Stopping in the Snow On the Way to Waukon 1856 1 1
Sarah Sutter 2 2
In 1855 I was shown the danger of those brethren who moved from the East to the West of becoming worldly minded, and warnings were given me for them. I saw that it was right that some of the brethren East should move West; that the brethren in those rugged, New England States have more experience, and are more accustomed to endure trials and hardships than the brethren West; and that it is in the order of God that some move West. But there are those who have it in their minds to move West for the sake of gain. (2SG 212) 3 3
This should not be their object. Their object should be to glorify God, and advance his cause. And to accomplish this, they must live out their faith, and show that they regard the present truth above everything else. I saw that it would be in the order of God for brethren in the East to associate with those West, and if they were standing in the counsel of God, they could be of great benefit to the brethren West by their example and experience. {2SG 212.2} 4 4
I saw that those who move West should be like men waiting for their Lord. Be a living example, said the angel, to those in the West. Let your works show that you are God s peculiar people, and that you have a peculiar work, the last message of mercy to the world. Let your works show to those around you that this world is not your home. 5 5
I saw that those who have entangled themselves should go free, break the snare of the Enemy. Lay not up treasure upon earth, but show by your lives that you are laying up treasure in heaven. If God has called thee West, he has a work for thee to do, an exalted work. Let your faith and experience help those who have not a living experience. Let not the attraction be to this poor, dark world, but let it be upward to God, glory and heaven. Let not the care and perplexity of farms here engross the mind, but contemplate Abraham s farm. We are heirs to that immortal inheritance. Wean your affections from earth, and dwell upon heavenly things. {2SG 213.1} 6 6
If those moving from the East to the West had regarded these warnings, and had stood in the counsel of God, he would have wrought through them to the salvation of many souls. But many who moved West have set an example of love for this world and covetousness, and their works have shown that their object in settling West was for gain, and not to save souls. The special frown of God has rested upon those who have taken this course, especially upon some the Lord had called into the gospel field. {2SG 214.1} 7 7
Who are the brethren that moved from the East to the West? 8 8
J. N. Andrews 9 9
John N. Loughborough 10 10
This was a time when the West with its good farmland was opening up to settlers. This lured many families from their rocky New England farms to the promise of a more comfortable and easy life. The Everts and Harts, with whom the Whites had associated in Round Grove, were examples.[the Everts and Harts had come from New England.] Two other families with whom they were well acquainted the Andrews and Stevens families of Paris, Maine had moved to Waukon, Iowa, and the J. N. Loughborough family had joined them. {1BIO 345.3} 11 11
ME WI MI NY IL 12 12
This removed from the work two young and fruitful ministers. These and their close associates were dissatisfied with moving the Review office from Rochester to Battle Creek, and they did not join James White and others on the matter of the Laodicean message. While she was at Round Grove a vision was given to Ellen White on Tuesday, December 9. She wrote: 13 13
We labored some weeks in Round Grove, and the Lord blessed our efforts. In a vision given me there, I was shown the state of those brethren who had moved to Wawkon, [Waukon,] Iowa. Nearly all of them were in darkness, opposed to the work of God. Their sympathy was withdrawn from the Review Office, and from the church of God generally. Satan had planted the seeds of dissatisfaction, and the fruit was ripening. It was what might be called a more respectable Messenger party. {2SG 217.1} 14 14
I saw that they needed help, that Satan s snare must be broken, and precious souls rescued. I did not see that it was our duty to go to them, but as I had been shown their condition, I felt anxious to go. It was a great distance, and in the winter. It was exceedingly difficult, and somewhat dangerous a journey, yet I felt urged on, to go to Wawkon [Waukon]. My mind could not be at ease until we decided to go trusting in the Lord. 15 15
It was then good sleighing. Preparations were made to go with two horses and a sleigh, but it rained for twenty-four hours, and the snow was fast disappearing. My husband thought the journey must be given up. My mind could not rest. It was agitated concerning Wawkon [Waukon]. 16 16
Bro. H. said to me, Sr. White, what about Wawkon [Waukon]? Said I, We shall go. Yes, said he, if the Lord works a miracle. Many times that night I was at the window watching the weather, and about day-break there was a change, and it commenced snowing. The next night about five o clock, we were on our way to Wawkon [Waukon], brethren E. and H., husband and self. 17 17
Ellen White was insistent. To reach Iowa, the Mississippi River had to be crossed, either by boat or on the ice, and it was now early winter. Observing Ellen White s convictions, Brethren Hart and Everts were impressed to take the Whites by sleigh. {1BIO 346.1} 18 18
Sven Laqua 19 19
20 Teresa Alexander-Arab 20
We held meetings with the brethren at Green Vale, Ills., and were there blocked in nearly a week with a severe snow-storm. Thursday we ventured to pursue our journey. Weary, cold and hungry, we called at a hotel a few miles from the Mississippi river. The next morning, about four o clock, it commenced raining. We felt urged on, and rode through the rain, while the horses broke through the snow at almost every step. We made many inquiries about crossing the river, but none gave us encouragement that we could cross. 21 21
Mary J.I._flickr 22 22
Sonny Cohen 23 23
24 circa 1900s 24
The ice was mostly composed of snow, and there lay upon the top of it one foot of water. When we reached the river Bro. H. arose in the sleigh and said, Is it Iowa, or back to Illinois? We have come to the Red sea, shall we cross? We answered, Go forward, trusting in Israel s GOD. We ventured upon the ice, praying as we went. We were carried safely across, and as we ascended the Iowa bank of the river, we united in praising the Lord. A number told us after we crossed, that no amount of money would have tempted them to cross, and that a number had broken in. They could not save their teams, and barely escaped with their lives. 25 25
I never witnessed so cold weather. The brethren would watch each other to see if they were freezing. And we would often hear, Brother, your face is freezing, you had better rub the frost out as soon as possible! Your ear is freezing! You nose is freezing! I found my coon-skin robe of real service. {2SG 219.1} 26 26
They arrived at Waukon. 27 27
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West of Waukon 29 The Greater Southwestern Exploration 29
Years later Loughborough gave a vivid description of the meeting of the travelers with the believers in Waukon. As Brother Hosea Mead and I were working on a store building in Waukon, a man looking up saw me, and inquired, Do you know a carpenter around here by the name of Hosea Mead? I replied, Yes, sir, he is up here working with me. Brother Mead said, That is Elon Everts voice. Then he came and looked down, and Brother Everts said, Come down; Brother and Sister White and Brother Hart are out here in the sleigh. {1BIO 348.6} 30 30
As I reached the sleigh, Sister White greeted me with the question What doest thou here, Elijah? Astonished at such a question, I replied, I am working with Brother Mead at carpenter work. The second time she repeated, What doest thou here, Elijah? Now I was so embarrassed at such a question, and the connecting of my case with Elijah, that I did not know what to say. It was evident that there was something back of all this which I should hear more about. {1BIO 348.10} 31 31
The third time she repeated the question, What doest thou here, Elijah? I was brought by these bare questions to very seriously consider the case of Elijah, away from the direct work of the Lord, hid in a cave.... The salutation most thoroughly convinced me that there was going to come a change, and a go-back from the labor in which I was then engaged. {1BIO 349.2} 32 32
My Dear Children: Here we are, twelve miles from Waukon. We have had a tedious time in getting thus far. Yesterday our horses for miles had to plow through snow very deep, but on we came, feeling confident that our mission was of God. Last Monday we could get no food that was fit to eat, and therefore rode in the coldest weather I ever saw, from morning until night, with nothing to eat but one apple. Oh, how thankful I shall be to see home, sweet home, again, and my three dear boys, Henry, Edson, and Willie. 33 33
Children, strive to do right, and love the Lord for His merciful kindness to you all. Obey those who have the care of you as you would your parents. Be kind to each other, and yield to each other s wishes. Don't become unsteady. Read the precious word of God. You should be thankful for your comfortable home. We often suffer with cold on account of unfinished and open houses. Last night we slept in a chamber where there was an opening through the top of the stovepipe. If it had stormed, it would have come direct in our faces. Pray for us. Unless the Lord opens the way for us to return, we may be blocked in with snow, and have to remain all winter. 34 34
I hope, dear Henry, that you are a good boy, and are happy in doing right. Continue to strive to be faithful in all things. We received your letter, and were much pleased to hear from you. We think you have made improvements in setting type. Be faithful, children, in all things. The Lord will soon come and take the good and holy to Himself. We want you to live among the pure and holy angels in heaven, and wear a crown of gold, and eat of the tree of life. Trust in the Lord at all times. Listen to the voice of conscience. Love God and you will have His approving smile. What a thought, to have the great God, the maker of the heavens and the earth, to smile upon and love you. Dear children, seek for this, pray for it, live for it. 35 Your Affectionate Mother. (RH, February 16, 1939) 35
Should we undertake to give a full description of the triumphant meetings at Waukon, we should fall far short of doing justice to the subject. We close our remarks by adding that these meetings were the most powerful we had witnessed in years, and in many respects the most wonderful we ever witnessed.... We were... many times paid for facing the prairie winds and storms on our long and tedious journey to northern Iowa. RH, Jan. 15, 1857. 36 36