Visit to Unionville
Visit to Unionville — Visits the classes by request of Rev. Mr. V. — Devoted ministers — Proti-acted meeting — Dangerous illness from the effects of a fall — Significant dream — Prayer answered in her recovery — Church at Clinton.
When the spring opened, brother V., in whose family I had spent the winter, was removed by conference to another place. I now visited Unionville, and was much gratified to find the class here established in a highlyprosperous condition. I remained with them a few weeks, visiting the different members of the class, and pressing upon them the necessity of living a life of holiness. On my return to brother Baldwin’s I was rejoiced to find that conference had supplied the place of Mr.
by sending two ministers instead of one. Middleville, where the infection of infidelity had been spreading its baneful influence, was now favored with the undivided and unremitting pastoral labors of Mr. C. God had indeed answered prayer, and sent to the Church in Springfield a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost. The sadness of my heart was now changed to joy, and I felt renewed courage in praying for the salvation of this people.
During the succeeding autumnal months I was solicited to visit Springfield. From the time that I first united with the Church I had endeavored, by a godly life and conversation, to assure others that I desired only to be a Bible Christian; but upon Mr. V. requesting me to visit the diflferent classes, and press upon them the subject of holiness, I felt an almost consuming zeal in the cause, and was led to express myself on this point far more freely and clearly than ever before. I did not seem permitted to speak of my Savior, except as a perfect Savior, and one able to save from all sin.
My labors were owned and blessed: in one class several covenanted together to seek, till they found, the blessing of entire sanctification.
In a few days sister S. and a young man, who is now a Methodist preacher in Michigan, found the invaluable pearl of perfect love.
In the spring of 1845 the preacher stationed at Middleville was directed to preach at Clinton, a small village one mile below. He possessed both the spirit and power of the Gospel. By precept and example he labored unremittingly to present to God a holy Church, “without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.” In order to proniote a cause so dear to his heart, he circulated such books among the people as would tend to elucidate the subject of holiness. While on a visit to Springfield, this brother came for me, to assist in a protracted meeting at Middleville, which had just commenced. The preachers from Churches in adjacent towns also came to his help, and their labors were very eminently successful: many precious souls were translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.
One morning in December, as I was descending the stairway, my foot slipped, and I fell to the bottom. I knew that I was falling, but all was calm within. I did indeed expert to be killed, but felt entire resignation, knowing that I was going to my dear home in glory. When I reached the bottom I was astonished that not a bone was broken. But my system was a great deal affected by the jar. Soon after I went to Springfield, where I was attacked with a violent hemorrhage, which brought my life once more into imminent danger. During this sickness I one day dreamed that I was walking in Chnton, and as I was passing a blacksmith shop I looked in, and saw on the forge a large quantity of coal. At the side was a huge pair of bellows, which were new, and a man — whom I recognized as brother D. — and several boys, who were endeavoring in vain to make the bellows work. I cast my eyes at the coal, and discovered a single spark, just sufficient to show that it was not entirely extinguished. As I looked at them in their unavailing efforts to bring the bellows down, I said, “You do not work it right: I think I could do it without your help.” They smiled at the idea; but I walked in, took hold of the pole attached to the bellows, and cried out, as I pulled it down, “Lord God Almighty, help!” The difficulty gave way, and as I continued to cry, “Lord, help!” the coal was soon all in a flame. When they saw this they immediately began their work, putting long pieces of iron in the fire, which they drew out red hot, and put on the anvil. They then commenced hammering, when the sparks flew in all directions, and they were able to proceed with their work without difficulty.
On awaking from this sleep I found a Christian friend standing by my bed, to whom I immediately related my dream. When I had finished, he said, “Let us pray.” He then kneeled, and prayed in a very fervent manner for my recovery. He had great liberty in prayer, and when he rose from his knees, he said, “Sister, you will recover; your work is not yet done; your Father will not call you home yet.” I replied, “The will of the Lord be done!” From this period the hemorrhage ceased, and I rapidly gained strength. I was soon able to make a visit to Clinton. On my arrival there I was informed that the Episcopal church edifice was for sale. I at once thouo-ht that the Methodists ousht to have it, and felt an intense desire that they would make the purchase. But how could it be? There were but fifteen members of the Methdist Church, and these worshiped at Middleville. I even made it a subject of prayer, and requested others to join me. There were but three of us who had any faith in praying for it. But we had the promise, “If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them.” This greatly encouraged us, and we presented our requests at the throne of grace, with an unwavering confidence that the Lord would take it into his own hands.
The conference was now in session in Newark. Bishop Janes was informed of our situation, and, on making further inquiries, became deeply interested in our behalf. We found that the Universalists were making an effort to secure the building, and knew that it could not prove otherwise than a curse if they succeeded. At length the presiding elder was appointed to attend to the purchase. This greatly encouraged the members, and they now not only prayed, but laboi*ed in earnest to secure the church. My dream now seemed partially fulfilled. The brother whom I saw in the blacksmith shop was the foremost in this work. Prayer was evidently answered, not only by our success in getting the church, but in having people sent in among us who were disposed to support it. With this dear people my name now stands, and though we are surrounded by opposing influences, our trust is in the name of the Lord, and we are expecting to see this place, which has been led captive by Satan at his will, rescued by the power of the mighty God.