The writer of the first page, accompanied by Brother E. L. Jorgenson, spent several weeks in the State of Maine, preaching the word of God, and came back, like Joshua and Caleb, with a good report of the land. The work was, of course, not without its difficulty, especially at the beginning, but the people seemed so open-minded and appreciative of the simple preaching of the gospel that it was a pleasure rather than a task. In my judgment, that country is ripe for the plain teaching. There is a heart hunger⁽¹⁾ for more spirituality and reality, and for more simplicity in religion, an undefined disgust with sectarianism and longing for the unadulterated truth. At least so we found it where we were. There is a great opportunity and inducement for simple Christians to work in Maine, if they are heedful to be nothing but simple Christians, truly nonsectarian, willing and faithful to preach in love the whole truth of the gospel as it is in Christ Jesus.

Among the refreshing experiences we had there was the finding of some brethren in Christ who knew nothing whatever of the brotherhood in South and West, had never read any periodicals or other human literature current among the latter, nor heard any of their preachers, and yet, by virtue of the one Book we have in common, were found to stand absolutely with us, not in principle alone (which is the chief thing), but also in all conclusions and applications, as far as we could ascertain--a proof of how the same seed brings forth the same crop always and everywhere. It is impossible, for example, to find people of the Russellite faith except where Russell's literature has gone;⁽²⁾ but simple Christians spring up wherever the simple Word of God, unmixed with human creeds and philosophies, is believed and obeyed. A small worshiping assembly and many sympathizers were left at the chief point of our labor, Pittsfield, where we preached four weeks. We should have had another four weeks there, but it was impossible this time. However, Brother T.B. Larimore is on his way to Maine, and the brethren are counting on his following up the work at Pittsfield. Brother Larimore is going at his own charges, and it is a good time for some. Of his many friends, who are financially more able than he, to help him in defraying the expenses of the trip and the work.

We preached in a tent which was given to the brethren in Maine by Brother S. F. Morrow, of Nashville, Tenn, to be used in evangelizing the country. Brother Morrow has done much good work in the purchasing and sending out tents for the spreading of the gospel.

The brethren in Maine are located chiefly at Portland, and in the neighborhood of Unity, a small village about one hundred miles farther north. The unity brethren were chiefly interested in this particular work. By the efforts of Sister H. L. Knight the ned of that country was set before the brotherhood at large, and the churches at Louisville felt impelled to send us to that field. The brethren about unity gave us all the aid, moral and otherwise, they possibly could. They are in earnest and at work. There are two men among them who are preachers of the word--Brother Everett G. Wing, of Albion, and Brother H.M. Dillehay, lately moved to Pittsfield, where he and his wife are now the charter members of the little assembly of the church of Christ. Both these men sustain themselves by working with their hands. It is also mentioned that Brother Joseph A. Hines, of Ohio, at one time a teacher at the Nashville Bible School, preached the word in these regions some years ago with combined ability and love, and did much good and endeared himself to the brethren, Likewise Brother John [930] T. Lewis and others have done faithful work in the neighborhood of Unity.

On our return trip we were cordially received and set on our way by the church at Portland, Maine, a company of noble brethren, who seem heart and soul in earnest for the work of the kingdom. We also met with and were lovingly received by the Bathurst Street congregation in Toronto and the brethren at Detroit. It was altogether a good trip, attended with blessings from God, and the work he wrought through us was successful and, we trust, the bud and promise of greater things to come.

1. This seems to be a Germanism: "Herzenshunger," a yearning of the heart.

2. Boll refers here to Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916), the founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses.