WESTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 8, 1860

WESTERN TOUR.

By James White

We are now at Lisbon, Iowa, at the home of Bro. and sister Wilson. This is Bro. and sister Cornell's head quarters—a good resting place for pilgrims.

We left Battle Creek at 3 P. M.; changed cars at midnight at Chicago; reached the Mississippi river at 7 A. M.; crossed the ice on foot, walking behind the baggage drawn on a sleigh by four men, the ice being too weak to bear up horses; and felt relief when we stepped upon Iowa soil. The late rain weakened the ice very much, and even injured the Rail-Road on the Iowa side, so that the cars were detained the day before we crossed the river, detaining our letters and the REVIEW, so that our appointments were in the mail-bag on the same train with us. At Lisbon station we left the train, and looked in vain for some brother to take us to a pilgrim's home, so we returned to the train and passed on to Mt. Vernon, to Bro. Morrow's. We found them upon the third floor of a brick building, with limited room, and sickness. Everything possible was done to make us comfortable under the circumstances. Here Mrs. W. suffered twenty-four hours' severe sickness, vomiting and raising blood, from which, however, she seems to have fully recovered.

We spoke to the church here once on the Sabbath, and in the evening following, with some freedom. Mrs. W. was able to attend and bear her testimony. On first-day we spoke to a good congregation on the subject of true conversion. At near the close of the discourse, in came Bro. J. Dorcas, from Tipton, formerly of Ohio. He received notice of the meeting night before, and had come fifteen miles through the mud. Soon after the close of the meeting Bro. and sister Cornell came from Anamosa, sixteen miles. They had received notice of the meeting at the close of the Sabbath. We were exceeding glad to meet these dear friends again. In the evening we spoke upon the extent and power of the third angel's message with some freedom. It is thought that several more will immediately commence to keep the Sabbath in this place.

We expect to start for Iowa City and Dayton to-morrow to meet our appointment for next Sabbath and first-day. The mud is getting deep, and we fear we shall not be able to get through to Knoxville, which is eighty-five miles from Dayton. We much fear that we shall not be able to pass the slews and ford the streams between Dayton and Knoxville. If we cannot, we shall labor in this part of the State for a few weeks, till we can pass down the Mississippi by steam boat, to Otumwa by Rail-Road, and to Knoxville by private conveyance. In that case we will give another appointment for conference at Knoxville through the REVIEW.

Iowa seems to be a very encouraging field of labor. The willingness and even the anxiety to hear in new places is astonishing. The way is open for Bro. Cornell to labor successfully in this part of the State. Sister Cornell has well acted her part. The mode of warfare is something as follows: Bro. Cornell goes out alone into a new place, perhaps puts up at the tavern, preaches a few days, when friends appear to invite him to their houses; and when the work is well under way, sister C. joins her husband, and labors from house to house as they are invited. And when Bro. Cornell's work is done, it is a good place for sister C. to remain and defend the truth in private conversation, and bear responsibilities of the work in the midst of young disciples.

In this way both can bear a part in the good work, which will bring a glorious reward in the next kingdom.

But the reward is not all in the future kingdom. It is good for our spiritual health to bear burdens here. Such grow strong, healthy and happy in the things of God, while those who shun responsibilities and burdens grow weak, unhappy, restless, and worthless in the church of Christ.

We venture to say that an unconsecrated companion is the greatest hindrance possible to a messenger of present truth. She soon becomes a medium for Satan to work through to get him down from the work to which the Lord has called him. Is he a tender, kind hearted man? How easy then can she wound his heart by unbelief, unreconciliation to their lot. She can oppose him as to the time and place of his going out to labor. She can call him home before his work is done. She may be ungrateful for the good things of this life bestowed upon them by the brethren. She may be like the enemy in his very fort to weaken him, and overwhelm his worn spirit with discouragement and grief. She may do all this through the power of Satan, and at the same time think she loves her husband. Some have been burdened and held back from duty even in the West, and now surviving friends can have the privilege of visiting their graves.

Sisters, you whom Providence has called to walk the rough but short journey of life to the city of God with those called to go forth and give the last message, yours is a noble part to act. You have sacrifices to make and hardships to bear that your sisters do not realize. But what of this, while Jesus knows all, and a faithful record is kept in heaven. Every privation and toil, and every trial well borne will weigh in the scale of that eternal reward soon to be given. Your companions are gathering precious souls to be stars in their crowns to shine for ever and forever. If you act well your part; if your prayers go up with his in faith when at home, and follow him in faith as he goes out; if by your consecration, you win the guardian presence of angels about the dwelling in his absence to keep you and yours from accident and sickness; if you act the noble part your station demands, when you and your worn pilgrim companion stand side by side in the kingdom of glory, your reward will equal his, your crowns will alike sparkle with stars of those saved by your united efforts. And if in consecration to the will of God you bind your children on the altar with cords of a living, active faith, he will save them.

Mary washed the feet of the Saviour with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Blessed place! Come then, ye Marys, to the feet of Jesus. Come and linger about the cross, and behold the agonies of your dying Lord. Come to the sepulchre and see how his body was laid away in death. Hasten to the sacred place, and behold the glories of his resurrection. Come up to mount Olivet and wonder with those who stand gazing into heaven, as Jesus ascends, and the cloud covers him from their sight. What a moment of astonishment! But listen! the shining ones are speaking,—"This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." "Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus." The time hasteth greatly when the chief Shepherd shall appear in glory, when all the under Shepherds, whose work has been to feed the flock, and those who have battled for the truth with them, side by side, will receive the crown of unfading glory.

Soon it will be said "Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." All must make a sacrifice. The minister of Christ and his wife must make a sacrifice which will well compare with that made by those who leave their native land, on a foreign mission to heathen lands. O God, give the spirit of sacrifice! And all the members of the church have a sacrifice to make in order to be saved in the gathering day. A portion of your means is wanted to well sustain your preachers who are going everywhere preaching the word. J. W.