NORTHERN TOUR | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 17, 1861

NORTHERN TOUR.

WHEN we gave our appointments for Northern Michigan we expected to enjoy good sleighing. But the morning we were to leave for a trip of fifty-three miles that day by stage, the driver exchanged runners for wheels, and drove up to our door with an old mud wagon. The road was very rough, and we were seven hours getting twenty-seven miles. Here we met Bro. Gerould with a wagon to take us twenty-six miles more that night. After resting fifteen minutes we got aboard; but we were so loaded down with our heavy trunks that Bro. Gerould decided to go a-foot. We had no time to stop and rest, or get meals, so drove on, refreshing as well as possible upon dried beef and bread. We were exceedingly tired as night set in; but how could we complain while Bro. G. was walking or running by our side, or occasionally springing upon the trunks to ride down hill. In this way we pursued our journey till 10 o'clock at night, when we reached the hospitable home of Bro. and sister G.. We had been out fourteen hours without resting, and probably Bro. G. had run eight or ten miles of the last twenty-six. It was a question who was most to be pitted, we who had suffered the unaccustomed shaking in the old stage, and had finished out the fifty-three miles in the wagon, or Bro. G. on foot, or the good horse who in tugging his heavy load fell twice in ascending icy hills.

The next morning, however, all could move about, and seemed quite comfortable, excepting Mrs. W.

The meeting was held Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 7 and 8. We gave two discourses each day. On Sabbath the discourses were practical and close, such as were needed to open the eyes of the self-deceived, and clear away tobacco, tea, coffee, &c. On first-day we spoke twice to a crowded house, and never had better attention. Mrs. W. was able to attend only once each day, and in much feebleness, but with good effect, gave her testimony.

The brethren in Caledonia and Gaines have been much scattered, yet have held on to the truth. And amidst the confusion of the last six months, three have taken hold of the Sabbath. They had a little premature organizing, which had made the condition of things still worse. The scattered ones had all held on to the present truth under most discouraging circumstances, showing their honest desire to be right, and the care the Lord had for them. They needed instruction, patient, yet faithful. Tuesday evening we appointed a meeting for all the Sabbath-keepers in that region, and although it was cloudy and dark, and extremely muddy, there was a general attendance, even from seven miles distant. We tried to instruct the brethren for about forty minutes; then Mrs. W. addressed them affectionately, pointedly, and in great power, for about the same length of time. Then about twenty-five arose, one after another, and spoke in a spirit of confession. It was one of the most powerful meetings we have attended for several years. It held till 10 o'clock. We were then about an hour and a half passing through the mud three miles to our stopping-place, where we got to rest about midnight. Next morning we went to Grand Rapids, twelve miles, from thence by cars and wagon we reached this place about 8 o'clock last evening. To-day we are sharing the hospitalities and the good society of Bro. McPherson and family, and feel refreshed to enter upon our meetings in this place.

This short sketch of our Northern tour thus far will give some idea of our sorrows and joys, hardships and blessings. God lives and reigns, brethren, let us go forward and trust in him, and if we wear out before the war is over, he will raise up others to fight the battles through.

Wright, Ottawa Co., Mich., Dec. 12, 1861.