Work at Battle Creek
83
The experience of my husband during the period of his sickness
was unfortunate for him. He had worked in this cause with interest
and devotion as no other man had done. He had ventured and taken
advance positions as Providence had led, regardless of censure or
praise. He had stood alone and battled through physical and mental
sufferings, not regarding his own interests, while those whom God
designed should stand by his side left him when he most needed their
help. He had not only been left to battle and struggle without their
help and sympathy, but frequently he had to meet their opposition and
murmurings—murmurings against one who was doing tenfold more
than any of them to build up the cause of God. All these things have
had their influence; they have molded the mind that was once free from
suspicion, trustful, and confiding, and caused him to lose confidence
in his brethren. Those who have acted a part in bringing about this
work will, in a great degree, be responsible for the result. God would
have led them if they had earnestly and devotedly served Him.
I was shown that my husband had given his brethren unmistakable
evidences of his interest in, and devotion to, the work of God. After he
had spent years of his life in privation and unceasing toil to establish
the publishing interests upon a sure basis he gave away to the people
of God that which was his own and which he could just as well have
kept and received the profits from had he chosen so to do. By this act
he showed the people that he was not seeking to advantage himself,
but to promote the cause of God.
[88]
When sickness came upon my husband, many acted in the same
unfeeling manner toward him that the Pharisees did toward the unfor-
tunate and oppressed. The Pharisees would tell the suffering ones that
their afflictions were on account of their sins, and that the judgments
of God had come upon them. By so doing they would increase their
weight of suffering. When my husband fell under his weight of care,
there were those who were merciless.
When he began to recover, so that in his feebleness and poverty he
commenced to labor some, he asked those who then stood at the head
of matters at the office for 40 per cent discount on a one-hundred dollar
order for books. He was willing to pay sixty dollars for the books
which he knew cost the Association only fifty dollars. He asked this
special discount in view of his past labors and sacrifices in favor of the
publishing department, but was denied this small favor. He was coolly