WESTERN TOUR by N. A.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 18, 1862

WESTERN TOUR.

By N. A.

FEB. 27 we left Bro. Sanborn's hospitable home at Twin Groves early in the morning, and rode five miles in the stinging cold prairie winds to Juda Station, where we took the cars for Janesville. There we had to wait five hours for the cars for Madison, which gave us a good opportunity to visit with Bro. Loudon and family, and Bro. and sister Packard, who came in to see us. These are very anxious that something should be done in Janesville. It may be an excellent location for tent labor. At least, we hope our preachers will bestow some labor with them.

After receiving rest, refreshment, and substantial aid for our journey, we left these lonely pilgrims, and took the cars for Madison, and arrived there at 7 in the evening. Here Brn. Decker and Crosby from Avon had been waiting nine hours to take us through to Leeds, a distance of twenty miles. We concluded to go on with them that night, and a little before 1 o'clock the next morning drove up to the door of Bro. Jonathan Chase's, of North Leeds. We received a hearty welcome from Bro. and sister Chase, and the pilgrim guests who had come in ahead of us, among whom were Bro. and sister Patch, formerly of the State of New York.

The meeting was held at Lodi. There was a general turnout of the scattered friends, and some from other counties. We had good liberty in preaching, and Mrs. W. gave her testimony with freedom. The friends all manifested a deep interest to hear. It has been an excellent, and we trust a profitable, meeting. Here the brethren had Systematic Benevolence funds to liberally help us on our way.

On first-day a terrible snow-storm set in, blocking up the roads so that up to this time (fourth-day) many of the brethren could not get to their homes. Second-day we had a precious meeting with those who could get out, at the close of which Bro. Taber and sisters Newcomb and McIntosh were baptized. Here we found our rubber baptizing-dress of great value. We came out perfectly comfortable and dry.

When we came to this place we put up at the house of Bro. Nathaniel Keeser, and finding it very pleasant to conform to the text, "In the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give," we have remained here, and now, the fifth day since we came, are writing at their table. Brother and sister Keeser, and their mother, are New England people. Here we find a good, plain, nourishing diet, where we are not compelled to eat of that delicacy to the palate of many, namely, a superabundant amount of swine's grease. Here we have been entertained with great kindness and hospitality, and shall long remember this home which we now name the New England House.

To-morrow our good Brn. Decker and Crosby design to make an effort to get us through to Marquette. How we succeed, may be learned by our next report.

Lodi, Wis., March 5, 1862.

N. A.