The Paris, Maine, Conference

Besides James and Ellen White, Bates, Chamberlain, and Ralph were present at the conference; there were also friends from Topsham, including Stockbridge Howland. Ellen White later described the rather unusual meeting:1BIO 169.2

One F. T. Howland, a notable fanatic, was present. He had long troubled God's children with his errors and harsh spirit. Honest souls whom the Lord loved, but who had long been in error, were at the meeting. While [he was] engaged in prayer the Spirit of the Lord rested upon Brother Stockbridge Howland. His face was white, and a light seemed to rest upon it. He went towards F. T. Howland, and in the name of the Lord bid him leave the assembly of the saints. Said he, “You have torn the hearts of God's children and made them bleed. Leave the house, or God will smite you.”1BIO 169.3

That rebellious spirit, never before known to fear or to yield, sprang for his hat and in terror left the house. The power of God descended something as it did on the day of Pentecost, and five or six who had been deceived and led into error and fanaticism fell prostrate to the floor. Parents confessed to their children, and children to their parents, and to one another.1BIO 169.4

Brother J. N. Andrews with deep feeling exclaimed, “I would exchange a thousand errors for one truth.” Such a scene of confessing and pleading with God for forgiveness we have seldom witnessed. That meeting was the beginning of better days to the children of God in Paris, to them a green spot in the desert.1BIO 169.5

The Lord was bringing out Brother Andrews to fit him for future usefulness, and was giving him an experience that would be of great value to him in his future labors. He was teaching him that he should not be influenced by the experience of others, but decide for himself concerning the work of God.—Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White (1880), 260, 261.1BIO 169.6

John Andrews was 20 years of age.1BIO 170.1