p. 92 | Our Journey by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1872

Our Journey.

By James White

When we left Battle Creek in May last, we designed to attend the several camp-meetings, West and East, closing up for the season with one in California, the last of September. But we became satisfied at the close of the Iowa Camp-meeting that our health and strength was not sufficient to endure the toil and care of these meetings, however favorable the brethren might make the circumstances. We therefore decided that after a few days’ rest we would immediately start for California. But as our health and strength gradually failed, we waited still longer in hope that by rest and careful hygienic treatment, we might be better able to journey.

While waiting and resting, we received a letter from Bro. J. H. Mallory, Civil Bend, Mo., pertaining to the state of the cause there, which seemed to make it necessary that we should visit that place on our way to California. Mrs. W., fearing the result of labor upon us, should we go to Missouri, was in favor of taking the northern branch of the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific line, direct by way of Omaha. But our convictions were so very strong in favor of the southern branch to Missouri and Kansas, and onward by the way of Denver, Colorado, that she yielded the point, and in company with sister Hall and Willie, we left Washington, Iowa, to meet our friends in Missouri. The result of that good meeting we have given.

We had arranged to spend two days only with Mrs. W.’s sister near Ottawa, and the Sabbath with friends near Oswego, Kansas, and the following week to make our journey to California, to reach San Francisco about the middle of July. But at the close of our good meeting in Missouri, we could not harmonize our feelings with the plan of making so rapid a trip. And while conversing upon the subject at the home of Bro. and sister Evans at Hamilton, Mo., we stated our impressions, under a most distinct sense of duty, in these familiar words:— “I do not see California yet for several weeks. My spirit rests in prospect along the way in Kansas and Colorado.” Our impressions were so very strong that we felt certain that they were made by the Holy Spirit.

The next morning we took the train for Ottawa, and before night were at the good home of brother and sister Clough. We were made so very welcome that we tarried with them thirteen days. Mrs. Clough went on horseback and gave appointments, and the last first-day we were there, Mrs. W. spoke three times in three different parts of the county, and traveled a distance

of eighteen miles the same day. The interest to hear was very great.

Brother and sister Clough informed us that they had four children in Colorado Territory, and expressed a strong desire that we should visit them. We decided to stop at Denver and spend a day or two with their daughter, Mrs. Walling. But as we reached Wamego Station, Kansas, we saw the daughter of Mrs. Dr. Chamberlain of our Health Institute looking for us. She had come with Capt. Mitchel, her sister’s husband, to take us to their good home about three miles from the station. This was unexpected, and it required activity to gather up all our hand baggage, containing four days’ hygienic rations for our journey to San Francisco, outer garments, etc., etc., and get off the train in season.

With Mr. Mitchel and family we spent two days, enjoying their hospitality and care, and what was most to be prized, their cheerful and intellectual conversation. It is no marvel that Dr. Chamberlain enjoyed a happy last winter with these her children at their Kansas home. They were from old Connecticut, and we shall call their ample home the New England House.

Our journey to Denver was fatiguing. We were very feeble. Symptoms were alarming. For some time we were not able to stand. In this condition, while lying up on the station house floor, with our shawl for a mattress, and traveling bag for a pillow, we were very glad to see Willie, who had been in search for Mr. Walling, and a gentleman riding up to the depot in a carriage. Willie introduced him to us as Mr. Walling. He took us to his home, where we met Mrs. W.’s two nieces, Mrs. Walling and Miss Mary L. Clough.

Here again, poor health and the urgent invitation of kind friends induced us to remain in Denver a few days, and finally to come to the mountains, about forty miles, to a retired, healthful place called Walling’s Mills. Mr. Walling does a large business in the mountains; but has located his family in Denver to educate his children.

We have now been in the mountains about five weeks, enjoying the most favorable circumstances for health, with the exception of receiving and answering too many business letters, and doing too much writing generally. In this, we feel that we have not done justice to friends here who have felt a deep interest for our rapid restoration to health, and have done all for us that kindness and respect could dictate.

The mountain air here is delightful. What if it be light at this altitude? take more of it, and let the lungs expand. Water here is the purest of the pure. Coming down from those mountain heights, where lie the eternal snows, it is cool and pure. The scenery is grand beyond description. We have Indian ponies at our command for the saddle, to climb the passable mountains, and horses and carriage to go where we please. We are now making preparations for a company of seven of us to go over the Snowy Range to the Middle Park. We take tents, blankets, provisions, &c., on horseback, as transportation on wheels is next to impossible, and tardy. It will require an “outfit,” to use a Colorado expression, of nine horses to take seven and necessary baggage. This trip will occupy twelve or fifteen days.

Provisions in this Territory are high. But we find the best wheat and vegetables here we have ever seen. Fruit is scarce. Besides natural strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries, we have only that which is brought from California and States east. Pears are twenty-five cents per pound, and apples, fifteen. Potatoes are three cents per pound, and other vegetables in proportion.

Here are invalids from all parts in search of health. They usually travel in plain covered wagons, and camp out in tents. And thus they move slowly among the mountains, viewing the ever-changing scenery as they pass through this natural hospital of America, stopping at villages and cities for supplies. This manner of life is generally attended with great expense, especially to those who come by railroad from other States, and hire their teams in the Territory. But that which is more unpleasant to invalids, is to feel that they are in a land of strangers, who have no interest in their cases.

Not so with us. God in his providence had made things ready for us, and then, contrary to all our plans, led us here. And since we came here we have laid our plans to leave several times, and go direct to San Francisco; but it has seemed to us that the hand of Providence has held us, and we have so often disappointed our friends in California.

And, notwithstanding our feebleness, we have not spent a summer so pleasantly for twenty years, as we have with friends in Kansas and Colorado. We have attended but few meetings, in fact, have seen but few people excepting our relatives. If it be asked, Were you not lonesome? Blessed lonesome! To be comparatively free from care and to enjoy a feeling of freedom from responsibility, has been to us the very next thing to Heaven. We have enjoyed a peaceful rest of spirit, sweetened with fresh evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the guiding hand of Providence which has almost every waking hour reminded us of our exercises of mind at Bro. and sister Evans, of Hamilton, Mo., when we gave utterance to our feelings and views in words which we will again repeat:— “I do not see California yet for several weeks. My spirit rests in prospect along the way in Kansas and Colorado.” What seems very remarkable, and has been to us evidence that the special providence of God has been leading, is the fact that at this time we had no intimation that we had a relative, or especial friend, in the territory of Colorado.

We shall probably spend six months, or more, in California, covering the period of cold weather here in the mountains. This is a delightful summer resort; but cold, stormy, and disagreeable in winter. While our friends east, and the secular papers, report intense heat in Michigan, and farther east, and many cases of sunstroke, we have not witnessed forty-eight hours for the past six weeks too warm for winter clothing.

We now design to spend our summers here, and our winters in a more favorable climate, until health shall be confirmed, and the General Conference Committee get the right men at Battle Creek to bear the burdens. Then, if our services are wanted there as a counselor, while others, competent to execute, and willing to do the work, will stand by our side, then, God willing, we will make Battle Creek our headquarters.

Our interest in, and hope for, the speedy and glorious triumph of the cause, is increasing. The REVIEW AND HERALD is improving. It is received each week with joy, and read with the deepest interest. And the intelligence from the tent companies, in the several States, of the victories of the truth, is wonderful. God is raising up an army of young men valiant for the truth, and earnest in the fight. And it is a fact, ever encouraging, and soul-sustaining, that our people are ready to sustain the cause in all its branches where faithfulness is maintained by those who manage. We take our position with the people, and pledge faithfulness to those who have been true to the cause, and to us in our efforts to advance it, from the beginning.

JAMES WHITE.

Black Hawk, Col., Aug. 27, 1872.