REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 23, 1869

REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

For the present my post office address will be Skowhegan, Maine.

I shall not be much in Skowhegan if my health will permit me to labor, but I can more readily have letters forwarded from that place.

Bro. Canright has returned to Massachusetts. There were several reasons for this step: My health is such that it is not safe at present to engage in constant labor; a heavy, driving snow storm came on, suspending meetings; we had no special interest raised in any place, and no opening that would warrant an extra effort under such circumstances; and his mind had been much exercised in regard to the sickness in his family. I think in my condition I can do more by attending Monthly Meetings, and looking after the interests already raised in other places, than in any other way.

In regard to the sickness of which I spoke in a recent note, it might be of interest to give brief extracts from papers to show its nature and prevalence. The Portland Press, calls it the “Influenza Epidemic,” and thus describes it. “It is different from the usual influenza, inasmuch as it affects the liver as well as the mucous membrane of the nostrils and throat. It usually commences with vomiting, the head feels very much swollen, and the liver is more or less congested. The patient has chills, and is in quite a high fever, and in some of the cases sore throat accompanies the other symptoms. It lasts about a week, but leaves the convalescent very weak and with a sensation of fullness about the head that only wears off with time.” The Farmer, of Augusta, says: “In this city the complaint is universal. Hardly a family has escaped it, our schools have been largely reduced in attendance, and in some of our workshops business has been almost entirely suspended in consequence.”

Such is the information from every part of the State from which I have heard. Its fatality, however, is mostly confined to old people, among whom it has proved very fatal.

Supposing it to be a slight ailment I continued speaking right along, and in consequence my throat is left in a very bad condition. I hope, however, that a few days of rest may overcome it all.

Since writing the above I have filled an appointment I had out for Sunday evening, 7th, and am satisfied I have gone beyond the bounds of prudence in speaking. My interest in the success of the work here has been very great, and as others have been slow to act on their convictions, I have felt constrained to continue my efforts. From the effect produced by my last discourse, I fear my entire recovery will not be so speedy as I anticipated. I shall try to labor with proper caution, and so regulate my course as to best serve the cause under the circumstances.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Kendall’s Mills, Me., Feb. 10, 1869.