In Rochester, New York
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sufferer. My sister faithfully watched over him until the last. We
had the privilege of visiting him before his death. It was an affecting
meeting. He was much changed, yet his wasted features were lighted
up with joy. Bright hope of the future constantly sustained him. We
had seasons of prayer in his room, and Jesus seemed very near. We
were obliged to separate from our dear brother, expecting never to
meet him again this side of the resurrection of the just. Soon afterward
my brother fell asleep in Jesus, in full hope of having a part in the first
resurrection.
Pressing On
We toiled on in Rochester through much perplexity and discour-
agement. The cholera visited the city, and while it raged, all night long
the carriages bearing the dead were heard rumbling through the streets
to Mount Hope Cemetery. This disease did not cut down merely the
low, but took victims from every class of society. The most skillful
physicians were laid low, and borne to Mount Hope. As we passed
through the streets in Rochester, at almost every corner we would meet
wagons with plain pine coffins in which to put the dead.
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Our little Edson was attacked, and we carried him to the great
Physician. I took him in my arms, and in the name of Jesus rebuked
the disease. He felt relief at once, and as a sister commenced praying
for the Lord to heal him, the little fellow of three years looked up in
astonishment, and said, “They need not pray any more, for the Lord
has healed me.” He was very weak, but the disease made no further
progress. Yet he gained no strength. Our faith was still to be tried. For
three days he ate nothing.
We had appointments out for two months, reaching from Rochester,
N. Y., to Bangor, Maine; and this journey we were to perform with our
covered carriage and our good horse Charlie, given to us by brethren
in Vermont. We hardly dared to leave the child in so critical a state, but
decided to go unless there was a change for the worse. In two days we
must commence our journey in order to reach our first appointment.
We presented the case before the Lord, taking it as an evidence that if
the child had appetite to eat we would venture. The first day there was
no change for the better. He could not take the least food. The next
day about noon he called for broth, and it nourished him.