A New Home in New York by M. B. Czechowski

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1860

A New Home in New York

By M. B. Czechowski

FROM BRO. CZECHOWSKI.

Bro. Smith: As the brethren abroad may be desirous to hear from me, I will here say that I and my family arrived in New York City, March 7th, and found a good home for pilgrims in Bro. Wilcox' house. We tarried with them about one week, during which I made diligent search in the country around for apartments for my family. The cheapest sum for which I could rent a small house and garden within seven miles of this city, was $130, or nearly that amount. But in the providence of God I came across a gentleman, of whom I purchased a building lot, situated in Newtown, L. I., about one mile and a half from thirty-fourth street in this city. It is one hundred feet long and twenty-five wide, and costs $100. He accepted the mortgage for pay which I then held against the place I sold in Clinton Co., N. Y. I immediately commenced to dig my little cellar, seventeen feet long by fourteen wide, which I finished in five days, and now the foundation of my little house is laid.

The church of God in this vicinity all approve of the course I have taken in buying the lot and building a small house, not only because it will save much expense in paying house rent, but also because I shall thus be enabled to be free a little in the future to labor in this portion of my Master's vineyard without pecuniary embarrassment, being free from the exorbitant advance-pay system for rent, by those who monopolize this world's goods. If I were obliged to pay such high rent as is customary here, if only but for a short time, comparatively, I should soon pay money enough to defray the expense of such a building as I propose to erect, two or three times over. It will cost about $167. Although this will give but little room for my family, it must answer for the present. If my Heavenly Father permits, I intend after a little to build it one story higher. When thus completed it will cost upwards of $200. This I consider necessary to do when the Lord shall open the way, because I must have room for my library, and sleeping apartments for my children, and a small room where I may retire away somewhat from noise, and study when it becomes necessary.

I have labored hard with my hands in digging my cellar, getting stones, (after breaking them to a convenient size) on the spot for the foundation, which has made me sick in body, but I am not discouraged. My trust is in God, believing he has directed my steps here to labor for the salvation of perishing souls who are famishing for the bread of life.

Eight thousand bricks, with sufficient boards for only one floor, are on my lot and paid for. But the mason's work will cost $18, and a covering, or roof some more, for which I have no money in my pocket, to say nothing of what is now necessary for the support of my family. And, besides, I am indebted to dear Bro. C. Andrews for $35 (for which I gave him my note), which has all been expended on my house, with the $80 I brought with me. It was with difficulty that Bro. Andrews, in his circumstances, could loan me the $35. Therefore it is no more than consistent and just that I should pay him as soon as possible.

Now, dear brethren, it is not my desire to occupy space in the Review for "lamentation," but if there are any of my dear brethren in the United States who can lend a helping hand in this time of need, to sustain my mission in this portion of the wide harvest field, for the good of precious souls and our mutual interest, I shall be very thankful to my kind Heavenly Father, and also to them.

I have received several letters from brethren and friends, requesting me to write a sketch of my past life, but I am sorry to say that up to this time, I have not had the privilege of gratifying them in this respect, as my mind necessarily has been occupied in other ways. But if the Lord permits, I intend sometime (after I am free from my present difficulties of body and mind) to write a pamphlet of some of my past history during scenes of persecution and imprisonment in foreign countries, in which I hope to glorify God and also to gratify my kind friends. For the present they will please excuse me.

I have now spent six Sabbaths with the true Church of God (as I believe) in New York, Brooklyn and vicinity, and if I ever felt to rejoice in God and praise his excellent name, it has been since I came here, where we have enjoyed some precious seasons in Jesus' name, in meeting with his saints.

M. B. CZECHOWSKI.

N. Y. City, Apr., 1860.

P. S. My P. O. Address is Green Point, L. I.