Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 46, 1875

Hall, Lucinda

McConnell’s Grove, Illinois

June 17, 1875

Portions of this letter are published in 10MR 33.

Dear Sister Lucinda:

We left Sheridan yesterday morning. Brother Hobbs brought us on our way some miles to Somonauk(?) where we took the cars for Freeport and on to Lena where two teams were waiting for us to take our baggage and ourselves to Brother Brown’s, seven miles, where we now are to tarry overnight. We find here a pleasant retreat, a home in a valley. The house seems to be in the woods surrounded with trees, a romantic-looking place indeed, very pretty withal. From here they take us by private conveyance sixteen miles to Monroe. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 1

We both bear the wear and labor very well. We are of good courage. Our last camp meeting was one of the best we ever held. There was the best feeling with all we have ever seen. Our camp meeting last year in the same place was of that nature to discourage. The Ministers were paid but six dollars per week for their labor, and they were discouraged by Brethren Butler and Haskell in many ways, while much means were urged to carry on varying enterprises, leaving their own conference destitute of means to pay their own ministers in the conference. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 2

We did find matters in a deplorable condition, but with the help of God we brought courage and light and hope to the conference. We talked plainly but we talked encouragingly. We had truly the best meetings we ever had in camp meetings. We talked plainly with Brother Steward and when the meeting closed he stated that if we had made him a gift of a thousand dollars he would not have prized it one quarter as much as he did the light and courage and hope brought to him in this meeting. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 3

And this is the expression of the feeling of all who attended the meeting, especially with the ministers. We feel grateful indeed for the Spirit of the Lord which was given us and for the good results seen of our labor at this meeting. All were so grateful for our labors. It makes our work so much easier to find men and women who are willing to be helped. I know that you will all be glad to hear of the good result of these meetings. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 4

Strawberries are just coming round. We had a supply for our lunch yesterday, and we have a portion for our breakfast, raised in this beautiful valley on the banks of the Picatowick River. I have been writing this while preparations are being made for breakfast. I see a liberal breakfast prepared and we are ready for it indeed. We ate an early breakfast yesterday, rode all day in cars and sixteen miles by private conveyance; I do not know how many by rail. We see a very great work to do and we want the armor on, and to be ready to take hold of the work with earnestness and carry it forward in love and yet prosecute it with vigor. If our labor ended with speaking to the people it would be comparatively light, but we have to have a part in all the business meetings and decide matters in all important enterprises, and then seize our pens as soon as we can get a moment’s leisure and write the most important matter, requiring thought and great carefulness. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 5

Breakfast is ready. Father is hungry; I must not wait one moment. My husband is very attentive to me, seeking in every way to make my journeyings and labor pleasant and relieve it of weariness. He is very cheerful and of good courage. We must now work and with carefulness preserve our strength, for there are thirteen more camp meetings to attend. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 6

Brother Smith proves to be an excellent laborer. May the Lord keep him from every wrong influence. He is growing all the time. He sees and realizes the wants of the cause of God as he passes through these camp meetings. He seems to have a word just for the occasion every time, and his is just the gift the meetings need. There is such a thing as having too much practical and straight, close work and not enough of the doctrinal. Practical and doctrinal combined will be of the best account and produce the best results in the work for this time in fitting up a people for translation to heaven. Breakfast is over, and now prayers, and then we start for Monroe. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 7

Brother Smith enjoys the scenery very much. It is just the change he needs. I can write but a few lines now. When we get to Monroe I may have more to say than I now have. I hope you will all cling to the Mighty One and never lean to your own strength. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 8

Be cheerful in God. Write us all the particulars and every scrap of news you can afford to. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 9

I hope our dear children will do all the good they can and be true to principle. 2LtMs, Lt 46, 1875, par. 10

Mother.