Advancing Under Difficulties
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Writing and Traveling
Soon after our return to Rochester, N. Y., my husband engaged in
writing the book “Signs of the Times.” He was still feeble, and could
sleep but little, but the Lord was his support. When his mind was
in a confused, suffering state, we would bow before God, and in our
distress cry unto Him. He heard our earnest prayers, and often blessed
my husband so that with refreshed spirits he went on with the work.
Many times in the day did we thus go before the Lord in earnest prayer.
That book was not written in his own strength.
In the fall of 1853 we attended conferences at Buck’s Bridge, N. Y.;
Stowe, Vt.; Boston, Dartmouth, and Springfield, Mass.; Washington,
N. H.; and New Haven, Vt. This was a laborious and rather discourag-
ing journey. Many had embraced the truth who were unsanctified in
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heart and life; the elements of strife and rebellion were at work, and it
was necessary that a movement should take place to purify the church.
Deliverance from Disease
In the winter and spring I suffered much with heart disease. It
was difficult for me to breathe while lying down, and I could not
sleep unless raised in nearly a sitting posture. I had upon my left
eyelid a swelling which appeared to be a cancer. It had been gradually
increasing for more than a year, until it had become quite painful, and
affected my sight.
A celebrated physician who gave counsel free visited Rochester,
and I decided to have him examine my eye. He thought the swelling
would prove to be a cancer; but upon feeling my pulse he said: “You
are much diseased, and will die of apoplexy before that swelling shall
break out. You are in a dangerous condition with disease of the heart.”
This did not startle me, for I had been aware that without speedy relief
I must go down to the grave. Two other women who had come for
counsel were suffering with the same disease. The physician said that I
was in a more dangerous condition than either of them, and it could not
be more than three weeks before I would be afflicted with paralysis.
In about three weeks I fainted and fell to the floor, and remained
nearly unconscious about thirty-six hours. It was feared that I could not
live, but in answer to prayer I again revived. One week later I received