INCIDENTS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
By James Sawyer
In the county of Osceola, one hundred and twenty-three miles north, and eight miles west of the city of Battle Creek, at a distance of thirty miles from a post office, the way the road runs, is a family by the name of Reames. Mr. Reames moved into the woods in 1867, and made claim to a lot of Government land for a homestead. He owned an ox team when they arrived at their new home. The team had to be sold to get subsistence for the family until something could be raised on the land. But the purchaser of the team did not, or could not, pay as agreed. What was the consequence? As their supply began to grow small, Mr. Reames started out to the settlement to try and get some more food. It would take three days to go and return. A small parcel of food was left for the mother and three children. There was barely enough for the children, the mother saw at once. They proposed to divide with their mother, but she refused, and when they would eat their scanty meal she would leave the house. But that mother, who trusted in God for support, knew that he would provide for her. Early in life had she committed herself to the care of Him whose eye is over the needy. She plead with God in this time of trial, that she might be supported until her husband should return. Her mind was directed to feed upon browse, and for three days that was her only food. Her husband did return, but as he reached the door he fell exhausted with his load of 40 pounds of meal. The family soon had to leave their new home and work in a lumber shanty, until enough could be earned to support them while they cleared a parcel of land, and raise sufficient to last them until the writer visited them in February, 1868. A knowledge of the above facts was kept to themselves; but in a few weeks Mrs. Reames received a letter from her sister in Indiana inquiring if she was in want; for she had a dream that troubled her. She had dreamed that her sister was reduced to such a low estate that she had to live on browse. As I sat by their fireside and listened to the above account, I felt that Joel's prophecy was verified, and that this family were probably under the ministration of holy angels. I spent the Sabbath at Mrs. Reame's. Her husband was then away in the lumberwoods at work. Both she and her husband now welcome the REVIEW AND HERALD. She asks prayers for her family. She delights to teach her children daily to pray and thank God for his kindness. She believes the Lord will soon come in the clouds of heaven. Mr. Reames is not a professor, but reads the REVIEW with interest. May the Lord help them to endure. How many such lonely ones are scattered up and down in the earth for whom we should feel an interest at the throne of grace.