Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 163, 1904

Hall, L. M.

Elkhart, Indiana

May 16, 1904

Portions of this letter are published in MRmnt 121; 5Bio 330.

Dear Sister Hall,—

Here we are in a hotel. I suppose Clarence told you that our train started at half-past seven from Washington instead of half-past six. We reached Milford Junction just five minutes too late to catch the train for Berrien Center. We had to wait at Milford Junction for five hours. The tobacco smoke in the station was very annoying to me, and Willie found a lady living about five minutes’ walk from the station who said that I might stay in her house while I waited. This lady, Mrs. Muntz, lives by herself, and she made Sara and Maggie and me feel very much at home in her sitting room, which has, among other furniture, several old-fashioned rocking chairs. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 1

Mrs. Muntz is an elderly lady and is a Dunkard, or a German Baptist. She is a very pleasant woman and seemed to enjoy talking with us. She says that she respects all Christians. I spoke about the work we are trying to do, and her face brightened as I told her something of our efforts to do missionary work. She told me that were her husband living, he would enjoy talking with me; for he was a very religious man and a great reader. I told her that I was a writer of books and employed several helpers, and she was much interested. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 2

While we were talking, a young woman with a child in her arms came in, and we soon found out that she was a Seventh-day Adventist. She was much interested in what I told them about our work in Washington and other places. She is the wife of the night operator at Milford Junction and the only Sabbathkeeper in the place, I think. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 3

Another neighbor came in during the evening and in the course of the conversation asked me if I would explain to her about the Sabbath. I began by reading a text in the first of Genesis. Then I read the fourth commandment. When I had read this, they said, “Yes, but Sunday is the seventh day.” I explained to them that Sunday is the first day, and that the day called Saturday by the world is the seventh day. Then I read the last six verses of the thirty-first chapter of Exodus, where the Sabbath is clearly specified as the sign between God and His people. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 4

I had not time to say much, but what I read was sufficient, I hope, to lead them to search the Scriptures for themselves. I told them that Christ kept the Sabbath, and that the women rested on the seventh day, “according to the commandment,” and on the first day of the week brought spices and ointment to His sepulcher. [Luke 23:56; 24:1.] 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 5

I read several other texts, and Mrs. Muntz wrote down all the references as I gave them. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 6

Before we parted, we had a season of prayer together, and they seemed to appreciate this greatly. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 7

At half-past nine we went over to the station, the three women accompanying us. The night was dark and foggy, and Mrs. Muntz brought her lantern to light us over. I introduced her to Elder Daniells and Professor Prescott. As she kissed me goodbye, she said, “If you ever come this way again, you must call on me. I shall be so glad to see you.” 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 8

This was our experience at Milford Junction. We think that perhaps our delay was in the providence of God. It may be the means of arousing an interest in the truth. We need workers in every place, and we need, O so much, the deep moving of the Spirit of God. May the Lord help us to teach our people in every place how to work for Him, is my prayer. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 9

We waited in the station at Milford Junction till nearly eleven o’clock. Half an hour’s ride on the train brought us to this place. We came directly to a hotel, and by about twelve o’clock we were all in bed. It was sometime before I could get to sleep, and I woke at about half-past three. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 10

Berrien Springs, Tuesday morning. It is eleven o’clock, and we have just reached here. We found no one to meet us at Berrien Center, so we came out in two hacks. We are living in Brother Magan’s house, and we are very comfortable. 19LtMs, Lt 163, 1904, par. 11