WESTWARD by C. W. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 23, 1876

WESTWARD

By C. W. S.

At a meeting called for that purpose on Tuesday evening, Nov. 14, Bro. James Sawyer was solemnly set apart to the work of the ministry. Bro. White spoke to the people for the last time, as he expects, for two winters. His closing remarks were very touching. He spoke of the great freedom that he had enjoyed in preaching the word since coming east of the Rocky Mountains last spring, and especially in speaking to the church at Battle Creek. He remarked that he had talked plainly to them, but that he had done it for their good. He expressed his confidence in this church and said that there is no people on earth that has his confidence more fully than they have. He exhorted them to faithfulness, and assured them that he would remember them at the throne of grace.

Bro. Smith responded in a few appropriate words. He said that his heart was in unison with the feelings of Bro. White; that as Bro. and Sr. White should go upon their journey westward, his prayers should go with them that God might sustain them and bless them in their labors for the good of the cause. He then called upon all in the house who wished to express like feelings to manifest it by arising. The hearty, full response from the rising congregation gave the recipient of those kind wishes a pleasure which he said he should treasure up in his memory as long as life should last.

The hurried packing of the forenoon was done, and the company, composed of Bro. and Sr. White, Sr. Hall, Bro. S. H. King and wife, Bro. O. B. Jones and son, Alice and Ida Canfield and Della Frisbie, three young ladies who have been faithful hands in the REVIEW Office, and several others whose names we do not know, were taken to the depot just in season for the western-bound train.

At 1:17, P. M. we heard the rumbling of the wheels, and filling the windows in the south end of the three Office buildings, where we could watch the departing train, our corps of helpers waved their handkerchiefs with many a good wish for the dear friends and servants of God who were rapidly being borne from our sight.

Our prayers go with them. May they safely arrive in Oakland, where a welcome greeting has long been awaiting them; and from that sunny coast, may the servants of God be able to send out words of warning, reproof, and good cheer, to all parts of the wide harvest-field, until in the providence of God it shall seem good to them again to visit us. C. W. S.