Revision as of 08:50, 4 January 2021

Visiting Ministry at Bethany Gospel Hall, Maine (OB) 1916-1983

Itinerants

• A. Aiken 1952
• J. Blackwood 1930
• Conaway 1929
• John Dickson 1935
• H. Fletcher 1954
• Halliday 1929
• W.F. Hunter 1929-1931
• R. Jordan 1949
• David Leathem 1949 Truro, N.S.
• John Martin 1924
• W.J. McClure 1934
• R. McCracken 1952
• Robert McCrory 1935
• J. McCullough 1949
• S.J. Rea 1949
• Hugh Thorpe 1924, 1933

Ministry Reports

1920's

• OR 1924-11: Cliftondale, Mass.: "A very happy and helpful conference was held here October 12 and 13, at which representatives from the various assemblies of the district were present. Of those who spake the Word to us were Brn. Matthews, Martin, Conaway, Thorpe, Dickson and Muir. Brethren Martin and Thorpe went on to Westbrooke, Maine to hold some meetings. Bro. Conaway to Westerly, R.I."

• OR 1926-12: Westbrook, Maine: "Three were baptized here, and received into the little assembly, which goes on well."

• OR 1929-1: "Brn. Halliday and W.F. Hunter went to Westbrooke (sic), Maine."

• OR 1929-9: Westbrooke, Maine: "Brn. Halliday and Conaway have been here preaching the Word. A number of French people came with others, and to them Gospel portions in French are distributed in the meetings, as well as in visiting their homes. Pray for this work."

1930's

• OR 1930-6: "Glen Head, N.Y.: Br. W.H. Hunter (51 Huttlestone Ave., Fairhaven, Mass.) has been here and was able to help in the regular meetings of the Assembly here. He had a couple of weeks in April at Westbrook, Maine."

• OR 1930-7: "Westbrook, Maine: Visitors from various Assemblies, who purpose spending their vacations in or around Portland, Old Orchard or Kennebunk, Me., and adjacent seashore places will find a welcome at the Bethany Gospel Hall, 540 Main St., Westbrook, opposite the Hospital. Electric cars run frequently from such places. Sebago Lake is a short auto ride to Westbrook. Visitors unknown to the Assembly, please bring a letter of commendation from home meeting."

• OR 1930-8: "Westbrook, Maine: Brn. W.H. Hunter and J. Blackwood expect to spend some time in the gospel here."

• OR 1930-9: "Bath, Maine: Brn. W.H. Hunter and J. Blackwood are here in a tent. It is about 40 miles from Westbrook, Me., where they go for Lord's day mornings. Some of God's people are coming in, as well as unsaved ones. It is hoped they may be helped on in God's ways."

• OR 1931-1: "Br. Hunter expected to visit Westbrook, Maine, where he had a tent last summer."

• OR 1933-6: "Hugh Thorpe, Westbrook, Maine: Visitors to the various summer resorts around Portland (Maine) and Old Orchard, Kennebunk, Sebago Lake, etc., will find an assembly of the Lord's people at 538 Main Street, Westbrook, Maine (opposite Westbrook Hospital). Trolley cars from Portland pass the Gospel Hall, which is only five miles from Portland. To encourage fellowship it would be well for Christians who are unknown to the saints at Westbrook to bring a letter of recommendation."

• AA 1934-2: Maine Convention. "A conference of Christians gathering unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will D.V. be held at Old Orchard Camp Grounds, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, during the week of August 12 to 19th, 1934. This early intimation is being made for three reasons: (1), Because it is necessary to engage the grounds at this time. (2), That the Lord's people may have time to arrange for their vacations at that date. (3), That those exercised about the meetings may pray that the convening of them may be to the glory of God. We have the Scriptural injunction, "Gather my saints together unto Me," but let us ever be guided by His counsel. Later notices may follow and those interested may write to Mr. H. Stultz, Sen., Main St., Westbrook, Maine."

• AA 1934:3-8: Maine Convention will be held (D.V.) at Camp Grounds, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, August 12th to 19th. Particulars from Mr. H.F. Stultz, 819 Main St., Westbraak (sic), Maine."

• AA 1935-1: an excerpt from a Nov. 20, 1934 letter from William John McClure in Banbridge, Northern Ireland:
  • "You remember I had some dizzy spells, especially at the Old Orchard meetings in Maine. I have not had any of account since till last Thursday night when, without warning, after I had finished speaking, I was seized with one of the worst. But next morning I was about normal and am still. I have had meetings practically every night since coming, twice on Sundays, and two all-day meetings in different parts of the country. The Doctor says I must lie off for two weeks to give his medicine a chance."

• AA 1935-10: Old Orchard, Maine:
  • John Dickson: "The Lord was very gracious to us this year also. A larger attendance than last year, (twelve States, two Canadian provinces and 48 assemblies being represented), and the ministry was very helpful, foundational truths set forth, and practical and Christ-exalting words spoken. The meeting announced for young Christians especially on Thursday afternoon will not soon be forgotten; the sun shone brightly but the shade of the pines made it pleasant to sit and listen to the Word of God and it went forth with no uncertain sound. The attention was wonderful and tears flowed. A stranger said to me at the close, 'I have been at all kinds of meetings here for many years, but I never saw a sight like this, so many young people listening with such rapt attention'. At some of the gospel meetings 500 were present, and a few professed conversion."
  • Robert McCrory: "The Convention at Old Orchard, Maine was a godly, profitable occasion. The ministry was varied, practical, and helpful: usually two speakers in the forenoon and three in the afternoon; and the gospel services at night in the Tabernacle were a good success. We heard of four having confessed faith in Christ as Saviour. This Convention seems to be meeting a felt need among the assemblies in the eastern States. In former years many of the Lord's people, while on vacation, would be at sea-side places where there are no assemblies, the benefit being entirely to their physical health, but this conference meets the spiritual need also. We remained over for some meetings in a large room rented by Mr. Stultz and had nightly Bible Readings with about fifty present each night, mostly Christians from different assemblies, but some strangers also coming."

• AA 1936-10: Old Orchard Maine: "We can thank God that the Convention this year was another helpful season. The ministering brethren were helped of God and the saints felt the force of the Word preached."

1940's

• LOI 1949-6: David Leathem, Truro, N.S.:

"During the past winter I have had the privilege of visiting several cities and towns ministering the word and preaching the gospel. Those included Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto in Canada and Westbrook and Madison in Maine."

"With Brother Stultz we drove to Westbrook and remained there for several meetings, seeking in a simple way to bring words with regards to the person and work of the Holy Spirit to the attention of the believers. From Westbrook I went to Madison with Brother Clark McClelland and we shared the ministry there. Later with Brother Fred Thompson and his wife from Augusta I spent an evening, returning home to Nova Scotia after an absence of two months."

• T&T 1949-8: Westbrook, Maine: "D. Leathem and R. Jordan expect to have meetings here."

• T&T 1949-9: Maine: "D. Leathem and R. Jordan found much indifference in their tent meetings in this State."

• T&T 1949-10: Maine: "J. McCullough and S.J. Rea had tent meetings in Maine." Where??? "A Roman Catholic woman professed. Bro. Rea then went to Virginia in September, and was encouraged by some professing to be saved."

1950's

• T&T 1952-2: Westbrook, Maine: "R. McCracken and A. Aiken expected to start Gospel meetings."

• T&T 1952-3: F.H. @ East Boston, Mass.: "We had a much appreciated visit recently from Brethren Robert McCracken, Jr. and A. Aiken. After three weeks Gospel Meetings in Westbrook, Maine, they visited Byfield, East Boston and Cliftondale, giving us ministry suitable for these difficult times."

• T&T 1954-12: Boston, MA: "After the recent conference, G.G. Johnston had a week of helpful ministry meetings in East Boston. H. Fletcher went to Westbrook, Maine, C. Patrizio to the Italian assembly in Methuen and R. McClurkin to Cliff Street, Boston."

• T&T 1958-1: Westbrook, Maine: "The original meeting continues in the Bethany hall. They had a one day conference on Nov. 24th which was simple and good."

Sources

• Assembly Annals (AA): 1934:2-8; 1935:10; 1936:10;
• Our Record (OR): 1924:11; 1926:12; 1929:1,9; 1930:6-9; 1931-1; 1933-6;
• Truth and Tidings (T&T): 1949:8-10; 1952:2-3; 1954:12; 1958:1
• Letters of Interest (LOI): 1949-6