ's Coming Near? 138 
 
 HI. A Tremendous Lie 143 
 
 IV. Thy Kingdom Come. 145 
 
 V. Spiritual Longevity 148 
 
 VI. Pastoral Resignations 150 
 

 VIII. The Prayer of Jesus 154 
 
 IX. Strikes 155 
 
 X. And Knew Not 157 
 
 XI. Reverend 161 
 
 XII. A Tour In Connecticut 163 
 
 XIII. Care of the Watchman 165 
 
 XIV. Retrospect of Forty Years 167 
 
 XV. Apostasy 169 
 
 XVI. Life Like a Dream 171 
 
 XVII. A Hard Case 173 
 
 XVIII. An Eye Opener 175 
 
 XIX. Hard Experience 177 
 
 XX. My Pilgrimage 179 
 
 XXI. Materialism 181 
 
 XXII. OldLandmarks 183 
 
 XXIII. The Good Fight of Faith 184 
 
 XXIV. He that Shall Endure to tie End 185 
 
 XXV. Caution 187 
 
 XXVI. Wisdom at an End— Truth Mighty 189 
 
 VII. New Departure 193 
 
 VIII. Back There *. 196 
 
 XXIX. No Scars Left 198 
 
 XXX. Beecher Dead 200 
 
 XXXI. Did Jesus Die? 201 
 
 XXXII. A Sermon " 204 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 Parentage, Birth and Early Iiife. 
 
 'T honored parents were born in Bead- 
 ing, Mass. My mother's maiden 
 name was Abagail Bancroft, daugh- 
 ter of James Bancroft, Esq. After 
 my father's and mother's marriage 
 they moved to West Boylston, Mass., from thence to 
 Townsend, where they died ; my mother at eighty- 
 three years, and my father within a few days of 
 ninety-four. They were among the most devoted 
 Christians. 
 
 I was born in Townsend, May 4, 1806. My fa- 
 ther was known as Deacon John Boutelle. He and 
 my mother were among the respectable people of the 
 town, and in the common condition of life. There 
 were nine children of us, but four died before I was 
 born, and it was by the strictest economy and unre- 
 lated industry that my parents supported the family. 
 My father got his living mainly by shoemaking. la 
 
10 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 those times there was but little money in the country, 
 and the most that my father earned he had to take 
 in produce. In those days it was necessary for all, 
 in the common condition of life, to work hard ; and 
 it took both brain and physical strength to keep a 
 family in food and clothing, especially if the family 
 was large. Thus frugality and diligence in daily 
 life then were among the first lessons we children 
 had to learn. 
 
 The district school was the only place of learning 
 that the common people then had ; and this was only 
 held from three to five months in the year. There 
 were no high schools in those days, from which poor 
 children could graduate. If we could be spared 
 from work to attend all the time that the district 
 school was kept, we were fortunate indeed, a privi- 
 lege to be greatly prized. The winter session of 
 the school was especially the harvest of knowledge. 
 But if one wanted a nice send-off in his teens, he 
 must be sent to the minister a short time for the 
 "finishing touch," which would fit him for a teacher 
 of the district school. 
 
 In those stubborn times, when we had to utilize 
 with energy our time and strength to get a living, 
 working "in the sweat of the face," there were no 
 amusements or holidays for the young as now. The 
 fourth of July and "muster day" were all we boys 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 11 
 
 could anticipate for recreation and pleasure ; and 
 these without money to spend for nicknacks. The 
 pennies then came hard, and not many could the 
 children get to buy what they liked. This was the 
 case especially with the children of Deacon John 
 Boutelle. But what they lacked in spending-money 
 was more than made up in good instruction, which 
 is a better foundation than riches. We were taught 
 to be strictly honest, and to adhere closely to the 
 "Puritan religion, brought over in the May Flower." 
 This gave us children our moral start-off. Punctu- 
 ality at meeting was among our first lessons. It was, 
 "Come, boys and girls, be ready; the first bell is 
 ringing." Excuses availed nothing. If the old 
 folks could go, the children could as well. So when 
 health prevailed the three miles' walk to the meeting 
 house was constant every Sabbath, besides a supple- 
 ment now and then on week-days. Only to do as 
 required — that was all that was to be done by us 
 children. Parental government was then in vogue, 
 and to exercise parental authority was obligatory on 
 every parent. Children were not as disobedient to 
 parents and teachers then as now. There was rev- 
 erence for the old then, and it was manifested at all 
 times by well-bred children. 
 
 My father had a small farm, and so we kept a 
 cow and hog, with some hens. These needed look- 
 
12 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 ing after ; and this was done by us boys as soon as 
 we could well stir about out of doors. My father 
 worked in his shop all the time except in planting 
 and harvest times. With what we children could do, 
 helping him and our mother, the family lived and 
 were as happy as families now are that have wealth 
 and all that they desire, with no labor or care. Our 
 childhood and youth soon passed. We had good 
 neighbors of the same way of living ; so there was 
 no envy, jealousy or strife. All were ready to help 
 one another. There was then a link that kept peo- 
 ple together, especially in the country. Honest, 
 hard-working farmers, the most of them,, they were 
 more bound to each other than any other class of 
 men. In sickness or adversity of any kind, there 
 was sympathy and help given. In those times it 
 was not unfashionable to have a large family of 
 children. Then the marriage state was entered into 
 with the expectation of having a family. This was 
 God's arrangement at the beginning of the race, and 
 he has made no change in his plan and law. The 
 birth of children in my early days was a matter for 
 rejoicing in the family, neighborhood and town. No 
 matter if the family was poor, the neighbors did not 
 say, "Oh dear! there is another mouth to feed! 
 What a pity !" With people then, it was God that 
 gave. Children make an oasis in the desert of life. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 13 
 
 Barren, fruitless trees may be worth something for 
 shade ; but trees full of fruit delight the eye, and 
 cheer those who eat thereof. A family without 
 children (if it can be called a family) is a domestic 
 desolation. But such was not the family of Deacon 
 John Boutelle. 
 
 Thus we came along in the battle of life under 
 good instruction, which for us was worth more than 
 wealth with no teaching of righteousness, or example 
 of holy living. What we got as we grew up we 
 prized, and were quite contented with it. Our needs 
 were mostly supplied. Good health-giving food and 
 warm clothing we did not lack, though the latter was 
 hot so fine as children now wear. The children in 
 those days had the advantage of the children now. 
 There were not then the temptations, the allurements 
 to evil that now are found everywhere, drawing the 
 young away from virtue to vice. There were no 
 confection shops where the young could go and get 
 rid of their pennies and their health. Whole fami- 
 lies grew up without having toys, or playthings, only 
 such as they contrived themselves. It was then a 
 good time to bring up children. They were more 
 contented at home than abroad. Fashions did not 
 change very often. If you got your winter outfit 
 by Thanksgiving, of cotton and wool, spun, wove, 
 and made up at home ; with new shoes or boots, 
 
14 LIFE OF ELDEK LUTHEK BOUTELLE. 
 
 they would do for the children all winter, for meet- 
 ing, school, or anywhere else, provided the wearers 
 were careful at home and in their play. 
 
 Thus the good old ways of almost a century ago 
 had a better look for the peace, prosperity and hap- 
 piness in domestic life than this age. There was 
 then a general satisfaction with all the surroundings ; 
 a prevailing interest among all your neighbors in 
 your prosperity and welfare ; and which united them, 
 as a community, in the closest friendship. They 
 were well acquainted with one another's joys and 
 sorrows. 
 
CHAPTEE H. 
 Iiatef in Iiife — Choice of Occupation. 
 
 'AVING come into our teens, an out- 
 look for ourselves was the thing first, 
 in order, and which interested us all ; 
 for the homestead must be left. The 
 bees must swarm, and where will they 
 light? This is an important question in youth. A 
 decision must be made as to the way one is to gain, 
 a livelihood. Some occupation must be chosen, 
 some business engaged in by which to live. So the 
 three boys, Luther, Calvin and Ebenezer had to de- 
 cide what to do. Luther and Calvin were twins, 
 while Ebenezer was four years younger. Calvin, 
 went to learn the carpenter's trade. My health be- 
 ing poor, I stayed about home, doing what I could 
 that came to hand, working out from home as I 
 found what I could do. It was a strong desire of 
 my parents that one of their sons should become a 
 minister. Especially it was the wish of my father 
 that Ebenezer should be fitted for evangelical work. 
 But the means of preparing him to preach, by send- 
 
16 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 ing him through the schools, was not at hand. Go- 
 ing through academies and colleges cost more than 
 Deacon John Boutelle had to spend on his son Eben- 
 ezer. So contentment was the best thing to exer- 
 cise. The common country schools were all that 
 could be looked to by the poor people for education. 
 Ebenezer gave up being a minister, and went to be 
 a carpenter. As for myself, I did not aspire to 
 scholastic wisdom, although I could learn easily. 
 With little study I could keep up with the rest in 
 the school, and this was satisfactory all around. 
 The finishing touch to my education was given by 
 •our minister, the Rev. David Palmer. My twin 
 brother also was under his tuition a few weeks at 
 the same time. Here we "graduated." Then I 
 was ready to teach school, or engage in any other 
 vocation as the way opened. 
 
 While at home, I had become accustomed to the 
 use of shoe tools, and could work well with them. 
 In the meantime I had tried another occupation,- but 
 did not make out very well in it. At length there 
 was an opening for me to go into the shoe business 
 -at Groton, Mass. 
 
 Now I will say what may be more important. 
 While we, as a family, were all at home, we at- 
 tended one and the same meeting. There were then 
 iew divisions among religionists. All that wanted 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 17 
 
 pure and undefiled religion could have this one 
 kind, which was apostolic. Then one meeting-house 
 and one minister would do for the whole town. The 
 church and people did not get tired of the minister 
 as quickly as now. They did not want so many 
 new things as do the people of this day. If the 
 minister preached some of his sermons over the 
 second and third time, the hearers found no fault. 
 There was order in every thing then. The church 
 helped to carry out the laws of the State. One 
 thing I will mention, which in those days seemed 
 to be very important. When a couple in the town 
 were engaged to be married, the marriage certificate 
 must be seen three Sundays in succession in the 
 "information-box" at the meeting-house , and be 
 cried by the town clerk on each Sunday. If this 
 was not done the marriage would not be lawful. In 
 those days couples did not privately slip away into» 
 other towns, or to the city, and come back and say 
 they were married. That would not have done then. 
 The minister in those times was supposed to know 
 every thing. He was sound in politics, in theology 
 and all doctrines. The isms were not as numerous 
 as now. Strong Bible preaching, the prayer meet- 
 ing and Sunday meeting — these for the whole town 
 were enough to save the perishing then ; so it was 
 thought. All seemed satisfied, as nearly all at- 
 
18 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 
 
 tended meeting. It was looked upon as heathenish 
 to stay away from the Sunday meeting. Even if it 
 did rain, that would not be a good and sufficient 
 reason for absence. Nothing but sickness would 
 answer for an excuse for not being in the house of 
 God on his holy day. The births and deaths were 
 announced from the pulpit before the morning ser- 
 vice, and devout prayer was offered appropriate to 
 each case. Thus a general knowledge was had of 
 events transpiring in the town. No Sunday papers 
 then ; no places of amusement or recreation. No 
 going here and there for pleasure. All at home — 
 it was the Sabbath. The people were hospitable, 
 charitable, kind, and had an interest in one another, 
 not separated by sectarianism or different creeds, 
 with bigotry, which is the result of party religion. 
 Instead of oyster suppers, fairs and sociables, by 
 which to raise money to pay the minister's salary, 
 they gave freely according as they had means, and 
 so there were no church entertainments, no gambling 
 to support the gospel. What was needed to sustain 
 the good cause of the Master was readily found, for 
 the people of the town were all interested in having 
 good, wholesome instruction given to young and old. 
 Minister and people were the one class. Equality 
 was regarded and felt. Religion was acknowledged 
 as needful by those who did not possess it. 
 
CHAPTER m. 
 JWapriage and Settled in Iiife. 
 
 , WAS about sixteen years old when it 
 became necessary for me to decide 
 upon having some permanent employ- 
 ment. It was about this time that my 
 brother Calvin, as I have before said, 
 went away to learn the carpenter's trade. But while 
 I was trying to determine what to select as my occu- 
 pation, I still remained at home working there or 
 near home, as work presented itself, helping my 
 father in the shop at times, as did my brother Eben- 
 ezer. But at length, in March, 1825, I went to 
 Groton, Mass., and engaged to work for Loring 
 Gates, in his shoe shop. This was my first leaving 
 home permanently, a father's house and parental care. 
 I soon got into my employer's favor, and here I was 
 a long time. I often visited home and parents. 
 Having become acquainted with Miss Hannah Co- 
 nant, an attachment sprang up between us, and our 
 
20 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 union was agreed upon ; and on the 14th day of 
 August, 1830, we were married. The ceremony 
 took place at Solomon Green's, in Townsend, on 
 "Baybary Hill ;" the Rev. David Palmer officiating, 
 in the presence of parents and relatives. After a 
 lunch and many congratulations, we left, with friends 
 in three other carriages, for our chosen home in 
 Groton. On our arrival we were welcomed by a 
 party of friends at our new home ' in the house of 
 Mr. John Peabody, on the corner facing Groton 
 common. Here I commenced to learn my first les- 
 sons in domestic life. Here was my home until 
 1865. I was twenty-four years of age when married, 
 but on account of poor health I had laid up nothing. 
 This prevented me from marrying before I did. 
 But at length I concluded that nothing was gained 
 by waiting, and poverty should never stand in the 
 way of having a wife — that a man was only a half 
 an one without a wife. I made up my>mind to run 
 the risk of beginning this new life, and I was never 
 sorry that I took the step. I had friends in my 
 native town and in the one I had chosen for my 
 residence. I had better views of life after I began 
 it in God's order. 
 
 My brother Calvin married before I did, and 
 settled down in Townsend on the Deacon Giles* 
 place. A little time after Ebenezer found an ami- 
 
LIFE OE ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 21 
 
 able young women in Lowell by the name of Sarah 
 Richardson, and they were married. My sister, 
 Abigail Boutelle, had sometime before married a 
 man by the name of Zela Bartlett. They lived in 
 Springfield, Vt. This left only my sister Sally 
 Boutelle, unmarried, with the old folks ; so that in 
 1830, we all had got our way apparently laid out, 
 with the battle of life fully begun, and some of us 
 having had additions along the way. My first child 
 was born 1831. This increased my responsibility, 
 and added to my anxiety as to supporting a family. 
 I had before this taken great interest in the then 
 new doctrine of total abstinence from all intoxicat- 
 ing drinks. I was interested in the movement at 
 the time the old "Ironclad" was brought into Salem 
 harbor, and fired the first bomb-shell into Deacon 
 Giles' distillery, which made a mighty stir, and 
 caused some legal threatening, if nothing more. 
 There was great excitement at this time in regard 
 to this new movement of temperance. I did what 
 I could to keep it up. Then came the slavery ques- 
 tion. The horrors of slavery pictured out by Mr. 
 Lloyd Garrison stirred up the whole country. I at 
 once became an Abolitionist, and identified myself 
 with the haters of slavery. I did not go to the ex- 
 treme of pronouncing every one a hypocrite who did 
 not go in for the liberation of the slaves at once. 
 
22 SKETCHES OF EXPEBIENCE IN THE 
 
 Some could not see that this would be best, if it 
 could be done. 
 
 During all these years I made no profession of 
 religion, and for the reason, that I had none to pro- 
 fess. I was all the time a church-going man, found 
 among the singers at all the meetings. When I 
 first came to Groton there was only one meeting, 
 the Rev. Dr. Champlin's. He was the town's min- 
 ister. But soon, on account of age he became un- 
 able to preach, and a division took place in the 
 church, the Orthodox part withdrawing, leaving the 
 Unitarian part in possession of the house. At this 
 time there was a strife between the radical Congre- 
 gationalists and the liberal Unitarians generally, 
 and finally a complete separation took place. Those 
 who withdrew built themselves a new meeting-house. 
 The corner stone was laid July 4, 1826. I was 
 present at the ceremony of laying the stone, and 
 helped in the singing. The Rev. John Todd became 
 the pastor, and preached the dedication sermon. 
 In this division, I took the Orthodox side with youth- 
 ful vigor, although unconverted. About this time 
 I removed to the house of William Rowe, lived there 
 a while, working at shoes in the shop of Cragin & 
 Company. A little later I bought a house, put up 
 and covered by John Hartwell. This was fitted up 
 by finishing the inside myself, and soon as it was 
 
LIFE OF ELDEK LUTHER BOUTELLE. 23 
 
 possible, moved into it ; seeming there to begin 
 life anew. Now a home of my own, a place I could 
 call mine. How different from all others ; where 
 my wife could step out and walk around upon our 
 own soil and not feel that it belonged to somebody 
 else. Here we had born to us twins. We named 
 them Augustus and Augusta. They were born May 
 23, 1837. This was quite an addition to our fam- 
 ily, but it added to our stock of happiness, as well 
 as to our cares. We grew happier and happier as 
 the changes in life came. 
 
CHAPTEE IV. 
 Conviction and Conversion. 
 
 UR home soon became an antislavery 
 hotel. Here Mr. Garrison, Oliver 
 Johnson, Fred Douglas and other lead- 
 ing antislavery men came ; for Groton 
 had become a noted place for abolition 
 agitation, and my hand and heart were in it. Anti- 
 slavery meetings were often held, and the abolition 
 ball was kept rolling. Wm. L. Chaplin lived near 
 me. He with Dr. Farnsworth and others, a goodly 
 number, were awake on the subject, and were hated 
 by the pro-slavery people all around. The history 
 of this time is memorable. When George Thomp- 
 son, of England, came to visit the New England 
 abolitionists, we had a great meeting for his recep- 
 tion. It was held in the Congregational meeting- 
 house. Such a meeting could not be held in Bos- 
 ton, there was so much hatred of him. He came 
 and was welcomed by a crowded house. His first 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 25 
 
 speech in this, country was made in Groton. He 
 was the guest of Dr. Farnsworth. That meeting 
 was one of great interest. These were exciting 
 times. Antislavery men were put to the test for 
 courage and patience. They had the backs of 
 former friends turned on them. I remember that 
 the evening after Mr. Garrison had given us a 
 lecture in Groton, of taking him over to Townsend 
 where he was also to speak. The lecture was to be 
 in the Congregational house. So I thought, as I 
 drove into town, I would call on the minister, as 
 the meeting was to be in his house. I drove directly 
 to the door in order to give him an introduction to 
 Mr. Garrison. I rang the bell, he came, and I 
 commenced to give him the introduction by saying, 
 "Mr. Stowell, this is my friend Mr. Garrison, who 
 s to lecture this evening in your house on the sub- 
 ject of slavery." He turned his back immediately 
 upon us, and as he was closing the door, I added, 
 "You will be in to the lecture I suppose." The 
 door closed, and we drove on. Mr. Garrison said 
 to me, "That was a peculiar way to show his Christ- 
 ianity to an infidel." Mr. G. said this because they 
 called him an infidel. But the lecture came off, 
 the Baptist minister being present, and endorsing 
 Mr. Garrison entire. 
 Truth was mighty about this time, and our Chris 
 
26 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 tian abolitionists in Groton had commenced revival 
 meetings, and there was an interest for the salva- 
 tion of men. A goodly number were inquiring what 
 they should do to be saved. Conviction began to 
 rest heavily upon me, as it did before many times, 
 but I said, "Not now" ; yet I felt deeply the need 
 of what I had not. The meetings became more and 
 more interesting. Some were converted, and their 
 experiences told on me as nothing ever did before. 
 The voices of young and old that were heard declar- 
 ing what the Lord had done for them — the confes- 
 sions of sins and desire expressed for the prayers 
 of Christians — this increased my conviction. I fol- 
 lowed up the meetings, but came home as I went, 
 only more deeply convicted, while a voice seemed 
 to say to me, "Now or never." This startled me, 
 and I could get no rest day or night for a number 
 of days. I tried to see the minister and deacons, 
 but they seemed to keep me off, or did not appre- 
 ciate my strong convictions of sin and fear of a 
 coming judgment; for I wanted a preparation for 
 that event. The Lord had hold of me, and I felt 
 wretched indeed. I sought pardon. I had had 
 Bible instruction from childhood. I knew that there 
 must be a renewal of my whole being to bring me 
 into the divine favor and the love of God which 
 passeth all understanding. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEK BOCTELLE. 27 
 
 At length, after calling upon all the helps around 
 me, I looked it over in the light of the Bible, and. 
 became convinced that I must have help directly 
 from the Lord. I went to my room, and alone with. 
 him I confessed my sins and prayed that he would 
 receive me. I counted the cost, and came to the 
 solemn conclusion that I must make a contract with 
 the Lord and Saviour, and pledge that I would give 
 myself to him in a covenant, binding as long as life 
 should last. This I did. I there gave myself to 
 him, and without any reservation pledged that I 
 would be his for life. Oh, that hour ! never to be 
 forgotten ! From darkness to light ! from the power 
 of satan unto the living God ! Now to wait for hia 
 Son from heaven. No fear of the judgment now. I 
 was filled with the love of Christ. My load of con- 
 demnation was gone. I was as free as the air. My 
 whole being was made to rejoice. My soul and all 
 that was within me was made glad in sins forgiven. 
 It was blessed, yea, twice blessed. I could shout, 
 and tell of the preciousness of Christ my Lord, 
 who was all in all to me. All heaven smiled. The 
 sun shone brighter than ever before. Everything 
 looked new, and I felt new. I could say, that 
 whereas I was once blind, now I see. I was a new 
 man. I believed I was converted. I was new at home ;. 
 new abroad ; new at meeting ; new everywhere. 
 
28 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEK BOUTELLE. 
 
 This commenced my religious life. Now I could 
 pray as well as talk. From my childhood I had 
 been with good Congregationalists — always with 
 them, contending for their faith, arguing with their 
 opponents and maintaining my position ; now when 
 I came to have the faith a living reality, vitalizing 
 my whole being, it was not hard to talk to those who 
 opposed themselves to the truth of God. I could 
 now turn the tables on them and say experimentally : 
 "I know that my Eedeemer liveth" ; and the bless- 
 ing came in witnessing of my hope. I found it hard 
 work to keep still. My talent was improved on all 
 proper occasions with blessed results, both with 
 regard to myself and others, as I believed. 
 
CHAPTEE V. 
 United txtith the Church. 
 
 FTER a time I united with the Con- 
 gregational Church, and as the Lord 
 seemed to direct went out with others, 
 in the neighborhood and vicinity hold- 
 ing meetings, visiting families, beseech- 
 ing them to run to Christ, the living fountain, and 
 be saved. I always prayed with them. The good- 
 ness of the Lord in bringing me into such a glorious- 
 light and the freedom of the gospel caused my "cup- 
 to run over." So I had to work it out while God 
 worked in me. Revival meetings were the desire 
 uppermost in my mind. Thus I was ever engaged 
 on this line of duty. While at my work in the shoe- 
 shop and in the business, I had many opportunities 
 to talk with radical men who loved the freedom of 
 thought and speech. At this time the subject of 
 temperance, abolition, antimasonry, Christian union, 
 Christian perfection were freely and constantly dis~ 
 
30 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 cussed. This gave me a wide field and access to 
 many who, while they all were interested in one or 
 more of these subjects, had no real interest in their 
 own salvation. I brought this in with the other 
 subjects, and the blessing of the Lord attended my 
 humble efforts. I also engaged in the temperance 
 and antislavery cause, and attended Conventions, 
 at one time going to New York and occupying many 
 places of public interest and importance ; so that I 
 ■could speak in behalf of the truth and every form of 
 righteousness with a good degree of freedom. It 
 was then said of me, "Boutelle is preaching." I 
 -did not call it preaching, but endeavored to keep 
 ■doing my duty ; letting my light shine. I had no 
 hold-back in my wife. She rejoiced in the same 
 Saviour and hope. Thus we made progress together 
 in the divine life. Although poor and working hard 
 to sustain my family, by the help of the Lord we got 
 along wonderfully well, lacking no needed thing. 
 I was in earnest in the religion which I by the grace 
 of God professed, doing all I could to have others 
 •come and taste and see if this salvation was not 
 worth having and enjoying. My Christianity took 
 in the non-resistant principle very thoroughly, and I 
 began to see that I was doomed to be among the few. 
 My father and mother were pleased indeed to have 
 "me on the Lord's side ; but I was inclined to run too 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 31 
 
 fast for them. While they were exceeding glad that 
 I had been converted, they were fearful that my 
 associations with the leaders in the abolition cause 
 would be greatly against my spiritual life — with such 
 men as Garrison, Thompson, Phillips, May, Douglas, 
 Storrs, Garrett Smith and a host of others pleading 
 for human goods and chattels, sold at auction — that 
 the chains of slavery might be taken off, and the 
 colored man have a right to himself, his wife and 
 his children. I was some persecuted, but truth and 
 righteousness urged me on through evil as well as 
 good report, never regretting that I was made of no 
 reputation for my colored brethren and Christ's sake ; 
 but counted it all joy. 
 
 Being active in my make-up, I had to be stirring, 
 my "new man" leading me to be in love with the work 
 of publishing his name everywhere. In meetings of 
 worship I improved every opportunity to do good. 
 I was out of town, as well as in town, getting up 
 meetings. I went to Townsend, Littleton, and other 
 places and held meetings in school-houses, getting 
 the people together, with good success in awaking a 
 revival interest. It was a great blessing to me, 
 doubly so, because of the salvation of others. I 
 often visited my aged parents, sometimes holding 
 meetings with them, or attending their meeting. 
 Thus I tried to work out my salvation with fear and 
 
32 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 trembling ; my wife and I, one in the same blessed 
 work. I had to be very diligent and economical in 
 order to take care of my family, but my duty in the 
 field of salvation had to be done. My meeting work 
 had to be attended to, if other things suffered a little. 
 I could often go to the meeting, and work two hours 
 after returning home, making my going to rest late 
 at night. Delightful work, this working with God 
 in saying men from death — that they might obtain 
 eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 I was now in the Congregational church, in good 
 standing. But I was inclined to run faster than the 
 old school brethren thought safe. They were pro- 
 slavery, and exceedingly afraid of the doctrine of 
 holiness and perfection. So we had some stirring 
 times on these subjects. Some of the members had 
 gone so far in advance of the church in advocating 
 their faith in these Bible doctrines, that their excom- 
 munication was determined upon. I plead their case. 
 I asked the church to show from the Bible that their 
 faith was anti-scriptural, or to bring forward one 
 text that would show their belief antagonistic to the 
 word of God. This they did not try to do, but they 
 said, we were believing and talking contrary to the 
 creed of the church. They were given three months 
 in which to confess their errors ; but if at the end of 
 that time they still held to them, they would no 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 33 
 
 longer be considered members of the church. So 
 they were excommunicated. It was then that I fully 
 began the warfare against the traditions of men, and 
 contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. 
 This kept me at work. I not only took an interest 
 in having men saved from sin, but I was deeply in- 
 terested in the cause of the slave. I felt that I 
 should do all I could for the abolition of slavery. 
 So I united with others in opposing the terrible evil 
 in a political manner. When the abolitionists un- 
 dertook to run their men in between the other two 
 parties to defeat them, or have them take our men, 
 I did quite a work in distributing votes and docu- 
 ments throughout the country. But I did not work 
 in this way long before I found my labor futile and 
 all lost ; for when you came to the nomination of 
 candidates, your ideal man for the place was sug- 
 gested, but he must be left off, as he was not avail- 
 able, and the next man be substituted, and he so 
 conservative that the vital principle contended for 
 was lost sight of, and the labor was lost. 
 
 This paralyzed my political zeal ; so for years I 
 was not seen at the polls. Moral suasion and polit- 
 ical action do not work well in conjunction. Polit- 
 ical action will have its own way, right or wrong. 
 Moral principle goes in for the right way, and no 
 other. Moral principle rights the wrong ; then the 
 
34 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN' THE 
 
 .right stays put. The political love of country seeks 
 promotion and large salaries. Farther than this it 
 does not often go. There is but little love of mak- 
 ing sacrifice without full pay. But all for our coun- 
 try's good(?). Self-denial in political parties is 
 seldom seen ; truth and the right are lost sight of. 
 Hence the cursed system of slavery continued until 
 the slavery section of the country rebelled against 
 the government, and attempted to set up another, 
 antagonistic to it, under which they could perpetrate 
 human oppression and slavery. This rebellion 
 against the government opened the eyes of the rest 
 of the nation, and a war began, as great as ever 
 there was. The war ended slavery, and nothing else 
 would have done it. It was a terrible punishment 
 of the whole nation, but God had directed this only 
 way of destroying the power of making chattels of 
 men, women and children. 
 
 Long before the war I was a hot abolitionist and 
 reformer. In spite of all opposition I went forward 
 and made my mark. I was a positive man, and 
 every one knew where to put me. Back in the early 
 antislavery times I began to see that the religious 
 world was not in harmony with the Bible ; and the 
 more I had to do with these reforms, which were 
 fought against by the great body of the religious 
 denominations, the more evident it became that 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 35 
 
 Christianity, the world over, was one thing ; that 
 Christ was one, his followers were one ; "one faith, 
 one Lord, one baptism." The more I thought it 
 over, studying into the subject,, the Spirit helping 
 my infirmities, the plainer it appeared to me that 
 we had a standard, the Bible, by which to settle all 
 these questions of reform, and that the opinions of 
 men as such amounted to nothing. 
 
 About this time I had affliction in my family. 
 One of my twin babies sickened, and after a while 
 died in my arms. Great was the sorrow to us. This 
 took place July 31, 1838. The baby was fourteen 
 months old. This left us with two children. As a 
 family we were getting along as well as we could. 
 The times were hard. There was great depression 
 in business, especially the shoe business, in which I 
 was engaged in company with Deacon Cragin. We 
 stopped our business, partly from necessity, as there 
 was a bankruptcy of the market for our goods. 
 But nevertheless, bread and water came. I retained 
 my homestead for the good and comfort of my 
 family and relatives. We were happy in our domes- 
 tic relations, and at peace with our neighbors. So 
 as we were on good terms with all around us, far 
 and near, all went well, while we grew in grace and 
 the knowledge of God through his blessed word. 
 My conversion, as I have said, made me a new man 
 
36 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 in Christ. This harmonized all my reform prin- 
 ciples, and made me a better antislavery man than 
 before. In these reforms I had nothing to take 
 back. They added strength and vigor to my youth- 
 ful manhood. My house was the home of all the 
 stigmatized reformers and free religionists. I was 
 well known among them as the friend of freedom, 
 life and liberty ; and reckoned among those who 
 "turn the world upside down." I seemed to belong 
 to this class without any effort of my own. I could 
 not keep out of it. I was always diligent and ready 
 to do with my might what I could, and with the 
 ability which God had given me. 
 
 I often visited my father and mother in these 
 years, and they were always - delighted in seeing me 
 and my family. Calvin, my twin brother lived in 
 the same town with father and mother, but probably 
 I visited them as often as he, notwithstanding I 
 lived so much farther away. I was rather a favor- 
 ite of my mother. I resembled her in looks and 
 ways, while Calvin was more like father. There 
 was a marked difference in our organizations, and 
 the contrast grew no less as we grew older. 
 
 As I have said, on account of the great depression 
 in business at this time (1837-8) we had to close 
 up ; and a little later we dissolved and settled, I 
 coming out second best. This brought some anz- 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 37 
 
 iety relative to the future ; but my trust was in the 
 Lord, and I did the very best I could. I still visited 
 my venerable parents often, looking after their in- 
 terests ; for while I had all my own affairs to attend 
 to, it was my delight to look after the welfare of 
 others. This kept me on a stir ; home duties to 
 perform, and going into "the regions beyond." 
 Oh, how I loved it ! Thus time went rapidly on, 
 and at home and abroad I was cheerful and happy. 
 
CHAPTEK VI. 
 R Strange Sound — fieut Subject. 
 
 BOUT this time a strange sound came 
 on the air: "The world is coming to 
 an end ! Christ is coming to judg- 
 ment!" It came nearer and caused 
 much thinking and talk, which daily 
 grew upon us. Finally we heard that a Vermont 
 fanner was preaching it and was coming to Lowell. 
 This caused a stir among us, and the question was : 
 What shall we in Groton do to hear this new doc- 
 trine? "We concluded that if the Congregational 
 meeting-house could be had for a lecture, we would 
 send and invite the man who was preaching this new 
 doctrine to come and speak to us. I was to see the 
 pastor of the church and get his consent to the use 
 of the house. I did bo, and obtained the house for 
 one lecture. So we sent for Mr. Miller, and re- 
 ceived a reply that he would come, he setting the 
 time. This commenced a new era in my history. 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LTJTHEE BOUTELLE 39 
 
 While I had been active through all my religious 
 life ; had been full of excitement with little abate- 
 ment, now there was a mighty wakeing up. Mr. Miller 
 came according to appointment. He took the sec- 
 ond, chapter of Daniel for his subject. The house 
 was full, and all were earnest hearers, ready to crit- 
 icise every thing that was said. The exposition of 
 each verse carried conviction, and a most anxious 
 hearing was manifest. None could evade his con- 
 clusions. The interest was so great that many said, 
 "We want to hear further on this subject." As we 
 could not have the meeting-house for any more lec- 
 tures, we went to a good hall near by and heard for 
 a week the argument for the Lord's soon coming. 
 And it took hold of us as nothing ever did before* 
 A religious interest was at once awakened, and the 
 people mightily aroused. A searching of the Bible, 
 from the beginning to the end, was witnessed, and 
 a deep anxiety to know how Mr. Miller understood 
 each part, and what he had to say. But there was 
 a deeper inquiry : "What shall I do to be saved?" 
 It seemed at first as though all were coming into 
 the belief of the Lord's soon appearing. But pres- 
 ently there was opposition seen. The church and 
 clergy came out against the preaching of the doc- 
 trine, and a conflict began. But there was so much 
 of the Spirit and power of God with this message, 
 
40 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 that those who had any vital salvation in them could 
 not help believeing it ; and the first you knew you 
 would be saying "Amen," the word penetrating you 
 through and through. 
 
 I remember well, after an evening lecture by Mr. 
 Miller on some part of the prophecy of Daniel, com- 
 ing home with my wife, who digested and felt the 
 force of the solemn application he made of his sub- 
 ject, she said, reviewing some part of his subject, 
 "Don't you believe that, husband?" I said "Wife, 
 it is Bible, but I hardly think I believe it." She 
 replied, earnestly, "Well, if it is Bible, why don't 
 you believe it?" I had looked it over solemnly, 
 and so I said, "When I believe it you will know it, 
 for I shall have to leave you and run with the mes- 
 sage." I thought within myself, there is salvation 
 in it, and I shall have to go. 
 
 The tide of Millerism, as they called it, rose 
 higher and higher, until, like the rushing of many 
 waters, it swept over the land. There seemed to 
 be little else talked of. It was the theme of min- 
 isters, deacons, class-leaders and praying-bands, 
 some opposing, but the most impressed deeply with 
 the subject. The spiritual in the churches fell in 
 with it joyfully, saying, "This is the truth ! Glory ! 
 Hallelujah !" Such was the effect of believing that 
 message that men who loved the world and were 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 41 
 
 covetous, became benevolent, and gave to the cause 
 of Christ and the poor. Christ was a new Saviour, 
 the Bible a new book ; so they felt. The word of 
 God seemed to electrify all who believed this doc- 
 trine of Christ's soon coming. They saw a harmony 
 in it, and an import they had never seen before. 
 The work of redemption culminating at the coming 
 of Jesus Christ to judgment was clearly seen. 
 
 Meetings where we lived were soon daily things. 
 I had become fully converted to the doctrine of 
 Adventism, and could tell, in my way, the pleas- 
 ing story. My honored parents had wanted a son 
 in the ministry. But I had not been prepared in 
 their way. The Lord wanted me prepared in his 
 way ; so I was brought along by him. He had 
 raised me up from sickness and death's door when 
 all hope of life had vanished. I was preserved, not 
 knowing for what purpose. He brought me out of 
 darkness into his marvelous light, and from sin and 
 satan unto himself. Now he had shown me what 
 his word taught, filled me with his Spirit, and should 
 I not preach, preach the great salvation, and the 
 coming of his Son to finish it? So I said to my 
 wife, "This message is everything, and I am on the 
 wing to proclaim it. The Lord is soon coming ; I 
 am filled with the Spirit, and must preach the preach- 
 ing that he bids me." I heard the voice, and I said, 
 
42 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 "Lord, here am I." I had to leave house, land, wife 
 and children, and bear a mighty reproach at the hands 
 of my best Christian brethren, as I then thought them 
 to be, and step forth, trusting in Him who "called 
 me to glory and virtue." I had no obstacles in the 
 way at home. My wife drank the same cup of salva- 
 tion, and called on the same Lord. I had no sooner 
 started out than doors were opened on every hand, 
 and it was only to step right along. We had noth- 
 ing to do with Mission Societies then. It was sim- 
 ply, What will please the Lord? He said to me, 
 "This message must be delivered, will you go?" I 
 said, "Yea, Lord," and started. Heaven called, I 
 could not but obey. The impulse by the Spirit of 
 God, and this God-honored message gave great bold- 
 ness. There was no waiting for an outfit ; the belief 
 that the Lord was at the doors made every one ready 
 to tell the story of his coming. The Spirit of the 
 Lord working mightily on men's minds, caused them 
 to go to the Bible to learn its teachings relative 
 to Jesus' soon appearing. To many it was, "Go 
 preach." To others it was, "Go pray and exhort." 
 All felt the responsibility of the call, and without 
 fear of consequences went out into unknown fields 
 to give the alarm and help save the perishing. 
 Here was a conflict with the wisdom of the world 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEK B0UTELLE. 4S 
 
 which never harmonizes with the wisdom of God. 
 But the voice came, "Follow thou me" ; then all was 
 still within, and peace thatpasseth all understanding- 
 flowed into the heart. So without money or scrip 
 we accepted the position and started out in the : 
 proclamation of this message, leaving all to spread, 
 it abroad. I had bitter opposition from my old 
 brethren, as I have said ; but a sweet fellowship with 
 my new brethren, all lovers of Jesus and his soon, 
 appearing. I had come into an affinity with a. 
 people, that what they had they did not call their 
 own. It was, "Behold, he cometh," and this was 
 to be sounded everywhere. It was wonderful how 
 rapidly it spread. It went like fire over a prairie. 
 Soon the towns and cities called for meetings and 
 light on the subject of the coming King. Calls in 
 every direction were heard : "Come over and tell us- 
 this new thing." Without any system of labor 
 marked out, you stand on the watch-tower, and when 
 the call comes, the only thing to inquire is, is it from, 
 the Lord? This was determined by prayer and fast- 
 ing, and having found that you should go, then you 
 must. Sublime spectacle, the army of the Lord's- 
 preachers moving hither and thither to their fields of 
 labor in one accord, declaring the same heaven-sent 
 message. The spiritual minded disciples of Jesus- 
 
44 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 
 
 would fall in love with it at once. All were moved 
 as never before. Sinners were alarmed and came to 
 the fountain of life : Christ the way, the truth and 
 the life. 
 
CHAPTER VH. 
 heaving flame to Give the OQessage. 
 
 .N that mighty movement I began my 
 ministry in earnest. I had so many 
 calls and entreaties to come, that I 
 could not stop to consult ease or com- 
 fort, or ask what people might think. 
 They scolded and scoffed, but I was doing my 
 specific work. I was soon found in Nashua, Ash- 
 burnham and Lowell, at meetings, and these opened 
 other doors ; and if I could have been divided into- 
 four parts, all could have been put in motion by the 
 calls which came from all directions. The hand of 
 God was as visible as if he had stood by my side. 
 The reminiscence of those golden times comes with 
 a rush into my mind, and I look back over my 
 pilgrimage then with wonder at the grace that was 
 shown me. My first winter's labor was mostly in 
 Vermont. I had then obtained a degree of boldness 
 surprising to myself. I had a call to Grafton, Vh r 
 
46 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 to assist in an Advent meeting to be held there. I 
 knew no one there except a friend who had seen me 
 in Massachusetts. He being in Grafton, sent for me 
 to come and attend some meetings there, giving me 
 the time when they were to be held. I took the 
 matter to the Lord in prayer, and the answer came 
 that I should go. Wife inquired if I were going. 
 I said, "Yes." She then asked how I was to get 
 there. I replied, "By the promises of God." I at 
 once wrote that I would come. I then made prepa- 
 rations for leaving my family. I did my best to 
 leave them in comfortable circumstances, feeling 
 assured that the Lord would be with them. 
 
 When the time came to begin the journey, I got 
 the offer of a ride on the way of seven miles. On 
 leaving, my little boy clung to me until my heart 
 was almost melted. I gave him my last penny but 
 one, and told him to be a good boy. I bade good- 
 bye to all, and started. Rode that seven miles to 
 iny first stopping-place, where there was to be an 
 evening meeting. I had a good time using my gift. 
 They inquired where I was bound. I told them. 
 They thought it a long journey, and made inquiries 
 in regard to my means of getting through. I told 
 them I had one penny and the promise of God. 
 Brother Heath said, "You then will get there." 
 Brother R. asked what time I would like to leave in 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 47 
 
 the morning. I said as soon as seven o'clock. At 
 7 a. m. this brother drove up to the door in his 
 sleigh, and took me in ; and so I was joyfully on my 
 way. He was intending to carry me as far as he 
 could and return the same day. We had gone but 
 a short distance, when I incidentally said, that it 
 would be a convenient thing to have a team in going 
 out to preach this message. He immediately pulled 
 up upon the reins and stopped, saying, "Why not 
 take this team and move right along on your 
 journey ?" I hesitated, but said, "Brother, you need 
 this horse more than I do." He said, "No, I would 
 rather you would take it than not, for my hay is 
 short." After talking the matter over, I accepted 
 his offer. He then gave me money for feeding the 
 horse on the journey, and left me, going back on 
 foot to his home. "Thus far the Lord had led me 
 on." 
 
 I now made my best way to G-rafton, Vt. Came 
 into the town at noon, on Sunday, expecting to find 
 an Advent meeting in session. I called at the hotel 
 and inquired if there was such a meeting. They 
 said, none that they knew of. After a time, not 
 knowing what next to do, I heard the church bell 
 ring, and saw the people going thither. I went into 
 the house with them and took a seat near the stove. 
 It was a Baptist Church. A sermon was preached, 
 
48 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 to which I listened attentively, wondering why I 
 was there. At the close of the sermon the minister 
 told the congregation that he would be absent two 
 weeks, but he had supplied the desk, and that they 
 must keep up the interest while he was away. Just 
 then a man stepped up to the desk and banded the 
 minister a paper, which he read. It was something 
 like this : ' 'There will be a lecture to-morrow evening 
 in the Center School-house, on the 'Coming of the 
 Lord,' by a Mr. Boutelle from the East." That, 
 being read, the congregation were dismissed. I then 
 asked the man who sat near me to introduce me to 
 the gentleman who handed the notice to the minister, 
 saying to him that I was the one referred to in the 
 notice. He introduced me as I requested, and I 
 found the man to be Bro. Gibson, a member of the 
 Baptist Church. He was the father of Eld. O. D. 
 Gibson, who afterward was an earnest Advent 
 preacher in the West; and who died there a few 
 years since. Bro. G. took me to his home, and bade 
 me welcome. Monday evening came, and I went 
 with Bro. G. to the school-house, which was already 
 crowded with people of all ages, and of course all 
 strangers to me. But the message must be delivered. 
 I commenced by singing one of our inspired Advent 
 hymns. All eyes were upon me, and all ears open. 
 After prayer, in which the Holy Spirit helped me, 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 49 
 
 and again singing, I told them my errand among 
 them. It was to give the evidences of the coming 
 of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was good news to 
 every one who loved him, and a reason why all who 
 did not love him should at once come and be saved, 
 and ready for his appearing. I added that if a place 
 could be found for meetings, I would stay and en- 
 deavor to prove from the Bible that Christ was near, 
 even at the doors. I then gave them an introductory 
 talk on the twenty-fourth of Matthew. Every stand- 
 ing place was occupied, and the interest ran high. 
 All listened as never before, it seemed to me. The 
 infidels of the place were out to see and hear. 
 
 After I was through, the question of future meet- 
 ings was talked upon. It did not take long to, settle 
 it, however, Bro. Gibson being a member of the 
 Baptist Church there, felt that the meetings should 
 be held in the meeting-house ; but the minister was 
 away and the committee did not like to assume the 
 responsibility of opening the house ; so there was a 
 perplexity. It was finally decided that we go into 
 the house, and if we were turned out, then we 
 would quietly leave and seek another place. So we 
 appointed a meeting the next day at half past nine, 
 a. m., inviting all, and requesting that all come to 
 pray for the blessing of God. We also appointed 
 a meeting at 10.30, when we would give them a 
 
50 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 lecture on the second chapter of Daniel. We also 
 appointed a meeting at 2 o'clock, and another at 7, 
 when we would preach on the signs of our Lord's 
 coming ; and that this would be the order of exer- 
 cises for each day of the week. This went out, and 
 was the subject of conversation in all the region 
 around. The morning came, but with a snow storm 
 during the night, which made it look a little dubious. 
 But it soon cleared away, and before our meeting 
 hour, the people with a long team of oxen and a sled 
 broke out the roads, and made a good path right to 
 the meeting-house door, so that at our first meeting 
 a goodly number were present, and took hold with 
 us. At 10.30 we had a good congregation, which 
 was increased at the afternoon and evening meetings, 
 and through the week with great interest. 
 
 After preaching the first evening, a deep feeling 
 was manifested. Conviction rested upon the people 
 mightily, and the cry was soon heard, "What shall 
 I do to be saved ?" The house was full. I said, in 
 closing, "We are not here to make Baptists, Metho- 
 dists, Congregationalists or any other sect, but to 
 make Christians ; and all of you that desire to be 
 Christ's and ready for his coming, please come for- 
 ward for prayers, and go with us to the kingdom of 
 God." At once it seemed as if the whole congrega- 
 tion were on their feet. All seats in the house 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 51 
 
 seemed to be anxious seats. All we could do was 
 to request them to yield themselves to Christ where 
 they were ; and in a closing prayer we committed 
 them to the Lord. It was a glorious sight and a 
 heavenly season ; one never to be forgotten by me. 
 We now had converts daily, and to God we gave all 
 the glory. Every day added to the interest. 
 
 "We remained there ten days. Many came into 
 the faith. Two young men became so strong in the 
 faith that they went to preaching it, and the region 
 around was filled with the sound : "Behold, he 
 cometh." We left a large number of converts there. 
 
 While there we were urged to come to London- 
 derry, Vt., with a promise of the Baptist house, in 
 which to preach. The time was set for the meetings 
 to begin, which was the next Saturday evening. 
 Accordingly Bro. Gibson hitched up his span and 
 took in a sleigh load for Londonderry. When we 
 got into the town we began to give notice of the 
 meeting that evening at the Baptist Church. We 
 went on in good cheer doing this until we arrived 
 at our stopping-place. Our friend there gave us a 
 hearty welcome, but informed us that the meeting- 
 house could not be opened, as the key was lost! 
 Thus we were left in a sad dilemma. But close by 
 stood the Congregational meeting-house. It was not 
 very showy, and looked as though it might welcome 
 
52 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 the coming of the Lord. We were now at a loss 
 to know what to do. A notice had gone out of a 
 meeting that evening, and no door was open for it. 
 Finally our friend said, that we would go to the 
 Center School-house. There was to be a school- 
 meeting there that evening, but he thought they 
 might give up their meeting for us. So we went 
 there, and stated our case. The keeper of the village 
 hotel being present, said, "Go tell my hostler to fire 
 and light my hall as soon as possible, and you invite 
 the people there." So after much perseverance and 
 delay, the people, sixty or seventy, were got into the 
 hall. We hardly knew where to begin, but this text 
 came to mind, 1 Thess. 5 : 21, "Prove all things." 
 After looking to the Lord in prayer, I read my text, 
 and from it told my hearers, that I was not there for 
 their money, nor to build up any party in religion, 
 but was there to prove to them by the Bible that the 
 Lord Jesus Christ was soon coming, when there would 
 be a resurrection of the dead and the judgment. I 
 said to them that if I did not prove it by the Bible, 
 I did not want any one to believe it ; but if I did 
 prove it, I wanted all to believe it and get ready for 
 the coming day. This with some practical lessons, 
 and then I said, if a place for meetings could be 
 obtained, I would stay eight or ten days and speak 
 to the people. After I sat down, a man arose and 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 53 
 
 said, "My friends, I have been hearing what this 
 stranger has said to us with a great deal of interest, 
 and as he has told us that he shall prove by the 
 Bible what he wants us to believe, and that he has 
 not come to build up sects, but to have us believe 
 the simple word of God, his claim upon our hearing 
 seems reasonable. I endorse what he has said here 
 to-night, and if he will accept the use of our church, 
 it is ready for him." I then inquired what church 
 it was. He said it was the Congregational, and that 
 he was the pastor. "We accepted his offer thankfully, 
 and gave notice, that by his permission we would 
 commence a series of meetings there the next day 
 (Sunday) , to continue daily through the week. At 
 9.30 a. m., there would be a prayer meeting, at which 
 we wanted to see all that loved to pray. That at 
 10.30 we would speak on the signs of the Lord's 
 coming. At 2 p. m. a short prayer meeting, followed 
 by preaching. At 7.30 preaching. That this would 
 be the program through the week. The minister 
 took me home with him ; so the Lord did direct and 
 provide. 
 
 We opened our meeting Sunday morning accord- 
 ing to appointment. The house was soon filled with 
 an interested congregation. The Baptist people, 
 with the key of their house lost, opened their house 
 that morning ; but as none of the church except the 
 
54 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 minister and the two deacons went into it, it was 
 locked again and they came over to our meeting. 
 
 They wanted us to come to their house, but we 
 continued in the Congregational house for ten days 
 or more, witnessing the most powerful work of 
 salvation we had then seen. The interest increased, 
 the converts were multiplied, and the region for miles 
 around was stirred as never before. The near com- 
 ing of the Lord was the great theme. Soon after 
 the meetings commenced we held inquiry meetings 
 in the school-house, while the prayer meetings were 
 going on in the meeting-house. The people all 
 flocked to our meetings. Three Methodist ministers 
 from other towns came daily to our meetings. Such 
 a time of confessing, and the forgiving of one 
 another I never saw. Such a returning to the Lord 
 by wandering professors of religion ; and the inquiry, 
 "What shall I do to be saved" — this was soul-reviving. 
 Surely God by his Spirit was in the midst of the 
 people. We could but pray, preach and shout while 
 the angels in heaven were rejoicing. 
 
 After remaining there longer than I supposed I 
 should when the work began, I left, but with reluc- 
 tance ; for it was delightfully blessed to see the Lord 
 work as he did in the conversion of perishing men, 
 making them ready for his expected kingdom. I 
 had a good fellow-worker with me in these meetings. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEK BOUTELLE. 55 
 
 The singing was in the Spirit and with the under- 
 standing also. Then we sang : 
 
 "We are a band of brethren dear ; 
 I will be in this band, Hallelujah. 
 Our Leader tells us not to fear ; 
 I will be in this band, Hallelujah. 
 I will be in this band, Hallelujah, 
 In the Second Advent band, Hallelujah." 
 
 We were not ashamed then to sing this and other 
 like hymns. They were full of meaning then. This 
 was Adventism in its early days, when the Lord was 
 with us by the Spirit, convicting and converting 
 scores and hundreds wherever the soon coming of 
 the Lord was proclaimed. 
 
CHAPTER Vm. 
 Returning Home — Incidents 
 
 FTER lecturing in some other places I 
 returned home to look after my family, 
 from whom I had heard every week 
 while gone. Here I want to put in a 
 short golden brief to show how the 
 Lord had his eye upon his cause and this people ; 
 how he took care of both, being a present help in 
 time of need. I have told the reader how I started 
 out on this trip with a penny and the promise of 
 God. I left home on Thursday morning. On the 
 Sunday morning after, my door-bell rang. My wife 
 went to the door, and who should be there but old 
 Bro. Wood from Dunstable, with his wife and daugh- 
 ter. Bro. W. was an acquaintance of mine, a Con- 
 gregationalist. He had begun to feel that the Lord 
 was soon coming, and he was not ready, and had 
 come nine miles to be prayed for, and to see into 
 the blessed doctrine. My wife told him that I had 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 57 
 
 gone to Vermont, but they must come in, and they 
 would have a meeting, which was soon collected. 
 Bro. Wood and family .were made the special sub- 
 jects of prayer, and for the Divine favor. A great 
 blessing was received ; the season long remembered. 
 On returning home, Bro. "Wood and wife left their 
 daughter in my family, and he was so interested in 
 their behalf that he visited them two and three times 
 a week during my absence, seeing them well cared 
 for, and that they lacked no good thing. While 
 looking after my folks, he learned that I had gone 
 preaching the Lord's coming, and left word that 
 when I returned I must come and see him. 
 
 After my return, I accordingly with my wife went 
 and made Bro. Wood a visit. By his desire I re- 
 hearsed how the Lord had dealt with me, and glori- 
 fied himself in the proclamation of the great message,, 
 stirring the people and converting many. He was 
 greatly interested in the account, while his faith was 
 strengthened in the word of God. When I was ready 
 to leave, he presented me with forty dollars, which 
 he understood I owed one of my neighbors. This I 
 gratefully accepted as from the Lord. On reaching 
 home, I went and paid the man I owed. This, 
 stopped the mouths of all scoffers, charging me with 
 wrong-doing. Thus you see the Lord cared both for 
 my family and myself. Oh, how safe it is to trust 
 
'58 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 in the mighty God ! "Go ye into my vineyard, and 
 ■whatsoever is right I will give you," was verified to 
 me. The new pentecostal times had come. Those 
 who had the Spirit poured out upon them then, did 
 not call what they had their own. This same good 
 Bro. W. was ready for every good word and work, 
 ■and he did a great deal for the cause. 
 
 This was my first long tour in the itinerancy ; after 
 -which I visited many places. This angel's message 
 was a flying one. No man that had it could keep 
 still. Campmeetings were held ; Conferences at- 
 tended. I visited these in Massachusetts, Connecti- 
 cut, and New Hampshire. Bro. Miller was present 
 in many of them. The interest increased every- 
 where . New England was filled with what was called 
 by way of reproach, "Millerism." This was Ad- 
 Tentism, and will be called so until Jesus comes. 
 After this I was never out of work. The calls were 
 many. I visited Westmoreland, N. H. I went and 
 leld meetings with Elder T. M. Preble with good 
 success. The Lord gave great freedom in the 
 preaching the "glad tidings" of his coming. We 
 were bold, and often invited the congregation to ask 
 any question relative to the subject under consider- 
 ation, which was as often done, we never failing to 
 answer all questions that were asked to the apparent 
 satisfaction of the inquirer, if not to our own. The 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLB. 59 
 
 word of the Lord triumphed gloriously. The echo 
 of the word spoken would come from the hills : 
 "Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall 
 see him." The air seemed to be full of the sound. 
 1843 was a memorable epoch. "We could not keep 
 from speaking. The church had to speak, or the 
 word of God be broken. We were workers with God, 
 and God spoke through us with an unmistakable 
 voice. The hearers of this voice were obeyers and 
 doers. They were one in Christ, one in faith, march- 
 ing on in the light of prophecy,, aided by the Holy 
 Spirit. Beautiful sight for the angels to look upon ; 
 they seeming to say : "Run and tell the good news." 
 
 After this my time was all occupied in preaching 
 in different States, at Campmeetings, Conferences 
 and other meetings. As time rolled on and the year 
 1843 passed (in which we all looked for the Lord) , 
 the interest kept up and it was with deep solicitude 
 that we entered 1844. Signs were still showing that 
 we were near the great event. The great landmark 
 of 1780 was remembered, with the later ones, and 
 these with the "great tribulation" held* us fast. 
 Other fulfillments of prophecy hurried us on with 
 heads uplifted, believing that our redemption was 
 nigh. 
 
 I went to Portland, Maine. Visited Deacon Pear- 
 son. Went with him to the hall there where the 
 
60 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 Adventists were holding large meetings. Went and 
 held meetings also in Concord, N. H., Worcester, 
 Springfield, Chicopee, Hartford, Bristol, Conn., and 
 many other places, and saw the wonderful work of 
 the Lord, in causing men to "renounce the hidden 
 things of dishonesty," and come to Christ by a man- 
 ifestation of the truth ; thus showing that they had 
 been regenerated . Adventists were bold then. They 
 worked with a will ; were hated and persecuted ; for 
 the last-day scoffers had come, saying, "Where is 
 the promise of his coming ?" Many interesting inci- 
 dents occurred in this rush for the kingdom, when 
 the violent were taking it by force. Some of these 
 incidents are worth remembering and relating, show- 
 ing the Lord's hand in the work. In my itinerating 
 I found a young man by the name of James Hemen- 
 way, in a spindle factory in Concord. He and his. 
 wife fell in love with Jesus' soon coming, and had 
 meetings at their house. He soon became uneasy 
 in his factory work, and left it to blow the trumpet 
 of alarm, and arouse the people to prepare for the 
 judgment. We helped him in this what we could. 
 We went together, he with me to improve his gift 
 in the meetings. He rapidly improved, in speaking. 
 He was with me at one of my appointments at a cer- 
 tain place in Massachusetts. After a time I went 
 there alone. While the people were gathering in the 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 61 
 
 house, I heard one man ask another if they had 
 preaching the Sunday preceding. The reply was, 
 "Yes ; Boutelle's apprentice preached to us, and he 
 beat the old man out and out." Well, I heard that 
 with great joy ; and I thought how quickly the Lord 
 can raise up some men to do a greater work than 
 others. Then I was glad that I had helped the young 
 man into the field, and that he could preach so much 
 better than myself. I prayed for an increase of 
 faith, love, humility, strength and ability to preach 
 this all-important message. Bro. H. is in the work, 
 and the work is in him, thought I. The vineyard 
 is the world, and the promise is, "Lo, I am with you 
 always." The "little book" had been eaten, and 
 the sweet message of the flying angel had been heard. 
 The winds of heaven had taken it all over the world 
 in spite of all opposition. It was a sublime specta- 
 cle to see the trumpeters fall in, sounding, "Behold, 
 he cometh !" It was like pentecost to see two fam- 
 ilies take from the same barrel, without either saying, 
 "This is mine." Holiness, justification, sanctification 
 came easy then, with rejoicing such as is not now 
 manifested. This was our early experience. The 
 Lord be praised. Amen. 
 
CHAPTEE IX. 
 Great Interest in the Coming of Christ. 
 
 S we entered upon the year 1844, the 
 interest, instead of decreasing, kept 
 up ; and during the summer the num- 
 ber of Campmeetings, Grovemeetings 
 and Conferences increased, and the 
 workers in the Lord's vineyard had all that they 
 could do. 
 
 In the early part of the summer our attention was 
 directed to the fall as the time for the Lord to come, 
 according to the types in the Old Testament, which 
 began to be studied and preached. By July there 
 was such a concentration of thought among the 
 strong ones on time, that it was called "the mid- 
 night cry." Thus a new impetus was created, and 
 the work of holding meetings and preaching was in- 
 creased. As we fell, one after another, into the 
 current belief that the fall would witness the coming 
 of our Lord, it became in faith a certainty — we be- 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 63 
 
 lieved it with our whole souls. Thus the cry, "Be- 
 hold, the bridegroom cometh!" was, by the "time 
 argument," made to end in the fall of 1844, Jewish 
 time, tenth day of the seventh month, supposed to 
 be Oct. 20, 21, or 22. This brought us to a definite 
 time, and in coming up to it, the works of Adven- 
 tists demonstrated their faith and honesty, not to be 
 questioned. As they moved on with the point of 
 time before them, all grew more enthusiastic. Crops- 
 were left nnharvested, their owners expecting never 
 to want what they had raised. Men paid up their 
 debts. Many sold their property to help others to- 
 pay their debts, who could not have done it them- 
 selves . Beef cattle were slaughtered and distributed! 
 among the poor. At no time since "the day of pen- 
 tecost was fully come" had there been the like — a 
 day when that pentecost was so completely dupli- 
 cated as in 1844, when Adventism prevailed and 
 reigned. 
 
 There was a great stir and talk, in many places,, 
 about putting the Millerites under guardianship. 
 But this did not cause any to go back on their faith. 
 They were firm and held fast, believing they should, 
 speak and act. Thus they were known by their 
 fruits. There was some fanaticism, but the body 
 of Adventists were sober, honest, a holy people, 
 with strong faith and ready to meet their Lord — to^ 
 
64 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEB BOUTELLE. 
 
 see the King in his beauty. As the time to which 
 all looked drew near, the Bible was studied even 
 more, and a fuller consecration made. There was 
 a harmony that made us a unit at this time, and the 
 representatives of Adventism and the flock were all 
 one. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 The Great Disappointment. 
 
 ^^HE Advent Herald, the Midnight Cry, 
 and other Advent papers, periodicals, 
 pamphlets, tracts, leaflets, voicing the 
 coming glory, were scattered broad- 
 cast and everywhere, like autumn 
 leaves in the forest. Every house was visited by 
 them. They were angels of mercy sent in love for 
 the salvation of men. Everything now began to 
 converge to a point. October was the closing time 
 of probation ! the judgment and rewards ! A mighty 
 effort through the Spirit and the word preached was- 
 made to bring sinners to repentance, and to have 
 the wandering return. All were awake to this great 
 end — salvation . The tenth day of the seventh month 
 drew nigh. With joy all the ready ones anticipated 
 the day. Solemn, however, were the last gatherings. 
 Those of a family who were ready to meet the Lord, 
 expecting an eternal separation from those who were 
 
66 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 not ready. Husbands and wives, parents and chil- 
 dren, brothers and sisters separated, and that for- 
 ever ! The leading preachers of Adventism had all 
 endorsed the tenth day of the seventh month as the 
 time when the Lord should be expected. On Oct. 
 6, Mr. Miller accepted the argument as true, and 
 wrote an endorsement of it. 
 
 Geo. Storrs, Sept. 24, 1844, in the Bible Exam- 
 iner said, "I take my pen with feelings such as I 
 never had before. Beyond a doubt in my mind the 
 tenth day of the seventh month will witness the rev- 
 elation of our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven." 
 
 The Voice of Truth, of Oct. 2, stated that Elders 
 Marsh, Galusha, Peavy and others had endorsed it. 
 
 In closing the Advent Herald office on the 16th of 
 October, an immense edition of that paper was is- 
 sued for free distribution in all parts of the land. 
 This was considered the last edition ever to be 
 published. 
 
 We now give an extract from Bro. S. Bliss. He 
 wrote, "The time immediately preceding the 22nd 
 of October was one of great calmness of mind and 
 pleasurable expectation on the part of those who 
 regarded the point of time with interest. There was 
 a nearness of approach to God, and a sacredness of 
 communion with him, to which those who experi- 
 enced it will ever recur with pleasure. During the 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 67 
 
 last ten days secular business was, for the most 
 part, suspended, and those who looked for the ad- 
 vent gave themselves to the work of preparation for 
 the event as they would for death, were they on a 
 bed of sickness, expecting soon to close their eyes 
 on earthly scenes forever." — History of the Second 
 Advent Message. 
 
 These quotations harmonize with what I knew to 
 be at the time. Such a concentration of thought ; 
 such a oneness of faith was never before witnessed ; 
 certainly not in modern times. All that did speak 
 spoke the same things. Solemn, yet joyful. Jesus 
 coming ! we to meet him ! Meetings everywhere 
 were being held . Confessions made , wrongs righted ; 
 sinners inquiring what they should do to be saved. 
 Those who were not with us were mightily effected. 
 Some were exceedingly frightened with awful fore- 
 bodings. 
 
 But the 22nd of October passed, making unspeak- 
 ably sad the faithful and longing ones ; but causing 
 the unbelieving and wicked to rejoice. All was 
 still. No Advent Herald; no meetings as formerly. 
 Every one felt lonely, with hardly a desire to speak 
 to any odc Still in the cold world ! No deliver- 
 ance — the Lord not come ! No words can express 
 the feelings of disappointment of a true Adventist 
 then. Those only who experienced it can enter into 
 
68 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 the subject as it was. It was a humiliating thing, 
 and we all felt it alike. All were silent, save to 
 inquire, "Where are we?" and "What next?" All 
 were housed and searching their Bibles to learn what 
 to do. In some few places they soon began to come 
 together to watch for some development of light, 
 relative to our disappointment. 
 
 Not quite content with being housed, after such 
 stirring times, I went to Boston. Found the Advent 
 Herald office closed, and all still. I next went to 
 New Bedford. Found the brethren in a confused 
 state. Had a few meetings ; comforted those who 
 came as best I could, telling them to hold fast, for 
 I believed there would be a good come out of this 
 matter. Returning from New Bedford to Boston, I 
 found the office of our Herald open, and Bro. Bliss 
 there. He said he had hardly been from his house 
 since the time passed. He inquired if there were 
 any meetings being held. I told him there was to 
 be one in the city that evening, and that in other 
 places they were coming together to comfort one 
 another. Some fanaticism was seen, but the many 
 were sober watchers for their Lord. 
 
 I learned of a company that had come together to 
 stay until the Lord came. I felt like visiting them. 
 Accordingly I took a carriage ride to the place. I 
 found about seventy believers in a large house, liv- 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 69 
 
 ing there and having meetings daily. They had put 
 all their money in a milk-pan, and when they paid 
 for anything they took the money from the pan. 
 All was common stock. We held a meeting with 
 them and advised them as best we could to keep the 
 faith and separate, and see to their individual inter- 
 ests, and those of their families, which advice they 
 kindly took, and very soon separated, going each to 
 his and her calling. 
 
 After a time in looking over the way the Lord had 
 led us, and bearing the reproach in consequence of 
 our failure, we found there was to be a disappoint- 
 ment in the fulfillment of the parable. The words 
 of Jesus were, "While the bridegroom tarried, they 
 all slumbered and slept." From the first of our ex- 
 perience as Adventists, we believed we were fulfill- 
 ing the parable by going forth to meet the Lord in 
 our faith and preaching of his coming, but we did 
 not see that the Bridegroom — the Lord — would not 
 come when we expected him. But it was not long 
 after our disappointment before the light began to 
 break in upon us, and we saw there was to be a 
 waiting time, a midnight before the Lord would 
 come. Turning to Rev., tenth chapter, we saw that 
 after the "little book" was eaten, and sweet in the 
 mouth, there was a bitterness to be experienced. 
 Our disappointment was bitter, and it was by eating 
 
70 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOCTELLE. 
 
 the word of God, or the little book. Since that time 
 a new inspiration has been given us, and we hare 
 done even more than we did before our disappoint- 
 ment; for the little book was to "prophesy again 
 before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and 
 kings." Thus the word of God is fulfilled by us, 
 and we can still repeat : 
 
 In eighteen hundred forty-four, 
 
 We thought the curse would be no more. 
 
 The things of earth we left behind, 
 
 To meet the Saviour of mankind. 
 
 With many we took the parting hand, 
 
 Till meeting in the better land. 
 
 The day passed by — no tongue can tell 
 
 The gloom that on the faithful fell. 
 
 Then what it meant they hardly knew, 
 
 But to their Lord they quickly flew. 
 
 They searched the Word, and not in -vain, 
 
 For comfort there they did obtain. 
 
 They found "the bridge" they had passed o'er ; 
 
 Then they rejoiced and grieved no more. 
 
 Their faith was firm in that blest Book, 
 
 And still for Jesus they did look. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 Resuming the Work cuith Good Courage. 
 
 ND now a new era was begun. These 
 divine utterances were heard with such 
 distinctness that it was easy to believe 
 them ; and with a zeal equal to our 
 former one, we took hold of the work 
 now given us to do. We found that the truth was 
 not to be all learned at once. Thus we came into the 
 tarrying time. This helped us to bear our disap- 
 pointment, and put our feet on solid land. Prophecy 
 again rang in our ears, and we were now on the wing 
 again, and the world found Millerism, which they 
 buried, still alive. So while the Bridegroom tarried, 
 meat in due season was to be given. With the as- 
 surance of light and divine help we quickened our 
 pace in our itinerating, and soon found the whole 
 body was breathing more freely. We as a people 
 righted up, and the sound of rejoicing was heard. 
 The scattered Advent body was gathered again, and 
 commenced anew their work of love. 
 
72 SKETCHES OP EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 In Jan. 1845, the Advent Herald appeared again 
 in the field, acknowledging our disappointment, but 
 urging the necessity of keeping the signs of the Lord's 
 soon coming before the people. Thus encouraged, 
 our meetings, Conferences and Campmeetings were 
 resumed with the former interest, while the way 
 opened wonderfully before us for missionary work, 
 scattering the light of the gospel in all directions. 
 We now had calls as many as we could attend to. 
 
 My first visit to Maine was going to the Lincoln- 
 ville Campmeeting. There was a large attendance 
 of the brethren in that State. Here I became ac- 
 quainted with Bro. Israel Damman and other preach- 
 ing brethren. We had a very interesting meeting of 
 days, in which the great message was still presented 
 to the people. Some were converted, others re- 
 claimed. The people were greatly stirred up in all 
 that region, many falling in love with the coming of 
 the Lord. Here I became acquainted with many 
 devoted Adventists on the Penobscot River, whom 
 I subsequently visited and labored among, attending 
 Campmeetings at Corinna, Orrington, Brewer and 
 China. Attended Conferences in many places, and 
 preached in towns here and there. I visited old 
 sainted Bro. Chamberlain and preached in his meet- 
 ing-house in Corinna. He was a singular man, but 
 a man of God. He belonged to the Christian denomi- 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LOTHEE BOUTELLE. 73 
 
 nation. I went on preaching tours in Maine with 
 Elders Boss, Berrick, Hemenway, Brewer and Good- 
 rich, and saw the gospel of the kingdom received 
 by hundreds, under the direction of the great Cap- 
 tain of our salvation. The sweet memory of persons 
 and places in Penobscot County stays by me. Our 
 brethren at the East were honest-hearted, outspoken, 
 and never took hold of anything to do it at the halves. 
 None could make a mistake in determining which 
 side they were on. 
 
 After this I attended a Campmeeting at Newington, 
 Conn. Here was my first acquaintance with Bro. 
 S. G. Mathewson and wife. Here we had a stirring 
 time. King Hastings, Hiram Munger and many other 
 leading brethren were present. The scoffers came to 
 this meeting in force, causing much trouble. Among 
 the things which they did was the throwing showers 
 of apples at King Hastings while he was preaching. 
 But in spite of all opposition the gospel of the 
 kingdom was preached, and was there received by a 
 goodly number. The truth still had a place in the 
 land, and the work went on. The Lord gave us 
 there a demonstration of his power in an unmis- 
 takable manner. Divine healing was manifested in 
 the recovery of the sick. Through all our history, 
 as a people, while the angels of God have guarded 
 and protected us, they have witnessed the power of 
 
74 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 the Almighty in healing many of his humble children 
 of their maladies ; while they too have been kept 
 rejoicing over repenting sinners. Blessed be the 
 Lord. 
 
 In my mission work I frequently visited Connecti- 
 cut. I preached in Hartford, New Britain, Bristol, 
 Northfleld, Plymouth, Yalesville, Meriden, Walling- 
 ford, Winsted, and many other places. In all these 
 I found brethren, houses, homes and places for meet- 
 ings, where the gospel of the Lord's coming was 
 listened to and rejoiced in. Here we found Col. 
 Hawkins, Judge Tyler, and a host of other intelligent 
 men who were ready to welcome the watchman, and 
 inquire, "What of the night?" The recollection of 
 those times is sweet, for in them the Lord worked 
 marvelously. 
 
 There is an incident which happened in Connecti- 
 cut, which I will here relate. I stopped with a Bro. 
 M. who was a well-to-do farmer. He with a span 
 of colts and a large carriage carried me from place 
 to place with a full load of meeting-goers. On the 
 way, generally, there was singing in the carriage as 
 we rode on. Our people in those days were so vital- 
 ized by the Spirit of God that they could sing at all 
 times, and under all circumstances. After we all 
 had sung a certain hymn, I happened to say that one 
 of those horses would make a fine missionary horse, 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 75 
 
 with which to spread the glad tidings of the kingdom 
 at hand. No answer was made to my remark. The 
 singing went on until we got to our stopping-place. 
 After three or more weeks of meetings in this region,, 
 Bro. M. took me out to Hartford, on my way home. 
 After a few weeks, while at home in Groton, I 
 received a letter from Bro. M., which read : 
 
 "My Bro. Bootelle : — I have a confession to 
 make. That horse which you said would make a 
 good mission horse, I felt I ought to give you, but I 
 did not want to break the span. One day as usual I 
 let my horses, cattle and sheep out to water. They 
 all returned except this horse. I waited for him to- 
 come up to the barn, but as he did not come, I went 
 to find him. I found him with his leg broken, and 
 so had to kill him. This was because I did not da 
 as the Lord made known my duty to do. I confess 
 my wrong, praying the Lord to forgive me, and that 
 you will also." 
 
 After a time I visited that region again. Found 
 Bro. M., still interested in the things of the king- 
 dom, and helping on the servants of Christ. When 
 I had again ended my work there, and was about to 
 return home, he said he would see me to Hartford, 
 which he did. In Hartford I went to stay with Elder 
 Joseph Turner. Bro. M. went to another place. 
 On leaving me for the night he said, "Shall I not 
 
'76 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOOTELLE. 
 
 see you in the morning?" I said to him, "I am go- 
 ing to leave quite early." He replied, "I would like 
 to see you." I said, "Where shall I see you ?" Bro. 
 M. said, "Meet me at 8 o'clock on Main Street, op- 
 posite of Dr. Bushnell's Church." I slept and took 
 breakfast, and at 8 a. m. stepped out upon Main 
 Street, where Bro. M. directed me to meet him. 
 Soon he came up to me, leading a horse, and said, 
 "There, that's for your mission work." All I could 
 rsay was, "How can I get him along?" He said, 
 "Come with me." I followed him to a stable. He 
 Mtched him into a second-hand buggy, saying, "All 
 is yours." Thanking him and the Lord with all my 
 heart I drove off toward home with feelings I cannot 
 •describe. This shows how God can work by his 
 ■Spirit on the minds of his children. Only live near 
 him and you will learn what he wants you to do ; 
 and to obey is to have his blessing. 
 
 I rode on home praising the Lord for his wonder- 
 ful goodness to me. I could now get along with less 
 money, and visit the poor. We preachers then had 
 no stipulated salaries. What the Lord gave us we 
 were thankful for. If we had reproach, stoning and 
 hardships, they were for Christ's sake ; and with the 
 good things of the kingdom besides, we could well 
 be content. 
 
CHAPTEE XII. 
 Still Pressing on in the ttloffk. 
 
 FTER itinerating near home, I started; 
 
 with my horse and carriage on a trip 
 
 to Maine. Leaving wife and children,. 
 
 as I was wont to do, and taking a Bro. 
 
 Haskins with me, we drove on, holding: 
 meetings on the way wherever we stopped, having 
 blessed good times in "prophesying again" the com- 
 ing of the Lord, and assuring the people that we 
 were right, and in the "little while" to wait. 
 
 We called at Concord, N. H. Found the way 
 open for meetings, and were heartily welcomed with, 
 our message. Here we found Bro. Hook, the Brn. 
 Ford, Nevins, Webster and a live company of Ad- 
 ventists. Stopped awhile with them, forming a fel- 
 lowship that will last as long as this life continues, 
 and renewed in the life to come. From Concord we 
 went to Eaton, making calls on the way. Found 
 some of like precious faith in all the places we passed 
 
78 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 through. Not keeping a diary, many incidents are 
 forgotten. We would go into places where the dis- 
 trict school was in session, and obtaining the school- 
 house for meetings, get the teacher to give out the 
 appointment in the school, when the scholars would 
 carry it to their parents and the neighbors. Gener- 
 ally the house would be filled with eager listeners. 
 This trip to Maine was productive of great good to 
 many. 
 
 We remember going into the towns of Sweden 
 and Norway especially. Bro. Haskins having a 
 sister residing in the town of Woodstock, we went 
 there and gave the people the word of the Lord. He 
 made his home with his sister, and we did the same. 
 We remained in this place many days. The Uni- 
 versalist meeting-house was opened for us, and here 
 we delivered our message, the people coming out to 
 hear in good numbers. While here I attended a 
 Grovemeeting. Preached on the twenty-fourth of 
 Mattthew. Gave the people the signs of the Lord's 
 coming. It was a mixed meeting of Adventists and 
 others. Some liked it, others did not. But the truth 
 found its way to some hearts and lodged there. 
 
 From here I made my way to West Poland, or 
 Maguire Hill, driving directly to Bro. John Ma- 
 guire's. Here I found a pilgrim's home, with warm 
 Christian greeting. In this place I found a good 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 79 
 
 number of disappointed, disconsolate, lonely ones, 
 not meeting together. I stayed here some time, 
 visiting, holding meetings, getting them from a "shut 
 door" to an open one. I well remember my first 
 meeting held there. It was at Bro. Jordan's. Here 
 I found Elder Joseph Turner. He came to the 
 meeting. I did my best to show them that we were 
 not left in darkness ; that the daylight had not gone, 
 but the sun still shone upon us. Laboring with them 
 faithfully, I had the joy of seeing them come out of 
 that cast-down condition and take hold of the Lord 
 God of Israel. A new state of things was seen, and 
 cheerful countenances appeared among the believing 
 ones, and blessed seasons followed. This was one 
 of the strongholds of Adventism. I stayed with 
 them until my attachments became so strong for them 
 that I could hardly tear myself away. The Maguires, 
 Jordans, Libbys and many others are still remem- 
 bered with affectionate regard, though some of them 
 sleep, waiting for the trumpet's voice, calling them 
 to the great gathering of all the ransomed of the 
 Lord. 
 
 Leaving West Poland very reluctantly, I made 
 my way to Portland, where I had previously visited 
 and made the acquaintance of the sainted Deacon 
 Pearson and his family. They all had fully fallen 
 in love with the heavenly tidings. Here I spent 
 
80 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 some days, preaching, visiting and praying with the 
 people as the way opened. Many needed comfort- 
 ing here as everywhere else, for it was a time of se- 
 vere trial. Here in this visit I found that good and 
 eminent Methodist preacher L. C. Stockman, full of 
 the faith for which he was excommunicated by the 
 Maine Methodist Conference. But he "kept the 
 faith," and finished his course, and died in the hope 
 of life at the coming of his Lord, whose gospel and 
 coming he so fearlessly preached. I visited him in 
 his last sickness. "Ready to be offered," he waited 
 the yielding up of his life to Christ. He sleeps un- 
 til the morning, when them that sleep in Jesus will 
 awake with him. 
 
 After finishing my labor in Portland, I made my 
 way towards home. On coming into Portsmouth, 
 N. H., just before night, I thought I would look up 
 some of my Advent brethren. I had never been 
 here, so I knew no one in the city. I rode along 
 on the main street and made a number of inquiries 
 for Adventists, but could get no knowledge of any, 
 they not being known by those of whom I inquired. 
 At length seeing a fine looking, portly man on the 
 sidewalk, I drove up towards him and said, "Can 
 you, sir, tell me where I can find an Adventist?" He 
 hesitated as if my language was a foreign one. I 
 then said, "They are sometimes called Millerites." 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 81 
 
 At this he seemed relieved, and quickly replied, 
 "Oh, yes, there is Colonel Drown ; he is the head 
 Millerite here. I can tell you where he lives." By 
 his direction I went directly to the Colonel's house. 
 Ringing the bell, a nice-looking woman presented 
 herself. I asked, "Is Colonel Drown, the head 
 Millerite in?" I saw she did not relish the title, but 
 at length said that he would be in at six o'clock ; 
 then I could see him. At the time she named I 
 called again at the door. It was opened by an eld- 
 erly man of a commanding look. I said, "Is this 
 Col. Drown?" He said it was. I then told him 
 who I was, and why I called upon him. He asked, 
 *'Are you the man that called here this afternoon 
 and designated me as the head Millerite?" I said, 
 "I am the man." He seemed disturbed ; but when 
 I told him how I ascertained his name, and des- 
 cribed the sort of man who gave him the title of 
 "head Millerite," he smiled, and said, "I know who 
 he was ; it was Judge Blank. That is just like him." 
 That eased it off, and I had a welcome. After sup- 
 per he went with me to the place fitted up just be- 
 fore for meetings ; and also introduced me to that 
 godly woman Sister Foster. Before I left the city 
 I found a goodly number of Advent believers, but 
 they were greatly discouraged, and waiting for fur- 
 ther light. It was not long before they rallied, and 
 
82 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 
 
 with the blessing of the great God built them a nice 
 chapel, and had it well filled. 
 
 After leaving there, I made my way through Ex- 
 eter, Lawrence, Lowell, having good seasons with 
 the believers in each place. Was welcomed home 
 after an absence of three months. 
 
CHAPTEE Xm. 
 Changes, ouith a flew Time 
 
 .N those few years after our great dis- 
 appointment, by searching the Script- 
 ures the faith of many respecting the 
 final condition of the lost underwent a 
 great change. We learned that instead 
 of being alive eternally, and suffering in torment, 
 the wicked would be destroyed, root and branch, 
 and be as though they had not been. We came te 
 see by the word of God that man was entirely mor- 
 tal ; that through Jesus Christ alone immortality was- 
 te be had ; and believing on him was the only way 
 of obtaining eternal life. This view, however, was 
 not taken by all who had looked for the Lord, and 
 so there was a division, the larger number of Ad- 
 ventists believing in the non-immortality of man. 
 This division continues ; but as a people, in looking 
 for the Lord, we are united, having the same love 
 
84 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 for the coming of the King in his beauty to raise the 
 dead and fit up the earth for the eternal abode of 
 the immortalized saints. 
 
 Through these years I continued to travel in all 
 directions in the several States, having all the calls 
 I could attend to, and often more. I attended a 
 score of Camp meetings in Mass., Maine, New Hamp- 
 shire, Rhode Island and elsewhere, witnessing 
 as before, the wonderful work of salvation by the 
 preaching of this gospel of the kingdom, to be 
 preached as a witness to all nations until the end. 
 While there was a difference of opinion relative to 
 the nature of man, and the very time of the Lord's 
 coming, the gospel of Christ never was proclaimed 
 with more clearness, and believed more firmly. 
 
 About 1850 a paper was started in Hartford, 
 Conn., called The Advent Watchman. This advo- 
 cated the unconsciousness of the dead, the destruc- 
 tion of the wicked and the soon coming of Christ. 
 It was edited by David Crary, W. S. Campbell; 
 Eld. Timothy Cole and others having a hand in it. 
 It freely discussed the subject of life and death, and 
 the return of Christ at hand. The "Six Sermons" 
 of George Storrs, and his paper, the Bible Exami- 
 ner, contained all the main arguments in favor of 
 the unconsciousness of the dead, and the final de- 
 struction of the ungodly at the judgment. The 
 
LIFE OF ELDEK LUTHER BOUTELLE. 85 
 
 doctrine of eternal life only through Christ had be- 
 come prominent among us at this time and was being 
 believed by many. 
 
 About this time there began to be a movement 
 toward fixing upon another date for the Lord to 
 come, and arguments from the Bible and chronology 
 began to be rehearsed and printed. The year 1854 
 was the time indicated. Elder J. Couch and F. H. 
 Berrick published a book, giving their reasons for 
 expecting the advent in the above year ; and this 
 with other printed matter, preaching and special 
 meetings produced great excitement in many quar- 
 ters of the land. 
 
 Soon after this Elder Miles Grant began to be 
 known among us. We then seemed to come to a 
 new era. This time movement brought into existence 
 the World's Crisis, which, while it advocated that 
 time for the Lord to come, did not cease to promul- 
 gate the great truths of revelation when the time 
 looked to had passed. The expectation of meeting 
 the Lord in 1854, and the preaching it was attended 
 with the blessing of God to many, who date their 
 convictions and conversion at that time. Many also 
 came into the faith in consequence of hearing the 
 prophecies then preached. Like the going forth in 
 1844, it had its great results, which are best known 
 by the heavenly ones above. There was the spirit, 
 
86 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 zeal, enthusiasm in the '54 movement that was wit- 
 nessed in '44. They sang : 
 
 "In eighteen hundred fifty-four, 
 We will go home to die no more." 
 
 The last great meeting held was in Exeter, N. H. 
 This was attended by all the leading brethren in the 
 '54 time. There was great disappointment in the 
 passing of this time, but it did not effect the body 
 as that of 1844 did. The publication of the Advent 
 Watchman ceased with 1854, and in its place was 
 published the Christian Reformer and Signs of the 
 Times. Joseph Turner was proprietor and editor. 
 This was a free paper in which to discuss the doc- 
 trines of the Bible, especially the non-immortality 
 of the soul. It was ably edited. This paper con- 
 tinued one year. 
 
 The World's Crisis, which had until then been 
 published in Lowell, was removed to Boston, and be- 
 came the leading paper of the larger Advent body, 
 and is still its organ. Its first permanent editor was 
 Jonas Merriam. Afterward Miles Grant, then John 
 Couch, and now E. A. Stockman. While there had 
 been some falling off of numbers in the body during 
 these years, there were additions that more than 
 made up for those who had gone aside, or left us. 
 As a people our influence has been mightily felt, and 
 the truth in relation to man and his final redemption 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 87 
 
 has spread and prevailed greatly over the error of 
 those days. The anti-Bible theology of the day is 
 being shaken, and in many cases gives way to the 
 teachings of the gospel. From this time, 1854-55, 
 my labors were continuous. 
 
 I spent much of my time in this State (Mass.), 
 meeting my appointments regularly as the Lord 
 opened the way and helped me on. There was no 
 lack of work for the years that followed. New 
 Hampshire was a field in which I found much work, 
 meeting often with good working brethren in the 
 ministry in that State. Some of them, yea, many 
 there, have left the walls of Zion, and lie in the val- 
 ley. It was back there among the hills that the Lord 
 poured out his Spirit upon both preacher and people 
 marvelously. 
 
 I attended the first Campmeeting at Wilbraham. 
 Met there the most of our pioneer and leading 
 preachers. This meeting was a most remarkable 
 one. The power of G-od was in the preaching and 
 all that was said. The praying and singing, with 
 the word dispensed, were mighty in the salvation of 
 sinners and the comforting of saints. Long to be 
 remembered was that meeting. A mighty impetus 
 was given to the work of the Spirit at that great 
 gathering. Converts to Christ and to the faith were 
 made there by scores. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 Experience and Deep Affliction. 
 
 '^HERE have been some all through 
 these years who have thought we 
 
 would know the very time when the 
 Lord would come. Some have fixed 
 on one time and some on another, and 
 these times have been freely discussed among us, as 
 a people, in our papers, and publicly in our meetings. 
 But the prophetic pen has not erred. That says, no 
 one knoweth the time — the day or the hour — only 
 "when he is near." This is enough to know — "even 
 at the doors." 
 
 The winter of 1860-61 1 spent in Biddeford, Me. 
 This was the commencement of the Advent Church 
 there. Brn. Libby and Hyde were the only believers 
 there who could be depended upon at first. They 
 made great sacrifices in sustaining a meeting ; but 
 the Lord had access to the hearts of some others, 
 and our meetings increased in numbers and interest, 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 89 
 
 while members were added to the church. A perma- 
 nent meeting was established, which resulted in their 
 building a chapel, "with a prosperous church to wor- 
 ship therein. 
 
 We now come to the time of the war, on account, 
 of the Southern Rebellion. I had a son-in-law, 
 Henry Moore, among the soldiers at the front. His 
 wife, my daughter Adelaide, was left with me. 
 While he was away she sickened, and on the 24th. 
 of May, 1863, fell asleep in Jesus. Her disease 
 was bronchial consumption. She had a good hope, 
 and gave good evidence that her life was hid with 
 Christ in God, and that when Christ appears, she 
 will appear in glory. So we did not mourn as those 
 who have no hope. Our hope sustained us in this 
 time of trial. 
 
 The elements of war are detrimental to the gospel 
 of peace and good will to man. There was at 
 this time a concentration of effort made to keep the 
 keynote of Adventism heard, and the signs of the 
 times seen by the people. We visited again our 
 Eastern State, and did missionary work all the way 
 up the Penobscot River, and had good success in. 
 sowing the good seed. Attended Campmeetings in. 
 the State, and itinerated with Brn. Brewer, Hemen- 
 way, Berrick and Ross. Those were days when, 
 prayer prevailed, and the truth took hold. Then. 
 
90 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 self-denial was practiced, and a holy people was 
 found who knew God. 
 
 I often visited Kennebunkport. Here was a strong 
 company of believers, and they were not dwarfs in 
 faith, bat pronounced Adventists, full of the fire of 
 the gospel of the kingdom. The light which they 
 had in them shone out, and it was only to get them 
 together, and there would be a flame with a heat 
 that would anihilate all the chills one might have 
 about him. 
 
 About this time (1862) there began to be a talk 
 of establishing a permanent Campmeeting in Eastern 
 Mass. Deciding upon the best place was to be done. 
 The place finally fixed upon was Alton Bay, N. H., 
 and in 1863 the first Campmeeting was held there. 
 I was much interested in this movement ; was pres- 
 ent in the preparation of the ground, being one of 
 the Campmeeting Committee. The Lord smiled 
 upon the work from the first, even before the dedi- 
 cation of the grove. The first meeting brought 
 fruit to his honor and glory. The establishment of 
 this Campmeeting was a most successful means of 
 spreading the light and truth as they shine forth in 
 the word of God. From cloth tents the camp grew 
 into cottages, but of the roughest kind, for those 
 who built them did not expect to use them long. 
 ■So the first built were in accordance with the faith 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 91 
 
 of their builders ; and some stand there at this day 
 as a monument of the faith of that day. 
 
 About this time I was afflicted by the sickness of 
 my wife. But she got able to attend the Camp- 
 meeting at Alton Bay in 1865. But little time 
 passed after our return home, before Sarah, then 
 my only daughter, and who was with us at the 
 Campmeeting, was taken sick with typhoid fever, 
 and died suddenly, leaving us alone. She was 
 twenty years old. This was a sad bereavement. 
 But the dear child fell asleep in Jesus, which gave 
 us comfort in the midst of affliction deep. Soon 
 after Sarah's death, my wife being lonely, I took 
 her with me to Lynn, and she did not return to 
 Groton. Presently we sought a home in Salem, and 
 moved there. Sold our house in Groton, to live 
 there no more. Soon after our removal to Salem, 
 my wife grew more feeble and continued to fail until 
 Jan. 1866, when she, too, fell asleep in Jesus, and 
 was laid beside her children in Groton. The funeral 
 service was attended by Elder Ruf us Wendell. This 
 left me in Salem, my son and his wife, living with 
 me. I had a home, a pleasant home, but I was sad, 
 bereft and lonely. But sustaining grace was given 
 me in all my afflictions. I found a church of Ad- 
 ventists in Salem, with whom I worshipped when at 
 home. Elder Rufus Wendell was the pastor. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Siek, and miraculously Healed. 
 
 FTER about two years of loneliness in 
 traveling in the ministry among the 
 hills and through the valleys of a num- 
 ber of States, I at length found a com- 
 panion in the person of Sr. Caroline 
 A. Ryder, of Chelsea, Mass., who after much solici- 
 tude and seeking for wisdom, which is profitable to 
 direct, consented to unite her interests with mine, 
 and care for me. So on Aug. 27, 1867, we were 
 united in lawful marriage, I taking her to Salem with 
 me. This was a happy union in the Lord, a union 
 of two of like precious faith. Now again I had a 
 helper and comforter in the gospel ; a blessing in 
 domestic life. This was a new epoch in my history, 
 and I fully believe it was in the ordering of God. 
 We soon came to Chelsea, where she had resided 
 with her first husband ; and this has been our per- 
 manent home for more than twenty years of love, 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 93 
 
 happiness and peace. In these years, as a helper 
 to me, she has been second to my Lord. 
 
 On Sept. 28th, 1871, the new chapel built in Chel- 
 sea was dedicated. Elder John Couch preached 
 the dedication sermon. The church here did most 
 nobly in this work ; and this building, erected at a 
 sacrifice, has been one of the most useful chapels 
 anywhere ; not only for the use of the church, but 
 for Conferences, meetings of the business associa- 
 tions of the body ever since its erection. 
 
 In July 1870, 1 attended an important tent meet- 
 ing held in Providence, R. I. It was in the Mass. 
 mission tent, under the charge of Enoch Morrill. 
 The tent was located on a hill in the southern part 
 of the city. This meeting was a most prosperous 
 and blessed one. It created a great stir in the city, 
 which told to the advantage of the truth. There 
 was considerable opposition to the Bible doctrine of 
 immortality only through Christ, but the result was, 
 that by the five weeks' meeting there, a church was 
 afterwards formed, and a chapel built, now called 
 the Hammond St. Advent Church and Chapel. 
 
 In 1873, 1 went again to Rutland, Vt., and spent 
 some time with the church there. I made my home 
 with Bro. Nahum Green and family. He was form- 
 erly a deputy sheriff ; had been converted under the 
 preaching of Elder M. Grant. The family had been 
 
94 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 brought to Christ and into the faith of his soon com- 
 ing. It was blessed to find such a home. I was 
 here two months or more, and by visiting and preach- 
 ing a good work was done in the church ; full meet- 
 ings with increasing interest when I left. Praise 
 the Lord. 
 
 From here I went to Castleton Vt. and had the 
 pleasure of meeting there Bro. and Sr. Mathewson, 
 and speaking to the people there. Before this a 
 sister in Middleton had written me three times to 
 come there and give the alarm. This was fifteen 
 miles from Rutland. So after I returned to Rutland, 
 I took Bro. Green's team and rode out to the place 
 where the sister who had written to me lived. I 
 found that she was the only person there who fully 
 believed "our report." She found me a place to stay, 
 and got the Methodist house for two or three lect- 
 ures. The people came out well to hear. I gave 
 them the coming of the Lord, and what he was com- 
 ing for, which made quite a talk throughout the 
 village. I left them discussing the subject with 
 their minister and among themselves. How many 
 converts I made, I know not. They gave me where 
 I put up a good-sized cake of maple sugar, which I 
 on my return gave to Bro. Green for the use of his 
 team, while I kept the blessing of God which I got 
 by going. I could but praise the Lord for his won- 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEE BODTELLE. 95 
 
 derful goodness in giving me health to be in the field 
 and able to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the 
 word of God. 
 
 Between 1873-75 I visited and preached in four 
 or five different states, attending campmeetings, 
 conferences and tentmeetings, and witnessed the 
 power of God in bringing men to see the need of 
 salvation by the Holy Spirit, and to accept of the 
 terms thereof, and be made new. This paid for so- 
 licitude, self-denial and labor. The coming in of 
 1875 found me in a debilitated condition physically, 
 from overwork. 
 
 In February I visited New Bedford, spending two 
 Sundays, filling the desk and doing some visiting of 
 the sick, who were very low — Bro. Lawrence and 
 some others. On the second Sunday evening, after 
 the meeting, I was partially paralyzed, but did not 
 then know what the matter was with me. I kept up 
 as best I could, and the next day Bro. Irish came 
 home to Chelsea with me, where I arrived in a sad 
 condition. All was immediately done for me that 
 could be. "What made my sickness more afflictive 
 was, Lizzie Ryder, our only daughter, was sick with 
 consumption, and nigh unto death. I did my best, to 
 keep up and help my wife to bear her burden. But 
 I was nearly helpless. April 9th Lizzie died, falling 
 asleep in Jesus, leaving us in a sad condition : wife 
 
"96 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 mourning for her only child, and I so palsied as not 
 to know hardly anything. I was put in bed, and 
 was then without feeling, and unconscious most of 
 the time, not knowing my nearest friends around 
 me. The brethren came in to cheer us and pray for 
 me, but I knew them not only at times. The doc- 
 tors came in and consulted. They gave no hope of 
 life, and said nothing could be done. A solemn 
 time ; the only hope there was, was in him "who 
 healeth all our diseases." Prayers now went up in 
 earnest for my recovery. My wife in this extremity 
 obtained the assurance that I would live, and like 
 Hezekiah of old have fifteen years added to my life ! 
 This gave others hope. After she obtained the evi- 
 dence from the Lord that I would live, I immediately 
 began to come out of the condition in which I 
 had been nearly three months, in an almost para- 
 lyzed state, with but little consciousness at any time. 
 When I began to come to myself everything looked 
 strange and as if I had never before seen them. 
 The most of my friends had given me up, but the 
 Lord heard prayer, and I was made to live. Here 
 was surely the manifestation of his power to heal 
 when all human help failed. 
 
 The following is taken from the World's Crisis, 
 written by the Editor during my sickness : 
 
 "Bro. L. Boutelle is very sick, doubtless unto 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 97 
 
 death. He has had one or two shocks of paralysis, 
 which have completely broken his nervous system, 
 and every organ of the body seems to have lost its 
 vitality. He is mentally and physically sinking into 
 death. He is very rapidly failing, and if the Lord 
 does not interpose his power to stay the disease, he 
 must very soon sleep the dreamless sleep. 
 
 "When he is conscious he is very happy, and 
 praises God heartily and constantly. There seems 
 to be a hallowed, sacred influence in his presence. 
 It is sad to see one of our most faithful and beloved 
 brethren in the ministry, who has so nobly and suc- 
 cessfully defended the great and important truths of 
 the gospel, sinking down at his post ; but his armor 
 is all on, and the last glances of his eye watching 
 the strategetical movements of the enemies of Christ. 
 
 "But there is a silver lining to this dark cloud; 
 for he exhibits the heavenly characteristics of sanc- 
 tified, Christianized humanity. He manifests no- 
 interest in conversing upon common subjects ; but 
 when the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the 
 dead, the signs of the times, and the blessedness of 
 the coming kingdom are referred to, he invariably 
 arouses, like an old soldier at the sound of martial 
 music, and calls into action all the sinking, vital 
 forces, in expressions of joyful praise and triumph- 
 ant expectation. 
 
98 LIFE OP ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 
 
 "We said to him, 'The trees are putting forth. 
 
 We know that summer is nigh.' His eye brightened, 
 
 and with emphatic and measured sentences he said, 
 
 'Yes ; that is so. "So likewise ye, — when ye shall 
 
 see — all these things, -^know that it is near, — even 
 
 at the doors." ' He then, with a very broken voice, 
 
 rapturously sung — 
 
 'Boll swifter round, ye wheels of time, 
 And bring the welcome day.' 
 
 Again he broke out, with an energy which was be- 
 yond his own, and sung — 
 
 'In that bright world no tears will flow ; 
 Death—' 
 
 and stopped, as if he had come to a gulf which had 
 not been passed, and then with a falling cadence 
 said, very impressively, 'Blessed — rest, — thrice 
 blessed rest.' So sink good men down into death's 
 undisturbed rest. J. c." 
 
 My health was most miraculously restored, so that 
 by the July following I was working as usual in the 
 vineyard of the Lord. And to the praise and glory 
 of his name I write this. The fifteen years have 
 been added, and more ; and I have occupied those 
 years in the service of my Master, and still am ready 
 to do all that he demands of me. 
 
 Still in the vineyard, let me faithful be, 
 Living and laboring ever, Lord, for Thee. 
 Not till Thou comest let my work be done ; 
 Then I would see Thee and possess the crown. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 fiealth Restored. K fleighbop Quieted. 
 
 FTER this new lease of life by divine 
 healing, I had a new inspiration ; and 
 I felt a greater responsibility as my 
 strength and vitality increased. Now 
 I was able to labor as extensively as 
 ever, and fill my place in evangelical work, not miss- 
 ing one of my appointments on Sundays, or meet- 
 ings at other times during the following year. 
 
 On my next birthday, my twin brother, with his 
 family visited me, with other relatives. This was 
 the 4th of May, 1876. More than a score of friends 
 came and dined with us, and it was a most pleasant 
 and profitable time. I was still able to fill my ap- 
 pointments about home, and itinerated in different 
 States, and the Lord smiled upon me in my effort to 
 spread the light and truth. 
 I visited again New Hampshire, Maine, Connec- 
 
100 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 ticut, and also Pennsylvania. I was much encour- 
 aged and blessed in seeing the work of God prosper 
 where I went. I saw an increase of faith in many 
 places relative to the soon coming of the Lord ; and 
 many becoming convinced that life and immortality 
 can only be obtained through Christ ; that destruc- 
 tion awaits the wicked, and not eternal conscious 
 being in torment. Still preaching and visiting the 
 sick and poor is my mission, and this I have accom- 
 plished as I have had strength and ability. 
 
 I have attended many funerals, and comforted 
 those who have mourned. Have married my share 
 of those who have entered domestic life. And now 
 in this added period of my life, I am more and more 
 desirous of fulfilling my part of the prophetic work. 
 Blessings are crowding themselves upon me and 
 mine. We drink alike at the same unfailing fount- 
 ain ; and home is the oasis in this world's desert, 
 when home is what it should be. It is made no less 
 sweet by bidding those of like precious faith and 
 hope to enter our circle and feel welcome. We have 
 learned that true Christianity is to live for others' 
 good ; that the poor and destitute, even if they are 
 our enemies, should find in our hearts and houses 
 a place and sympathy. No one should be turned 
 away who comes to us for help. We should re- 
 member the words of inspiration : "For none of us 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 101 
 
 liveth to himself." A Christian home is the sweet- 
 est place on the earth. The parental home should 
 be the most delightful spot that children could find. 
 The sweetening of divine grace should be had in 
 every domestic circle. This makes a happy family 
 and a cheerful home. A father of a family should 
 have the gospel religion, and by prayer, good words 
 and works secure the blessing of the heavenly Fath- 
 er upon his bousehold. God is love, and his gov- 
 ernment is administered in love ; and the government 
 of every family should be in love. The law of God 
 is comprehended in this : "Love thy neighbor as 
 thyself." This principle lived out, and there would 
 be a check to the voice of slander; all difficulties, 
 would be healed between men, and many evils rem- 
 edied. This gospel of good will was heralded by 
 the heavenly host, as they shouted, "Glory to God 
 in the highest, and on earth peace and good will 
 toward men." It is this good will toward men that 
 often makes friends of enemies. To illustrate this 
 divine principle I will here relate some of my 
 experience. 
 
 I once had a neighbor, who when he became my 
 neighbor, people said we should always be in a 
 quarrel, he was so exacting and unscrupulous. We 
 drew water from the same well, it being on the line 
 between us. I had no fear of any difficulty with 
 
102 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 my neighbors, for I had learned that love begets 
 love, and that some people always had good neigh- 
 bors, while others did not. Whenever the bucket 
 or rope got out of order I would see it righted, and 
 all went well, for he would inquire the cost, and say 
 he would fix it the next time ; so I saw it was work- 
 ing well. At length, one day, my boy told me that 
 my near neighbor claimed that I had some of his land, 
 as by a bound-mark between us. I thought nothing 
 of it until one day, after getting home from a preach- 
 ing tour, I took my hoe and went into my garden to 
 hoe my potatoes. I saw that my neighbor was in his 
 garden doing the same thing. Presently he came 
 over into my garden, and going to the further side 
 began to dig. After a short time he called me and 
 said, "I have found the bound-mark between us ;" 
 pointing to a small stone about three feet in upon 
 my land, "I think that's it," said he. I then said, 
 "I think the fence is on the line, but if you think this 
 is the true bound, put down your mark, and you may 
 move the fence to it." He took his hoe and went 
 back into his garden. I heard no more about the 
 "bound-mark," living by him ten years after this. 
 The gospel rule is the great remedy for overcoming 
 evil. 
 
 My health continued, so that I began the new year 
 with good courage and a fresh supply of added 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LOTHER B0UTELLE. 103 
 
 strength. Besides having work near home, I was 
 called often away. I visited once more Rutland, 
 Addison, and Bristol, Vt. Preached the gospel of 
 the coming kingdom in these places, comforting the 
 believers, and entreating others to hasten to the 
 fountain, and drink of the living water and live. 
 And still onward I pressed, as the years came and 
 went. I was still running my rounds to feed the 
 flock of God, of which the Holy Ghost has made me 
 overseer, deriving comfort and courage by the bless- 
 ings conferred upon me in my efforts put forth in 
 weakness, but in faith and with a consolation and 
 good hope. 
 
 An event of deep interest to me occurred this year 
 which I cannot well omit mentioning. My twin 
 brother Calvin and his wife had enjoyed wedded life 
 a half century ; and by the desire of their children, 
 relatives and friends they were to celebrate the an- 
 niversary of fifty years of married life, by a gather- 
 ing at their house in Townsend, Mass. On that day 
 a tent was spread, near their home, in which a din- 
 ner was laid for the company. I had been selected 
 to preside and make an address. As this was the 
 wish of all, I consented to sit at the head of the 
 table, and after the repast speak to the company 
 as the occasion demanded. The following is the 
 address : 
 
104 sketches of experience in the 
 
 "My Dearly Beloved Brother, Sister, Relatives 
 anb Friends, — By the mercies of God we are called 
 together here to-day, to bring to mind the former 
 days, as well as to celebrate with you the fiftieth 
 year of your married life, or Golden Wedding. 
 But few in wedded life are permitted to dwell thus 
 long together ; and it is by the goodness of God that 
 you have outlived the generation of your childhood, 
 and have the pleasure of being surrounded by your 
 children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. And 
 even to-day there would be but little to cheer and 
 encourage, were it not for the memory of the past 
 and the prospect of the future. We get compara- 
 tively little as we are crowded rapidly on with life's 
 changes, only as memory lingers delightfully or sor- 
 rowfully upon the past, and we anticipate the future 
 by hopeful promise. This makes up the most of 
 human life. If our effort or desire fails we faint 
 not, but catch the next chance with determined 
 vigor, remembering, 'Where there's a will, there's 
 a way.' Thus, by the inspiration of hope, we meet 
 all the storms of life, and struggle with a grasp that 
 will overcome almost every obstacle we find in our 
 way. 
 
 Things have greatly changed since we were boys. 
 Then we all went to one meeting. The old Puritan 
 religion answered for all the honest-hearted. The 
 
LIFE OF ELDER 'LUTHER BOUTELLE. 105 
 
 one minister preached on the hill, and his dog, on 
 the pulpit stairs, kept away all intruders ! The gos- 
 pel heat — with a few foot stoves for aged sisters — 
 was supposed to be all that was neccessary for physi- 
 cal health or spiritual fervor. All went to meeting 
 then. Large families could be seen in the sanctuary, 
 rain or shine, cold or hot. Galleries crowded ! All 
 reverently worshiping one God ! And the seats of 
 the pews so arranged on hinges that when the min- 
 ister said 'Amen,' they would all respond with an 
 unmistakable relish. Bonnets, hats, and clothing 
 seemed to be waterproof then. The preparatory 
 lecture was not forsaken. This was fifty years ago ! 
 
 Then we were not obliged to bolt the doors to 
 keep out tramps, thieves, seducers, or murderers. 
 If one was out with large sums of money on his 
 person, by day or by night, no suspicion of foul 
 play. Defalcations, forgery, or clandestinely tak- 
 ing monies entrusted to one's care, was not expected 
 in the church or ministry fifty years ago. This 
 after all that can be said, seems like the golden age 
 
 Look back to our peers — the Adames, the Spaul 
 dings, the Gileses, Wires, Blogetts, Wilders, Walkers 
 Balls, Boutelles, and a host of the Puritan stamp 
 firm in the faith, all moving on harmoniously, with 
 the Rev. David Palmer giving them the divinely in- 
 spired word of God, unadulterated by human wis- 
 
106 SKETCHES OP EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 dom ! This was fifty years ago ! I freely admit a 
 progression both literary and scientific ; but how is 
 it with the Christian moral standard ? But I forbear. 
 
 Fifty years ago, you took your Thirza to this sa- 
 cred spot, the old homestead of Deacon Giles — not 
 Deacon Giles of the distillery reputation, but the 
 good old Puritan deacon — and this very soil has 
 been consecrated by prayer and fasting! Honest 
 dealing had been inaugurated here before you stepped 
 upon the soil. The golden rule was the deacon's 
 rule. It was not, 'Get what you can, and keep 
 what you get.' I well remember that my father 
 made his family shoes with the understanding that a 
 bushel of corn or rye paid for a pair of shoes ; and 
 when corn brought $2.50 instead of $1.00, it only 
 paid for a pair of shoes with Deacon Giles ; and 
 when it brought only 75 cts. per bushel, it paid for 
 a pair of shoes with Deacon Boutelle. And thus 
 should the moral honesty of the old farm be kept up, 
 till the mighty hand of our God shall bring it back 
 to its primitive purity by a restitution. 
 
 The celebration of this important event, seems to 
 concentrate the struggles and pleasures of more than 
 half a century of domestic life. It is not of common 
 occurrence. You, my dear brother and sister, are 
 an exception to the rule. 
 
 You are a favored couple. And the goodness of 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 107 
 
 God calls upon you for gratitude and thanksgiving 
 for the blessings of a long, happy, wedded life, to a 
 good old age ! Living by permission, on borrowed 
 time ! Let the closing up scenes of life's drama be 
 spent in the service of our Christ, who is soon to 
 appear ; that you may be able to say with the apos- 
 tle, 'Whether we live, we live unto the Lord ; 
 whether we die, we die unto the Lord : whether we 
 live or die, therefore, we are the Lord's."' 
 
 After the address I read the following poem, which 
 I had written for the occasion, Subsequently, at the 
 request and expense of the friends, both were printed 
 and circulated among those interested in the golden 
 wedding of my brother and wife. That was on May 
 13th, 1880. My brother and I had just passed our 
 74th birthday, that being the 4th of May, nine days- 
 previous. 
 
 THE POEM. 
 
 "We now will look, at scenes left far behind, 
 Bringing the family record fresh to mind. 
 No farther in the past, to-day you'll hear, 
 Then eighteen hundred six — eventful year. 
 That was the time, the people say, 
 A strange surprise, the fourth of May. 
 A good old deacon lived in town, 
 And to his stock two boys were born. 
 Luther and Calvin they were named, 
 If not in grace, none could be blamed. 
 Parents and neighbors did rejoice. 
 Among them all it was their choice. 
 
"108 )8 SKETCHES OP EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 The history, thus far, is not mine ; 
 
 For I remember not the time. 
 
 It must have been long time ago, 
 
 Or the surprise I'd surely know. 
 
 I remember well, in after days, 
 
 I met the boys, in school and plays. 
 
 These boys grew up, perhaps not smart ; 
 
 In mischief they could act their part. 
 
 Their childhood days soon took their flight — 
 
 Their parents taught them what was right. 
 
 The deacon would have them in a row ; 
 
 For Sundays they must to meeting go. 
 
 Their way was through the chestnut field — 
 
 To this temptation they would yield : 
 
 Sometimes they'd stop and pick them up, 
 
 Then they'd to drink the bitter cup. 
 
 The deacon was the tithing man : 
 
 For Sabbath-breaking to him they ran. 
 
 'Mischievous boys !' all join and say, 
 
 'The deacon should not let them stray.' 
 
 But the deacon did the best he could : 
 
 He prayed, and taught them to be good. 
 
 Into the church they must be brought, 
 
 And theologically taught. 
 
 Thus, with best wishes of parent's heart, 
 
 On life's rough journey they must start. 
 
 Childhood and youth are left behind, 
 
 And manhood's prospects fill the mind. 
 
 Our father's house and parents' care 
 
 Must now be left — life's toils to bear ; 
 
 Do for one's self the best you can 
 
 To gain a living, and be a man. 
 
 For domestic life, desire grows strong : 
 To have a wife could not be wrong. 
 God had taught us, it was not good 
 To toil alone for daily food. 
 
LIFE OF ELDKR LUTHER BOUTELLE. 109>' 
 
 So now inclined to look around, 
 
 To see if the prize could not be found ; 
 
 Now comes the time of hope and fear, 
 
 And stern research from year to year. 
 
 At length the long sought comes in sight : 
 
 Both fall in love — and all works right. 
 
 Consent of parents is freely had, 
 
 And all hearts are at once made glad. 
 
 The day is set, the friends must come 
 
 To see the twain by law made one. 
 
 The parson now is called, to say, ' 
 
 'Husband and wife are you, this day : 
 
 What God hath joined, so let it be ; 
 
 Let no man put asunder thee.' 
 
 We now come to your wedding day, 
 
 The thirteenth of the smiling May : 
 
 That blissful bridal day, you know, 
 
 To-day, was fifty years ago. 
 
 The voyage of life was then begun, 
 
 Your hopes and interests were one. 
 
 New scenes of pleasure and of bliss, 
 
 Such as united hearts could wish. 
 
 Your prospect bright — new friends you greet,. 
 
 And married life to you is sweet. 
 
 At length, to make all hearts rejoice, 
 
 The cheering sound — an infant's voice! 
 
 No regret with parents to hear the cry— 
 
 The stern command was 'multiply.' 
 
 So this is in prophetic line ; 
 
 Not to obey would be a crime. 
 
 The cradle now begins to rock 
 
 The firstling of a little flock. 
 
 Another ! and another, still ! 
 
 The cradle has its constant fill. 
 
 Battle commenced, it must be fought, 
 
 If other plans are brought to nought. 
 
 The prattlings, all, dear souls ! they share- 
 
110 10 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 A loving mother's tender care. 
 They fret and scold, they laugh and cry, 
 And, for your life, you can't tell why. 
 But then you take it with good will, 
 For you can't keep the darlings still. 
 Sometimes your patience has to yield ; 
 But soon sound reason takes the field. 
 Thus married life has quickly run — 
 Sorrows and pleasures in all that's done. 
 Correction, discipline, on they go 
 To manhood : thus the children grow. 
 But still their parents' cares and fears 
 Follow them on, to riper years. 
 If they prove faithful, good, and true, 
 Nothing more pleasing they could do. 
 
 By God's great goodness, grace divine, 
 You've lived together so long a time. 
 Such blessing is granted but to few, 
 And thankful hearts to Him are due. 
 Your children and friends — so very dear,— 
 To-day have come, to greet you here. 
 Your children are your chief delight ; 
 They'll seek to make your burdens light. 
 Life's remnant will be quickly run, 
 While you will pray, 'Thy kingdom come' ! 
 While warring through this mortal race, 
 You'll need the power of saving grace. 
 Humiliating, to know we must, 
 In a few days, be turned to dust ! 
 'The living know that they must die,' 
 And, doomed to hades, there must lie. 
 But then, the hope the Gospel gives 
 Brings from the grave, and makes men live! 
 Christ tasted death — rose the third day : 
 So, in the grave men cannot stay. 
 The words of Christ are not in vain ; 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOTJTELLE. Ill 
 
 'If a man dies, he'll live again.' 
 
 Christ Jesus died — He's now alive ; 
 
 So all Christ's sleepers will revive. 
 
 Then in His likeness they will be, 
 
 All clothed with immortality. 
 
 This 'blessed hope,' while on the way, 
 
 Should cheer your hearts, from day to day. 
 
 And when our blessed Lord shall come, 
 
 He'll bid you to a welcome home : 
 
 Sweet home ! beyond the reach of strife ; 
 
 The new-earth home — with endless life. 
 
 The children here — both one and all — 
 I hope will hear the gracious call ; 
 That they may not be turned away 
 From life, in the great coming day. 
 Grandchildren, friends, to us so dear, 
 I hope to Christ they will give ear ; 
 The pleasant path of wisdom take, 
 And with the good their journey make. 
 
 This is a day of mirth and cheer 
 With loving friends around you here. 
 But soon alas ! again we part, 
 And separate with saddened heart : 
 The good, at last, with Christ shall meet, 
 Salvation's story to repeat ; 
 While endless ages roll along 
 Redemption's story shall be our song." 
 
CHAPTER XVn. 
 Jiealing in Anstxier to Ptfaye*. 
 
 HE following year, 1881, was a very 
 successful year of labor in the Lord's 
 vineyard, for my strength was accord- 
 ing to the demands for work. I had 
 all that I could do. My mission work 
 accumulated on my hands, aud consequently my time 
 was all taken up in my specific work ; so when the 
 yearly bound was reached, it seemed but a day ; for 
 the more one is engaged in the work of saving men, 
 and the older he grows, the faster time seems to ruu. 
 Thus 1881 and 1882 passed, bringing me and all 
 nearer the judgment. The seasons of blessing, of 
 happiness and sorrow on life's journey, once passed 
 through, are forever in the past. In my labors, 
 public and private, at home and abroad, I have had 
 the favor of God and my brethren. They have been 
 lovingly kind to me in all my infirmities and weak- 
 nesses. Much of my life has been spent in excite- 
 
LIKE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 113 
 
 ment, with aa interest, sometimes intense in that 
 which seemed to me to be for the glory of God and 
 the best good of all. I have kept a horse which has 
 enabled me to do more visiting than I otherwise 
 could have done. In these calls of mercy upon the 
 poor and sick, the isolated saints, there are sweet 
 remembrances of special blessings bestowed upon 
 them. They linger in the memory, and increase 
 gratitude to God. I could chronicle many like the 
 following: 
 
 I was in Lynn one time and felt a drawing to visit 
 Bro. Sederquist. Found him sick, and with a ter- 
 rible cough and difficult breathing. Our visit was 
 short, but a blessed one. I cheered him as much as 
 I could with the "blessed hope," had a free season 
 in prayer, calling upon God in his behalf, asking 
 that he might have immediate relief. I came away, 
 feeling well. The next time I saw Bro. S. he told 
 me that the difficulty left him immediately after I 
 left him, and he was able to attend to his duties, 
 and on Sunday to preach as usual. To God, the 
 Healer, we gave all the glory. These special seasons 
 of relief and healing have not been uncommon. I 
 have witnessed them all the way in my preaching 
 experience. Nothing makes one feel so small, weak 
 and dependent as to have God work his wonders 
 through our agency. 
 
114 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 I at one time preached in Portsmouth, N. H. I 
 put up with that sainted couple, Bro. and Sister 
 Chase. Bro. C. came home Saturday evening very 
 fatigued and feeling ill. Sunday morning, however, 
 he went to the meeting, but had trouble in returning 
 on account of an attack of rheumatism. This kept 
 him at home the rest of the day. On my return from 
 the evening meeting I found him in a state of great 
 anxiety, fearing he would not be able to go to his 
 work the next day, as he had work that was prom- 
 ised, and which was necessary to be done at once. 
 I comforted him what I could, and got down and 
 asked my heavenly Father in the name of his Son 
 to remember and heal this godly man ; to ease his 
 pain, make him limber, so that he could fulfill his 
 promise by being at his work. I retired for rest. 
 I arose in the morning before seven o'clock, but 
 Bro. Chase was not to be seen ; he had gone to his 
 work all right. He afterwards assured me and his 
 brethren that his going to his work the next day was 
 in answer to prayer. This is proof that God is the 
 same that the Bible represents him to be, a prayer- 
 hearing God. 
 
 I was once called to the bedside of a sick lady, a 
 member of the Congregational Church. Her disease 
 was consumption. In conversation with her, I found 
 her in a state of reconciliation to her Saviour. But 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOTJTELLE. 115 
 
 one thing troubled her. She had a lingering desire 
 for life. She wanted to live that she might do more 
 good. She was anxious to know if that desire was 
 wrong. I comforted her by giving her examples 
 from the Bible, where good men wanted to live 
 longer, assuring her that after fourscore years in 
 life, with faith in Christ, I wanted to live longer. 
 This greatly comforted the dying one, and lighted 
 up her last hours ; and in hope she fell asleep in 
 Jesus. 
 
 These examples of God's goodness to his people, 
 comforting and healing the wounded spirit, are man- 
 ifest in every age. Let us recognize him in these 
 things, and give him the glory. I see as I advance 
 in life the same good hand guiding me along the 
 way, and through the last-day perils, both at home 
 and abroad ; I lacking no good thing. I am satis- 
 fied with my salary, "What is right, I will give you." 
 My bread and water are made sure. Thus faring as 
 the Lord directs, I still look for the "blessed hope," 
 and do all I can to have others look for the same. 
 
 I see by my jottings, that 1883 passed as the pre- 
 vious year did, I going here and there in the gospel 
 field, telling the story of salvation, and calling upon 
 all to come to the great Physician and be cured of 
 the disease of sin, and live forever. 
 
 I visited again Addison and Bristol, Vt., laboring 
 
116 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 five weeks with the faithful friends of Jesus there, 
 and finding my labor not in vain in the Lord. So 
 there, as well as in all other places, I could rejoice 
 with those who rejoiced, and weep with those wept. 
 In Christ Jesus I can do all things, suffer all things 
 and be content. But it is all of grace. 
 
 Through the following winter I was kept in the 
 field, able to preach every Sunday, beside working 
 in protracted meetings, officiating at funerals, visit- 
 ing the sick and dying. Thus in good health under 
 my lengthened lease of life, keeping myself in the 
 faith, and being kept alive by the power of God, 
 salvation seemed the great thing to be thought of, 
 and proclaimed ; the only thing worth seeking, the 
 only thing that should be preached. 
 i The years 1884 to 1887 passed with but little 
 change in the manner of my life. The work was 
 the same in the vineyard of the Lord. I did not tire 
 in it. It was all for Christ, and he being with me 
 helped me in every hard task. There was self-denial 
 in leaving home and many comforts I could not get 
 elsewhere, however kind my brethren and sisters all 
 were. "There is no place like home" ; but this 
 must be left behind to preach the gospel of Christ 
 to the world. During these years I revisited many 
 places in the different States. In Maine I visited 
 Bangor, Levant, and other places. In Vermont, 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 117 
 
 Rutland, Middleton, Addison, Bristol, with other 
 towns. In Rhode Island, Bristol, Woonsocket and 
 other places. In all my goings I was wonderfully 
 preserved in health and from accidents, and consid- 
 ering my advanced age thus exposed, I am a wonder 
 to myself. 
 
CHAPTER XVm. 
 Afflicted oaith lioss of Hearing. 
 
 N HEN I entered the year 1888, it was 
 with the same expectation of being 
 still useful in my calling, socially 
 and in a public manner. The first 
 Sunday in this year I preached in 
 Farnaington, N. H. The week following I attended 
 a Conference in Boston, of the early believers of this 
 faith. This was a blessed greeting of the old hands 
 as well as of the new ones, who were all waiting for 
 the coming Lord. Time moved on until Feb. 12, 
 with an appointment for Sunday on my hands, and 
 expecting to fulfill it. But alas ! as I awoke in the 
 morning, my wife spoke to me, but got no answer ! 
 Then again with the same result ! Then I learned 
 that while I slept I had lost my hearing. That was 
 a sad morning for both myself and wife. I could 
 see her lips move, but could hear no sound. This 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 119 
 
 was almost too great a loss to be reconciled to. To 
 be laid aside, and be of no use, socially or in any 
 other way, was terrible to think of. I, who had for 
 years been active in the work of proclaiming the 
 gospel, now, when I wanted to preach it more than 
 ever, and thus end my life — thus to be laid by and 
 of no use, was truly afflictive. But reflecting upon 
 the mercies of the past, I became more reconciled to 
 my condition. But it stopped my labors for the 
 time being, and as I thought of this, it was humili- 
 ating in the extreme. My social enjoyment at home 
 and abroad was almost lost, and my work about 
 ended, and I was left a kind of blank in the world. 
 Saddening indeed was the thought. My condition 
 caused me much meditation and prayer. To say 
 "Thy will be done" caused me a great struggle ; but 
 I did say it. This was a relief. With others I 
 prayed for healing, and felt an assurance that I 
 should be relieved, and after a time I began to hear 
 better, and for this I praised the Lord. In getting 
 used to my condition, I became more reconciled to 
 my lot. But not until May 4, 1889 did I venture to 
 speak again publicly ; then only to attend funerals 
 and preach a little. 
 
 This commenced another epoch in my history. I 
 was sorely afflicted, but I could find no fault with my 
 Lord and Master. He had been so good to me in 
 
120 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 the past, that ears to hear or not, I would serve him 
 the best I could and trust him the remnant of my 
 life. With this resolution formed by the aid of the 
 Spirit, I was made comfortably passive, and got 
 along better than I thought I could. My infirmity 
 seemed to lessen, so that during the latter part of 
 the year, I could preach some, attend my favorite 
 Campmeeting, and with my wife visit again my Ver- 
 mont friends in a tarry of four weeks, and preach 
 some to them. This with Sunday work in Everett, 
 Mass. finished up the year. So being able to preach 
 some, attend to my household affairs, I entered upon 
 another year. 
 
 The new year comes in upon us almost impercep- 
 tibly. The past with its events are forever gone. 
 The present finds me in good courage, and with com- 
 fortable health; determined by grace given me to 
 persevere under the good care of my heavenly 
 Father, who has been my support from the begin- 
 ning of my service for him, so that I have lacked for 
 nothing that was needed. And now with all my 
 disabilities, I step along trusting in the one who 
 never forsakes those who serve him, and depend 
 upon him. While my public ministry has been much 
 hindered by my infirmities, I have had something to 
 do in ministerial labor. I have preached often this 
 year. I have attended nine funerals, besides making 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 121 
 
 many visits where the Lord seemed to lead me. 
 Have written many letters to comfort the isolated 
 ones, and the flock in general. My 83d birthday 
 found me in quite good health. 
 
 I will here speak of an event which to me was an 
 important one . It was the death of my twin brother, 
 whom I have mentioned so many times in these 
 sketches. He and myself were the last of Deacon 
 John and Abagail Boutelle's nine children. In life, 
 my brother and I had come along together, trained, 
 when young, in the old theological school. While 
 I afterwards left behind my early religious teach- 
 ings, he held fast to his. But this did not hinder 
 us from being twin brothers still. I did my best to- 
 have the one faith and hope in our twinship ; but in 
 this I failed, he clinging to his Puritan theology. 
 In my last visit to his home, he told me that I had 
 got his children into my faith, and he could not say 
 it was not the true one. He always received me 
 cordially, expressing a desire for my prayers when 
 I left him. The first day of July, 1888, he fell 
 asleep in Jesus, to wait the trumpet's call to judg- 
 ment; when we all shall appear before the judg- 
 ment-seat of Christ. July 3d, we attended his 
 funeral. We then, with his family, after solemn 
 services, committed him to the dust. "Dust thou 
 art, and unto dust thou shalt return." The resur- 
 
122 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 
 
 rection will find him where they laid him. Jesus 
 said that all who are in their graves shall come forth. 
 We left the home where he spent his days, and with 
 sadness of heart, thought how all but myself of my 
 father's family had gone down by death's cruel 
 hand — I alone being left. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 Death in Family. Visit to Vetfnon, Vt. 
 
 jNOW come to this year, 1890. I am 
 older, but with no less physical ability 
 than one year ago. Strange is the 
 problem of life. We grow older with- 
 out giving it much thought ; and if it 
 were not that we counted the yearly bound-mark, we 
 would not know how old we were. The daily mer- 
 cies and blessings which we could not live without, 
 are often forgotten. But the Lord don't forget us, 
 though we may forget him. 
 
 We have had in our family until of late a very ex- 
 cellent woman, as a boarder. But she is no more 
 with us, for she suddenly sickened and died. On 
 the night of March 13, she called to my wife, who 
 found her in great distress. I went for the doctor. 
 He found her in a critical condition, with heart 
 trouble. She was relieved, and seemed much better. 
 Sunday, the 16th, she passed a comfortable day, but 
 
124 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 at 7 p. m. we were called to her bedside to hear her 
 say a few words, and see her breathe her last, and 
 fall asleep in Jesus. On the 20th the funeral ser- 
 vices were held at my house, where the relatives and 
 friends had gathered. By request I attempted to 
 comfort them with the hope of a better life, by a 
 resurrection from the dead. Her death in our house 
 was a shock to us. She was a good woman, genial 
 and kind ; and although she did not see altogether 
 as we did, her love for Christ made sweet our con- 
 versation and worship in the family. 
 
 On the 4th of May, 1890, 1 reached my eighty- 
 fourth birthday in quite good health. It was Sun- 
 day, and there was to be a baptism of six converts 
 to the faith. Our Pastor, Eld. N. P. Cook, with 
 myself and a good number of our Chelsea Advent 
 Church, went over to East Boston to baptismal 
 waters, where a heavenly scene was witnessed. It 
 was in the same manner that Jesus was baptized, 
 and also the eunuch. There was a crowd of wit- 
 nesses who came to behold the divine ordinance ad- 
 ministered. The candidates came up out of water 
 rejoicing in hope of a resurrection, foreshadowed by 
 their baptism. In the afternoon I went to Everett 
 and preached to the Advent Mission Church. It 
 was a delightful birthday. 
 
 The last week in June, myself and wife visited 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 125 
 
 our relatives in Kennebunkport, Maine. From there 
 we went to the Advent Campmeeting at Old Orchard, 
 meeting there a goodly number of faithful ones 
 looking for the Lord, longing for his coming. Re- 
 turning home, both myself and wife found that the 
 trip taken had done us good, both physically and 
 spiritually. So we concluded to continue our jour- 
 neyings. Accordingly in July we went to Worcester. 
 There we visited Bro. and Sr. Couch and others 
 taking and giving counsel in a gospel way, and 
 comforting one another in the faith. On our way 
 home we called upon our sainted Sr. Boody, who 
 now lives in Cochituate with her son. On leaving, 
 she invited us to accompany her to Alton Bay and 
 accept a home with her in her cottage. This we 
 talked over, and on reaching home wrote her that 
 we would accept her kind offer and meet her in 
 Boston. Starting July 25, we stopped at Farming- 
 ton, N. H., over Sunday with Bro. Drew and family. 
 Monday forenoon we reached the Bay, opened the 
 cottage and soon made it home-like. This was my 
 27th annual visit to this consecrated and sacred spot. 
 The 11th of Aug. we were obliged to return home. 
 Our stay was delightful. I had health to preach 
 three times, and came home refreshed. 
 
 We remained at home until the 28th of Aug., when 
 we took the cars for Vermont. At 2 p. m. arrived 
 
126 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 at Rutland. After waiting two hours, we took a 
 train for Castleton, where our friend Silas Giddings 
 resides. He met us at the depot, and took us with 
 his span to his country farm-house, where we were 
 welcomed by the family. Here we tarried certain 
 days. While here he took with his span of lively 
 steeds, his family, my wife and myself to the Advent 
 Campmeeting at Fairhaven. Here we spent two 
 days, uniting most heartily with the lovers of Jesus 
 and his coming in divine worship. "We were now 
 near the earthly home of Bro. William Miller, the 
 first proclaimer of the near coming of Jesus our Lord. 
 Here we met some of the old pioneers of this last 
 gospel of the kingdom, and a number of the new 
 advocates of the same hope. I had the pleasure of 
 shaking hands with two of Bro. Miller's children, a 
 son and a daughter, and really it seemed like what 
 they used to call a Millcrite meeting. Returning 
 from the Fairhaven Campmeeting to Castleton, bid- 
 ding Bro. Giddings and family good bye in the Lord, 
 we went to Addison. Here we found a welcome in 
 the mansion of Sr. Huldah N. Brevoort. Here we 
 remained during our stay in A, with the exception 
 that we visited Bro. Wm. S. Howden, in Bristol, 
 during the time mentioned. We preached in Addi- 
 son each Sunday during our stay there, in their con- 
 secrated chapel. We shall not forget the Advent 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LUTHEB BOUTELLE. 127 
 
 band in Addison. Their history and names are 
 ■written in the book of remembrance. They are a. 
 tried people, as all God's people are. But they hold 
 fast, and none will take their crowns. Some of the 
 old veterans still live ; but if their Lord does not 
 come soon, they will be among the sleepers. 
 
 Oct. 2, we left the little church in A. with strong 
 prayers and tears, and took our last look of those 
 mountain peaks, bidding all farewell for the present, 
 and stepped on board the train for Boston. "We 
 came on with pleasant recollections, and at 6 p. m. 
 reached the "Hub," and at our home in Chelsea in 
 safety, and thankful to the God of all goodness, for 
 his wonderful love and protection of us in our old 
 age. This imperfect sketch is finished. 
 
 This glimpse of my life, with its hopes and its fears, 
 I've -written from memory, at eighty-four years : 
 It's experimental and doctrinal too ; 
 Though simple the narrative, yet it is true. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 Divine Healing. 
 
 )IVINE healing is a Bible theme, and 
 is found in both the Old and New 
 Testament. God healed diseases in 
 the old dispensation. 
 When Jesus was here he healed many 
 of whatever disease they had . While he was with his 
 disciples he gave them power over unclean spirits, 
 and also power to heal the sick, and this power they 
 had after he went away. The apostles demonstrated 
 their faith in the promise of Christ, by laying their 
 hands on the sick and seeing them healed. The prom- 
 ise connected with the commission found in Mark 
 16 : 15, that "they should lay hands on the sick, and 
 they should recover," has never been taken back by 
 the Saviour. This is proved by the same having 
 been done through all the gospel dispensation when 
 the church has been spiritual and under the control 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LOTHER BOUTELLE. 129 
 
 of Christ. Now I understand that this promise holds 
 good as long as the commission is given to these who 
 are sent out to carry the gospel into all the world. 
 Jesus says, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto 
 the end of the world." This gives us the divine 
 healing, as we find it mentioned in James, until Jesus 
 comes. 
 
 And this has been no very infrequent thing among 
 us, as a people ; for at the beginning of the procla- 
 mation of this message of our Lord's soon coming, 
 there was displayed the power of God in the mirac- 
 ulous healing of the sick. An account of the many 
 cases of recovery from sickness by the prayer of 
 faith among us, then and since if published would 
 doubtless make a larger volume than this. When- 
 ever the directions, given by James, are strictly fol- 
 lowed, and healing faith possessed, there will be the 
 healing power manifested. I witnessed many such, 
 cases in my early Advent experience ; two of which 
 I will relate. 
 
 In 1845 or ,46 I attended a Conference in the town 
 of Brimfield, Mass. It was an out-door meeting, of 
 great interest and power. At this meeting there was 
 a good sister who had a bronchial trouble, and had 
 lost her voice. I was well acquainted with her. It 
 was with much difficulty that she could make any one 
 understand her. She had an intense desire for the 
 
130 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 restoration of her voice, so that she might sing, pray 
 and enjoy the meeting. 
 
 Believing in healing by prayer, she called upon the 
 believing ones to pray for her that she might be 
 healed. So we gathered for that purpose and called 
 on the Lord according to his word. The power of 
 the living God was there indeed. While we were 
 praying, she began to shout and praise the Lord with 
 her natural voice, and subsequently sang as in for- 
 mer times. During the meeting she did this, and 
 returned home with the joy of one whom the Lord 
 had graciously dealt with. 
 
 But there is a sequel to this. After her return 
 home, her physician, hearing in regard to the resto- 
 ration of her voice at the meeting, called on her. 
 She related how her voice was restored, and gave 
 God the glory. He at once began caviling, saying 
 that the case was a very clear one on natural princi- 
 ples ; that there was nothing miraculous about it. 
 Talking in this manner for a time, the woman be- 
 came bewildered, and her faith faltered. The result 
 was that that very day she again became speechless* 
 The doctor's dose of infidelity took effect ; she pon- 
 dering over the subject until her faith was destroyed, 
 and she became sad and miserable. 
 
 At the meeting above-mentioned another was ap- 
 pointed to be held a few weeks in the future, but in 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 131 
 
 another place. To this meeting she came, but with 
 a downcast look. On meeting her, she clasped my 
 hand with tears in her eyes, but no audible word 
 could be heard. I said, "You have been unbeliev- 
 ing, and so have lost your voice again." She as- 
 sented. After a day at this meeting, with weeping 
 she made a request that they pray for her again. 
 This was acceded to, and together we bowed before 
 the Lord and prayed in her behalf. "With deep re- 
 pentance she whispered a promise that she would 
 not disbelieve the Lord again if he would once more 
 restore her voice. The prayer of faith was heard in 
 heaven, and healing power came in answer. The 
 afflicted one was able to praise the Lord aloud for 
 his pardoning love and grace. This created a new 
 interest in the meeting, and the Spirit of God ruled 
 with great power in all hearts. 
 
 It may be asked by those who read this, if this 
 sister kept her voice after this second restoration 
 through prayer and faith. I can say, I saw her 
 eight or ten years after this, and her voice was as 
 natural and strong as before she lost it, and she was 
 still using it for the glory of God. "The prayer of 
 faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise 
 him up." 
 
132 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 ANOTHER CASE OF HEALING 
 
 I will give one more case of the wonderful healing 
 power of God which it was my lot to witness and be 
 used by the Great Physician. 
 
 It was in a family I had often visited, living in the 
 town of Brimfield, Mass. The name of the family 
 was Hitchcock. A daughter by the name of Ann 
 had for some time been sick, and all that could be 
 done for her recovery had been done. Physicians 
 had attended her, but she grew worse until all hope 
 of her recovery was lost. She was a devoted follower 
 of Jesus, and ready to live for him or fall asleep in 
 him. Her parents and the rest of the family were 
 exceedingly anxious in regard to her. 
 
 At that time, as I was on my way to Enfield, 
 Conn., I happened to meet her father, who besought 
 me to come around to where he lived and see his 
 sick daughter, saying, that it was the opinion of all 
 who saw her that she would live only a few days 
 unless by the power of God she was raised up. I 
 told him I could not call then, but on my way back 
 from Campmeeting in Enfield, I would come and see 
 her, if she was alive. I had then an appointment 
 to preach at Palmer Depot, four or five miles from 
 the home of the sick girl. 
 
 On arriving at Palmer, Saturday evening, I found 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 133 
 
 Bro. II. there. He had come for another daughter, 
 who was living in P., to go home and watch with 
 her sick sister, and see her die. I told Bro H. that 
 after I had filled my appointment the next day, I 
 would come and see the sick child, if she should be 
 alive. During this time I was burdened, feeling 
 that something was about to take place, but I could 
 not tell what. I filled my appointment the next day, 
 and just as the day closed with darkness I drove 
 into the yard of Bro. H., with a burden upon me 
 which I cannot describe. A Bro. Whitney was with 
 me. We entered the house, passed into the sitting- 
 room and was seated, seeing only the mother of the 
 sick daughter and some one else of the family. We 
 were told that stillness was necessary, as all noise 
 affected the sick one. I inquired if we could see her. 
 After waiting impatiently for some time we were 
 told that she wanted to see us. I requested Bro. 
 Whitney to go in with me. There lay the sick one, 
 pale as death, bolstered up with pillows, the family 
 watching as if to see her breathe her last. I passed 
 to the bedside and said, "Ann, do you know me?" 
 She moved her lips in assent. I said again, "Do 
 you want to be healed ; and do you believe the Lord 
 will raise you up ; and will you serve him faithfully 
 if he will do it ?" She, with all the strength she had, 
 moved her lips again in assent. 
 
134 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 I anointed her in the name of the Lord, and with 
 my hands upon her head I kept repeating the prom- 
 ise: "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, 
 and the Lord shall raise him up." As I repeated 
 this she began moving her head, and saying, "Glory," 
 faintly. I kept repeating, "And the Lord shall raise 
 him up." I never felt the force of this before as 
 then. She repeated again, "Glory," but more audi- 
 bly, and turned her head toward us. Her mother 
 came to the bedside to steady her head. I said to 
 her, "There is a stronger arm than yours holding 
 her up, and making her whole." In a few minutes 
 she raised her head from the pillow, and gave them 
 to understand that she wanted to arise from the bed. 
 Preparations were made to have her got up and 
 dressed. Her mother brought her slippers, and in 
 a few minutes she was on her feet, and to the 
 astonishment of all, was walking about the room. 
 This caused a sensation that my pen cannot describe. 
 The parents, brother and sisters joined her and us 
 in praising the Lord, "who had given her that sound- 
 ness which caused her to stand before them whole." 
 The contrast how great ! Instead of getting watch- 
 ers, and the sister coming home to see her die, she 
 was healed, and walking about among us ! In thirty 
 minutes upon her feet, and by the power of God in 
 answer to prayer ! The Spirit of God overshadowed 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 135 
 
 us. The place was a solemn one — all were greatly 
 moved. Some in the family wanted to be prayed 
 for, and so we had a praying season, in which all 
 hearts were subdued. It was conviction, forgive- 
 ness, conversion, consecration. The healed one was 
 the most conspicious in praising the Lord for his 
 power in her behalf. 
 
 I now said to them, "It is time to retire ; no one 
 need sit up on account of Ann." They all took my 
 advice, and there was no watching done there that 
 night. When I came from my room in the morning, 
 all were up, and Ann was sweeping the room where 
 she was bolstered up in bed, almost lifeless, the 
 evening before. She ate breakfast with us ; after 
 which we had a praise season ; and then I bade them 
 farewell. "It was the Lord's doings, and marvelous 
 in our eyes." 
 
 Note. — The following articles are selected from among the 
 many which I have written for various papers in the past 
 years. I trust their publication here will be of service in the 
 cause of truth and righteousness. L. b. 
 
 ENDURING TEMPTATION. 
 
 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when 
 he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord 
 hath promised to them that love him." 
 
 This is a life of temptation and trials. They come 
 in spite of watching and good living. They come 
 from sources least expected ; they come a surprise 
 
136 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 and at a time when the enemy can make the most of 
 it to bring discouragement to Christ's disciples and 
 disrepute' to a true religion, and so make the unbe- 
 lieving think and say there is nothing in it. Hence 
 the text gives us the necessary encouragement^ and 
 adds, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation." 
 It admits that the trials, the temptations, the sore 
 spots will come. The question is not will they come ? 
 but how will you act when they do come ? Blessed 
 is he that endureth, yea, endureth. The man who, 
 when the temptation comes and pinches him sore, 
 gets vexed, and then thinks and says some hard 
 things to or about others, is not the man to get 
 blessings. All know we never feel better for getting 
 mad, but always suffer loss. And as like begets 
 like, this feeling is contagious, and others will have 
 the same disease. As a matter of course the mind 
 will be in a sickly condition. 
 
 Now what can be done to avert this deadly calam- 
 ity? Hear the text: "Blessed is the man that en- 
 dureth temptation." You will have it, but the remedy 
 comes in here : "Endureth temptation." Hard pill 
 to take, but it is the remedy, the only true prescrip- 
 tion. It is not enough to try and bear it, though 
 that is a great deal better than nothing, but to endure 
 and keep sweet with the Spirit of Christ. This will 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 137 
 
 bring blessings that will keep the heart from swear- 
 ing vengeance, and the tongue from speaking it out. 
 We need, yea, we must have a holiness and deep- 
 rooted consecration from the Divine Spirit to keep 
 us, or we shall be of no service to Christ here. It 
 will be a threadbare profession, seen through by the 
 spiritual eye, and which will leave us this side of the 
 kingdom. 
 
 "Blessed." What an encouraging word. Hear 
 it, ye disciples of the great Head of the church, 
 "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be 
 saved." Well, who then can be saved? This is a 
 straight way ; God designed it as such. He means 
 to make it so narrow that all this rubbish of self and 
 self -righteousness, ambition, and love of self may 
 be forever left behind. These would be as bad as 
 Satan in Eden and spoil the heavenly felicity. God 
 designs that life and peace shall be eternally enjoyed 
 in his blissful kingdom that will soon be given to 
 those that endure to the end. Let us remember 
 these words, and be full of courage. "Because thou 
 hast kept the word of my patience [endured] , I also 
 will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which 
 shall come upon all the world, to try them." 
 
138 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 II. IS CHRIST'S COMING NEAR? 
 
 This is an important question for this generation. 
 It is admitted the Lord will come as the Bible 
 declares ; but can anything be known as to the time 
 of his coming ? Is there any Bible evidence that the 
 coming of the Lord draweth nigh ? We answer in 
 the affirmative. Matt. 24 : 3, "And as he [Jesus] 
 sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to 
 him, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? 
 and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the 
 end of the world ?" Here is a plain question, and I 
 think it is answered by Jesus himself. He says, 
 "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many 
 shall come in my name, and shall deceive many." 
 But he tells them not to be deceived, indicating that 
 by a close attention to what he would say they might 
 be secure from deceptions, and their only safety was 
 in giving heed to his unerring Word. He then put 
 them on the track of prophecy, and marks some dis- 
 tinct fulfillments on the way to the end. He says, 
 "Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars : see 
 that ye be not troubled : for all these things must 
 come to pass, but the end is not yet." Here you 
 pass the desolation of Jerusalem, but this is not the 
 place for Jesus' coming or the end of the world. 
 
 After this he tells us we shall come down to where 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 139 
 
 Rome will be divided and subdivided ; then nation 
 shall rise against nation and kingdom against king- 
 dom. This must take place with famine, pestilence 
 and earthquakes ; and these are only the beginning 
 of sorrows. These are on the track ; but after the 
 division of Rome there is to be a sad history from 
 the persecutions which shall arise and continue de- 
 vastating, betraying and killing one another. "In- 
 iquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold 
 but he that shall endure to the end, the same shall 
 be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be 
 preached in all the world for a witness unto all 
 nations ; and then shall the end come." What end 
 comes here ? The end of the age — dispensation. 
 
 Now, then, the signs are to show when this end 
 will come. And this gospel of the kingdom is to be 
 preached to all nations as a witness that the coming 
 of our Lord to establish his kingdom is nigh. The 
 good news must be told. The nations must be 
 apprised of the return of the Nobleman from a far 
 country. The prophet Isaiah saw the necessity of 
 the proclamation to be given, "Behold, the Lord 
 hath proclaimed to the end of the world, Say ye to 
 the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh" ; 
 or, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh." The message 
 must be given ; the sound must go to the end of the 
 earth. The angel is to fly with it, for the angel with 
 
140 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 ^one foot on the sea and the other on the land has' 
 sworn that time shall be no longer than to give time 
 for the voice of this seventh angel. This symbolic 
 angel gives the signs of Christ's coming the second 
 •time, and it must be given to the generation that 
 witnesses his advent. Then the question comes with 
 great force, Is this the time ? Is it presumption to 
 -expect and look for the Son of man at this time ? 
 We say, by the fulfillment of prophecy this is the 
 era to have your heads uplifted ; redemption is 
 nigh. 
 
 But say some, "The Lord came at the destruction 
 -of Jerusalem." This cannot be. The Thessalonian 
 church began to look for their coming Lord in their 
 -day, and the apostle Paul checked them in their ex- 
 pectations by telling them the Lord could not come 
 till there come a falling away first, and the man of 
 sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who "opposeth 
 and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or 
 that is worshiped." This is the abomination of des- 
 olation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing 
 -where it ought not. It left a bloody track behind. 
 Here is the tribulation, such as has not been seen 
 before or since, and is positve proof that Jesus did 
 not come as many suppose at the destruction of Je- 
 rusalem, from the fact that the siege at Jerusalem 
 was in or about the year 70, and the tribulation that 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 141 
 
 Paul said must come before the Lord's coming was : 
 five hundred years this side of Jerusalem's desolation- 
 
 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days" 
 of papal persecution, "the sun shall be darkened*, 
 and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars 
 shall fall from heaven." Now, have these declara- 
 tions had their fulfillment? They have. Immediately 
 after the papal persecution ceased the sun was dark- 
 ened, May 19th, 1780, and this is historically recog- 
 nized as the "dark day." And while there has been, 
 an effort to explain it, still the fact is a mystery. 
 God put his hand between us and the great luminary,. 
 and the sun was darkened according to his Word. 
 
 "The moon shall not give her light." The night 
 following the "dark day" has been called by those 
 who witnessed it the darkest night ever known. 
 "The stars shall fall from heaven." On the 13th of 
 November, 1833, there was the most brilliant phe- 
 nomenon ever witnessed. It is fresh in the minds of 
 many who gazed with wonder upon it. 
 
 Thus far the narration has had an exact fulfill- 
 ment ; and now the Master introduces a parable to 
 enforce its application. "Now learn a parable of 
 the fig-tree ; when his branch is yet tender, and put- 
 teth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh : so 
 likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know 
 that it [or he] is near, even at the doors." The 
 
142 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 .logical reasoning from this is that you may know 
 equally as well when the Lord's coming is near as 
 you may know summer is near by the putting forth 
 of leaves. I see no way of evading it ; consequently 
 we know he is near, even at the doors. Why ? Be- 
 cause the events have taken place in their chrono- 
 logical order ; first, the tribulation, or bloody perse- 
 cution ; immediately after, the sun was darkened, the 
 moon refused her light, the starB fell from heaven ; 
 and when we see all these things, then we know his 
 coming is near. Then what? "Watch! for ye know 
 not when the Son of man cometh." Watch ! for 
 "this generation shall not pass till all these things 
 be fulfilled . " " Watch ! lest coming suddenly he find 
 you sleeping." 
 
 Other signs, such as "perilous times" spoken of 
 by Paul, and by him located in the last days, men 
 loving pleasure more than God, "despisers of those 
 that are good," "heady, high-minded," "having a 
 form of godliness, but denying the power thereof ;" 
 iniquity abounding, the love of many waxing cold, 
 commercial depression, the stagnation of all kinds 
 of business, with the laborers crying for work or for 
 bread, their uprising for higher wages, and their 
 contention with monied monopolies, — all go to show 
 that the Lord is soon coming ; yea, it is just the 
 state of things that is to precede his appearing. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOCTELLE. 143 
 
 They fill the mould and show him near. The rich 
 men are beginning to fulfill what James says, "Go to 
 now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries 
 that shall come upon you. Your riches are cor- 
 rupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your 
 gold and silver is cankered ; ... ye have heaped 
 treasure together for the last days." 
 
 These are among the last signs to show Christ's 
 appearing emphatically near. They that are ready 
 will welcome the signs, and welcome him, and go in 
 with him to the marriage. Then let us gird up the 
 loins of our mind, be sober, loving, waiting, and 
 doing all we can to save the perishing while proba- 
 tion lingers. 
 
 III. A TREMENDOUS LIE. 
 
 When we look back to the progenitors of the race 
 we see that God began teaching them lessons of wis- 
 dom, so they might preserve their integrity and keep 
 themselves out of trouble, and live among the trees 
 and flowers of Paradise, so delightfully enchanting. 
 He first said to them, "Of every tree of the garden 
 thou mayest freely eat : but of the tree of knowledge 
 of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it." Why 
 not? Because it was a tree which if eaten from 
 would produce death. 
 
 Here the prohibition and the consequences are 
 
144 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 plainly taught by God. Death was to be the con- 
 sequence — "Thou shalt surely die." In their state 
 of innocence there must be a trial to show the virtue 
 of doing right, and the evil of doing wrong. The 
 subtle serpent makes a call on the inmates of this 
 beautiful place, and understanding the prohibition 
 says to the woman, "Hath God said, Ye shall not 
 eat of every tree of the garden ?" She admitted it. 
 The serpent said to the woman, "Ye shall not surely 
 die." Here is the first great lie of Satan. He de- 
 nied the truth of what God had said. They were 
 tempted, yielded to the temptation, ate the forbidden 
 fruit, were called in question, confessed their mis- 
 take and were driven from the garden, lest the 
 fruit of the tree of life might be eaten and they 
 live forever. For this reason the tree of life was 
 guarded. 
 
 From that hour God's sentence of death by sin 
 has been executed, and all have seen its workings 
 and felt its crushing power in ending life and filling 
 the world with tears and mourning. "It is ap- 
 pointed unto man once to die" is continually being 
 fulfilled. Still the same old lie is urged upon us 
 that men do not die, that it is an illusion ; it means 
 that they just begin to live by putting off the mate- 
 rial and escaping with the immaterial, so that death 
 does not kill, but is the door to life, and hastens the 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 145 
 
 man to glory ! You see this lie is the foundation of 
 most of the errors of the day. The multitude side 
 with Satan ; and instead of saying, "Thou shalt 
 surely die," they say a man does not die. 
 
 When we have learned that Satan lied, and that 
 God told the truth, then we can see how those who 
 fall asleep in Christ, perish without a resurrection. 
 Let God be true if all our theories go to the winds. 
 We shall find it safe and saving to abide by his 
 Word, proclaim it faithfully, and abide the result. 
 
 IV. "THY KINGDOM COME." 
 
 "Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done in earth, 
 as it is in heaven," are words used by all classes of 
 Christians more than any other Bible words. They 
 are repeated individually, domestically, and in con- 
 cert at the churches. And no fault, for Jesus said, 
 say ye, "Our Fatherwhich art in heaven, Hallowed be 
 thy name. Thy kingdom come." This is the model 
 prayer, and when used we should realize what we 
 pray for, so as to know whether our prayer is an- 
 swered. "Give us this day our daily bread." That 
 is well understood, and sadly realized when we do 
 not receive it. Now, the kingdom, — what is it, and 
 when will it come ? We are to pray, "Thy kingdom 
 come ;" not go. I consult my Bible, whose Author 
 gave commandment how to pray, and what to pray 
 
146 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 for. Matt. 21 : 43, "Therefore I say unto yon, 
 the kingdom of God shall be taken from yon, and 
 given to a nation bringing forth the fruit thereof." 
 Here is the kingdom of God taken from a nation, 
 and reserved for another nation bringing forth the 
 fruits thereof. Mark 10 : 24, It is hard for a rich 
 man to enter the kingdom of God. No drunkard, 
 covetous, wicked or vile person can enter the king- 
 dom of God. 
 
 Here is Bible enough to show that the kingdom of 
 God is not the church, for some of all these classes 
 do get into the church, and it is not hard for a rich 
 man to find his way into the church. Neither is the 
 kingdom of God in men's hearts, for the Bible as- 
 sures us that we shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 
 in the kingdom of God. And if the Bible does not 
 teach thus, what does it teach? We have a little 
 promise in Luke 12 : 32, which reads thus : "Fear 
 not, little flock ; for it is your Father's good pleas- 
 ure to give you the kingdom." Who are the little 
 flock the promise is made to ? 
 
 An old colored man at the South was asked what 
 that meant. He as readily replied, "Them be the 
 good folks." Right, Jack. Well, then, the good 
 folks are not the kingdom, but it is their Father's 
 good pleasure that they should have it. This king- 
 dom is their reward ; this kingdom is their future 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LTJTHEK BOUTELLE. 147 
 
 home, their heaven, their paradise. Hence you hear 
 Daniel saying : "The kingdom," "and the greatness 
 of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given 
 to the saints of the Most High" (the little flock) , and 
 they shall inherit it forever and ever. 
 
 Now hear what Jesus says about the wheat and 
 tares that are to grow in the field (the world) , till 
 the harvest. When is the harvest, Master? At the 
 end of the world. What is to be done in the end of 
 the world ? The crop is to be harvested. He will 
 "send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of 
 his kingdom all things that offend, and them that 
 do iniquity ; and cast them into a furnace of fire : 
 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 
 "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Bun in 
 the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to 
 hear, let him hear." I have written this to give a 
 glimpse of what the Lord designed by telling us how 
 to pray and what to pray for. The earth being the 
 territory of this kingdom, "the world to come where- 
 of we speak," then it follows that the prayer, "Thy 
 will be done in earth, as in heaven," involves the 
 bringing in of God's will to be done in earth, as in 
 heaven. That will bring heaven upon earth. When 
 this is done the prayer, "Thy kingdom come. Thy 
 will be done in earth, as in heaven," will be fully 
 answered, and not before. 
 
148 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 V. SPIRITUAL LONGEVITY. 
 
 This was published in The Chelsea Record. 
 
 Mr. Editor: — I had sent me the Independent 
 containing a communication from the Rev. S. T. 
 Spear, D. D., on "Spiritual Longevity," marked for 
 my special benefit. In reading it I found that he 
 was laboring to show that death had no effect to stay 
 or stop spiritual or mental activity, — that death only 
 affects the body. He says, "All the effects of death 
 so far as known to us by observation and experience 
 are confined exclusively to the body. We do not 
 know enough on the subject even to presume that 
 death involves the destruction of the soul or the sus- 
 pension of its consciousness and activity for a single 
 moment." Again, "Our higher mental faculties do 
 not depend for their activity upon our material bod- 
 ies in any such manner as to imply that the destruc- 
 tion of these bodies by death will be the destruction 
 of these faculties, or any suspension of their action.'' 
 
 Now this seems to be a wide departure from the 
 old primitive Bible teaching of the Puritan fathers. 
 The received principles of Orthodox Congregation- 
 alists, as originally taught, was that there must be a 
 day of judgment where all must appear previous to 
 man's receiving his reward. But now it appears to 
 be the accepted doctrine that spiritual longevity 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 149 
 
 passes you right along, and that death has no effect 
 ■whatever to retard its progress, as death does not 
 affect the mental condition of men. Is this Biblical ? 
 Is it philosophical ? 
 
 I have just read of Comrade Chase, who in the 
 battle of Gettysburg was cut down by a rebel shell* 
 his body mangled, and he carried off to the rear. 
 On burying the dead two days after, his groans at- 
 tracted the attention of grave diggers, and they 
 found him conscious. His first words were, "Did 
 we win the battle?" Was there a suspension of 
 spiritual longevity here? And suppose his uncon- 
 sciousness had been ten days instead of the two, 
 would not his spiritual longevity been affected thus 
 long? Does not this show or demonstrate that 
 spiritual longevity is affected or stayed at death? 
 And is not this in harmony with the teaching of the 
 Bible? "The very day a man dies his thoughts 
 perish." 
 
 Can a man have mental, spiritual longevity without 
 thoughts? "For in death there is no remembrance 
 of thee." The question is this, Does death stay, or 
 stop the wheels of life or spiritual longevity? It is 
 a grave question. It does seem that unperverted 
 common sense, and the teaching of inspiration do 
 harmonize. The Bible in its teaching seems to as- 
 sume that death puts on a stay to spiritual longevity. 
 
150 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 The apostle of the Gentiles assures us that death has 
 ended life, longevity, unless there be a resurrection 
 of the dead or a resuscitation to life. Is not this a 
 resurrected longevity ? And he predicates it on the 
 fact that Jesus died, and in three days rose again, 
 according to the Scriptures. He further says, "If 
 there be no resurrection from the dead," "they also 
 which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." 
 Could this be true if spiritual longevity was not af- 
 fected by death. ? Why did Jesus promise a resur- 
 rection to life if it were not necessary to his 
 longevity ? The teaching that death does not inter- 
 fere with spiritual longevity seems to be nothing less 
 than spiritualism in its -present teaching. Why a 
 judgment with all to appear, were it not necessary 
 that rewards be rightly given ? "I will raise him up 
 at the last day." For what is he to be raised up? 
 Is it not to give him eternal life ? Eternal, mental, 
 spiritual longevity. 
 
 VI. PASTORAL RESIGNATIONS. 
 
 I see in our paper of late many resignations of 
 pastors. I think it a good omen for the prosperity 
 of the Advent cause. The itinerantcy among us has 
 done the mighty work of spreading truth and causing 
 such a wonderful theological overturn in the world. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 151 
 
 We are a prophetic people, raised up to spread the 
 truth and light, in this generation ; to proclaim the 
 Lord's coming, and what he is coming for. And 
 this is the time for these truths to be heralded every- 
 where. But instead of the people coming to us, we 
 must go to them. So the work has been and still is 
 a missionary work. 
 
 If the minister be true, and has been successful, 
 and the people have been and still are attached to 
 him, that is not a sufficient reason why he should 
 stay with them. It is often when the pastor is set- 
 tled, his missionary spirit wanes, and his few follow- 
 ers are the world to him ; and then comes a loss of 
 interest for others ; so the cause languishes. 
 
 I confess there is something cheering even in res- 
 ignations. It simply says., "The Lord wants me in 
 another field." But it is all important to live so 
 near him as to hear his voice and follow his leading. 
 When we look for reformations, they never come 
 out of a settled ministry. Besides, in the Advent 
 cause there must be an aggressive missionary effort 
 continually going on, or we lose ground. And you 
 all know how hard it is to get young men venture- 
 some enough to go out on the promise of God into 
 the mission field in new places, crying, "Behold, he 
 cometh." Money is more plenty than men, such as 
 God can approve and prosper . Then let our churches 
 
152 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 be mission churches, and our pastors stirring mis- 
 sionaries, filling the laud with the blissful song of 
 redemption, and we should see a new phase of things 
 in all our fields of labor. 
 
 I quote a few words from a good brother in his 
 last report of mission work in New York State. He 
 writes : "I learned long ago that when an Adventist 
 Church ceased to be a missionary church it began to 
 decay. If it does not make an effort to help spread 
 abroad light and truth, it will certainly die. The 
 same is true of the ministry." 
 
 VII. WALKING WITH GOD. 
 
 The secret of divine attainments is the "walking 
 with God." The lack of wisdom is attributable to 
 a not walking with God. Noah walked with God, 
 and had this said of him : " He pleased God . " Being 
 warned of God of a coming flood, he prepared an ark 
 to the saving of himself and family. Not only that, 
 but he condemned the world, and became heir of the 
 righteousness, which is by faith. How did he be- 
 come an heir of God ? By walking with God. Faith 
 lighted up the pathway that God ordered him to walk 
 in. He denied himself, walked with God, and went 
 to work building the ark, for which he had to bear 
 reproach and scoffing, and that kind of scoffing has 
 come down to this day. 
 
LIFE OF ELDEK LUTHER BOUTELLE. 15£ 
 
 Would you walk with God ? Is that your heart's 
 desire? Then why not? It is the only safe way. 
 It is the only true way. God has said in his Word, 
 "This is the way, walk in it." Walk in it for choice,, 
 and you will be walking with God. 
 
 Enoch walked with God through a long life, and 
 it pleased God so well that he did not let the old. 
 seventh from Adam see death, but translated him. 
 Daniel walked with God. He refused the king's, 
 meat, and would not bow down to the golden image, 
 neither would he stop praying with open windows,, 
 with his face towards Jerusalem. He walked with. 
 God into the den of lions, and was safe. I might 
 go on with a great multitude of witnesses, who in the 
 past walked with God — those that heard God. 
 speaking to them, and without a doubt obeyed his 
 voice. 
 
 This has always been an unpopular way, or there- 
 would have been no merit in denying self to take it. 
 But deny thyself, and take the cross, stands facing 
 you in every turn you make while walking in the 
 path of righteousness and obedience. It will crucify 
 one to the world, and the world to him. Pride, pop- 
 ularity, worldly honor and ambition must give way, 
 and be left behind for this gospel-shining way, that 
 grows brighter and brighter till the perfect day. 
 
154 SKETCHES OV EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 VIII. THE PRAYER OF JESUS. 
 
 "That they all may be one in us : that the world 
 may believe that thou hast sent me." Here is a 
 prayer that all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ 
 may be one, as he and the Father are one. Here is 
 the divine requirement and pattern ; and he tells us 
 the reason for this requirement, that the world may 
 know that the Father had sent him. 
 
 This is not a prayer for the union of sects or par- 
 ties in religion, to get together in a given place and 
 have a protracted meeting and get a hundred con- 
 verts, then pull them almost to pieces to secure them 
 to their separate folds. This is not what the Sav- 
 iour prayed or wished. He says, "My sheep hear 
 my voice ; I know them, and they follow me ;" con- 
 sequently they are one with him, going where the 
 Shepherd leads, having one faith, and being one 
 company. There is no precedent in the Bible for 
 sects in Christianity. The design was that they 
 should be one, even as he and the Father were one. 
 There were no Methodists, Baptists, Congregation- 
 alists, or any other "ists" in Lystra or Iconium. 
 
 The church of God, and the flock of God was one 
 in all these places ; and the apostles visited them to 
 see how they were getting along. There were no 
 divisions, in those days, of Christians ; the pente- 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 155 
 
 costal touch made them all one. These divisions 
 are all human with their creeds to measure them- 
 selves. You may say they are Bible, but only one 
 church can be founded on the Bible. "All Script- 
 ure is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable 
 for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc- 
 tion in righteousness : that the man of God may be 
 perfect, and throughly furnished unto all good 
 works." 
 
 There is, therefore, no need of creeds, drawn up 
 by men to govern the church of Christ. The voice 
 of Christ is his gospel ; and he says in that gospel, 
 "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me." 
 The word of God is the creed of his church. 
 
 IX. STRIKES. 
 
 There is a peculiar state of things at present 
 among us relative to capital und labor. New Eng- 
 land is the oasis of the world for the workingman 
 and mechanic. He can get more here for his work 
 than in any other country. The most reliable men 
 the country can boast of are the industrious, intelli- 
 gent mechanics and workingmen. And while there 
 is business prosperity, he can acquire, by his indus- 
 try, position and property in accordance with his 
 ability to occupy places of responsibility and trust. 
 
 A man, or company, investing capital and estab- 
 
156 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 lishing a business for their own and others' benefit, 
 should be supposed to be competent to control their 
 own business, employ whom they choose, and pay 
 them as they choose. For while there is competition 
 in business, the man or the firm that pays the best 
 wages will get the best help, and will succeed in 
 putting the best goods into the market, thus leaving 
 the labor problem to regulate itself to the satisfaction 
 of all parties. For labor, like other commodities, 
 in the market, will bring the market price. If the 
 apples are number one they will bring the number 
 one price, and if they are not wanted at the price, 
 drive to the next market, and nobody's rights are 
 invaded, law and order prevail between seller and 
 buyer. But when you say we must take the number 
 two apples and give the number one price or have no 
 apples to eat, this is usurpation of human rights. 
 Thus to see the working classes combine to force 
 their employers, to pay prices stipulated by them- 
 selves, or be tied up is a fearful step, and will mil- 
 itate against the commercial interest of the country, 
 if carried out, and inaugurate anarchy and disorder 
 which must paralyze all business operations, and 
 bring poverty and distress upon many. 
 
 This striking propensity of this time has a fearful 
 outlook. The ostracising an honest laborer, willing 
 to work for what he can get, by calling him "scab," as 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 157 
 
 a mark to shoot at by the strikers, and the boycotting 
 is pregnant with disorder, lawlessness and terror. 
 Keep out of all these combinations, the object of 
 which is to coerce to their demands. To have pros- 
 perity among the workingmen, who are the support- 
 ers of government, the very pith and sinew of the 
 country, there must be a mutual interest between 
 capital and labor, between employer and those em- 
 ployed, prosperity to either class cannot be had 
 without it. It seems to me that all these strikes and 
 overt acts of violence will paralyze and thwart the 
 very object wished to be accomplished. I would 
 say to my working brethren, "be swift to hear, slow 
 to speak, slow to wrath," for wrath worketh not 
 righteousness, or the right thing, neither the right 
 way. Wisdom is needed in these fast times. Don't 
 let us put hindrances or stumbling blocks in our 
 way calculated to make the times more stringent and 
 the workingman's prospects less prosperous. Be 
 law abiding. 
 
 X. AND KNEW NOT. 
 
 The Lord our Maker is never faulty in what he 
 says or does, and his plans can never be bettered by 
 frail, human wisdom. When a plan of operation or 
 a problem is laid down in the Bible, we may under- 
 stand it to be a God-given one ; that he knew what 
 
158 SKETCHES OP EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 he was doing, and how it would operate ; as he knew 
 the end from the beginning. So in the days of Noah, 
 when the earth had been filled with violence by the 
 wickedness of men, and no other way could be de- 
 vised for the good of man save his destruction ; after 
 warning and entreating him, giving him time to heed 
 the warning and escape to a place of safety. Thus 
 has God always done with every generation. And 
 their salvation has and always will depend on hear- 
 ing and knowing the voice of God in the fulfillment 
 of his word. 
 
 "And knew not till the flood came, and took them 
 all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man 
 be." Matt. 24:39. "They knew not." Knew not 
 what? That the flood was coming. Why did they 
 not know ? Was not the fault theirs ? They had all 
 the premonitions and signs that Noah had. The 
 declaration of God to Noah was enough to move him 
 with fear to the building of an ark by which he con- 
 demned the world and saved himself and family. 
 The fault then was theirs. Had it not been, the 
 flood would not have taken them all away. So in 
 that case it was life to know, and destruction not to 
 know. Noah and his family were saved, the rest 
 destroyed by the flood. Why so? "And knew not 
 till the flood came, and took them all away ; so shall 
 the coming of the Son of man be." Then, as it was 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 159 
 
 before the flood, in the days of Noah, so shall it be 
 here preceding the coming of the Son of man. This 
 is Bible. 
 
 What does Jesus say ? He says that Noah and 
 family were saved by knowing the flood was com- 
 ing ; and also that all that did not know were des- 
 troyed by the deluge. And he says it will be so 
 when he comes. Can any words make this more 
 plain ? It is terrific in its application ; it is a Script- 
 ure affirmation, for it reads so, and it is so. 
 
 How is it in these days in which we live ? The 
 news of the coming Lord has been heard. The signs 
 have been seen in the heavens ; the earth has spoken, 
 and still is speaking. The perils of the last days 
 are being witnessed ; and the signs push us to the 
 conclusion that the Lord must soon come. 
 
 And as Noah found favor with God and was saved 
 by knowing the flood was coming, so here, those that 
 believe God have seen the fulfillment of his word till 
 they know he is near, even at the doors. Even at 
 the beginning of these signs they were to lift up 
 their heads, knowing their redemption draweth nigh. 
 You see the only difference is between believing and 
 not believing, knowing and not knowing that the 
 Lord is coming. ' 'But ye, brethren, are not in dark- 
 ness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 
 
 The contrast is equally plain between the wise 
 
160 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 servant, giving meat in due season, — which are the 
 signs due, — and the wicked servant, saying in his 
 heart, "My Lord delayeth his coming." One is 
 saved in the kingdom, while the other finds his por- 
 tion with hypocrites, and unbelievers. The Lord will 
 come as predicted. What will be the result ? ' 'Unto 
 them that look for him will he> come the second time 
 without sin unto salvation." How about those that 
 do not look? "The flood came, and took them all 
 away." The Lord comes. No hiding-place. They 
 are driven away like the chaff of the summer thresh- 
 ing-floor. No place found for them. Thus shall 
 the coming of the Lord be. 
 
 I ask, is not this a legitimate conclusion? Is not 
 the argument conclusive? Can any other deduction 
 be made out of the plain testimony of his Son who 
 has spoken to us in these last days. If this is so, 
 then there is a mighty responsiblity resting on this 
 generation, to whom God has committed this crown- 
 ing message of the Coming One. If it is supper- 
 time, the people must be invited. They would have 
 excuse if not invited. But when invited and told it 
 is supper-time, then no excuse can be made. When 
 I see little or no importance put upon this last mes- 
 sage, given to this generation, the last one that will 
 ever offer salvation through the only Son of God, I 
 want all to be awake to the importance of being in 
 
LIFE OF ELDEE LUTHER BOUTELLE. 161 
 
 the light. When we that preach begin to be indiffer- 
 ent, and put "not knowing" instead of knowing, 
 and that it is but little - matter, only try and save 
 some, I think even now blindness in part has hap- 
 pened to Advent Israel. May the Lord anoint our 
 eyes with eye-salve, that we see the signs that assure 
 the coming of our Lord in this generation. Salvation 
 depends upon knowing the time of our visitation. 
 
 XI. "REVEREND." 
 
 Carelessness often gets us out of the way of strict 
 obedience to the divine commands, and leads to the 
 use of means and measures and also names that are 
 unscriptural and unbecoming in an educated Christian 
 person, and should be strenuously avoided by those 
 who desire to walk in due humility after their pattern,, 
 the Son of God, and also the apostles. The exalta- 
 tion of man and the receiving of undue honor from 
 one another is the great sin of this age, as well as of 
 all the ages. The application of the title "Reverend"' 
 to a preacher of the gospel is decidedly out of place. 
 It is a title used but once in the Bible, and then in 
 the most sacred manner: Fsa. Ill: 9, "He sent 
 redemption unto his people : he hath commanded his 
 covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name." 
 Here the name has its right application, to the great 
 
162 SKETCHES OP EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 God, the almighty One, he who framed the worlds by 
 his word, "so that things which are seen were not 
 made of things which do appear." This God, who 
 created heaven and earth out of nothing, and man 
 out of the dust of the earth, is the one, and the only 
 one, to whom the Bible gives the title of "reverend." 
 Inspiration has given it the right application. It is 
 a sacred title, belonging to none other than God. 
 "Holy and reverend is his name." It is God's title ; 
 and is it not sacrilege to apply this divine title to 
 any mortal man, even if he has commenced to learn 
 the ways of God and hath found pleasure in obeying 
 them? 
 
 This sacred appellation is above every other. 
 The inspired apostles never assumed it. Neither 
 early Christians nor martyrs ever permitted such a 
 title to be appended to their names. But I see it is 
 working its way in among us, and while none seem 
 to be alarmed, some seem to be nattered and pleased 
 with it. But it is an invasion upon our Bible sim- 
 plicity and right. 
 
 I well remember the reproof Bro. George Storrs, 
 the lion-hearted Abolitionist and Adventist, gave at 
 the Anti-Bible Convention at Hartford, Ct., when 
 he and Joseph Turner stood up manfully in defence 
 of the Bible. In their deliberations, said the pres- 
 ident ostentiously, "The Rev. Geo. Storrs has the 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 163 
 
 floor." Said Bro. Storrs,, "Not Bev.; my name is 
 George Storrs. Add no such title to my name. 
 Once in a while I am called to address a brother by 
 that improper title, but always with conviction of an 
 encroachment upon the divine title." 
 
 I hope this patent, divine, Bible title may not be 
 encroached upon, or permitted to be put on these 
 earthen vessels that are sounding the glad tidings 
 of a soon-coming Lord. It will detract from the 
 excellency and power of God, blight our inspiration, 
 and tend to formalism. "We hope our brethren may 
 withstand this wrongful invasion and walk in the 
 old paths which lead directly to the entrance of 
 paradise. Then the Reverend, Holy One will lead 
 us through the gate into the city, and into ever- 
 lasting blessedness and glory, to go no more oat 
 forever. 
 
 XII. A TOUR IN CONNECTICUT. 
 
 At Warehouse Point I found a few 
 Who'er in the faith, both good and true ; 
 With them I found it good to meet, 
 And preach the truth to us so sweet. 
 
 At Hartford, the old battle-field, 
 
 I found them armed with sword and shield; 
 
 With the old veterans we had a talk, 
 
 And surely they by faith can walk. 
 
 The enemy has done his best 
 
 To crush the flock, disturb their rest ; 
 
164 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 The preachers come and oft advise, 
 But sometimes this is not so wise. 
 They should be wise and harmless too ; 
 Good fruits should follow all they do ; 
 The flock in Christ may all be free, 
 If all the truth they do not see. 
 The faithful ones will love the light, 
 And all are one in this good fight; 
 The saints of God must all be one. 
 Who love to pray, "Thy kingdom come." 
 
 Sunday I came to Cheshire Street, 
 Where sheep and lambs together meet ; 
 And really it is "meat" indeed 
 To stand by faith the flock to feed ; 
 At venture I did draw the bow, 
 And very soon the tears did flow. 
 The afternoon we thought it best 
 To point them to their promised rest ; 
 And hearts were light and of good cheer, 
 To know redemption was so near. 
 The careless sinner, too, was there, 
 And in these glories wished to share ; 
 Repent, believe, and look away 
 To Christ, who is the living way. 
 
 At Yalesville in the evening meet, 
 A gathering large of chaff and wheat ; 
 Of new recruits here are a few, 
 Inquiring some, "What shall we do?" 
 They were pointed to the mercy-seat, 
 To Jesus Christ, the sure "retreat," 
 To run for life, and pay the cost, 
 Or very soon they would be lost. 
 The soldiers joyfully look for peace, 
 And hope that soon they'll have release. 
 In lanes and hedges to compel, 
 It is our work "good news" to tell. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 165 
 
 XIII. CARE OF THE WATCHMEN. 
 
 In this I will show how the Lord took care of his 
 watchmen who flew through "the midst of heaven, 
 having this everlasting gospel to preach, . . . say- 
 ing with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to 
 him ; for the hour of his judgment is come." The 
 call was so sudden and imperative that there was no 
 time for systematizing their work. It was itinerancy 
 to the fullest extent. This gospel of the kingdom 
 must be preached ; and the "woe" being on you, go 
 you must, and go you wanted to, be it ever so self- 
 denying. So all the watching you had to do was to 
 perceive the opening, and earnestly step in, not know- 
 ing what would befall, save that we soon found scoffs, 
 clubs, harness cutting, taking out linchpins, carriage 
 wheels taken off, and such like. Other salaries were 
 lost sight of. The gospel was not to be made mer- 
 chandise of ; freely as ye have received, so freely 
 give — the poor must have this gospel preached to 
 them. 
 
 At one place where I was giving this "message" 
 the Lord worked, and the devil was angry and set 
 his workers after us. They came into our meeting, 
 and while I was speaking some of them stepped up 
 benind me, and the brethren thought they were about 
 to strike me. They came nigh enough to reach my 
 
166 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 Bible and shut the book, saying if I did not "shut 
 up" they would "knock my teeth out." But I kept 
 the truth going without any fear, and did not lose 
 a tooth. There was a Justice of the Peace present, 
 and be made some effort to get the leader, but he 
 put himself out of sight, and went to parts unknown. 
 But this was nothing strange for those days. The 
 old Methodist "ditty" came to our people with much 
 force at that time — 
 
 "The more of brickbats and of mud, 
 The more of glory and of God." 
 
 I was at a certain place with Bro. Preble holding 
 meetings certain days. Truth took effect, sinners 
 cried for mercy, some coming to Jesus. This made 
 a stir with the haters of the truth, and they thought 
 they could do something to stop the work. Finally, 
 as their last resort, they came into the meeting after 
 we had commenced, went to the stove apparently to 
 warm themselves, but soon went quietly out. We 
 soon found by the sneezing and coughing that the 
 hot stove had taken a large dose of Thompsonian 
 medicine, highly impregnated with capsicum; but 
 by the hoisting of windows the effect soon passed 
 off, and it only gave ease and vitality to gospel 
 breathing, and impulse to the cause. The hall was 
 filled and we had a successful wind-up, with the fact 
 of more than thirty-fold in converts. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 167 
 
 These were the early days of Adventism. It was 
 the call to supper. It was supper-time. We were 
 told to say, All things are now ready. This was 
 the invitation : ' ' Come ! the supper is waiting. Come 
 quickly !" We urged an immediate compliance with 
 this invitation. The woe was upon the watchmen, 
 then. They saw the sword coming ; no time for 
 consultation about a collegiate education, or the re- 
 muneration to be had ; but the good tidings in the 
 mouth of the flying angel must be sounded, and the 
 warning given. "If the watchmen see the sword 
 coming, and fail to warn, then the blood of the un- 
 saved will be found in their skirts." This stimulated 
 to action. 
 
 XIV. RETROSPECT OF FORTY YEARS. 
 
 The fulfillment of prophecy gives us the signs 
 of Jesus' coming and the end of the world. In 
 taking a retrospect of forty years, comparing the 
 past with the present, we can see that a wonderful 
 change has been wrought which none but God and 
 his Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit could 
 bring about. Literalism has stepped to the front, 
 claiming its rights, and it has overthrown the tradi- 
 tions of the later Fathers, and brought many errors 
 to a standstill. These Anti-Bible doctrines, the 
 
168 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 natural immortality of man, eternal torment in mis- 
 ery, the probation, or salvation of men after death, 
 the conversion of the world, with a multitude of 
 other spiritualizing errors, are all fading and disap- 
 pearing before the blazing sunlight of the divine 
 word spoken by prophets, apostles, and Jesus Christ. 
 A complete return to Bible teaching has been the 
 experience of this people while in their wanderings 
 through the wilderness these more than two score 
 years. Their faith has been scattered to the ends 
 of the world. 
 
 I am glad I have had my lot with this people, 
 marching to the heavenly orders of the Great King. 
 Bible truth sanctifies, its sets apart by self-denial, 
 its makes holy, it Christianizes, and cries out, "Leave 
 all for Christ." I am glad of a place among those 
 who cry, "Behold, he cometh!" The "ministering 
 spirits" have been interested in this sweet gospel mes- 
 sage, and have been sent from heaven to help us on. 
 How often they have inspired us with the boldness 
 of Peter and John, and for the same reason. And 
 there has been a mighty looking on with the same 
 confession, "They have been with Jesus." The 
 Spirit of God made up the deficiency. To him be 
 all the glory. The work is his. It is a thing to be 
 coveted, working in harmony with Christ among 
 these last crowning events. It is grand to live 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 169 
 
 where a year's history of rushing events is crowded 
 into a week. 
 
 My heart and hand is in this closing work of 
 urging men to this last sapper. This mission work 
 is blessed. I hear the call, I see the work, and the 
 responsibility of not giving heed to the urgent cry. 
 But I cannot respond as formerly. Here is my trial, 
 and it is a sore one. But my trust is in the Lord, 
 whom I shall continue to serve, and I shall hold fast 
 to him who has been a present help in every emer- 
 gency in the past. I have no idea he will leave me 
 comfortless on the last end of this warfare. The 
 soldiers will not be left by our Commander if the 
 flesh is weak on account of labor performed, or injury 
 received while loyal to the government. So be of 
 good cheer. We'll wait a little while, then we'll 
 sing the new song. 
 
 XV. APOSTASY. 
 
 It seems almost impossible to keep out of this de- 
 structive channel. There is such an inbred tendency 
 in this direction, that, unless we perseveringly guard 
 against it, we are gliding down stream before we 
 know it. This is so individually and collectively, 
 —religiously and politically. It has never been 
 known in any age that a religious body, having apos- 
 
170 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 tatized, ever reformed itself ; but, following worldly 
 policy, have grown more corrupt. And the only 
 safety from utter ruin is to leave the dying carcass 
 — "come out of her." This is done by keeping in 
 the light which enables us to go forward. 
 
 In spite of everything that hinders, we have left 
 the policy-seekers and world-pleasers far behind. 
 The eoming of our Lord Jesus Christ in this gener- 
 ation has been our cry. This was our God-given 
 message,— this was our peculiar work, — this our 
 preaching, — the Coming One. It must be stamped 
 on all our periodicals, and written on and in all our 
 books and tracts. It must be foremost and upper- 
 most. All understand what ' 'Advent believer," Ad- 
 vent Herald, Advent Messenger, "Advent preaching," 
 "Advent Campmeeting," and "Advent Conference" 
 mean. What was expected at these meetings ? — in 
 these books, tracts and periodicals ? The coming of 
 the precious Saviour, to reward every man, was 
 made to stand out prominent, second to no other 
 truth, however important. Notwithstanding the 
 sacredness of our calling and message, with the ac- 
 cumulating evidence that we are in the "quickly," 
 with the mighty responsibility of holding the awful 
 certainty still higher, and letting the light shine, the 
 careful watcher can see a letting down of the stand- 
 ard, — conservatism creeping in, — the curative med- 
 
LIFE OJ? ELDER LUTHEK BOUTELLE. 171 
 
 icine diluted, — sugar-coated pills given, — improved 
 names for the heading of papers, our churches, our 
 chapels, and our meetings. Independent, Evangel- 
 ical, Christian, and any name, is better than that- 
 significant, stigmatized name, "Second Advent." 
 The change seems to say, ""We' 11 now; wipe off re- 
 proach and be somebody." Thus the Lord's coming- 
 is made of secondary importance — kept in the back- 
 ground. These things ought not so to be. Is this- 
 stan v ding up for Jesus ? Is this the -way to prepare 
 ourselves or others for Christ's speedy coming ? Is» 
 this the way to bear reproach for Jesus ? 
 
 Dear brethren, raise the standard that is trailing 
 in the dust. Welcome all the reproach that comes 
 from keeping our old colors high, so that they may 
 be seen and known. If this is not done amid these 
 last events that certify our faith, the cause will suf- 
 fer, and we shall never hear it said, "Well done, 
 good and faithful," "enter thou into the joy of thy 
 Lord." 
 
 XVI. LIFE LIKE A DREAM. 
 
 Childhood is pleasant while we're there, 
 Playful under parental care ; 
 But even here, with Btrong desire 
 To be much older, we aspire. 
 Youth soon finds us on the way 
 Looking for a brighter day ; 
 
.172 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 The charms and pleasures here we meet 
 Don't give contentment, although sweet; 
 Manhood at length has been obtained, 
 Our expectations have not been, gained j 
 Although our prospects may be bright, 
 Not satisfied even with the sight. 
 And still we pass to riper years, 
 Wavering between our hopes and fears ; 
 Friendships, endearing though they be, 
 Last not forever as we see. 
 No stopping place for one to rest, 
 The place not reached that looks the best. 
 Old age at last comes creeping on, 
 Within the sound of childhood's song. 
 We now have reached the highest round, 
 The expected prize has not been found ; 
 We now can view the elysian field ; 
 With mingled sorrow we have to yield. 
 If we look forward it is with gloom, 
 Our days have passed their brightest noon. 
 We now look back to early days, 
 Our pleasures seen in youthful plays. 
 We often wish that we could share 
 Once more the joys of parents' care. 
 Memory begins to grow quite Black, 
 To think of names there is a lack ; 
 But when delightful acts are seen 
 Of youthful days, the memory's keen. 
 If fourscore we have lived to be, 
 The pleasures of childhood we can see, 
 Tis twice a child and once a man. 
 When you have done the best you can. 
 Thus life has passed just like a dream ; 
 You never reach the golden stream. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 173> 
 
 XVII. A HARD CASE. 
 
 In most of my journeyings I have travelled with 
 horse and carriage. I remember of attending an 
 Advent Conference in Plymouth County in Oct. with 
 Bro. Bellows, and we had a good season from day 
 to day for a week or more. The people came from 
 abroad to hear this gospel of our coming Lord, and 
 we had an enjoyable time in singing, praying and 
 working for the salvation of men. When parting 
 and leaving, a brother, that seemed to have made 
 some progress, urged me to call on him, if I came 
 that way. After the meeting, I stayed in that vicin- 
 ity and held meetings daily until November, and 
 was caught in a snow-storm at the last evening 
 meeting. 
 
 In the morning I started for home, and after eat- 
 ing my lunch, and feeding my horse by the wayside, 
 (finding a warm spot in the woods) , I started on, 
 not knowing where the night would find me. But. 
 I found my way was by the residence of this good 
 brother, whose invitation came fresh to mind ; and 
 about sunset I drove to his door. He was ready to 
 answer the bell, but seemed surprised to see me, and. 
 said, "I hardly know what to do." I, said, "Have 
 you not room to keep me and my horse ?" I saw he 
 had a long barn, and I told him plainly that my 
 
174 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 horse had gone as far as he would that night if a 
 place could be found for him. I felt sad to think 
 his religious zeal had cooled off so much in ten days. 
 His wife, whom I had never seen, came to the door 
 and said, "Drive your horse to the barn, and come 
 in and stay with us, for there is a meeting this 
 evening in the neighborhood, and you must stop and 
 go with us. I was cheered by the good woman's 
 welcome, and stayed. Went to meeting ; had a 
 blessed good time, learned that "all was not gold 
 that glittered." Left in the morning, paying the 
 brother for the provender given my horse, thinking 
 that his religion had changed materially from what 
 it appeared to be when he urged me to call upon him 
 at the Conference. 
 
 I have learned the difference between words and 
 deeds — between saying and doing. "He that hear- 
 eth these sayings of mine and doeth them," is the 
 man that will stand when his Lord cometh. There 
 is a wide gulf between him that serveth God and him 
 that serveth him not — no affinity between them. 
 One is led by the Spirit of God, is with him in the 
 truth, and gives a hearty assent to the fulfillment of 
 prophecy reaching the end, having the mind of 
 Ghrist. The other neglects or rejects the plan of 
 God to save the lost ! He may seek to enter in when 
 it is too late ! No entrance ! The master has risen 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LDTHER BOUTELLE. 175 
 
 and closed the door. The wages of sin is all he can 
 receive, and the wages of sin is death, the eternal 
 cessation of all the attributes of life. 
 
 XVIII. AN EYE OPENER. 
 
 In reading the many good things in our Paper, my 
 eye caught this sentence in a brother's letter, and 
 who has lately come into the Bible faith and blessed 
 hope. Hear him confess it. "I feel like writing a 
 few words for the Crisis. I had it sent me some 
 time by a friend far away. I dearly love to read it. 
 It does my soul good. Blessed be God, it has made 
 an Adventist of me. I did not suppose one could 
 be so ignorant as I was and live in a land of gospel 
 preaching. But thank God, my eyes are opened." 
 
 This brother can now fully say, "Whereas I was 
 once blind, now I see." "What a contrast. Now 
 the gospel is not fables, and fables are not the gos- 
 pel, but they stand out in bold relief and are antag- 
 onistic. His eyes are opened. And what did it? 
 The reading of the Crisis. The Spirit of God in the 
 writers will have an effect upon the readers of our 
 paper, and bring about a wonderful change. 
 
 The grand lessons of the Bible will be almost wholly 
 new. Opened eyes will see man mortal, and Jesus 
 Christ to bear our sins, and give immortality at bis sec 
 
176 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 ond coming. They will see immortality given only at 
 the sounding of the last trump. Opened eyes will 
 see the Bible a common-sense book, revealing a 
 glorious harmony in the plan of redemption. They 
 will find out what the soul is, and what the wages of 
 sin is, which is death. They will soon learn that 
 eternal death, destruction from the presence of the 
 Lord, is not eternal life in misery, and will see by 
 the Bible that no man gets his reward until Jesus, 
 the rewarder, comes the second time to settle and 
 reward men according to their works. And these 
 open eyes will see all silent sleeping in hades till the 
 waking trump calls to life by the resurrection from 
 the dead. And in looking forward they will see the 
 chosen of God running the shining way of obedience, 
 with voices echoing. "The old paths, we have 
 found them, and they reach to the golden city with 
 gates open to receive the overcomers." 
 
 Now you that have friends whom you want to see 
 this light that shines more brightly by believing that 
 the Bible means as it reads, get the Crisis into their 
 families. Make an effort to do it, and get them to 
 reading. The result will be the opening of eyes. 
 You run no risk, even if you give them the paper. 
 It is a good investment. Try it. I have found it so. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 177 
 
 XIX. HARD EXPERIENCE. 
 
 I call to mind an urgent request for me to go out 
 sixty miles to disciple the religionists and all others 
 with our faith, where there were but two or three of 
 our belief. I hastened to the place, had meetings a 
 week or more, and a blessed free time with the help 
 of Jesus, John and Daniel. Some responded, and 
 fell in love with the "message" ; some found fault ; 
 none could confute the position ; some conversions, 
 demonstrating that the Lord by the Holy Spirit was 
 with us. I left, feeling a strong assurance of faith 
 that I had done by grace the best I could for the 
 cause and people, riding cheerfully a sixty- mile 
 journey home. . All at once the old enemy stepped 
 in for a set-to. Said he, "I would not do any more 
 of this work ; no good was accomplished. If there 
 had been they would have given you more than sixty 
 cents for your labor ; and there are your wife and 
 children — they will starve in this way ; how little 
 they cared for this truth or you." I hauled up my 
 steed in the conflict. At length I said, "You are a 
 lying devil; hold your tongue, or I will return and 
 give them a week more of the same good news." 
 Thus I got the victory, and he left me. 
 
 I rode on, and having an impression to turn out 
 of my way for a little mission work, called at one 
 
178 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 of the free taverns to refresh myself and take cour- 
 age. After a praying season of cheering and being 
 cheered, as I was about to start for home, says the 
 good sister of the house, "Don't you need something 
 to carry home to your family ? I have been thinking 
 of you for the past week." I said, "I make known 
 my wants to the Lord ; he has taken care of me thus 
 far, and I expect he will while I do good and trust 
 his promises." She then gave me a bill and said, 
 "The Lord wants me to give you that." I took it, 
 and thanked the Lord, also the sister, drove home, 
 found the bounty was needed, and it made us all 
 happy, and gave us more confidence to trust the Lord 
 in the future. 
 
 This has been the way of my itineracy for more 
 than forty years' labor in the gospel of the kingdom. 
 I have never known what I should get, only the 
 "One I serve" said, "What is right I will give thee." 
 I always heed a call from my Master, if I under- 
 stand it is from him. 
 
 I was once invited to visit and preach to a well- 
 to-do Advent congregation. Had a good time, a 
 full house, and all seemed satisfied. They gave me 
 a pittance for a sixty miles ride by cars, and a shower 
 of "God bless you ! Come again ; we want you two 
 or more Sundays." I said, "No, I cannot ; the poor 
 must have the gospel, and it is my pleasure to give 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 179 
 
 it them." It is a great work to preach and live out 
 this soul-saving gospel, but the practical preaching 
 of doing as you would be done by, is the most con- 
 vincing, the most powerful. "All things whatsoever 
 ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so 
 to them." This always tells. If you don't believe 
 it, then try it. 
 
 XX. MY PILGRIMAGE. 
 
 Commissioned by my Lord to go, 
 And neither stop for rain or snow, 
 I have to run, leave all behind, 
 And preach glad tidings to mankind. 
 This cheering "message" they must hear : 
 The glorious coming King is near. 
 The signs that show His coming nigh, 
 These now are seen in earth and sky. 
 
 By day and night I preach and pray ; 
 
 My work is hard for every day ; 
 
 A weary pilgrim, homeward bound ; 
 
 Rest surely here cannot be found. 
 
 A missionary, the world my field, 
 
 The Spirit's sword I have to wield. 
 
 I'm like a man upon the wheel, 
 
 He must go round though bad he feel ; 
 
 My wife and children, home and all, 
 
 I have to leave at Master's call. 
 
 These twoscore years I've run the round, 
 
 And still upon this earth I'm found, 
 
 Beseeching men to turn and run 
 
 To Christ and pray, "Thy kingdom come !" 
 
 No salary promised, only bread 
 
180 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 With water sure we shall be fed. 
 A bitter cup we have to drink, 
 Tis a hard life I sometimes think ; 
 Out in the world, no scrip nor purse, 
 Our friends look cold — and this is worse. 
 I look to Christ and then I see 
 One who was rich made poor for me, 
 I hear him say, "The birds have nests, 
 And foxes holes in which to rest ; 
 The Son of man by night or day 
 Had nowhere here his head to lay." 
 My murmuring now has gone and fled ; 
 I'll follow Christ, my living head ; 
 I'll keep the faith and fight by grace, 
 And so I'll run the heavenly race. 
 We'll gird this gospel armor tight, 
 And keep the golden crown in sight. 
 We'll suffer on and will not fear, 
 The better day is almost here ; 
 With cheering hope we'll wait and sing 
 The coming of our rightful King. 
 Pilgrims and strangers we must be, 
 If we would live, the kingdom see. 
 Sun, moon and stars do also say, 
 We soon shall see the blissful day. 
 Of other signs there is no lack ; 
 Then we'll believe and not turn back. 
 And when this crowning race is run, . 
 By grace 'twill be that we have won. 
 The watchmen soon their work will leave, 
 And their reward they will receive. 
 Father, be it Thy will divine, 
 That in Thy kingdom I may shine, 
 And with my Lord forever be 
 Clothed with His immortality. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 181 
 
 XXI. MATEBIALISM. 
 
 Many seem to be frightened with the word "mate- 
 rialism." What is there that should he avoided in 
 Bible teaching ? The Bible seems to be an intelligent 
 common-sense book, and we need not be afraid of 
 its doctrine. In looking over some articles of late in 
 our paper, I am led to ask the following questions : 
 Are we not all materialists ? Can there be a man 
 without being material? Was not the man God 
 made out of the dust of the earth, material ? Did 
 the breathing of life into the man's nostrils make 
 him less material? Was not the breath of life that 
 God breathed into the material man all there was in 
 him? Was this God-made, living man a sample of 
 all the men that have succeeded him? 
 
 Here, then, is a material, living man, but of how 
 many elements or parts? "Man was made upright, 
 but he hath sought out many inventions." Is man 
 composed of more parts than God put into his make- 
 up ? I see him made of dust [earth] , and life gives 
 him motion ; and when life is gone he is the same 
 as he was before he had it. So the wise man says, 
 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, 
 and the spirit [life] unto God who gave it." Are 
 not here all there was of man recognized in the 
 Bible ? Some think the moral element of man is 
 called the soul. If so, where? Well, "The law of 
 
182 SKETCHES OF EXPEEIENCE IN THE 
 
 the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Does not 
 this mean the material man? When Jesus came 
 near that sycamore tree he beheld the little tax- 
 gatherer up among the leaves. He stopped and 
 called out, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and comedown," 
 And he visited him and converted him, and it was 
 Zacchaeus, the material, living, personal man that 
 was converted, the one that stood up and said, 
 "Lord, the half of my goods I give to feed the poor." 
 Now you see the natural, converted man distributing 
 bis goods among the poor. 
 
 Was not Zacchaeus the soul that was converted? 
 Did not Paul get it right when he said, "If any man 
 (or soul) be in Christ he is a new creature"? He 
 himself had put off the sinful and put on the divine. 
 And is not all recognized under the term man ? And 
 will not this living soul man be responsible for all 
 he does in the judgment, whether good or bad? 
 What is a man advantaged if he gain the whole 
 world and lose himself [soul] ? So himself is all 
 there is, dead or alive. If life is in him, he lives ; 
 if life goes out of him, he is dead. Is not life the 
 only animating principle, and is there anything that 
 animates or can animate when life has returned to 
 God who gave it? These are questions of divine 
 import, and should be carefully considered and bib- 
 lically settled. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 183 
 
 XXII. OLD LANDMARKS. 
 
 In looking over some old papers the other day, this "war 
 effusion" of March 7, 1863, came to the surface, and which I 
 wrote to my wife from Kennebunkport twenty-one years since. 
 On reading it to some friends, they requested me to send it for 
 publication in our paper, so I consented, hoping it might be of 
 some service to the soldiers of the cross. 
 
 I am now at Camp Mitchell, Kennebunkport ; 
 
 My service is first to examine the fort, 
 
 To see if their works are thorough and right ; 
 
 To see if the soldiers are ready to fight ; 
 
 To see if their weapons are improved and the best ; 
 
 To see if their fixings will all stand the test ; 
 
 To see if they're loyal, and will stand to their post 
 
 If the rebels should come with a numberless host; 
 
 To see if they love their Commander, so dear, 
 
 And are ready to march in love and not fear ; 
 
 To see that their rations of meat and of bread, 
 
 Are rightly dealt out and daily are fed ; 
 
 To see if their courage is like to hold out — 
 
 If they on hard tack are sent on a scout ; 
 
 To see if the pickets will watch and look out, 
 
 And tell at all times what the rebels are about ; 
 
 To see if the officers are content with their pay, 
 
 When a portion to them is dealt out by the day ; 
 
 To see if the hardships they will endure — 
 
 If the pension to them is only made sure. 
 
 The bounty is promised from head quarters 'tis true ; 
 
 It will be received by all who go through. 
 
 No "compromise" here — the constitution is right ; 
 
 At the peril of life they'll fight the good fight. 
 
 The government stands — the foundation is sure ; 
 
 Long life will be certain to those who endure. 
 
 Those who "skedaddle" and do run away, 
 
 Are only poor cowards, will not get their pay. 
 
184 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 Out Leader will triumph, he'll never retreat, 
 And all who are with him can never be beat. 
 Soon we'll gird on the armor, and marching along, 
 We'll join in the chorus of victory's song. 
 
 XXIII. THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. 
 
 Truth and error are always antagonistic. But 
 some errors are more detrimental than others. 
 Truth is always at war with every thing that hin- 
 ders its progress ; so there is a warfare, and the battle 
 must be fought, or right and truth would be lost sight 
 of. In this warfare, although it is plain where truth 
 lies — which side it is on — yet but few have the bold- 
 ness to step out in its defense and stem the tide, 
 making themselves of no reputation by contending 
 for the right. This has been visible in every reform 
 in the past, and is visible still. 
 
 How many, as divine truth is being developed to 
 their minds and hearts, give assent? They see and 
 know the right, and while the short contest is going 
 on, and their help most needed, they keep still ; but 
 as soon as a little victory is achieved by the fearless 
 ones, they throw up their hats and cry out, "See 
 what we have accomplished !" Were it not for the 
 few reckless ones, who have acted upon principle, 
 regardless of consequences, error would have tri- 
 umphed, and truth been lost sight of long ago. But 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 185 
 
 the truth has always had, and always will have its 
 defenders. They will be brought into reproach and 
 contempt by the despisers of truth and right ; but 
 the God of truth and right will defend them, and 
 they will be eulogized and praised when the fog has 
 cleared away. 
 
 Thus has it been with all theological controver- 
 sies. There is a right and a wrong side, which is 
 settled by the one standard — the Bible. There is a 
 restlessness visible on the part of those who contem- 
 plate the future, while their salvation is not effected 
 by repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 Will there be a time after death, or after the Lord 
 comes, to secure this greatest of all prizes? These 
 are questions of the greatest importance. And on 
 this rock many will make shipwreck, and be forever 
 lost ! Now is the day of salvation, the day of par- 
 don, the day of forgiveness. "How shall ye escape 
 if ye neglect so great salvation?" 
 
 XXIV. HE THAT SHALL ENDTJBE TO THE END. 
 
 *'Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the 
 latter times some shall depart from the faith" ; and 
 these being the latter times, or last days, we are to 
 look well to ourselves, and to the "Word of life that 
 
186 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 has been our stay thus far, and hold fast to the end ; 
 for they that "endure to the end, the same shall be 
 saved." And this end is the end of this age, or dis- 
 pensation ; that is, that they endure through this 
 generation, having had the signs of Christ's second 
 advent, they are the ones specially referred to in 
 this passage. To endure means to suffer for Christ's 
 and the truth's sake. They that suffer for him shall 
 reign with him. Can this mean less ? Then having 
 been by the voice of God summoned to the supper, 
 and at "supper time" speaking to us by prophets, 
 ■apostles, and also by his Son, in signs unmistakable, 
 -shall we be safe not to hold fast whereunto we have 
 Attained, with the assurance "for in due season we 
 shall reap, if we faint not" ? 
 
 I see the tendency of the Advent Church to dev- 
 iate, little by little, from the old standard, and as 
 they do, there is a conformity to the world, that 
 makes one look and act as the world does ; seeking 
 the wisdom of the world for direction, and asking 
 how other people do to accomplish their purposes 
 and plans. This is visible. "If any lack wisdom, 
 let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, and up- 
 braideth not." This seems to be the last place to 
 which they look. Their acts show they think to take 
 care of themselves, and will not seek that wisdom 
 that comes from above. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 187 
 
 A preacher of the gospel should know what the 
 Lord would have him preach, and preach it, whether 
 the people hear or forbear. He should never inquire 
 whether it suits the rulers or not. If we are under 
 a God-given command, then let us so divide the 
 word of truth as to be approved of God. And if 
 God could so approve of this message in the past as 
 to set his seal upon it, will he not approve of the 
 same unflinching steadfastness now ? This last mes- 
 sage is committed to our trust, under God, and shall 
 we be seeking for broken cisterns that can hold no 
 water? The flock of God should demand of those 
 whom the Holy Ghost hath made overseers, their 
 feed in this generation. Those in the faith should 
 require that all their publications give the certain 
 sound, as well as sound doctrine, relative to warn- 
 ing the world that sudden destruction is coming 
 upon those that corrupt the earth, while Christ is 
 coming to save his people. 
 
 XXT. CAUTION. 
 
 The Lord has taken special care to apprise us of 
 the great danger there would be, while we were 
 nearing the end, of apostatizing and being lost. So 
 he said, "The love of many shall wax cold. But he 
 that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.'' 
 
188 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 He also said, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any 
 time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and 
 drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that 
 day overtake you unawares." And the apostle says, 
 "He that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot 
 see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged 
 from his old sins." If he had not been purged, he 
 would not have had anything to forget. To forget 
 the illumination by the Spirit of God, in the cleans- 
 ing process of conversion must be an eternal loss of 
 life, unless re-converted by the power of God. 
 
 This type of backsliding is more prevalent in these 
 last days, and is often seen among us. "The Spirit 
 speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall 
 fall away from the faith." There is now a terrible 
 backsliding from the faith. Fault finding with the 
 brethren is the prominent feature in these times, with 
 a lack of interest in spiritual things. The backslid- 
 er's place in the prayer meeting is often vacant, and 
 when he does come he often sits back ; his voice is 
 not heard. 
 
 These are trying times, and a developement of 
 character is going on rapidly by the Spirit of God 
 and the truth, so that a manifestation presents itself 
 in spite of a caution to cover up, and every man is 
 finally found with the company of his choice. While 
 a man keeps himself in the love of God and the ap- 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 189 
 
 pearing of Jesus Christ ; in the spirit of this gospel 
 of the kingdom, he will not leave the cause nor his 
 brethren. He is so linked to them by the Holy Spirit 
 and divine love that you cannot drive him away. A 
 little jealousy, a few words said against him, and he 
 does not leave and run to other parties ; not he. He 
 has a stick-to-iUiveness that holds him to his post in 
 tribulation ; and his abiding faith keeps him, and 
 he keeps the faith, and is sanctified, perfected, and 
 the soon coming of Christ is the burden of his song. 
 
 I do not wonder that Jesus, seeing the apostacies 
 of this time and of this people, who have been 
 aroused by the signs of his coming, should say, 
 "Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh shall 
 he find faith on the earth ? " 
 
 "Watch and pray always." This is the motto 
 here. 
 
 XXVI. WISDOM AT AN END— TRUTH MIGTHY. 
 
 In a certain village, just out from a certain city, 
 was a Baptist Church in rather a "dilapidated" 
 state, suffering from a declention. This came under 
 the observation of a good colored preacher, whose 
 feelings for their welfare, became enlisted, and 
 having the woe of the gospel upon him, he went 
 to their relief. He was a humble, whole-hearted 
 
190 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 Christian, not much versed in scholastic learning, 
 but just able to read that Book that makes wise unto 
 salvation. He being full of the love of a Saviour 
 and his plain simple word, went to them in full confi- 
 dence that heaven would smile upon his labors among 
 them. A portion of the church were of his com- 
 plexion, which prejudice sets aside in many of 
 the so-called churches of God. He toiled on, the 
 Spirit helping his infirmities, and while truth, simple 
 truth, having its effect stirred up careless sinners 
 to turn and live, till it was fully evident that God 
 was with this man ; and seeing this, all had to con- 
 fess, as in the days of Peter and John, that although 
 unlearned, he had been with Jesus. Thus, while as 
 he had received Christ so he was walking in him, he 
 learned that one of those swift-winged messengers, 
 indicated by the flying angel (Rev. 14: 6), was 
 holding meetings at a little distance, declaring to 
 the people the soon coming of him who was once 
 the babe of Bethlehem, the same one that good old 
 Simeon, after waiting for the consolation of Israel, 
 clasped in his arms, and with eyes streaming with 
 tears of joy, could say, "Now lettest thou thy ser- 
 vant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy 
 salvation." 
 
 Learning this, and being in love with this Saviour, 
 the humble preacher went to hear ; and as his ear 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 191. 
 
 caught the sound, it vibrated his whole system, and: 
 before he was aware of it, his mouth was speaking, 
 of its own accord, "Bless God this is it : this is the 
 old apostolic faith — a crown when Jesus comes — life; 
 when the chief Shepherd appears — Amen." 
 
 Like a good man, having only one interest and 
 that with Christ, he went to his church and preached 
 the same glad tidings, and they were joyfully re- 
 ceived by the most devoted in the church. These- 
 shed tears of joy, and catching the joyful sound, 
 got their heads uplifted, looking for speedy redem- 
 tion. While some were scolding the good were- 
 rejoicing with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. 
 So our good colored brother, full of courage, moved on. 
 in harmony with the Great Teacher. Having found, 
 one fact, namely, that Jesus is really coming again, 
 he looked still farther and asks, What is he coming; 
 for? Our brother, ready to follow the direction of 
 Paul, "Prove all things, and hold fast that which is- 
 good," concluded to hear more about the matter. Sc- 
 out he went again to hear those against whom all evil, 
 was spoken. Now, astonishing to his own mind, he 
 hears the defender of the faith, read right out of the 
 Bible, that the saints sleep — that "they fall asleep 
 in Jesus." And again, "If we believe that Jesus 
 died and rose again, even so them also that sleep in 
 Jesus will God bring with him." Thus becoming. 
 
192 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 fully settled in the faith, and fearless in meekness 
 and love, speaking the same to the church, they, to 
 a greater or less extent, believing the same, his 
 course began to make a stir. The church surely 
 had outgrown their creeds, and that of their neigh- 
 bors, and something must be done. So the dis- 
 turbed ones concluded to have a meeting of the 
 divines, to see if our brother could not be purged 
 from these dangerous doctrines. 
 
 Well, the divines came together, and after due 
 deliberation they concluded he must be questioned, 
 and straightened up, on his theology. One of the 
 wise and learned in Greek and Latin, and who per- 
 haps could say Hebrew a little, was appointed to 
 catechise the offender. So the scene was gravely 
 begun, the brother put upon the stand, and ques- 
 tioned as to the grammatical construction of certain 
 Bible sentences. He frankly told them he was un- 
 learned in the schools. They wanted to know if 
 such a verse or word was synonymous with the 
 words of another verse named ; and does this and 
 that "synchronize." He told them again he did not 
 know much about those great words, said he tried to 
 understand the English translation in harmony with 
 common sense, and had found that immortality could 
 only be had by seeking for it. Getting tired of this 
 kind of operation, as they could make nothing better 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 193 
 
 by it, they then began to read the tenth of John. 
 They" at length read this verse, "My sheep hear my 
 voice, I know them, they follow me, and I give them 
 eternal LIFE." They inquired, "Do you understand 
 this?" "Oh yes ;" was his reply. " 'The sheep are 
 the saints, the good children of Jesus ; — Christ 
 knows them, and it is he that gives them life eter- 
 nal.'" "Now," said he to his wise brethren, "you 
 can readily see that it is Christ that gives the sheep 
 eternal life, and, if you please, tell me who gives 
 the goats eternal life?" They were all silent— wis- 
 dom had come to an end. Neither Hebrew, Greek, 
 nor Latin could answer the question. The godlike 
 colored brother could stand the fiery ordeal, and 
 come out without the smell of fire upon him, and all 
 because he stood upon the sure foundation — the 
 blessed Word of God. 
 
 The council had no more to say. The good man 
 is yet preaching the truth, and they can but let him 
 go where he pleases. 
 
 XXVII. NEW DEPARTURE. 
 
 There seems to be a growing desire manifest in 
 the Christian world to find some way to save poor 
 humanity other than what God has made plain in 
 his unerring "Word. The condition of salvation 
 
194 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 made plain by the Scriptures of divine truth is, 
 •■'Whosoever believeth on the Son hath life." This 
 is the only name given ; this is the only provision 
 made. "God gave his only begotten Son, that 
 whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but 
 have everlasting life." The only way then to secure 
 this future life is to believe on him, have our life 
 hid with Christ in God, that "when Christ, who is 
 our life, shall appear, we shall appear with him in 
 glory." I know of no other way of salvation, after 
 man is accountable for his deeds. 
 
 There is a great deal of climbing and seeking 
 some other way, but they don't get up high enough 
 to see their folly and turn into wisdom's way. Hence, 
 we have a variety of methods suggested, and most 
 of, them reject the Christ that died for us according 
 to the Scriptures. Yea, the One that "both died, 
 and rose and revived, that he might be Lord both of 
 the dead and living." And as he is the way and the 
 truth, just as long as he is Mediator or Daysman 
 between God and us, to intercede for us as our Ad- 
 vocate, then at the end of this mediation salvation 
 must cease. This is a necessary conclusion. Hence 
 the utter futility of looking for any provision to be 
 made for them or their friends, after death, a resti- 
 tution process in the next world, to correct, reform, 
 and restore mortal men to their true righteous dignity, 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEK BOUTELLE. 195 
 
 and ultimately to eternal felicity. This is the only 
 world to prepare for immortality and eternal life. 
 
 There is a wide departure and apostacy from Bible 
 teaching, when we are continually taught from pulpit 
 and press that death takes a man directly to his re- 
 ward, while the Bible give's no man his reward till 
 he has appeared before the judgment seat of Christ ; 
 consequently, none that fall in death can have their 
 reward without a resurrection from the dead. So 
 Paul says, if no resurrection! "then they also which 
 are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.'' The teach- 
 ing that man goes anywhere at death but into the 
 grave (sheol or hades), is a species of Spiritualism, 
 and without foundation in the Bible. The second 
 coming of the Lord and a resurrection of all in their 
 graves must be had, or man will never reach his 
 reward or doom. Those claiming to be theologically 
 great, teach us that good men go to heaven at death 
 and that none die. When they, amid "-the tears of 
 affliction, see their loved ones placed in the grave, 
 declare they are somewhere else. This looks absurd. 
 But then, it is claimed to be evangelical, and while 
 we do not blame men for wanting to go to heaven, 
 we think they must wait till Jesus comes after his 
 people, both the living and the dead. They will all 
 get their "laid up" crown when Paul gets his. It 
 will be as Jesus says, "Come, ye blessed," and 
 
196 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 "Depart, ye cursed." This has not had its fulfill- 
 ment anywhere in the past, so it must be future. 
 Jesus declares it will be when he sits "upon the 
 throne of his glory." 
 
 XXVIII. BACK THERE. 
 
 We did not have Campmeetings to see how much 
 money, by strict honesty and economy, we could 
 have to think of at the end of the meeting. I well 
 remember the last services of a Campmeeting of ten 
 days or more in Chelmsford, Mass, at which Dr. 
 Pierce and myself were on the Committee, where we 
 had a free gospel, a free boarding table, with more 
 than twenty preachers, to whom we gave every one 
 more or less to pay their expense of coming. It was 
 a blessed time, and in the winding up of the last 
 service, when ready to separate, the Doctor made 
 inquiry from the stand how many debts remained 
 unpaid for the meeting. I said, "To the best of 
 my knowledge we need $15." He said, "We'll not 
 take up a collection ; you that have money go and 
 hand it to Bro. Boutelle, and the bill will be paid." 
 They soon supplied the deficiency. I paid the bills, 
 and came away with less than two dollars in my 
 pocket, thanking the Lord that we had been through 
 a Campmeeting without taking up a collection. 
 
LIFE OP ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 197 
 
 It was an excelsior meeting ; faith, love, fellowship 
 and non-resistance triumphed gloriously. One day 
 the minister at Carlisle came over to apprise us that 
 a few of the "baser sort" were coming over to make 
 lively work with us at the Camp, by cutting tents 
 and doing mischief, and wished we might be ready 
 to guard ourselves. He had heard them talk it over 
 and was fearful for us. I told him we would do our 
 best to be ready, for it was no new thing for us. So 
 I watched the comers-on. As the evening drew on, 
 surely there appeared a company of a dozen, more 
 or less. They looked around the ground, heard the 
 praying, singing, hallelujahs, and at length came 
 out to our boarding tent. I said, "Good evening, 
 my friends ; you have come to see our Camp ; per- 
 haps it's your first visit to such a place. We are 
 glad to have the people visit us, and here is where 
 we feed them. You have probably come some ways ; 
 now please take a seat at our table and we'll serve 
 you speedily with hot coffee and a lunch, and you'll 
 enjoy the meeting much better." They were soom 
 seated and feasted, and the cup of coffee took all 
 the mobism out of them. They were good hearers, 
 returned home to C, and this minister interrogated 
 them in the morning after their return whether there 
 was any disturbance at the Campmeeting. They 
 said, "No ; nobody could, misuse them, they use 
 
198 SKETCHES OP EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 people so kindly." Kind words and kind acts, with 
 hot coffee and a good lunch, will do more to quell 
 the mob spirit and keep peace in a meeting, and out 
 of meeting, than all the threatening of law, or "You 
 shall," or "I will," that can be said. Like begets 
 like, and if you want good neighbors, set them a 
 pattern, which will work like a charm. I know it 
 experimentally, and if you don't believe it, try it, 
 and you will be convinced. 
 
 XXIX. NO SCABS LEFT. 
 
 With the all-healing balm, and a large portion of 
 divine love and forgiveness, how pleasurably do we 
 run this heavenly race, looking unto Jesus, the author 
 and finisher of this faith. This divine love would 
 heal all difficulties among brethren and secure a 
 peaceful influence among all classes of people that 
 would be hard to resist. "Have any troubled or 
 wounded you? meet them with patience. Hasty 
 words deepen the wound ; soft language dresses it ; 
 forgiveness heals and cures it, and forgetfulness 
 takes away the scar." How full of meaning these 
 words are, and how unlike the common usage of the 
 world. But they are like Jesus the Saviour, in all 
 his teachings and examples. What a godlike pat- 
 tern. His directions, believed and lived out, would 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 199 
 
 sweeten life with the fruits of the Spirit, which are 
 joy and peace, with long-suffering, gentleness, and 
 every thing else that is good and adapted to heighten 
 our happiness, and lead us to love our enemies enough 
 to do them good. With this holy consecration, the 
 brotherhood would receive love ; forgiveness and fel- 
 lowship would be heartily practiced. 
 
 Let a man become a new man in Christ Jesus, 
 created in righteousness unto love and good works, 
 a divine conversion from hatred to love, the old man 
 put off, the new man put on, then he finds it easy to 
 wear the yoke and carry the burden. Then Paul's 
 words would be delightfully appropriate, "Let broth- 
 erly love continue." It is like standing beside a 
 swift running stream and saying, Let the water con- 
 tinue to rush along, laughing at every obstacle that 
 comes in its way. It must and will run. So the 
 glorious gospel of Christ shining in you in its fullness 
 will find vent, and its flowing spirit will sweep away 
 the rubbish and clear the channel, purifying the 
 atmosphere and giving a healthful air, invigorating 
 to all who breathe it. But, suppose they say all 
 manner of evil against you falsely ; be patient, slow 
 to speak, but quick to render good for evil. Soft 
 words dress the wound. If it does not the first time, 
 apply the medicine again. Add a little more for- 
 giveness. The wound is healing ; soon the cure is 
 
200 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 effected, and everlasting forgetfulness takes away 
 the scar. The new skin is clean and healthy, with 
 no trace left. What a remedy this. Please try it. 
 
 XXX. BEECHER DEAD. 
 
 The Advance, in its March number, says of Mr. 
 Beecher: "A great life has ended; it was a great 
 life that went out in the death of Mr. Beecher." 
 
 Surely this expresses the simple fact that when 
 this great man's life "went out" his life ended. 
 What went out? Life. What ended? Life. Then 
 what? Beecher is dead. This harmonizes with 
 God's account of the making of man : "And the 
 Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, 
 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [or 
 lives] ; and man became a living soul." (Gen. 2 : 
 7.) How did man become a living soul ? By hav- 
 ing the breath of life, or lives, breathed into him. 
 
 So in every case of all that die ; their life goes 
 out. When this life that God breathed into man's 
 nostrils "goes out," he is dead. His life is ended. 
 If it were not for provisions made by God himself, 
 that would be the last of life, as well as the last of 
 man. If a man's life goes out, will it come into 
 him again? This is the vital question. If a man 
 die, shall he live again ? Not if he slip out of his 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. 201 
 
 shell, case, or cage, and then keeps right on living. 
 No, this is not it. His life has "gone out." The 
 lamp, candle, light, has gone out. No light till 
 lighted up again. This involves a re-living from 
 the dead; a standing up of the dead; a resurrection 
 of the dead. 
 
 XXXI. DID JESXJS DIE? 
 
 The apostle affirms that "Christ died for our sins- 
 according to the Scriptures ;" and also that Christ 
 "tasted death for every man" ; and we often sing, 
 "He gave his life for me." Now did he give his- 
 life, or his body? Jesus died that we might live. 
 This seems to be plainly taught in the Bible. We 
 hear him say, "I am he that liveth, and was dead." 
 Now all who believe in the natural immortality of 
 man do not believe that Jesus died, but that only^ 
 his body died. Ask them, Did Jesus die? Ans. 
 "His body died, that is all." They contend that if 
 all of Jesus Christ died, and went into the grave, 
 then we were without a God three days. This is 
 said to be "evangelical." 
 
 How would it do to say, Jesus' body died for our 
 sins according to the Scriptures, when the Scriptures 
 say no such thing ? The Scriptures do affirm, nine 
 times or more, that Jesus died for all, that He gave 
 
202 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 Himself for us. It became necessary for Jesus to 
 have a miraculous conception — begotten by the Holy 
 Ghost, and born of a virgin, so as to blend divinity 
 and humanity in the Saviour. 
 
 This Saviour's soul was sorrowful, even unto death ; 
 and this Saviour died. As Jonah was in the whale's 
 belly three days and three nights, so was the Son of 
 man three days and three nights in the heart of the 
 earth. 
 
 The divine Son of God must die to make an atone- 
 ment for us. If naught but his body died, then we 
 have no divine sacrifice. Could the death of the 
 human body pay the debt? We have no divine 
 Saviour unless a divine Saviour died for our sins 
 according to the Scriptures. All the Bible affirma- 
 tions show conclusively that all of Jesus, born at 
 Bethlehem of Judea, went into the grave, and that 
 God raised him [Jesus] from the dead the third day, 
 according to the Scriptures. He showed himself to 
 them openly and literally ; they handled him, and 
 were convinced it was their crucified Lord. And 
 the same literal Jesus went up to heaven in a cloud. 
 They saw him till the cloud received him out of 
 sight, and the angels assured the Galileans that the 
 same Jesus should come again in like manner. So 
 we have the only begotten Son of God for a Saviour. 
 God gave him to be a propitiation for our sins, and 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LDTHEK BOUTELLE. 203 
 
 not for our sins only, but" for the sins of the whole 
 world. This seems to be, a vital question and plainly 
 answered. So we may sing, "Jesus died on Cal- 
 vary's mountain, long time ago." 
 
 By the eating of the forbidden fruit, man was 
 debarred from the tree of life, and subjected to the 
 penalty — "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou 
 return." Being excluded from the tree of life and 
 put under the penalty of death, made it necessary 
 for something to be done that man might not be 
 eternally lost. God saw the necessity and made the 
 provision. He offers the remedy — his only begotten 
 Son, and this Son must die and go into the grave, 
 and be raised from the dead the third day, according 
 to the Scriptures, to be the first fruits unto God. 
 God raised him from the dead. ' 'Even so them also 
 which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" ; that 
 is, as God raised Jesus out of death and the grave, 
 so will he bring all the saints out of the grave at his 
 coming, and give them life — eternal life. God's 
 only Son did die. It took all of this "Unspeakable 
 Gift" to bring this fallen, doomed race to a oneness 
 with Christ ; to redeem them from death and give 
 them eternal life at his second coming. None but a 
 divine Saviour could do this. We will sing, "He 
 gave his life for me," and say, adoringly, he hath 
 washed and saved us by his own blood. 
 
A SEKMON. 
 
 Text. — "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel 
 which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and 
 wherein ye stand ; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in 
 memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in 
 vain." — 1 Cor. xv. 1, 2. 
 
 'ERE is the remedy for the healing of 
 the sick and wounded race of men. 
 What is it? It is the gospel of Christ. 
 This is the curative medicine for all the 
 sin-sick ones. 
 Paul, whose heart's desire and prayer to God was 
 for the salvation of all men, says to the church in 
 Corinth : "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you 
 the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye 
 have received and wherein ye stand ; by which also 
 ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached 
 unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." 
 The text contains three important considerations. 
 
 1 . The gospel which was received. 
 
 2. In which they stood. 
 
 3. By which they were saved. 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BOUTELLE. '205 
 
 1. The gospel of Christ must be received, or it 
 will do no one any good. It is like a healthful rem- 
 edy, it must be partaken of to effect a cure. By the 
 first Adam's disobedience all were made sick ; but 
 by the second Adam's obedience there is a restora- 
 tion to health, and health that will continue forever. 
 There will be no sickness when the whole man is 
 fully restored in the resurrection. No wonder that 
 Paul called it "the glorious gospel of the blessed 
 God."— 1. Tim. 1 : 11. But the great thing is to 
 see and feel the need of this remedy. All have a 
 kind of blood poison, and if they don't know it, it 
 nevertheless is there. One symptom of this disease 
 is, they who have it don't want anything done for 
 them — they are not aware that they are sick and dy- 
 ing. This is the condition of the natural man. No 
 natural remedy will reach his case. But a remedy 
 has been provided and offered without money and 
 without price. It was offered to the people of Cor- 
 inth, and some there received it. The gospel of 
 Christ preached by Paul was believed by a goodly 
 number there, and they were healed of their idola- 
 trous sins. They found the remedy sufficient to re- 
 move the disease by which they were afflicted. The 
 gospel had its effect upon them, as it does upon every 
 one who receives it. It brought them out from the 
 "horrible pit and miry clay," the dark dismal place 
 
206 SKETCHES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE 
 
 in which they were, sinking lower and lower to de- 
 struction and death. It placed their feet upon a firm 
 foundation, yea, upon a rock. 
 
 2. Here, Paul tells them, they stand. They stood 
 in the gospel. They were no longer in heathenish 
 idolatry, bowing down to idols, and under the control 
 of Satan. They stood up straight in the glorious 
 gospel of Christ. It was a grand foundation upon 
 which to stand. This is the true platform, and they 
 who are not standing here are exposed to the errors 
 of the wicked, and led astray into all the ways of sin. 
 To stand in the gospel is to be free. The fetters of 
 the law are no longer worn. The shackles of the 
 world have been torn off. There is freedom from 
 condemnation. The doctrines and theories of men 
 are laid aside, and the voice of Christ alone is heard. 
 Those who stand in the gospel of Christ are inde- 
 pendent of all the false systems of religion in the 
 world, and there is no danger of their being deceived 
 while they stand in the gospel. 
 
 3. The apostle adds, "By which ye are saved, if 
 ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless 
 ye have believed in vain." So the gospel saves. 
 Paul says in Bom. 1 : 16, "I am not ashamed of the 
 gospel of Christ ; for it is the power of God unto 
 salvation to every one that believeth." The gospel, 
 then, is the power of God, and when preached, heard 
 
LIFE OF ELDER LUTHEK B0BTELLE. 207 
 
 and believed it saves. It is the only thing that is to 
 be preached to save men. There would have been 
 none saved in Corinth if the gospel had not been, 
 preached there. But while they heard the gospel, 
 believed it and stood in it, they must keep it in mem- 
 ory in order to be saved by it. They could not be 
 saved if they forgot what was preached to them. 
 So now, the gospel of Christ must be kept in mind,, 
 not forgotten for a day. If we would stand in it,, 
 we must take heed— rremember where and how we 
 stand. There must be watching and praying. There 
 must be the good fight of faith in order to hold our 
 ground and stand, having our loins girt about with, 
 truth, and our lights burning when the Master cometh. 
 We have said that the gospel was a remedy for 
 sick and dying humanity. Has it been tried ? Yea,, 
 verily. Look at Saul of Tarsus, full of self-right- 
 eousness, (a disease which prevails everywhere in 
 these days), breathing out threatenings and slaughter 
 against the disciples of the Lord. See him on his- 
 way to Damascus with hatred in his heart toward 
 Christ and all who had embraced his gospel. What 
 was the remedy for his terrible complaint? Was it 
 not the gospel that he needed to cure him of his- 
 disease? Was he brought to take that remedy? 
 After he took the remedy his, disease of self -right- 
 eousness left him, and he became an advocate of 
 
208 LIFE OF ELDER LUTHER BODTELLE. 
 
 the gospel that he so much hated. He has told us 
 that this gospel will save both Jews and Gentiles, 
 yea, that it is a remedy for sin in all the race. 
 
 We could give a multitude of instances in which 
 'this remedy has wrought wonderful cures in these 
 our days. It has cured the heart failure hundreds 
 of times, cleansing the heart from all impurities, 
 so that it beat right toward God and man. It has 
 raised to life the dead, dead in trespasses and sins, 
 raising them up from death to live with Christ. This 
 remedy, when applied by faith, has healed the body. 
 Its efficacy has been attested to by many in our own 
 day, saving from the jaws of death the saints of 
 God. It is Heaven's remedy, not man's. It is 
 better than the balm of Gilead or the waters of 
 Jordan. It heals both the outside and inside — the 
 whole man. 
 
 Does any one doubt the power of this remedy, 
 ■who has not taken it? We say to him, If you will 
 follow the directions of the great Physician, who 
 furnishes it free to all, you will surely find yourself 
 healed, and made to rejoice as never before, and this 
 salvation, by the gospel, will be yours forever and 
 •ever. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 / 
 
 Baptism and Ordination. 
 
 «^S^. OME of the readers of my book say they 
 ' do not find my baptism and ordination 
 
 in it, so in this edition I have concluded 
 
 to supply this deficiency. 
 -4te? In 1837, Elder Silas Hawley, an Ab- 
 
 olition lecturer, came to Groton, Mass., giving us 
 some lectures against slavery. He also by consent 
 of the Committee who employed him, gave a course 
 of lectures on Christian Union, which were well 
 attended, and created a great interest in the place; 
 On account of the revival interest, he concluded it was 
 his duty to stay and hold meetings with us through 
 the winter. We held meetings in a hall, which were 
 continually crowded, and after the lecturer com- 
 menced meetings, which continued fifty days in suc- 
 cession, and resulted in more than a hundred con- 
 verts to Christ, and Christian Union, we formed a 
 church of Bible believers, which were called Union- 
 
210 APPENDIX. 
 
 ists, under his care. Elder Timothy Cole, of Low- 
 ell, labored with us in this revival. The time came 
 when these converts must be baptized, and the 
 time was set. This stir about baptism brought me 
 to see that the Bible said, "Believe and be bap- 
 tized ;" and although I had been sprinkled in baby- 
 hood, according to Puritan usage, yet I had not 
 received baptism not believing that immersion was 
 the only mode. When he came to the water side, 
 surrounded by the hundred or more converts for 
 baptism, Elder Cole led more than half of them 
 down into: the water and baptized them, after which 
 Elder Silas Hawley sprinkled the rest by the water 
 .side — myself among them. This was the result of 
 Unionism in Groton. In this movement fourteen 
 of us members of the Congregational Church asked 
 a dismission from the Church, two of the acting 
 deacons among the members, Cragin and Dickson. 
 So now I had two sprinklings, which were satisfact- 
 ory for the time being. 
 
 Directly succeeding this revival, Bro. Miller came 
 to Groton and this made another stir. Then we 
 became believers in the soon coming of our Lord. 
 Now I began to see differently ; the Bible was a 
 new book. Believing it as it reads brought new 
 light upon our pathway, and consequently new teach- 
 ing. I soon found out I had not been baptized 
 
APPENDIX. 211 
 
 after all. Now in my revival and campmeeting 
 work I was often interrogated about baptism. I 
 directed them, eunuch like, to go down into the water. 
 
 At a campmeeting at Stow, Mass., where I was 
 on the Committee and much interested, and in 
 which the Lord worked mightily through the preach- 
 ing by the Holy Spirit, converts began to be multi- 
 plied and asking to be baptized. I assured them 
 that we would appoint a time, and that all that felt 
 it his duty to improve the first opportunity. So 
 the next afternoon I gave notice that the following 
 day at a given time all would have the privilege of 
 obeying their Lord in baptism. My wife came to 
 me and said she felt it her duty to go into the water. 
 I said, "By all means go." So at the appointed time 
 all went to the water, having chosen Eld. Joseph 
 Turner to officiate in the ordinance. Having arrived 
 at the water-side, Bro. Turner gave a telling address- 
 on baptism, and when he was through I was ready 
 to go with my wife into the sacred stream, and with 
 others be baptized. We came out rejoicing amid 
 the shouts of joy from campmeeting worshipers. 
 The meeting was a success. 
 
 Ordination. — In the first years of my Advent min- 
 istery I had no time nor care for ordination. My 
 call was imperative. My work swallowed me up in 
 the proclamation of the most enchanting message 
 
212 APPENDIX. 
 
 the world had heard. The demonstration of the 
 Lord's presence and power was doubly satisfactory 
 to me of my divine ealling. It was often suggested 
 to me the importance of ordination, but my answer 
 was, "Not yet." 
 
 After a while there was a call for a Conference 
 of Adventists, at Kennebunkport. Eld. Joseph 
 Turner and R. R. York were to be there and I was 
 urged to be present. I consulted duty, and con- 
 cluded to go. On my arrival I learned that Bro. 
 Wm. H. Mitchell was to be set apart for the min- 
 istry, and that I must participate in the services. 
 Finding I .had never been set apart by the laying on 
 .of hands, I was urged to avail myself of this oppor- 
 tunity, as it would be more appropriate then to par- 
 ticipate in the ordination service of Bro. Mitchell. 
 So I consented, . and was ordained to the gospel 
 ■ministry by Elder Joseph Turner and R. R. York 
 by the layings on of hands,. Fattier Mitchell and 
 Gouch assisting them. This took place at Kenne- 
 bunkport, Me., May 15th, 1858. Then followed the 
 ordination of Bro. Wm. H, Mitchell to the sacred 
 work of preaching Christ's gospel of a soon coming 
 kingdom, and the saving of the lost. And to the 
 honor of our Christ we are both alive working out 
 our salvation, as best we can by the grace of God 
 given us. 
 
APPENDIX. 213 
 
 EXPERIENCE. 
 
 This matter of experience I make record of to show 
 that in this sacred work of crying, "Behold, he com- 
 eth," to judgment ; the Spirit of God has been with 
 us in mighty power, and that it went before us, as 
 in the case of convicting the old lady of its truthful- 
 ness, even before she knew the Bible reasons. 
 Thank God for the help of the Holy'Spirit to teach, 
 and make us feel the power of truth. 
 
 In all my movements since my call to this specific 
 work the hand of the Lord has been visible. I had 
 a call to go to Westmoreland, N. H., to work in pro- 
 tracted effort with Bro. Preble. I started by stage 
 sleigh, and arrived at Keene before dark. Thinking 
 I would not stay at the public house, I took my carpet 
 bag in my hand, starting out to do some little mission 
 work by spreading the Lord's coming, thinking some 
 family would keep me over night. So on I went, 
 stopping, talking and leaving tracts, to tell more than 
 I could of the "good tidings." After a few calls I 
 began to inquire about a lodging place for the night, 
 and having failed to secure one, and it getting late, 
 I made up my mind the next call I made I would not 
 preach the Lord's coming till I had secured my lodg- 
 ing. So I rapped at the door of a farm house. 
 They let me in, and I directly asked if they could 
 
214' APPENDIX. 
 
 keep me over night. Said an old lady spinning rolls 
 at the wheel, "My husband will be in soon, so take 
 a seat." He came in, and cordially gave his con- 
 sent ; so I laid off overcoat, and felt at home, but 
 was still about my Lord's coming. 
 
 They soon, Yankee like, began to inquire what was 
 my business ? I told them where I came from, and 
 the old lady, before I had time to tell of my business, 
 said quickly, "Why, is that not near Lowell?" I 
 said, "Yes, within fourteen miles." "Well," said 
 she, "have you heard anything about a man by the 
 name of Miller who is preaching that the end of the 
 world is coming? I said "yes," and this opened my 
 budget surely. And she continued and said, "we 
 have a girl who went from this neighborhood to work 
 in the Lowell factory, and she has written a letter to 
 her friends, telling them of his preaching the Lord's 
 coming, and the end of the world, and I have seen 
 the letter, and ever since I read that letter I have 
 felt that it is true. And now I want to know all 
 about it." So this opened up an evening's talk, and 
 it was as pleasant to me as to them. 
 
 So I began at Daniel, and rehearsed all the signs 
 of my Lord's, coming, repeating to them all the proph- 
 ets, Jesus and the apostles had said concerning the 
 glorious event ; and did not our hearts burn within 
 us and them as they heard the story for the first time ? 
 
APPENDIX. 215 
 
 It was blessed. The Spirit of the Lord, that con- 
 victed her of the truth by hearing that letter read, 
 was with us to give it vitality that evening. In the 
 morning the man of the house was so interested in 
 the subject that he gave me fifty cents, and said he 
 would take his horse and sleigh and carry me to the 
 meeting, and he did, and was delighted, receiving 
 the doctrine with gladness. 
 
 At Westmoreland we held meetings certain days, 
 and many believefd, and the power of the gospel was 
 felt mightily, and some are alive unto this day, but 
 many are fallen asleep in Jesus. The sound has 
 been from shore to shore, and as in the days of Noah, 
 few believe it. "And they knew not" because they 
 would not ; nevertheless the flood came and took 
 them all away. "So shall the coming of the Son 
 of man be." Awful responsibilities are resting on 
 those that live in these days of light of the signs of 
 the Lord's soon coming. 
 
 And now, dear reader, another year has been 
 added to my life since I wrote the narrative of some 
 incidents of my pilgrimage ; and I am yet among 
 the living, able to preach occasionally, enjoying 
 good living religion, with comfortable health, wait- 
 ing for the Son of man from heaven.