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Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
the Lord wrought for us with power. I was again shown in vision the
importance of the brethren laying aside their differences, and uniting
upon Bible truth.
Visit to Brother Harris’s—Centerport
We left Brother Edson’s intending to spend the following Sabbath
in New York City. We were too late for the packet, so we took a line
boat, designing to change when the next packet came along. As we
saw the packet approaching, we began making preparations to step
aboard; but the packet did not stop, and we had to spring on board
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while the boat was in motion.
Brother Bates was holding the money for our fare in his hand,
saying to the captain of the boat, “Here, take your pay.” As he saw the
boat moving off, he sprang to get aboard, but his foot struck the edge of
the boat, and he fell back into the water. He then began swimming to
the boat, with his pocketbook in one hand, and a dollar bill in the other.
His hat fell off, and in saving it he lost the bill, but held fast to his
pocketbook. The packet halted for him to get aboard. His clothes were
wet with the dirty water of the canal, and as we were near Centerport,
we decided to call at the home of Brother Harris, that Brother Bates
might put his clothes in order.
Our visit proved a benefit to this family. For years Sister Harris
had suffered from catarrh. She had used snuff for the relief of this
affliction, and said that she could not live without it. She suffered
much pain in her head. We recommended her to go to the Lord, the
great Physician, who would heal her affliction. She decided to do so,
and we had a season of prayer for her. She discontinued the use of
snuff entirely. Her difficulties were greatly relieved, and from that
time her health was better than it had been for years.
While at Brother Harris’s I had an interview with a sister who
wore gold, and yet professed to be looking for Christ’s coming. We
spoke of the express declarations of Scripture against the wearing of
gold. But she referred to where Solomon was commanded to beautify
the temple, and to the statement that the streets of the city of God
were pure gold. She said that if we could improve our appearance
by wearing gold, so as to have influence in the world, it was right. I
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replied that we were poor fallen mortals, and instead of decorating