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Chapter 1—Sketch of Experience
From February 7, 1868, to May 20, 1868
After we had reached our home, and ceased to feel the inspiring
influence of journeying and laboring, we felt most sensibly the
wearing labors of our eastern tour. Many were urging me by letters
to write what I had related to them of what the Lord had shown me
concerning them. And there were many others to whom I had not
spoken whose cases were as important and urgent. But in my weary
condition the task of so much writing seemed more than I could
endure. A feeling of discouragement came over me, and I sank into
a feeble state and remained so several days, frequently fainting. In
this state of body and mind I called in question my duty to write so
much, to so many persons, some of them very unworthy. It seemed
to me that there was certainly a mistake in this matter somewhere.
On the evening of February 5 Brother Andrews spoke to the
people in our house of worship. But most of that evening I was in
a fainting, breathless condition, supported by my husband. When
Brother Andrews returned from the meeting, they had a special
season of prayer for me, and I found some relief. That night I slept
well, and in the morning, though feeble, felt wonderfully relieved
and encouraged. I had dreamed that a person brought to me a web of
white cloth, and bade me cut it into garments for persons of all sizes
and all descriptions of character and circumstances in life. I was
told to cut them out and hang them up all ready to be made when
called for. I had the impression that many for whom I was required
to cut garments were unworthy. I inquired if that was the last piece
of cloth I should have to cut, and was told that it was not; that as
soon as I had finished this one, there were others for me to take hold
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of. I felt discouraged at the amount of work before me, and stated
that I had been engaged in cutting garments for others for more than
twenty years, and my labors had not been appreciated, neither did
I see that my work had accomplished much good. I spoke to the
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