Testimonies for the Church Volume One
Page 577
Paragraph 2

In this state of things it was decided that we would return
to Battle Creek and there remain while the roads were in a
muddy, broken-up condition, and that I would there
complete No. 12. My husband was very anxious to see his brethren
at Battle Creek and speak to them and rejoice with them
in the work which God was doing for him. I gathered up my
writings, and we started on our journey. On the way we held
two meetings in Orange and had evidence that the church

578

was profited and encouraged. We were ourselves refreshed
by the Spirit of the Lord. That night I dreamed that I was in
Battle Creek looking out from the side glass at the door and
saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They
looked stern and determined. I knew them well and turned
to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would
look again. The scene was changed. The company now
presented the appearance of a Catholic procession. One bore in
his hand a cross, another a reed. And as they approached, the
one carrying a reed made a circle around the house, saying
three times: "This house is proscribed. The goods must be
confiscated. They have spoken against our holy order." Terror
seized me, and I ran through the house, out of the north
door, and found myself in the midst of a company, some of
whom I knew, but I dared not speak a word to them for fear
of being betrayed. I tried to seek a retired spot where I might
weep and pray without meeting eager, inquisitive eyes wherever
I turned. I repeated frequently: "If I could only understand
this! If they will tell me what I have said or what I have
done!"

I wept and prayed much as I saw our goods confiscated. I
tried to read sympathy or pity for me in the looks of those
around me, and marked the countenances of several whom I
thought would speak to me and comfort me if they did not
fear that they would be observed by others. I made one
attempt to escape from the crowd, but seeing that I was watched,
I concealed my intentions. I commenced weeping aloud, and
saying: "If they would only tell me what I have done or what
I have said!" My husband, who was sleeping in a bed in the
same room, heard me weeping aloud and awoke me. My
pillow was wet with tears, and a sad depression of spirits was
upon me.