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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
that he may conquer through the merits of Christ. When surrounded
by influences calculated to lead away from God, his petitions must be
unwearied for help and strength from Jesus that he may overcome the
devices of Satan.
Some in these churches are in constant danger because the cares
of this life and worldly thoughts so occupy the mind that they do not
think upon God or heaven and the needs of their own souls. They
rouse from their stupor now and then, but fall back again in deeper
slumber. Unless they shall fully rouse from their slumbers, God will
remove the light and blessings He has given them. He will in His anger
remove the candlestick out of its place. He has made these churches
the depositary of His law. If they reject sin, and by active, earnest piety
show stability and submission to the precepts of God’s word, and are
faithful in the discharge of religious duty, they will help to establish
the candlestick in its place, and will have the evidence that the Lord of
hosts is with them and the God of Jacob is their refuge.
Visit to Oregon
Sunday, June 10, the day we were to start for Oregon, I was pros-
trated with heart disease. My friends thought it almost presumption
for me to take the steamer, but I thought I should rest if I could get
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on board the boat. I arranged to do considerable writing during the
passage.
In company with a lady friend and Elder J. N. Loughborough I left
San Francisco on the afternoon of the 10th upon the steamer “Oregon.”
Captain Conner, who had charge of this splendid steamer, was very
attentive to his passengers. As we passed through the Golden Gate into
the broad ocean, it was very rough. The wind was against us, and the
steamer pitched fearfully, while the ocean was lashed into fury by the
wind. I watched the clouded sky, the rushing waves leaping mountain
high, and the spray reflecting the colors of the rainbow. The sight
was fearfully grand, and I was filled with awe while contemplating
the mysteries of the deep. It is terrible in its wrath. There is a fearful
beauty in the lifting up of its proud waves with roaring, and then falling
back in mournful sobs. I could see the exhibition of God’s power in
the movements of the restless waters, groaning beneath the action