21. Sabbath. Had good speaking-meeting. Preached on Jer. 6:16. Was sent for to visit a sin-sick soul one and one half miles south. Brother Oliver and I went, found him, Bro. John Cowan, scarcely able to be up, in great distress of mind. We read the Word, talked, sang, and prayed until God blessed his soul, and we all rejoiced. His mother shouted and anon praised God for "Winebrennerian religion," declaring it was the old kind and as good as Methodist Episcopal or any other. It was amusing to see them all come down from deep-rooted prejudices. The brother's feet and ankle-bones having received strength, and he having eaten some, came with us to meeting.
22. Had family prayer-meeting at 11 A. M. Examined Brother Mitchell and gave him a phrenological chart.
23. Stormy. A few of us met for prayer. Staid all day at Brother Hibbard's. No meeting. Oh how I longed to be with blessed companion this dreary day and night! Through the night I spent hours listening to the muttering storm. Recalled all the draws between there and home, wondered if any were filled so as to be impassable. Determined to go home the next day if the driving snow would allow me to see three rods.
24. Morning came and the storm nearly subsided. Started for home. Mattie Blaze got into a snow drift in which she could not reach the ground. Could not go through. Had to get out and get her loose from the buggy. Took her to Brother Hafer's, nearby. Warmed myself, then drew the buggy back, hitched up, and drove out another way. Got home all right. Saw Sarah's smiling face. Thank God, the dear creature is well.
March. 2, 1875. We had a glorious day meeting. How my heart leaped with joy to see my beloved Brother Anderson reclaimed again! He has been a special object of my prayers. He is a brother I dearly love.
5. Good day meeting. Brother Briggs related how his little step-daughter was blessed here yesterday. "She told her mother that she felt the Spirit of God knocking at her heart. Then Brother Warner came and took her by the hand and said, 'Give your heart to Jesus,' and she said to Jesus, 'Take my heart.' Then she felt so happy. She got up and spoke like a little soldier." Sister Anderson also told of her little girl's singing Good News Gone to Canaan last eve and she got happy and clapped her hands for joy.
9. Went home with Bro. James A——. Tried to show the domestic duties of religion. It is a delicate task, but the shepherd often finds families that need plain talk on duties to each other and to God in the family. Religion should find its most sacred altar in the family circle. There should its holy affections glow with the greatest warmth. If religion in all its tender affections and holy fruits does not burn on the family altar, the world will fail to see its light. God bless this family.
10. Last night and today a terrible cloud rested on us all. We felt as though the devil had triumphed somewhere.
11. Staid at home. Read and prayed. Felt much depressed. Something is wrong. Satan has a victory somewhere.
12. The dark cloud, thank God, is passing. Find what the difficulty has been. Some of the young men who have been at the altar have been loafing and visiting saloons. Last night after meeting Sister Rebecca Anderson told them of their inconsistency, which I think has broken the devil's chain, hence we had a good meeting today.