02.14.002 We decided to go if we could obtain means.

02.14.003 Husband settled with his employer, and found there was ten dollars due him.

02.14.004 With five of this I purchased articles of clothing which we much needed, and then patched my husband's overcoat, even piecing the patches, making it difficult to tell in the sleeves the original cloth.

02.14.005 We had five dollars left to take us to Dorchester.

02.14.006 Our trunk contained nearly everything we possessed on earth.

02.14.007 We enjoyed peace of mind and a clear conscience, and this we prized above earthly comforts.

02.14.008 We called at Bro. Nichols, and as we left, sister N. handed my husband five dollars, which paid our fare to Middletown, Ct.

02.14.009 We were strangers in that city, and had never seen one of the brethren in the State, and had but fifty cents left.

02.14.0010 My husband did not dare to use that to hire a carriage, so he threw the trunk upon a pile of boards, and we walked on in search of some one of like faith.

02.14.0011 We soon found Bro. C. who took us to his house.

02.14.0012 In company with Bro. C. we went to Rocky Hill to meet with the brethren there.

02.14.0013 We were informed of the sickness of Bro. T. Ralph, and called to see him.

02.14.0014 Consumption had marked him for the grave, and he knew that he could not live.

02.14.0015 He was strong in God, and his whole interest was in the truth.

02.14.0016 We left our dear afflicted brother, promising on our return to call again.

02.14.0017 When we called at night we found the young man very near his end.

02.14.0018 His mortal frame was racked with pain.

02.14.0019 We prayed with him, and his heavy breathing and groaning ceased while we were praying.

02.14.0020 The blessing of God rested down in that sick room, and we felt that angels were hovering around.

02.14.0021 He was relieved a little, yet knew that he was dying.

02.14.0022 He tried to have us understand that hope lightened up the future, and that to him it was not a dark uncertainty.

02.14.0023 We understood from broken sentences that he should have part in the first resurrection, and then be made immortal.

02.14.0024 Said he, "Tell Bro. Bates that I will meet him then."

02.14.0025 His faltering tongue often spoke that dear name, so precious to the dying Christian--Jesus--in whom all his hope of eternal life centered.

02.14.0026 He fell asleep in Jesus a few hours after we left.

02.14.0027 My husband attended the funeral.

02.14.0028 There were many present who had listened to his faithful exhortations, and despised them while he was living, and some who had abused him on account of his faith, a short time before.

02.14.0029 They looked upon the countenance of the dead, which bore a pleasant smile, and turned from the sight with quivering lip and moistened eye.

02.14.0030 We could but think, though dead, he speaketh.

02.14.0031 It was the testimony of all present that they had never seen so pleasant and lovely an expression upon the face of the dead.

02.14.0032 We followed the body to the grave, to rest until the righteous dead awake to immortality.

02.14.0033 The conference was held at Rocky Hill, Ct., in the large, unfinished chamber of Bro. Belden's house.

02.14.0034 I will here give an extract of a letter from my husband to Bro. Howland respecting that meeting.

02.14.0035 "April 20th, Bro. Belden sent his two-horse wagon to Middletown for us and the scattered children in that city.

02.14.0036 We arrived at this place about four P. M. In a few minutes in came Brn. Bates and Gurney.

02.14.0037 We had a meeting that evening of about fifteen in all.

02.14.0038 Friday morning the brethren came in until we numbered about fifty.

02.14.0039 They were not all fully in the truth.

02.14.0040 Our meeting that day was very interesting.

02.14.0041 Bro. Bates presented the commandments in a clear light, and their importance was urged home by powerful testimonies.

02.14.0042 The word had effect to establish those already in the truth, and to awaken those who were not fully decided."

02.14.0043 Two years before this I was shown that we should visit Western New York at some future time.

02.14.0044 We were invited to a conference at Volney, in August, 1848. Bro. Edson wrote that they were generally poor, and he could not promise that they would do much towards defraying our expenses, but he would do what he could.

02.14.0045 We had no means to travel with. My husband was suffering with dyspepsy.

02.14.0046 His diet was very spare.

02.14.0047 But the way opened for him to go into the field to mow grass.

02.14.0048 It seemed then that we must live by faith.

02.14.0049 When we arose in the morning we bowed beside our bed, and asked God to give strength to labor through the day.

02.14.0050 We would not be satisfied unless we had the assurance that the Lord heard us pray.

02.14.0051 He then went forth to his labor, not in his own strength, but in the strength of the Lord, to swing the scythe.

02.14.0052 At night when he came home, we would again plead with God for strength to earn means to spread his truth.

02.14.0053 We were often greatly blessed.

02.14.0054 I will give an extract from a letter written to Bro. Howland by my husband, July 2d, 1848.

02.14.0055 "It is rainy to-day so that I do not mow, or I should not write.

02.14.0056 I mow five days for unbelievers, and Sunday for believers, and rest on the seventh day, therefore I have but very little time to write.

02.14.0057 God gives me strength to labor hard all day.

02.14.0058 Praise the Lord! I hope to get a few dollars to use in his cause."

02.14.0059 Again he wrote to Bro. H. July 23d:

02.14.0060 "We have suffered with labor, fatigue, pain, hunger, cold, and heat, while endeavoring to do our brethren and sisters good; and we hold ourselves ready to suffer more if God requires.

02.14.0061 I rejoice to-day that ease, pleasure and comfort in this life, are a sacrifice on the altar of my faith and hope, amen.

02.14.0062 "If our happiness consists in making others happy, we are happy indeed. The true disciple will not live to gratify beloved self; but to Christ, and for the good of his little ones

02.14.0063 "The brethren here are being tried by the gospel straightener. Some here who had to work hard to get a living have been complaining of their lot, and when asked to help in the cause of Christ, have thought very strange.

02.14.0064 O why should we murmur when we feel the curse, we who have a hope of being freed from it.

02.14.0065 The promise is, if we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with him.

02.14.0066 The sufferings of the human race while under the curse, will not raise them to fellow-heirship with Jesus on his throne.

02.14.0067 This is the lot of mortals in this world.

02.14.0068 The heir of God, then, is required to suffer still more.

02.14.0069 Yes, his whole body is to be a living sacrifice unto God.

02.14.0070 He is to sacrifice his ease, his pleasure, his comfort, his convenience, his will, and his own selfish wishes, for Christ's cause, or never reign with him on his throne."