With carefulness and trembling we approached the time [The year 1843, Jewish time, was believed to reach from March 21, 1843, to March 21, 1844. Those who received the Advent faith looked for the coming of Christ during that year.] when our Saviour was expected to appear. With solemn earnestness we sought, as a people, to purify our lives that we might be ready to meet Him at His coming. Notwithstanding the opposition of ministers and churches, Beethoven Hall, in the city of Portland, was nightly crowded; especially was there a large congregation on Sundays. Elder Stockman was a man of deep piety. He was in feeble health; yet when he stood before the people he seemed to be lifted above physical infirmity, and his face was lighted with the consciousness that he was teaching the sacred truth of God. {1T 48.2}

Der var en højtidelig, ransagende kraft i hans ord, der ramte manges hjerter. Nogle gange udtrykte han et brændende ønske om at leve, indtil han skulle byde Frelseren velkommen i himmelens skyer. Ved hans tjeneste overbeviste Guds Ånd mange syndere og bragte dem ind i Kristi fold. I forskellige dele af byen blev der stadig holdt møder I private hjem med de bedste resultater til følge. De troende (49) blev opmuntret til at arbejde for deres venner og slægtninge, og der var flere og flere omvendelser dag for dag.