Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 83, 1887

Children

Vohwinkel, Germany

May 28, 1887

This letter is published in entirety in 16MR 251-253.

Dear children:

The night we left Basel, we had, Sister Ings and I, a compartment wholly to ourselves, until we changed cars next morning. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 1

We rode until ten o’clock when we came to Cologne, where we had to wait several hours in the depot and the only waiting room was in the dining hall which was filled with tables prepared for those who wished to eat. I had not the slightest inclination to eat, although I did relish my breakfast. That is the only meal I have enjoyed since leaving home. The old sickness follows me. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 2

We found much more comfortable quarters than we expected to find. But we have no more sunshine here than we had in Basel. It is cold and cloudy and damp all the time. The midday, the sun tries to shine, but it is a feeble, sickly, weak shining. There were the same crowded little rooms for meeting that we have found generally. The meeting room was a dwelling room in a private house. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 3

The people are intelligent and in every way different than those in Italy. But Satan has been and is still at work here to set the believers at variance one with another. Our meeting all day yesterday was to help the believers. I spoke in the forenoon, and then Elder Conradi said they had never had a social meeting. I told him now was the time to break them in. We had a very good social meeting. The meeting did not close until past one o’clock. It commenced at ten. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 4

In the afternoon Brother Conradi held a meeting three hours long and I think labored hard. I lay down. At eight o’clock I spoke again to the people and then left Elder Conradi to finish the meeting, seeking to adjust difficulties. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 5

It is now five A.M., and I am writing sitting up in bed. I have had a miserable time of it thus far. Weak and sick and yet compelled to labor. I think my symptoms are more favorable this morning. There is a great deal of coughing here, and all feel badly because of the cold and the want of sunshine. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 6

The people here are all neat and clean, but I soon perceived musty smells in the bed chamber, and far worse in the little parlor we occupy. I learned the cause. In the cellar came the bleating of goats, so I think that occasioned the smell. I can have all the goat’s milk I want. They have two goats and a kid, but my taste is not now such I enjoy milk. I eat but very little of anything. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 7

Today we mean to see something of their weaving. Men and women are weavers of lace and silk. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 8

My cold made me feel real sick yesterday, but I think I am going to feel better today. I shall speak once today, then we take the cars early for another place about one hour’s ride and speak to the few in that place and Tuesday go on to Copenhagen. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 9

I had Friday night quite a remarkable dream, especially appropriate for this place. I hope, Mary, you will not think of laying off your flannels this summer. I hope you will be blessed with the sweet sunshine and be out in it as much as it is possible. You must not be venturesome. You are too much so. I hope to hear that you are improving in health. I am glad you are not here with Mabel, although had we sweet sunshine, I think you would have gotten along very well with the accommodations. I am sorry, very sorry, you could not accompany us in this journey, but it may be all for the best. We find small houses are being owned by our brethren for the reason that they were compelled to do this or suffer oppression. In one house will be found occupied with three families from the garret down, but all are poor here and have to do as they can. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 10

With much love. 5LtMs, Lt 83, 1887, par. 11

Mother.