Upon arriving at Battle Creek, we learned
that an appointment had been made for me to speak Sunday evening
in the mammoth tent pitched on the college grounds. The tent
was filled to overflowing, and my heart was drawn out in earnest
appeals to the people.
I tarried at home but a very short period,
and then, accompanied by Sister Mary Smith Abbey and Brother
Farnsworth, I was again on the wing, bound for the East. When
we arrived at Boston, I was much exhausted. Brethren Wood and
Haskell met us at the depot and accompanied us to Ballard Vale,
the place of meeting. We were welcomed by our old friends with
a heartiness that, for the time being, seemed to rest me. The
weather was excessively warm, and the change from the bracing
climate of Colorado to the oppressive heat of Massachusetts made
the latter seem almost unendurable. I tried to speak to the people,
notwithstanding my great weariness, and was strengthened to bear
my testimony. The words seemed
to go straight home to the heart. Much labor was required at
this meeting. New churches had been raised up since our last
camp meeting. Precious souls had accepted the truth, and these
needed to be carried forward to a deeper and more thorough knowledge
of practical godliness. The Lord gave me freedom in bearing my
testimony.
On one occasion during this meeting I made
some remarks upon the necessity of economy in dress and in the
expenditure of means. There is danger of becoming careless and
reckless in the use of the Lord's money. Young men who engage
in tent labor should be careful not to indulge in unnecessary
expense. As tents are entering new fields, and as the missionary
work is enlarging, the wants of the cause are many, and, without
stinginess, the most rigid economy should be used in this matter.
It is easier to run up a bill than to settle it. There are many
things that would be convenient and enjoyable that are not needful,
and that can be dispensed with without actual suffering. It is
very easy to multiply hotel bills and railroad fares, expenses
that might be avoided or very much lessened. We have passed over
the road to and from California twelve times, and have not expended
one dollar for meals at the restaurants or in the attached dining
car. We eat our meals from our lunch baskets. After being three
days out, the food becomes quite stale, but a little milk or
warm gruel supplies our lack.
On another occasion I spoke in reference
to genuine sanctification, which is nothing less than a daily
dying to self and daily conformity to the will of God. While
in Oregon I was shown that some of the young churches of the
New England Conference were in danger through the blighting influence
of what is called sanctification. Some would become deceived
by this doctrine, while others, knowing its deceptive influence,
would realize their danger and turn from it. Paul's sanctification
was a constant conflict with self. Said he: "I die daily."
His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the
will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did the will
of God, however unpleasant and crucifying to his nature.
We called on those who desired to be baptized,
and those who were keeping the Sabbath for the first time, to
come forward. Twenty-five responded. These bore excellent testimonies,
and before the close of the camp meeting twenty-two received
baptism.
We were pleased to meet here our old friends
of the cause whose acquaintance we made thirty years ago. Our
much-esteemed Brother Hastings is as deeply interested in the
truth today as he was then. We were pleased to meet Sister Temple,
and Sister Collins of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and Brother and
Sister Wilkinson, at whose house we were entertained more than
thirty years ago. The pilgrimage of some of these dear ones may
close erelong; but if faithful unto the end, they will receive
a crown of life.
We were interested in Brother Kimbal, who
is a mute and has been a missionary among the mutes. Through
his persevering labors quite a little company have accepted the
truth. We meet this faithful brother at our yearly camp meetings,
surrounded by several of his mute converts. Someone who can hear
writes out as much as possible of the discourse, and he sits
surrounded by his mute friends, reading and actively preaching
it over again to them with his hands. He has freely used his
means to advance the missionary work, thus honoring God with
his substance.
We left Ballard Vale Tuesday morning, September
3, to attend the Maine camp meeting. We enjoyed a quiet rest
at the home of young Brother Morton, near Portland. He and his
good wife made our tarry with them very pleasant. We were upon
the Maine camp ground before the Sabbath, and were happy to meet
here some of the tried friends of the cause. There are some who
are ever at their post of duty, come sunshine or come storm.
There is also a class of sunshine Christians. When everything
goes well and is agreeable to their feelings, they are fervent
and zealous; but when there are clouds and disagreeable things
to meet, these will have nothing to say or do. The blessing of
God rested upon the active workers, while those who did nothing
were not benefited by the meeting
as they might have been. The Lord was with His ministers, who
labor faithfully in presenting both doctrinal and practical subjects.
We greatly desired to see many benefited by that meeting who
gave no evidence that they had been blessed of God. I long to
see this dear people coming up to their exalted privileges.
We left the camp ground on Monday, feeling
much exhausted. We designed to attend the Iowa and Kansas camp
meetings. My husband had written that he would meet me in Iowa.
Being unable to attend the Vermont meeting, we went directly
from Maine to South Lancaster. I had much difficulty in breathing,
and my heart pained me continually. I rested at the quiet home
of Sister Harris, who did all in her power to help me. Thursday
evening we ventured to resume our journey to Battle Creek. I
dared not trust myself on the cars any length of time in my state
of health; so we stopped at Rome, New York, and spoke to our
people on the Sabbath. There was a good attendance.
Monday morning I visited Brother and Sister
Ira Abbey at Brookfield. We had a profitable interview with this
family. We felt interested, and anxious that they should finally
be victorious in the Christian warfare and win eternal life.
We felt deeply anxious that Brother Abbey should overcome his
discouragements, cast himself unreservedly upon the merits of
Christ, make a success of overcoming, and at last wear the victor's
crown.
Tuesday we took the cars for Battle Creek,
and the next day arrived at home, where I was glad to rest once
more and take treatment at the sanitarium. I felt that I was
indeed favored in having the advantages of this institution.
The helpers were kind and attentive, and ready at any time of
day or night to do their utmost to relieve me of my infirmities.