Chapter 37—Public Labors in 1877
May 11, 1877, we left Oakland, Cal., for Battle Creek, Mich. A
telegram had been sent to my husband, requesting his presence at
Battle Creek, to give attention to important business relative to the
cause. In answer to this summons, he went, and engaged earnestly in
preaching, writing, and holding board meetings at the Review Office,
the College, and the Sanitarium, often working into the night. This
wore him fearfully. His constant mental anxiety was preparing the
way for a breakdown. We both felt our danger, and decided to go to
Colorado to enjoy retirement and rest.
While planning for the journey, a voice seemed to say to me: “Put
the armor on. I have work for you to do in Battle Creek.” The voice
seemed so plain that I involuntarily turned to see who was speaking.
I saw no one; and at the sense of the presence of God my heart was
broken in tenderness before Him. When my husband entered the room,
I told him the exercises of my mind. We wept and prayed together.
Our arrangements had been made to leave in three days; but now all
our plans were changed.
Special Services for College Students
The close of the school year of the Battle Creek College was at
hand. I had felt very anxious for the students, many of whom were
either unconverted or backslidden from God. I spent a week laboring
for them, holding meetings every evening and on the Sabbath and first
day. My heart was touched to see the house of worship nearly filled
with the students of our school. I tried to impress upon them that a life
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of purity and prayer would not be a hindrance to them in obtaining a
thorough knowledge of the sciences, but that it would remove many
hindrances to their progress in knowledge. By becoming connected
with the Saviour, they are brought into the school of Christ; and if
they are diligent students in this school, vice and immorality will be
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