Chapter 104—Conflicts and Victory
Experiences from April 26, 1867 to October 20, 1867
We returned north, and on our way held a good meeting at West
Windsor, and after reaching home held meetings at Fairplains and Or-
leans, and also gave some attention to the matter of building, planted
[593]
our garden, and set out grapes, blackberries, raspberries, and straw-
berries. Then in company with a good delegation we returned to the
General Conference at Battle Creek.
The first Sabbath on our way we spent at Orleans and observed
the fast. It was a day of great solemnity with us; we sought to humble
ourselves before God, and with brokenness of spirit and much weeping
we all prayed fervently that God would bless and strengthen us to do
His will at the Conference. We had some faith and hope that our
captivity would be turned at that meeting.
When we came to Battle Creek we found that our previous efforts
had not accomplished what we had hoped. Reports and jealousy still
existed. My soul was filled with intense anguish, and I wept aloud
for some hours, unable to restrain my grief. In conversation a friend
with whom I had been acquainted for twenty-two years related to
me reports which he heard, that we were extravagant in expending
means. I inquired wherein we had been extravagant. He mentioned
the purchase of an expensive chair. I then related the circumstances.
My husband was greatly emaciated, and it was exceedingly wearisome
and even painful for him to sit long in a common rocking chair, and
for this reason he would lie down upon the bed or lounge a great share
of the time. I knew that this was no way for him to obtain strength and
begged him to sit up more, but the chair was an objection.
On my way east to attend the bedside of my dying father, I left
my husband at Brookfield, New York, and while at Utica looked for a
spring, sofa-seat chair. The dealers had none made at the price which
I wished to pay, which was about fifteen dollars, but they offered me a
very excellent chair, with rollers instead of rockers, price thirty dollars,
for seventeen. I knew that this was the chair in every respect. But
547