12. Started for home, anxious to see my blessed wife. This is the longest we have been apart since our marriage—five days. How long the time seems to me, notwithstanding I have been very busy! How lonely she must be! God bless her. Came by way of Seward. Dear Sarah had been way out on the prairie waiting for me.
20. Started for the Oliver Schoolhouse, about twelve and one half miles to the northwest. Dear wife felt so bad to see me leave. The dear creature wept bitterly. Oh, how it pained my heart to leave her feeling so sad! Green's folks were absent, which made it more lonely. O God, must I tear myself away from the dear wife bathed in tears? But 'tis the cause of Christ and I must go. O Lord, comfort her loving heart.
24. Started for Fillmore County. Drove against a very heavy wind.
25. Sabbath. At 11 A. M. preached, Psa. 48:14. The old sod was full of hearers.
26. Drove to Brothers ... and gathered quite a good load of vegetables and feed that these good brethren gave us. Came to Brother Weeter's, where the donation was increased and Brother W. having business at Seward hauled it over for us. God bless these kind people. I fed and ate my dinner on the Blue River. Reached home 3 P. M., found dear wife well.
31. Spent the day at Brothers M—— and B——'s. Busy studying sermon. Eve, preached on Isa. 9:6,7. Studied till twelve at night on sermon for Sabbath eve.
Nov. 1, 1874. Sabbath. This morn arose early and prepared a sermon on the subject of the Sabbath.
2. At three started home. Arrived at dark. Dear wife was very lonesome and almost despaired of my coming home that day. Thank God, we are blessed with a home and a thousand domestic comforts. Oh what a blessing is home when illuminated with the pure love of an affectionate companion!
3. Went to Seward, where were two barrels of apples sent to me by a kind friend in Ohio. May the Lord bless his soul and reward him. He not only donated the apples but paid one dollar for the barrels and $1.25 freight to Chicago. The cost here was $4.20. Not having the money to lift them we let Brother Anderson have one barrel to lift them for us.