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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
The Conference was held at Rocky Hill, in the large, unfinished
chamber of Brother Belden’s house. The brethren came in until we
numbered about fifty; but these were not all fully in the truth. Our
meeting was interesting. Brother Bates presented the commandments
in a clear light, and their importance was urged home by powerful
testimonies. The word had effect to establish those already in the truth,
and to awaken those who were not fully decided.
We were invited to meet with the brethren in the State of New
York the following summer. The believers were poor, and could not
promise to do much toward defraying our expenses. We had no means
with which to travel. My husband’s health was poor, but the way
opened for him to work in the hayfield, and he decided to make the
effort. It seemed then that we must live by faith. When we arose in the
morning, we bowed at our bedside and asked God to give us strength
to labor through the day. We would not be satisfied unless we had the
assurance that the Lord heard us pray. My husband then went forth
to swing the scythe, not in his own strength, but in the strength of the
Lord. At night, when he came home, we would again plead with God
for strength to earn means to spread His truth. We were often greatly
blessed. In a letter to Brother Howland, July, 1848, my husband wrote:
“God gives me strength to labor hard all day. Praise His name! I
hope to get a few dollars to use in His cause. We have suffered from
labor, fatigue, pain, hunger, cold, and heat, while endeavoring to do
our brethren and sisters good, and we hold ourselves ready to suffer
more if God requires. I rejoice today that ease, pleasure, and comfort
in this life are a sacrifice on the altar of my faith and hope. If our
happiness consists in making others happy, we are happy indeed. The
true disciple will not live to gratify beloved self, but for Christ, and
for the good of His little ones. He is to sacrifice his ease, his pleasure,
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his comfort, his convenience, his will, and his own selfish wishes for
Christ’s cause, or never reign with Him on His throne.”
The means earned in the hayfield was sufficient to supply our
present wants, and also pay our expenses to go to western New York
and return.
Our first Conference in New York was held at Volney, in a brother’s
barn. About thirty-five were present—all that could be collected in
that part of the state. But of this number, hardly two were agreed.