Tuesday, September 25. They had meeting at Brother Peter Feiga's. An election was held in which Samuel Feiga was elected speaker, and Tobias Moser deacon. They staid all night at Thomas Clark's.
Brother Kline got home from this journey Sunday evening, October 7. Brother Miller got home the next day. They were gone three weeks and four days.
Monday, December 31. At home. I have this year traveled, mostly on horseback, 4,286 miles, and preached forty-two funeral sermons.
Saturday, January 5, 1856. At home. Cold; snows very fast all day.
Saturday, January 12. Snows all this day again, very fast. Sleighing is likely to be fine for a while; a rare occurrence in our State.
Sunday, January 20. Snows all this day, again. The snow is now very deep, and as it is not drifted sleighing will be surpassingly fine.
Monday, January 21. Brother John Zigler of Timberville dies very suddenly this morning, at the age of sixty-nine years, two months and twenty-seven days. This is county court day in Harrisonburg. I am told this evening by some who were present, that there were hundreds of sleighs of all shapes and sizes to be seen in the streets. So far as my knowledge extends, a scene like that has never before been witnessed in Harrisonburg. The roads in all directions are in a surpassingly fine condition for sleighing. The roads are all paved with crystals more valuable than all the diamonds that have ever shone in the crowns of kings.
Friday, February 29. Council meeting at the Brick church, in Augusta County. To-day we discuss the question of the propriety of making a move to more generally propagate the Gospel. Most of the brethren and sisters present seemed to be heartily in favor of the move. One brother, John Harshberger, said: "If the Gospel is not true, let us eat and drink like other beasts, for to-morrow we die; but if the Gospel be true—and thanks be unto God, for we know it is true—it is worthy of all acceptation; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. But how can any one believe in him of whom he has not heard? And how can any one hear without a preacher? And how can any preach except he be sent? I am in favor of trying to do more in every way than we have ever yet attempted, to spread the good news of salvation.
"'Salvation! let the echo fly
The spacious earth around,