Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

616 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[672]where she could at once come to us on our return, wrote to her to cometo us as soon as possible, to which she responded as follows:“Leland, Leelenaw County, Michigan,February 20, 1868.“My dear Brother White: Yours of February 3 is received. It foundme in poor health, not being accustomed to these cold northern winters,with the snow three or four feet deep on a level. Our mails are broughton snowshoes.“It does not seem possible for me to get to you till spring opens.The roads are bad enough without snow. They tell me my best wayis to wait till navigation opens, then go to Milwaukee, and thence toGrand Haven, to take the railroad to the point nearest your place. I hadhoped to get among our dear people last fall, but was not permitted theprivilege.“The truths which we believe seem more and more important, andour work of making ready a people prepared for the Lord’s comingis not to be delayed. We must not only have on the wedding garmentourselves, but be faithful in recommending the preparation to others. Iwish I could get to you, but it seems impossible, or at least impracticable,in my delicate state of health to set out alone on such a journeyin the depth of winter. When is the General Conference to which youallude? And where? I suppose the Review will eventually inform me.“I think my health has suffered from keeping the Sabbath alone inmy chamber, in the cold; but I did not think I could keep it where allmanner of work and worldly conversation was the order of the day, aswith Sundaykeepers. I think it is the most laborious working day withthose who keep first day. Indeed, it does not seem to me that the bestof Sundaykeepers observe any day as they should. Oh, how I long tobe again with Sabbathkeepers! Sister White will want to see me in thereform dress. Will she be so kind as to send me a pattern, and I willpay her when I get there. I suppose I shall need to be fitted out when Iget among you. I like it much. Sister Thompson thinks she would liketo wear the reform dress.“I have had a difficulty in breathing, so that I have not been able tosleep for more than a week, occasioned, I suppose, by the stovepipe’sparting and completely filling my room with smoke and gas at bedtime,and my sleeping there without proper ventilation. I did not, at the time,suppose smoke was so unwholesome, nor consider that the impure gas