GEO. O. STATES by Geo. O. States

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 24, 1900

GEO. O. STATES

By Geo. O. States

I soon passed down to the beautiful Verde Valley, where the farmers were plowing and putting in their crops. I gave away a number of tracts as I passed through the valley. I then passed up a long cañon, where the road is very steep for about fifteen miles. Night found me going down as rapidly as I dared to ride, not knowing but I should have to lay out. Suddenly I saw a camp fire, and freighters camped for the night. In the usual Western style, I asked to roll up with them, which was freely granted. As I sat by the camp fire, and talked with those rough men about the beautiful new earth and life through Christ, they were much interested, and asked me to write down some of the references so they could give them to their wives, who they said would be glad to read them.

Early the next morning I was rapidly wheeling on toward a mining camp, where my son was teaching school. Remaining overnight, the next morning I wheeled to Prescott, where Elder Iles and I held our first tent-meeting in Arizona. I was glad to know that none who had taken hold of the truth had given up, although most of them had moved away to distant places. I stopped overnight, and the next morning walked up another long mountain. A little after noon I was in Skull Valley, where I held tent-meetings nearly two years ago. I was pleased to find the brother who took his stand at that time, strong in the truth. He is a reader of the REVIEW and similar reading-matter, which is the secret of his growing in the truth. I remained with him over the Sabbath.

Sunday morning I wheeled over another mountain to Peoples Valley, where Elder Iles and I held our second tent effort. As a result of removals and apostasy, only one family still holds to the truth. The drought has been so severe that farmers have not raised a crop for two years, and many are moving to more favored localities. Leaving this place, I passed over Antelope Mountain, going down a steep gulch for several miles, some of the way being obliged to carry my wheel, although having scarcely room enough to stand upon, and the bottom of the cañon being hundreds of feet below. It was not very restful for my nerves, and I was glad when I reached the road below. I wheeled about thirty miles to a station on the railroad, took the train, and the next morning was at Elder Evans's home, in Phoenix. I remained with the Phoenix church, visiting most of the members and holding meetings, for one week. I was indeed pleased to find them united, and to learn that they had their church debt all paid, and money raised to finish the church. My preaching was all practical, and the Spirit of the Lord was surely there as I dwelt on the importance of lifting up Christ in the home, in the church, and before the world. I never before had such freedom with this church; and as I took the train to return to my home, I was touched to see many of the church at the depot to see me off. May the Lord bless the Phoenix church. I arrived home after an absence of over two weeks, much refreshed.