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In Ohio

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 29, 1863

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 23, No. 5.

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In Ohio.

By J. H. Waggoner

It was my earnest desire to return to Ohio at an earlier day; but my own health has not been good, and there has been more sickness in my family the past fall than in any season for several years. This has detained me. A few words about meetings in Michigan may not be out of place.
The quarterly meeting at Matteson, was not largely attended. It was just at the season when Brn. did not feel willing to leave their labor to come a distance. But the result was good. New courage was given to some, to whom I pray the Lord to give abiding comfort.
The meeting at Hillsdale, was a good one, for which the way had been prepared by the visit of Bro. and Sr. Byington. The cloud was moving off, and almost all were free. One dear brother whom Satan had bound down in discouragement had concluded to give up, but then resolved to throw off the chain, was baptized, and went free. The ordinances were attended on first-day evening. I hope the time will soon come when all will more highly prize the privileges of the ordinances of the Lord.
I spent one Sabbath with the church at Salem, Ind. I was reminded at that meeting of the time spoken of by the prophet when 'the people had a mind to work.' How it cheers the heart of a minister to have all rise up at the close of a sermon and give a ready, cheerful testimony. The church at Salem have had 'the lot of the righteous'—some tribulation and persecutions; but he who numbers the hairs of our heads will never forsake those who trust in him.
The monthly meeting at Colon, was truly refreshing. There also the ordinances were celebrated. These meetings more than all others, bind the hearts of the children of God together, and therefore should not be neglected. I mean the ordinance meetings. I fear too many have failed in this respect in times past. I pity those members who absent themselves on such occasions. I cannot afford to lose them.
Three Sabbaths I spent at Battle Creek, and Sabbaths spent there are always profitable to me. The one at the time of the Association meeting; the one preceding; and again the 12th inst., which was the last I spent in Michigan. This last was a solemn day. Solemn to all because of the sad news just received of the bereavement of Bro. and Sr. White, and I may say of the church: for all who knew Henry, must feel his loss. Rarely do the Christian graces shine so brightly in the young. Would there were more of the youth like him!
The most profitable of all my meetings were held with the church in Burlington. By the help of good brethren and sisters I have been trying to walk in the 'valley of humiliation;' and I trust, like Bunyan's Pilgrim, I shall have a pleasant walk if I succeed in finding good footing at the bottom of the valley. By my own experience and observation I have learned that all are apt to stumble more or less in going down, and few succeed in getting safely down alone. And it seems to be a peculiarity of that locality, that no one seems to feel the need of help there, though slipping at every step; and those who offer to help are considered meddlesome and obtrusive. And some, refusing aid from their fellow travelers, are so unfortunate as to receive a fatal fall before they reach the valley. Whether Pilgrim missed the sight, or whether Satan has erected it since, I know not; but I discovered the 'image of jealousy' over against the hill leading to the valley, and those who bow to it are sure to get bruised on the way, if they escape with life. But enough! Brethren, I am not dreaming at all. Every 'wayfaring man' can see these things.
Had it not been for the request to preach a funeral sermon at Gilboa, I should have gone directly on to Ashtabula county. When I decided on the time to be at Gilboa, I was near the S. M. R. R. It was Dec. 6, and knowing that I could not get an appointment to them by the Review, for Dec. 10, I sent by letter. This would go to Toledo the 7th, to Ottawa the 8th, and to Gilboa the 10th; giving time to have the appointment given out the Sabbath previous, that was, the 12th. I encountered the storm and severe cold to meet the appointment, and arriving there found the letter safely laid up in the Gilboa post office: I think it creditable to all concerned that it was taken patiently. The appointed sermon was preached on the 20th, but many who desired to be present on the occasion could not be notified. May the Lord sustain the 'little flock' in Gilboa. Their number has decreased both by death and removals; I hope the 'things that remain' may not fail. Walking by sight, we shall find enough to discourage; walking by faith, there is full enough to encourage us. The 'far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory' eclipses then the things of earth, and shuts them out of view. 'Lord, increase our faith.'
When last at Lovett's Grove, about eight months since, I made an appeal in behalf of the children. The church felt and responded to it; and the Lord blessed their efforts. I am invited to spend next Sabbath there, and baptize some. I expect then to proceedimmediately eastward. My address, for the present, will be Orwell, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Leipsic, Dec. 22, 1863