17. Passed once more the old schoolhouse where I gave my heart to God (February, 1865). Thank God for that step. Oh how glad I am that it was ever my lot to become a Christian! A beautiful house of worship stands near the place, belonging to the Church of God.
25. This is my birthday. Thirty-two years have passed over my head. How the time has flown! Oh God! blot out of my past years all that is wrong and help me give all that remain to thee and thy cause.
July 8, 1874. This is my dear Sarah's birthday. She is nineteen years of age.
24. Bro. Lewis Williams took us and our goods to New Washington. Had a good talk at the depot with Brother A——. He seemed very much dissatisfied with my having organized a church in Upper Sandusky. Intimated that it would make me trouble. Oh that God would save his preachers from envy and vindictive cruelty in biting and devouring each other! Whatever the Eldership may do in my case, I am certain that I did what I have done through pure motives to the glory of God, for the good of his cause, and I believe with his approbation.
30. This morn went to West Unity, thence to Father John Kerr's in Fulton County. Eve, went to prayer-meeting. Heard a good number of my scholars testify for Jesus, thank God. Meeting was led by Bro. G. W. Dustin, who is a noble young man. Since he attended my school, I have felt impressed that God desired to make a minister out of him. I pray that God may lead him into all truth.
August 11, 1874. Father, Mother and Brother Joseph brought us to Bryan. Bade farewell to the friends once again. Reached Goshen about four. Found Mr. Guiss, my brother-in-law. Reached his home in New Paris about dusk. My sister's health is poor.
15. Preached in New Paris from Matt. 24:3. Four young brethren and two sisters were there from Syracuse.
16. Brother Keller came after us early this morning to convey us out to Syracuse, where I preached at 10:30 A. M.; Psa. 144:15. Went home with Charles Strombeck, whose companion is sick. Prayed for her. She seemed strengthened. Four brethren each put a dollar into my hand. Returned to town. Eve, preached on Ezek. 43:10,11. Diagramed on the board. House full. A collection was taken up for me. Never did I find such overabundant kind and benevolent people. They seem as near to me as though I had preached for years in their midst. God will surely bless them and greatly reward their kind liberality.
17. Took train at 10:20 A. M., reached Elkhart at eleven, laid over until 4:13 P. M. Reached Chicago 8 P. M.; Brother Shoemaker met us at the train and conducted us to his house.