Harris, Albert
New York, New York
November 12, 1890
Portions of this letter are published in 2MR 332.
Dear Brother,
I received your letter with the receipt of the fruit which you have sent to me. I am very thankful for your kindness and liberality. I will in return send you books as fast as they come from the press. I will send you Fireside Sketches, a work that Edson, our son, has published, and a work on Temperance, that is now being bound which I am sure will please you. I send you Patriarchs and Prophets. You can sell or give yours away that you now have. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 1
Willie and Sara and I have been attending a series of meetings. It was a trial trip with me. I did not know how I would endure the fatigue of journeying and the speaking, traveling in all kinds of weather and having to put up with all kinds of conveyances and all kinds of fare. If I have appointments they must be filled, rain or snow or sunshine. I thank my heavenly Father I have been enabled through Christ strengthening me, to stand at my post and bear my testimony with freedom in the demonstration of the Spirit. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 2
My first appointment was at Adams Center, New York. This is in a Seventh-day Baptist community and they attended the meetings. Quite a large number of them were much prejudiced, but the prejudice they confessed was all gone when they heard me speak. The meeting house was full all through the meetings. We had here a good and convenient place to tarry in, a pilgrim’s resting place. Sister Green was a widow and true as steel to her profession of faith. I spoke here three times, but in affliction. The inflammation was in my ear—a sore was gathering—but the Lord helped me. Sunday relief came. It broke, but Monday the pain was very severe. Yet we took the cars for Rome on our way to South Lancaster. We were made welcome [by] Bro. Place, an efficient minister in the cause of God, proclaiming the truth. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 3
Tuesday morning we again stepped on board the cars. It was raining. We reached South Lancaster. Here we remained over two Sabbaths. I spoke fourteen times. The burden of labor was upon me. The Lord gave me precious tokens of His love and His rich grace. The difficulty came with great force again upon me—pain in my head—but the Lord did not leave me comfortless. He gave me His grace to bear my affliction. Tuesday I was still afflicted and was delayed a day, but spoke to the students Wednesday in the academy with much freedom and left that noon. It was pouring down rain. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 4
We reached Brooklyn, New York about midnight, and early next morning were on our way for Pennsylvania meeting. Here we came in to Salamanca, New York about eleven o’clock in a snow storm. We had a good home here. We stopped with a brother who has recently embraced the truth. He was an overseer—over one-hundred and twenty-five hands. He attended to the settling with the hands and overseeing and keeping them employed. He received one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month. After receiving the Sabbath, he sent in his resignation, telling them he could not work on the Sabbath, but they did not discharge him and he has worked nearly a year now, faithful and true to do his duty, both to his God and to man. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 5
Here I spoke three times to the people, my head still afflicted. When almost discouraged thinking I must give up the future appointments, when as I knelt to pray, suddenly the glory of the Lord shone around about me. The whole room seemed to be filled with the presence of God. I was happy, so happy, I did not sleep scarcely any of that night because of gladness of heart and peace and comfort from the Lord which passeth knowledge. I said nothing more about returning home, but went to the depot in a snowstorm. We had to tarry at a hotel that night and next day at noon we were at Sands, Virginia. Here we had very excellent meetings. I spoke seven times. Willie spoke Sabbath forenoon with much freedom. Our meetings closed Monday night. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 6
I was glad of the privilege of speaking to this people. They seemed to be so eager to hear the testimony given me of the Lord for them. We were blessed with pleasant weather all the way through. Sunday, the people came from all directions—outsiders. There were nine hundred and thirty-five; about one-half could get into the meeting house. Platforms were raised from the ground. The windows were opened and hundreds stood upon the raised platforms outside the house. The aisles were packed; every seat was full; and they listened with interest. I was astonished at their quiet and at the interest they manifested. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 7
Well, the Lord has indeed wrought for us on this journey. Early Tuesday morning we took the cars [at] half past six for Washington, D. C. and arrived there at twelve o’clock noon. Wednesday night spoke to a hallful of intelligent, noble-looking people. About one hundred are keeping the Sabbath in Washington, D. C. I had such freedom in speaking to the people and they eagerly received the words spoken, then came with outstretched hands to welcome me and say Farewell and tell me how much good the words spoken had done them and begged me to come and stay with them a few weeks. I made a conditional promise and had to tear myself away for the carriage was at the door to take me immediately to the cars which left ten o’clock that night. I took a sleeper and arrived in New York City half-past six in the morning, Thursday. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 8
I have spoken this day, once, to an interested hallful. Every available seat was full. The platforms were full and the Lord gave me His Holy Spirit in speaking to the people. We spend two Sabbaths here. This is an important part of the Lord’s vineyard. About one hundred have embraced the [truth] and if they become light-bearers to the world, they will flash the light upon the darkened minds of hundreds. May the Lord fit them up for His great work is my prayer. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 9
Now I must stop. I thank you for your kindness and liberality to me. I shall never forget your favors. I shall think much of [the] fruit, but I shall think more of the manifestation of your thoughtfulness and the evidence of your love. May the Lord bless you and your dear companion and little ones is my sincere wish and prayer. 6LtMs, Lt 72a, 1890, par. 10