| 718 The Lord has remembered me in his loving kindness. To his name be all the honor and glory.
In January, 1878, I was ordained an elder by Bro. E. M. Wildermuth, at Inland, Iowa. Shortly afterwards I went to Canton, Illinois, and met with the Saints in the Kewanee District conference. At this conference I was appointed a mission in connection with Bro. Joseph A. Crawford. We traveled together some time. We called at Colchester, Illinois, and spent a short time with Sr. Lucy Milliken, sister of Joseph the Martyr, who treated us with every kindness and consideration. Our next point was Tennessee, Illinois, where we held forth for some days in a Baptist church building. Whilst there we were joined by Elder William B. Smith, with whom we visited Sr. Catherine Salisbury, sister of Joseph the Seer. I then went to Missouri and traveled exclusively in the Northeastern Missouri District; labored much in Salt River, where a good sized branch of the church was raised up, and where I had the pleasure of baptizing quite a number. I desire to relate some incidents that happened during one of my visits to this place. At the close of my discourses four married men made application for baptism. Bro. D. Winn was one of the number. On the Sabbath following, we repaired to the water's edge to administer the rite of baptism. I led three of the men into the water and baptized them without any interruption whatever, and likewise led the fourth candidate to the same place as I had the others. Just as I was in the act of performing the ceremony some one called my attention to the man, who appeared to be in a fainting condition. I began leading him out of the water, but before I reached the bank he revived and requested me to take him back. This was repeated two or three times, when suddenly he stopped, and placing his hand to his mouth removed a quid of tobacco and said, "Take me back. I am all right now." I then baptized him without further trouble.
Another time, Bro. David Winn had a little girl who had pined away to a mere skeleton. Her father requested me to administer to her. I went to his house; but after I saw the
(page 718) |
