p. 64 | U. S by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 24, 1885

U. S

By Uriah Smith

Notes by the Way. No. 3.

TUESDAY, Oct. 17, closed our short sojourn at Dansville, N. Y. The regular and quiet life led at "Our Home," calling for no immediate resumption of Notes by the Way, we concluded to wait till the close of our experience in that direction before reporting. The amount we have furnished for the paper may seem meagre to those who would think our present relaxation from the Office and its cares, a favorable time for lengthy reports. But we have only to reply that we did not leave for the purpose of acting the correspondent especially; that is, not so much for the purpose of writing, as of resting.

Horace Greeley once said, at a particular season of the year when the public was calling loudly for the completion of his "History of the Great Rebellion," that the weather was very good for corn and turnips, but very bad for history! So we can say of "Our Home" at Dansville: while it is an excellent place for health, promoted by good air, pleasant scenery, social company, and an abundance of food, which is plain and healthful, and withal most relishable to an unperverted taste; yet it is a very poor place for editorials—very. Indeed, one of the prime things which the hygienic faculty of that Institution profess to be able to accomplish, is to take a person worn and wearied with unremitted mental effort, and teach him to put a stop to that exhausting process; in other words, to live without thought; and this, the reader will at once perceive, is death to an editor—no, not that—life to an editor, but death to his editorship.

Our stay at Dansville has been most pleasant and agreeable. We know not how any person could find it otherwise; since from the "Physician-in-chief," down to the humblest employee, all are constantly laboring to that end. In all that is there practiced as amusements, though in itself, perhaps, innocent enough, our readers are doubtless well aware that we cannot join. Yet no person need come into contact with these things further than he chooses. They exist as recommendations simply, not as rules. The largest liberty is allowed, and to none of the regulations of "Our Home" which take the form of requirements, can any one, however fine may be his conscientious scruples, take any exception. We leave, feeling refreshed and invigorated by our stay, though short, and persuaded from what we have seen, heard, and experienced, that whoever is within the reach of hygienic influences can receive the full benefit of such influences at that place.

Sabbath, the 14th inst., the day of fasting and prayer, was recognized and observed by the few Sabbath-keepers there as best our facilities would permit. Very different from former occasions of this kind, which we have enjoyed with all the privileges of the house of prayer, and a large congregation of those of like faith, yet it was not without its blessings and its benefits. At the commencement of the Sabbath, a season of prayer was held by a few of us in our room, and another Sabbath forenoon in a beautiful grove. These were good seasons. The blessing of the Lord seemed abundantly present, and both seasons were especial times of enjoyment to Bro. White. For a week previous to this time, he had not seemed to be gaining. His nervous condition was growing quite unfavorable, resulting in a loss of sleep. He is now improving in that respect. We believe he will come up rapidly. He is of good hope, courage and faith, and still wishes to be remembered by the brethren and sisters in their prayers.

Of Brn. Loughborough and Bourdeau, we can report favorably. They are gaining, with every prospect of continuing to do so more and more. Let us hope that all these worn servants of the cause of truth, will regain their health and strength sooner than can now be anticipated, and, above all, that whenever in the good providence of God, it shall please him to prepare them to enter the field again, they may be raised to a degree of strength and vigor that will enable them to accomplish the great work yet to be done. Could we look upon it that they are now resting and recruiting preparatory to some important movement in this work, would it not be as comforting a view as could be taken of this matter? And may not this be correct?

U. S

Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 17, 1865.