Our Disappointment by J. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 10, 1863

Our Disappointment.

By J. Clarke

Conference was appointed in Ohio, Feb. 21 and 22, and by some misfortune we did not get notice till the afternoon of the 21st! Perhaps our Review got accidentally delayed in the post office.

About sunset, Bro. Phillips and I determined to walk out to Gilboa, and be present at the business meeting on Sunday morning—distance about thirty miles. Roads too rough for teams; and we found that the water was too high in the swamps for footmen; indeed it crossed the road in many places, washing deep channels.

Next, we repaired to Westfield Station, where we arrived at about one o'clock, distance eight miles, hoping to take the cars for Leipsic. The night was dark, and winds high. Our lantern was quite a help, but the wind blew it out occasionally.

We stood on the platform about half an hour, jumping and practicing gymnastics to keep warm; for by this time the wind was accompanied with snow, which came down thick and fast; when lo! the agent informed us that the coming train was coming from Leipsic instead of going that way! Imagine our disappointment!

Here we gave up going to Gilboa, and turned back; and, having had a few hours sleep, and a little social interview with a relative, we wended our way homeward, quite sad and disappointed. Thus on Sunday morning, while the brethren at Gilboa were having a blessed time of it, we were wading snow homeward, at about two miles an hour. We would have wept over it, but it was too practical and severe.

To-day, Thursday, I have seen Bro. Van Gorder, who was accidentally (rather, providentially) at Leipsic during the first of the week. He gives us so good an account of the meeting that we almost forget our disappointment, and feel more submissive.

Still we must say that, considering the uncertainty of human institutions, we think that in Ohio, at least, we ought to have three or four weeks' notice of a conference.

Our heart's desire and prayer to God is, that he would revive his work among us.

J. CLARKE.