In Rochester, New York
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case was hopeless, that he could not survive through the night. Those
interested in the young man could not bear to see him die without hope.
They prayed around his bedside while he was suffering great agony.
He also prayed that the Lord would have mercy upon him, and forgive
his sins. Yet he obtained no relief. He continued to cramp and toss in
restless agony. The brethren continued in prayer all night that he might
be spared to repent of his sins and keep the commandments of God.
He at length seemed to consecrate himself to God, and promised the
Lord he would keep the Sabbath and serve Him. He soon felt relief.
The next morning the physician came, and as he entered, said, “I
told my wife about one o’clock this morning that in all probability the
young man was out of his trouble.” He was told that he was alive. The
physician was surprised, and immediately ascended the stairs to his
room. As he felt the pulse, he said: “Young man, you are better, the
crisis is past; but it is not my skill that saved you, but a higher power.
With good nursing you may get well.” He gained rapidly, and soon
took his place in the Office, a converted man.
Nathaniel and Anna White
After we returned from our Eastern journey, I was shown that we
were in danger of taking burdens upon us that God did not require us
to bear. We had a part to act in the cause of God, and should not add to
our cares by increasing our family to gratify the wishes of any. I saw
that in order to save souls we should be willing to bear burdens; and
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that we should open the way for my husband’s brother Nathaniel and
his sister Anna to come and live with us. They were both invalids, yet
we extended to them a cordial invitation to come to our home. This
they accepted.
As soon as we saw Nathaniel, we feared that consumption had
marked him for the grave. The hectic flush was upon his cheek, yet
we hoped and prayed that the Lord would spare him, that his talent
might be employed in the cause of God. But the Lord saw fit to order
otherwise.
Nathaniel and Anna came into the truth cautiously yet understand-
ingly. They weighed the evidences of our position, and conscientiously
decided for the truth.