AT HOME AGAIN by H. C. Blanchard

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 12, 1868

AT HOME AGAIN.

By H. C. Blanchard

AFTER being absent from my family for over three months, I have been permitted to arrive at home again in safety, finding my family in the enjoyment of their usual health, for which I am very thankful to God, who is the giver of all our blessings. How it refreshes the worn servant to rest a little while at home with an affectionate wife and children, while the mental faculties that have been long and severely taxed, rest. I have for some weeks past thrown off mental labor as far as possible, at the same time laboring physically; and I can safely say that my health is improving under the change. You who are personally acquainted with me, know that I am naturally of but feeble constitution, and have had very poor health for the past three or four years. Some three years since, when Bro. and Sr. White were at our place they gave me some advice in regard to healthful living, remarking that, unless I took the nicest care of my health my wife would soon be a widow, and my children left without the care of a father. And to them I expressed my sincere thanks for their good and timely advice.

About one year ago while attending General Conference at Battle Creek, Prof. O. S. Fowler of New York, stated to me that I must suspend mental labor for, at least, one year. Said he, “You, sir, are at the point of breaking down now;” but I suppose he was ignorant as to my faith and practice of the health reform. Others have made similar remarks to me, but those that are best acquainted with me, know that my health has been steadily improving all the time. I have been able to labor through most part of the past year in my Master's cause. I have been enabled to do this through the blessing of God, and by attending to the light God has been pleased to give through the health reform. It has added health and happiness to myself and family, and I will not be so ungrateful as not to acknowledge it with thankfulness. If men and women were not so blind to their best interest and happiness here, as well as hereafter, by their wrong education and perverted appetites, they certainly would enter more heartily into it. It has already been worth more real cash to me than I could earn by hard labor for years. But I need not urge the reform; for it has many more able advocates. But I will further say before leaving the subject, that I think the most powerful argument that many of us can use, is to practice earnestly and perseveringly, avoiding extremes on either hand.

I parted with my much esteemed Bro. and fellow-laborer for the past nine months, R. F. Andrews, in the city of Chicago, March 10. My labors with Bro. A. have been most agreeable and pleasant. May the Lord reward him for his kindness to me. I look over our labors together with a good degree of satisfaction. About eighty have made a start publicly in the service of the Lord under our labors. To God be all the praise. The churches in Illinois and Wisconsin are advancing with the message. I have formed many new and happy acquaintances, which will last while I am permitted to labor here in the cause of the Lord. Then, if faithful, I expect to enjoy their society while eternity rolls her ceaseless ages on.

Dear brethren and sisters among whom I have labored for the past year, I trust you will be faithful to Jesus who has purchased your salvation at such a dear price. I often think of the many good meetings I have enjoyed with you. I also remember the many promises I have heard you make, that you would endeavor to serve the Lord more faithfully in the future. I hope you will remember these solemn vows, and, like David, pay them.

I likewise remember gratefully your ministering to my temporal wants while with you. My wife joins with me in thanks for all presents received from your liberal hands. May we all so live that the Lord will remember us as his jewels at his appearing.

When I arrived at home I found my dear father very near the grave with consumption. He lived until the 14th of April, when he quietly fell asleep in Jesus, and was buried in Princeville cemetery, beside my dear mother, who died April 9, 1867. They were both professors of religion for nearly fifty years. They embraced the Sabbath under the labors of Eld. W. S. Ingraham some eight years ago. Father was a member of the Christian Conference for nearly forty years, and a minister among that denomination. He embraced the first angel's message, and was among the waiting, watching ones, in 1844. He has been a constant sufferer for several years. His sufferings were so intense for months before his death that it was a wonder to his physicians, and all that knew him, how he could hold on to life so long; but he took it all patiently, often remarking that he should soon enjoy a sweet and quiet sleep beside his beloved wife, to be awakened only by the voice of the Archangel calling the saints forth to glory, honor, and immortality.

Funeral services by Eld. Goff, of Henry, Ill.

Dear parents, we shall see you in this life no more, But we expect to meet you safe on the eternal shore. There death ne'er comes again to slay the friends we love, But safely we shall reign with ransomed hosts above.

H. C. BLANCHARD.

Princeville, Ill.