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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
replied that it was. She seemed surprised and quite reconciled to the
written testimony. This I gave her, without reserving a copy. Here
I did wrong. But I had such tender regard for her and her husband,
and such ardent desires and hopes for their prosperity, that, in this
case, I broke over an established custom.
Already meeting time was passing, and we hastened one mile and
a half to the waiting congregation. The reader may judge whether
the scene of that morning was well adapted to aid us in the collection
of thought and nerve necessary to stand before the people. But
who thinks of this? Some may, and show a little mercy, while
the impulsive and careless will come with their burdens and trials,
generally just before we are to speak, or when perfectly exhausted by
speaking. My husband, however, summoned all his energies, and by
request spoke with freedom on the law and the gospel. I had received
an invitation to speak in the afternoon in the new house of worship
recently built and dedicated by the Methodists. This commodious
building was crowded, and many were obliged to stand. I spoke with
freedom for about an hour and a half upon the first of the two great
commandments repeated by our Lord, and was surprised to learn
that it was the same from which the Methodist minister had spoken
in the forenoon. He and his people were present to hear what I had
to say.
In the evening we had a precious interview at Brother Spooner’s
with Brethren Miller, Hatch, and Haskell, and Sisters Sturges, Bliss,
Harrison, and Malin. We now felt that our work for the present was
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done in Tuscola County. We became very much interested in this
dear people, yet feared that the sister referred to, for whom I had
a testimony, would let Satan take advantage of her and cause them
trouble. I felt an earnest desire that she might view the matter in
its true light. The course she had been pursuing was destroying her
influence in the church and outside of it. But now, if she would
receive the needed reproof, and humbly seek to improve by it, the
church would take her anew into their hearts, and the people would
think more of her Christianity. And what is better still, she could
enjoy the approving smiles of her dear Redeemer. Would she fully
receive the testimony? was my anxious inquiry. I feared that she
would not and that the hearts of the brethren in that county would
be saddened on her account.