p. 19 | TOUR IN NORTHERN MICH by J. H. Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1866

TOUR IN NORTHERN MICH.

By J. H. Waggoner

On my way to Gratiot Co., I was met at St. Johns by Bro. Richmond, who took me to his home the evening of Nov. 8th, where, quite unexpectedly to me, the brethren and sisters came together, and I spoke to them on present truth. The state of the roads prevented going by private conveyance, and I took the stage the morning of the 9th, leaving everything behind but what I could put in a sachet, as it was not possible to carry baggage.

Sabbath morning I spoke to the church of Ithaca, on “Union with God;” and we had a pretty good social meeting. The latter part of the day was rainy, so that all were not out in the evening; this I regretted, as I spoke on the subject of health, and no subject was needed more than that.

On first-day, 11th, I spoke twice. On account of the badness of the roads it was not judged best to hold regular evening meetings; but I appointed for Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I had intended to do considerable visiting, but the first effort convinced me of the impossibility of doing much, as the brethren live much scattered, and to travel on foot through such a depth of mud and preach was rather more than I could endure. Tuesday evening I spoke on the Two Covenants, by request, much to the satisfaction of the church. Wednesday there was another heavy rain, but I succeeded in getting out two miles to visit. Next day I went two miles in another direction and visited with Bro. Sutherland. Returning to my appointment, I spoke on the Gifts, and Health, but not many were out. Friday, Bro. Squire took me to Bro. Nelson’s, near Alma, and went on Sabbath morning, the 24th, with me to the meeting. Here I enjoyed good freedom in speaking on our present position, the prophecies, the Sabbath, health, &c. Enjoyed a pretty good social meeting on Sabbath but much better on first-day. The church here were resting under some little discouragement, but all appeared well pleased to hear the truth, and determined to hold on in the good way. I had meetings in Alma also on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Being urged to hold a meeting or more in St. Louis before I left the County, I walked down there to view the prospect, and on consultation deemed it not advisable, as there were but a very few friends near, with no outside interest, and it being too muddy and the time unfavorable to raise any.

Thursday, Nov. 22, I went to Seville. No conveyance being at hand, I took my sachet and started on foot, determined not to miss any appointment. This trip went somewhat beyond all my previous experience in mud. I waded in mud within four inches of the tops of my boots, not knowing where the next step would take me, as about five inches of snow lay on the ground. Besides an excess of mud, the appointment had not been given by those to whom it had been entrusted, so that, in point of numbers, the meeting promised to be a failure. However the interest was good with those who attended, and the attendance was as large as could be expected under the circumstances. A special effort had been made on the part of the Disciples to destroy the work in that place, and I paid particular attention to their positions.

Monday, 26th, I held meeting at a private house, speaking to the few who attended, on the Health Reform, and baptized one. I designed to stay there a day or two longer; but I considered it prudent to take advantage of the state of the roads, so I walked to Alma on Tuesday morning, it having frozen enough the previous night to bear up a man. This proved fortunate, as the snow went off immediately with heavy rain. Wednesday evening, 28th, preached in the school-house at Alma, and next morning started for Ithaca in company with Bro. Nelson, who assisted in carrying my sachet to his house, where we took horses and rode to Ithaca. Here I improved the time before the Sabbath in writing some letters.

I preached four times and had one social meeting in Ithaca. I felt specially blessed in the closing meeting, though I spoke with considerable difficulty, as the labor and exposure had affected my health, and I was becoming quite hoarse, with pains in my left lung.

Monday morning, Dec. 3, I walked to Bro. Squire’s, and Bro. S. and self on horseback started for Bro. Richmond’s, the stage not running the last two weeks. It rained most of the day, but I considered it advisable to go on, as I feared the weather might be worse, and the roads would be impassable if it should freeze some. And here I am trying to throw off my cold and avert threatened sickness by resting, bathing, &c., having appointments here for Sabbath and first-day.

This trip has been made in a most unfavorable time, as it has rained much of the time, and the ground was almost flooded; every step taken was in the wet. The sun has not shone long enough since Nov. 9th to dry a spot on the highest ground, and all unite in saying the roads were never so bad since the county was settled. But it has not been destitute of interest and pleasure to me, and I pray it may be of lasting good to the cause. I have formed pleasant acquaintances, and greatly enjoyed the privilege of speaking the word to them.

I mostly regretted that the brethren in Gratiot Co. do not seem to appreciate their privileges, and thereby do themselves great injustice. The testimony borne to them by the servants of God on the subject of health had scarcely been considered; certainly its importance had not been realized. I have little hope that the cause will rise much above its present level in Gratiot, unless this subject is taken hold of with the decision and energy that every part of present truth demands. I found it quite a trial to return to bread made out of bolted flour, after living so long on bread of a better material. Some hesitate about adopting the reform for fear of the effect the change will have on them; but I would invite all to consider this: if it is so hard and afflicting to change from the unhealthy to the healthy; from the bad to the good; how must it effect the system to change from the healthy to the unhealthy; from the better to the worse? After living for a time on digestible bread, a person will soon be afflicted with indigestion, headache, &c., by changing back to the other. Brethren and sisters, remember that reform does not hurt anybody. I speak as much for the future as for the past. If you expect the messengers to do good, efficient, labor, and yourselves to be benefited by their labors, give them a chance to live as the Lord commands, and their health requires, and you live so that your minds may be free and clear, and your hearts tender to receive and appreciate the truth. God’s blessing is awaiting you if you will fit yourselves to receive it. May the Lord help us all to arise, and gird on the whole armor, and prepare for the conflict which will result in certain victory to the overcomer.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Greenbush, Mich., Dec. 5, 1866.