Experience and Labors
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sunshine, after the wind and storm, soon awakened cheerfulness and
mirth.
The last night we were on the boat I felt most grateful to my
heavenly Father. I there learned a lesson I shall never forget. God
had spoken to my heart in the storm and in the waves and in the calm
following. And shall we not worship Him? Shall man set up his will
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against the will of God? Shall we be disobedient to the commands
of so mighty a Ruler? Shall we contend with the Most High, who is
the source of all power, and from whose heart flows infinite love and
blessing to the creatures of His care?
My visit to Oregon was one of special interest. I here met, after a
separation of four years, my dear friends, Brother and Sister Van Horn,
whom we claim as our children. Brother Van Horn has not furnished
as full and favorable reports of his work as he might justly have done.
I was accordingly somewhat surprised, and very much pleased, to find
the cause of God in so prosperous a condition in Oregon. Through the
untiring efforts of these faithful missionaries, a conference of Seventh-
day Adventists has been raised up, also several ministers to labor in
that broad field.
Tuesday evening, June 18, I met a goodly number of the Sabbath-
keepers in this state. My heart was softened by the Spirit of God. I
gave my testimony for Jesus and expressed my gratitude for the sweet
privilege that is ours of trusting in His love and of claiming His power
to unite with our efforts to save sinners from perdition. If we would see
the work of God prosper we must have Christ dwelling in us; in short,
we must work the works of Christ. Wherever we look, the whitening
harvest appears; but the laborers are so few. I felt my heart filled with
the peace of God and drawn out in love for His dear people with whom
I was worshiping for the first time.
On Sunday, June 23, I spoke in the Methodist church of Salem on
the subject of temperance. The attendance was unusually good, and
I had freedom in treating this, my favorite subject. I was requested
to speak again in the same place on the Sunday following the camp
meeting, but was prevented by hoarseness. On the next Tuesday
evening, however, I again spoke in this church. Many invitations were
tendered me to speak on temperance in various cities and towns of
Oregon, but the state of my health forbade my complying with these
requests. Constant speaking, and the change of climate, had brought
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