Eastern Trip to Nebraska by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 11, 1883

Eastern Trip to Nebraska.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

IN company with Bro. W. C. White, we left Oakland Thursday, Sept. 20. Unfortunately, our tickets were by way of the Rio Grande Railroad from Ogden, running through Salt Lake City and Colorado to Denver. We were three hours late, hence failed to connect at Denver with the Burlington and Missouri Railroad, which delayed us nearly one day. This is a narrow-gauge road, extensively advertised for its scenery. Those who have not been accustomed to see the barren hills of a rainless summer, and have never seen a winding railroad ascending and descending the mountains, may see some attractions in this route. There is, however, a narrow gulch called Royal Gorge, which it would seem that nature left for the Arkansas River to course its way through, that is a wonder to behold. It is about forty feet wide, and upon either side of the river are perpendicular rocks of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet high. The railroad runs by the side of this river, sometimes partially

over it; one end of the timbers which sustain the track being attached to the cliff of rocks, while the other is supported by rods from timbers reaching over the road and across the stream. One could forego even the pleasure of this, if he considered it of any importance to make the connections at Denver with other roads, as we were informed this train was usually from one to three hours late. We could not recommend to our friends the sleeping-car arrangements, if they carry more than one small satchel and measure over five feet and three inches in length. The Union Pacific from Ogden to the Missouri River makes good time and connections, and being broad-gauge has its advantages, as all broad-gauge railroads have, over the narrow-gauge roads.

We left Denver at 7:30 A. M., reaching Crete, the place of camp-meeting, at 2:20 A. M., Tuesday morning. This was the last day of the camp-meeting, it having been continued one day on our account. At the morning meeting, 5:30, the subject of foreign missions was presented; within a few minutes, over $1,200 was pledged. The day previous, over $1,500 was pledged, towards their home missionary work. The capital stock of their tract society has increased during the past year from $700 to about $6,000. The tithe received during the year has been $4,270. This is a growing Conference. There were four churches received into the Conference.

Elders Farnsworth and Van Horn, and Sister White had been laboring here under some discouragement in view of a cold rain-storm, which had made it very muddy and disagreeable. The camp-meeting in Crete was preceded by the SIGNS canvass and missionary work of about two weeks. Quite a number are now rejoicing in the truth. In Lincoln, the capital of the State, twenty miles from Crete, it is reported that twelve are keeping the Sabbath, as the result of missionary effort in securing short-time subscriptions for the SIGNS, and preparing the way for the camp-meeting.

In Johnson County, eleven more are keeping the Sabbath, and many others are interested, as the result of Bible-readings held by a brother from California. The laborers were all paid, leaving money in the Conference treasury. There is no indebtedness in the State upon the tract society or Conference. At the close of the preaching service Tuesday night the laborers met, and about twenty decided to remain to study their Bibles with the aid of the ministers, to better prepare themselves to conduct Bible-readings in their colporteur work. God's providence has certainly gone before them in preparing hearts for the reception of the truth. This was a large camp-meeting, there being one hundred tents upon the ground. Wednesday morning, at 2:20, we left for Battle Creek, Mich., and Eld. Farnsworth for Colorado. Sister White and Eld. Van Horn left Tuesday afternoon for Battle Creek. The brethren returned to their homes apparently much encouraged.

S. N. HASKELL.