Labors in Western New York in 1848
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these bodies because Solomon’s temple was gloriously adorned, we
should remember our fallen condition, and that it cost the suffering
and death of the Son of God to redeem us. This thought should cause
in us self-abasement. Jesus is our pattern. If He would lay aside His
humiliation and sufferings, and cry, “If any man will come after Me, let
him please himself, and enjoy the world, and he shall be My disciple,”
the multitude would believe and follow Him. But Jesus will come to
us in no other character than that of the meek, crucified One. If we
would be with Him in Heaven, we must be like Him on earth. The
world will claim its own; and whoever will overcome, must leave what
belongs to it.
Visit to Brother Abbey’s—Brookfield
The next day we resumed our journey by packet, and went as far
as Madison Co., N.Y. We then left the packet, hired a carriage, and
rode twenty-five miles to Brookfield, where was the home of Brother
Ira Abbey. As it was Friday afternoon when we arrived at the house, it
was proposed that one should go to the door and make inquiries, so
that should we be disappointed in our hope of a welcome, we might
return with the driver, and put up at a hotel over the Sabbath.
Sister Abbey came to the door, and my husband introduced himself
as one who kept the Sabbath. She said: “I am glad to see you. Come
in.” He replied: “There are three more in the carriage with me. I
thought if we all came in together we might frighten you.” “I am never
frightened at Christians,” was the reply. Sister Abbey expressed much
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joy at seeing us, and we were heartily welcomed by her and her family.
When Brother Bates was introduced, she said: “Can this be Brother
Bates, who wrote that hewing book on the Sabbath? And come to see
us? I am unworthy to have you come under my roof. But the Lord has
sent you to us; for we are starving for the truth.”
A child was sent to the field to tell Brother Abbey that four Sabbath
keepers had come. He was in no hurry, however, to make our acquain-
tance; for he had previously been imposed upon by some who had
often visited them. These, professing to be God’s servants, had scat-
tered error among the little flock who were trying to hold fast the truth.
Brother and Sister Abbey had warred against them for so long that they
dreaded to come into contact with them. Brother Abbey feared that