Bread upon the Waters by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 23, 1864

Bread upon the Waters.

By Joseph Bates

Bro. WHITE: With respect to the appeal, in behalf of our afflicted Bro. Edson in Review of July 26, I wish to add that while on my way from New England to present the third angel's message for the first time as far west as Indiana, fourteen years ago this month, I stopped and had an interesting meeting with Bro. E. and a few friends of the cause. When about to leave for Indiana he offered a large roll of bank bills which he earnestly pressed me to accept from his hand. I declined receiving it, stating that a brother from Connecticut had presented me with $50 to defray my expenses, that would meet my wants. He urged me to take as much of it as needed, saying, I have sold my place and all that I have got is the Lord's to carry forward his cause. Now take all you need. Finally I accepted twenty dollars. This is one only of many instances wherein Bro. E. afterward watched and gladly supplied my wants.

I was stating the circumstances to Bro. D. R. Palmer this morning, how that with their means I was enabled to reach this place with the message, and he with others, received it at that time. "Oh yes," said Bro. D., "I know Bro. Edson, he is a good soul! Here are seven dollars for him, from me and my wife," to which I add five more for self and wife.

Yours in love. Jackson, Mich., July 29, 1864. JOSEPH BATES.