The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-07
THE MISSING RECRUIT.
How Member of the.OId r. L. I. Enlisted
Under Another Captain-An Incident of
the Mi1lerite Excitement.


The 9th of June never comes around
annually but that we think of an Incl
dent which occurred half la century ago
and connected Herewith.
1t is now that length of time--alas how
swiftly time does hy-since there spread
over New England wondrous religious
excitement, the distinctive feature of
which was the prophecy and the preach
ing OF the Second Advent of our Lord,
and the end of the present. dispensation
in lS43. The original author of this ex-
citing belief, based as it was argued and
illustrated upon the prophecies of the
old and the new Testament, was Mr..
William Miller, or Captain Miller, of
New York State, who had been an Off
Ger of. that rank in the war of 1912.
Many worthy, honest and intelligent
persons embraced this belief. We heard
MI. Miller himself preach in the Casco
street church, and after his followers
We're organized their meetings were held
In the old Beethoven Hall, on Congress
street, opposite the Longfellow man
sion, and many interesting and exciting
meetings indeed were there held
Among the ardent, sincere and worthy
converts to that new faith was certain
young man in town, one of those cheer
full, frank, good .dispositioned and d.
seryedly popular fellows whom eyery-
body liked. He was an active member
of the Port land Light Infantry company
and one who had been drawn, or at least
took the place of another in the con
scription for the sAroostook War; in
1889. Upon the occasion of the parades
or annual anniversaries of that corps
held on the 9th of June he was always
foremost in the athletic sports, such as
rolling ten pins at 'Broad's'' in Stroud
water "Moody's'' at the Observatory, or
pitching qtoits, ETC., wherever the corps
might STOP for an hours respite.
Some six months previous to this 9th
OF June our friend was appointed as
member of committee to make arrange
ments for the celebration of the then
ensuing anniversary; but he was one of
those who were drought inn during the
Miller Reformation as it was called
somewhat like the one described by the
poet Goldsmith,
VINO went to scoff, but remained to pray
although he was too good man ever to
have scoffed aloud, if he did at all. AT
the Advent meetings his voice could ever
pc heard IN exhortation, prayer or song,
for he had fine voice, and on Sunday
afternoons and evening, so devoid of re-
lgious excitement at that period that
hall was crowded
At meeting of the portland Lights
held a little before the anniversary before
mentioned call was made by the can
tain upon the committee for a report. all
members of which happened to be abb
sent. The officer asked for each one and
for Sergeant --- in particular. Some
one arose and said that he had Joined
the Adventists and might be found any
night among them. Aspecial committee
was then appointed to wait upon the
sergeant and ascertain what had been
done in the matter. This committee at
once proceeded ito old Beethoven and
assembled the two flights of narrow stairs.
Alas how few of our citizens can now
remember that hall as it was! Con-
structed with an arched ceiling in order
The better to reflect the sound waves in
The best manner for the purposes of our
Did sacred music society. Brother -
was duly called out and the committee
stated their business.
Now boys replied the ardent con-
vert, you Will nave to excuse me surely |
sor the fact is have had some very i'll
oortant business on my hands for the
past six months. / have enlisted under
/ new captain, the Captain of nv Saliva
ion, and / shall not probably be able to |
rain any more with you. Please give
ne an honorable discharge for there is
10 discharge in this war that I have now
rome into. will pay all dues promptly |
out do wish that you could follow me
n this movement for believe in it thor
The committee returned to the armory |
md reported accordingly, but none Of |
he Lights seemed to have light |
enough to induce them to follow their |
'andid comrades example.
Our friend has ever since remained an |
humble, true, consistent follower of the |
Master. Though like others disappoint- |
I'd as to time, he has never lost his faith |
n the general truths of Christianity but |
$ still hopeful and trusting and he yet |
ives among us respected and beloved, |
n excellent example of an everyday
christian. /. S. w. r..