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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
“It has seemed hard to me that my motives should be misjudged,
and that my best efforts to help, encourage, and strengthen my brethren
should again and again be turned against me. But I should have
remembered Jesus and His disappointments. His soul was grieved that
He was not appreciated by those He came to bless. I should have dwelt
upon the mercy and loving-kindness of God, praising Him more, and
complaining less of the ingratitude of my brethren. Had I ever left all
my perplexities with the Lord, thinking less of what others said and
did against me, I should have had more peace and joy. I will now seek
first to guard myself that I offend not in word or deed, and then to help
my brethren make straight paths for their feet. I will not stop to mourn
over any wrong done to me. I have expected more of men than I ought.
I love God and His work, and I love my brethren also.”
Little did I think, as we traveled on, that this was the last journey
we would ever make together. The weather changed suddenly from
oppressive heat to chilling cold. My husband took cold, but thought
his health so good that he would receive no permanent injury. He
labored in the meetings at Charlotte, presenting the truth with great
clearness and power. He spoke of the pleasure he felt in addressing a
people who manifested so deep an interest in the subjects most dear
to him. “The Lord has indeed refreshed my soul,” he said, “while I
have been breaking to others the bread of life. All over Michigan the
people are calling eagerly for help. How I long to comfort, encourage,
and strengthen them with the precious truths applicable to this time!”
On our return home, my husband complained of slight indisposi-
tion, yet he engaged in his work as usual. Every morning we visited
the grove near our home, and united in prayer. We were anxious to
know our duty. Letters were continually coming in from different
places, urging us to attend the camp meetings. Notwithstanding our
determination to devote ourselves to writing, it was hard to refuse to
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meet with our brethren in these important gatherings. We earnestly
pleaded for wisdom to know the right course.
Sabbath morning, as usual, we went to the grove together, and my
husband prayed most fervently three times. He seemed reluctant to
cease pleading with God for special guidance and blessing. His prayers
were heard, and peace and light came to our hearts. He praised the
Lord, and said: “Now I give it all up to Jesus. I feel a sweet, heavenly
peace, an assurance that the Lord will show us our duty; for we desire