552
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
“Oakland, Wisconsin,
July 15, 1867.”
[599]
This dream gave me some encouragement. I had confidence in
Brother Matteson. Before I saw him with my natural eyes, his case
was shown me in vision, in contrast with that of F of Wisconsin. The
latter was utterly unworthy to bear the name of Christian, much more
to be a messenger; but Brother Matteson was shown me as one who
possessed humility, and who, if he maintained his consecration, would
be qualified to point souls to the Lamb of God. Brother Matteson had
no knowledge of my trials of mind. Not a line had ever passed between
us, and the dream coming when and from whom it did, looked to me
like the hand of God reached forth to help me.
We had the care of building with hired money, which caused per-
plexity. We kept up our appointments and labored extremely hard all
through the hot weather. For want of means we went into the field
together, hoeing, and cutting and raking hay. I took the fork and built
the stack, while my husband, with his feeble arms, pitched the hay to
me. I took the brush and painted the inside of much of our house. In
these things we both wearied ourselves too much. Finally I suddenly
failed and could do no more. For several mornings I fainted, and my
husband had to attend the Greenbush grove meeting without me.
Our old, hard-riding carriage had been well-nigh killing us and
our team. Long journeyings with it, the labor of meetings, home cares
and labors, were too much for us, and I feared that my work was done.
My husband tried to encourage me and urged me to start out again
to fill our appointments at Orange, Greenbush, and Ithaca. Finally I
resolved to start, and, if I was no worse, continue the journey. I rode
ten miles kneeling in the carriage on a cushion and leaning my head
upon another in my husband’s lap. He drove and supported me. The
next morning I was some better and decided to go on. God helped us
to speak in power to the people at Orange, and a glorious work was
done for backsliders and sinners. At Greenbush I had freedom and
strength given me. At Ithaca the Lord helped us to speak to a large
[600]
congregation whom we had never met before.
In our absence, Brethren King, Fargo, and Maynard decided that
in mercy to ourselves and team we should have a light, comfortable