530
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
standing at the head of the work at Battle Creek. He chose to represent
my husband, even before those for whom we had the greatest labor, as
being partially insane and his testimony consequently as of no weight.
His influence in this matter, as stated to me by Brother Root, the elder
of the church, set the work back at least two weeks. I state this that
unconsecrated persons may beware how they in their blind, unfeeling
state cast an influence in an hour which may take the worn servants of
the Lord weeks to counteract. We were laboring for persons of wealth,
and Satan saw that this wealthy brother was just the man for him to
use. May the Lord bring him where he can see, and in humility of
mind confess, his wrong. By two weeks more of the most wearing
labor, with the blessing of God, we were able to remove this wrong
influence and give that dear people full proof that God had sent us to
them. As a further result of our labors, seven were soon after baptized
by Brother Waggoner, and two in July by my husband at the time of
our second visit to that church.
[573]
The brother from New York returned with his wife and daughter to
Battle Creek, not in a state of mind to give a correct report of the good
work at Wright or to help the feelings of the church at Battle Creek.
As facts have since come to light, it appears that he injured the church,
and the church injured him, in their mutual enjoyment from house to
house in taking the most unfavorable views of our course and making
it the theme of conversation. About the time this cruel work was going
on, I had the following dream:
I was visiting Battle Creek in company with a person of command-
ing manner and dignified deportment. In my dream I was passing
around to the houses of our brethren. As we were about to enter, we
heard voices engaged in earnest conversation. The name of my hus-
band was frequently mentioned, and I was grieved and astonished to
hear those who had professed to be our firmest friends relating scenes
and incidents which had occurred during the severe affliction of my
husband, when his mental and physical powers were palsied to a great
degree. I was grieved to hear the voice of the professed brother from
New York before mentioned, relating in an earnest manner, and in
an exaggerated light, incidents of which those at Battle Creek were
ignorant, while our friends in Battle Creek, in their turn, related that
which they knew. I became faint and sick at heart, and in my dream
came near falling, when the hand of my attendant supported me, and