THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1878

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

By James White

We visited the Rocky Mountains two successive summers, six and seven years ago, in company with Mrs. White, Mrs. Hall, and our son W. C. White. Here we were made more than welcome by Mr. W. B. Walling, who married Mrs. W.'s sister's daughter. Mr. Walling did all in his power to make us comfortable and happy. And having received great benefit from our sojourn here in the past, we felt that the pure, cool atmosphere of the Rocky Mountains would greatly relieve and benefit us during the warm summer months of the present season, covering the months of July, August and September.

In company with Elder Canright, and our daughter, wife of W. C. W., we left Battle Creek the evening of July 4. The weather was excessively hot during the entire journey to Denver, Col., yet we stood the journey well, and already realize a great improvement. We reached the city of Denver, Sunday, the seventh, at two in the afternoon; hired a team and rode in that clean, beautiful city until eight in the evening, when we took the train for Golden City. Here we slept as people sleep in the Rocky Mountains. In the morning we were much refreshed.

After taking breakfast from our lunch baskets, replenished by peaches and pears, we took the train up the winding, narrow-gauge railroad to the city of Black Hawk, where we were happy to meet our old friend, W. B. Walling. We were weary of railroad life. Our persons and clothing needed an application of water and soap. Mr. Walling soon found teams for us and our baggage, and we were on our way up, up, the mountains. Here the water runs pure and the atmosphere is delightful.

When we reached the place where we had spent much of the time for about six months the second summer we were here, we found every window broken, door broken down, and the house in that condition the reader can imagine, used by stragglers. All that seemed inviting was the cooling spring. Here we took our second meal. The best sauce is that appetite which the pure atmosphere gives the traveler here.

After taking our meal we went up the mountain-side, where we have been with Mrs. W., and had a season of prayer. Soon a visitor appeared. We recognized in him Bro. Smithheart, who had heard us pray and had come to greet us again. He was first attracted to us by hearing us pray, as his log shanty was in hearing distance. This man once preached the gospel. He is a man of a good spirit and of good information. He stated that he had kept the Sabbath ever since he became acquainted with us, and was hungry for more good reading. He is a good example of the power of prayer, and of our publications. There are hundreds in this new State all ready to read, hear, and obey. We hope to do something by our books and prayers while here. We have come for rest and health, and although Elder Canright and the writer may not preach a sermon, we are not the men to be wholly idle.

At present we are not keeping house. We have spent three nights at the hotel of J. Q. A. Rollins, formerly from New Hampshire, and shall locate in this vicinity. Our post-office address will be Rollinsville, Colorado. Here are good water, pleasant scenery, and pure air. We have purchased a camper's stove, and fishing tackle, and shall secure a tent. We have this morning started out on a fishing tour, and while we are writing in the carriage Elder Canright and our daughter are preparing poles and making ready generally.

We expect Mr. Walling this afternoon, who comes from Boulder City with our good carriage we left here six years since, and with cook stove, furniture, provisions, and a general outfit for transient house-keeping. We find the season very late here. Strawberries are just forming or but in the blow. Gooseberries are abundant, and in about a month there will be an unlimited supply of the red raspberry. These of course are all wild. They are on the mountain-sides just across the rapid creek that is hurrying by where we are writing.

We design remaining in the mountains until about the twentieth of September, when, the Lord willing, we shall attend the General Conference. We are daily improving. The difficulty in our feet, which was declared to be dropsy, is fast disappearing, and we are able to walk without difficulty. We have walked one mile this morning, and expect to make out two more to-day. We shall increase at least one mile each day, until we can go up these mountains, as we stated by letter to Mrs. White to-day, like a deer. We sent to Healdsburg for a saddle and bridle, and our heavy, partly worn clothing which we need to "rough it" in here. This we find is no place for linen clothes and white vests, as these impose too heavy a tax upon those who wash for us.

Here, with the blessing of God, we expect to do much on our books which we have long had in contemplation; such as Life Sketches, a volume containing the reasons of our Faith and Hope, a pamphlet on the Signs of the Times, and a volume containing Bible Hygiene, sketches of leading health reformers, and a history of the rise and progress of the health reformation.

And while we are here we do not forget fellow-laborers in Europe or America, and those institutions at Oakland, Cal., and at Battle Creek, Mich., so dear to us, and where we have spent the best of our strength. Many times each day the voice of prayer echoes in these mountains, and we plead God's blessing upon ourselves and these.

We still ask the prayers of dear brethren, that the blessing of Heaven may rest upon us during our sojourn here, and that we may return to the General Conference rested and strengthened to join our brethren in the work.

JAMES WHITE.

Rollinsville, Col., July 10, 1878.