Between 1883 and 1889 Mr. Kellogg preached in the neighboring town of Topsham, driving up Saturday afternoon and returning Monday morning. In 1889 he came back to his old pulpit, and there, in the church that had been built for him, he continued to preach, until he died, on March 17, 1901, with this message to his faithful flock upon his lips, “I want to send my love to all these people.”
Journal.
As one reads the journal which Mr. Kellogg kept during these years of struggle, “the years,” as he called them, “of the right hand of the Most High,” one feels that out of the struggle came a character which ease and plenty could not have given him. His boyish enthusiasm, his ready wit, his fun and humor, are all here; and here, too, is the faith of one who walked as seeing the Invisible. He indeed proved the promise, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.”
His abounding gratitude, his childlike faith, his willingness to put his hand in God’s and be led of Him, his love for his people, and the way prayer and deed were beautifully intermingled in his life, may be seen on every page that he wrote during these last years.
May 29, 1882.
I have kept the day as a day of fasting and prayer. I have been called by the church to go to Harpswell. I dare not refuse to go; at the same time I do not see how I can go.... I have this day endeavored to cast my burden on the Lord, feeling that as He has sent me to Harpswell, He will provide me with a way of getting there and enable me to do my necessary work. And I have resolved to trace and set down the different steps by which I am led and to mark the finger of God in them all.
Sabbath, June 18, 1882.
I have preached half a day and the people seemed to make much effort to get to meeting, and seemed, I thought, very tender.
April 2, 1884.
In the evening went to see —— —— and had a most pleasant evening. I believe I can do good in that family.