January

Thurs. 1 - At about 10 o'clock A. M. I left the house of Rev. Jonas Musselman where I came yesterday on a visit. David Musselman his father took me on his carriage to Emaus. From there I walked to Allentown and distributed some tracts on the way. In A. I bought a quire of paper 8 copies (german) of "Heart of Man" for $1.00 envelopes etc. I also bought a trunk for $3.25. I went with the cars to Bethlehem and also took the trunk along and left it at my uncle L. Geissinger. I came home again (at Trumbauer's ) at 10 o'clock P. M. I had left last Monday a week. May the Lord bless any labors in the conversions of souls. I will by the grace of God labor more earnestly for the salvation of souls this year than I did last year.

Frid. 2 - Today we thrashed rye. In the evening I spoke with uncle John Hiestand about religion. He is not quite well since last Wednesday when he no doubt had a touch of apoplexy. I also wrote a letter to my cousin Peter Y. Landis and sent a tract to Mrs. Emma E. Yoder with the title Joseph Frestnet. (german) During my journey I had much spiritual happiness and so I had today. O that all knew that the Lord is precious.

Sat. 3 - This forenoon we cleaned the rye. We thrashed yesterday. In the afternoon we cleaned the stables. In the evening I wrote a letter to Sarah Clemmer whom I lately saw in meeting weeping at H. Diehl . I also spoke a little to old John and helped him in undressing. May the Lord make of him an heir of heaven for Christ's sake. I also wrote a letter to cousin Peter Yoder.

Sun. 4 - This forenoon I read a sermon from Denner's sermons to old John and also in presence of Mrs. R. Beaver and Mrs. Trumbauer. The text was from John 3:1-6. I also prayed after I was done reading. I felt the presence of God. In the afternoon I was at home. I the evening I was in prayer meeting at the house of Christian Bleam. I opened the meeting and read the 11th chap. of Math and made a few remarks. Tilghman Seipel made remarks in English and offered prayer in german. May the Lord guide me by his Spirit and use me as an humble instrument in bringing some to Christ. To day I spoke a good deal to John T. about his salvation.

Mon. 5 - This forenoon we put straw in the dung yard. In the P. M. we thrashed 585 sheaves of wheat which was the last. In the evening we had a prayer meeting in uncle John's room. I read the 5th chap of Math. and made a few remarks greatly assisted from above. I received today a letter from Joel Spengler.

Tues. 6 - This forenoon we cleaned the wheat we thrashed yesterday. In the P. M. we thrashed 359 sheaves rye. In the evening I wrote letters to Charles Gehman , Miss E. Shelly and P. G. Shelly. Of the two last I kept copies. Today I helped to thrash rye with the flail Daniel Geissinger's were here on a visit. In the evening I wrote a letter to Rev. Sam'l Moyer but kept a copy of it. Received a letter of Enos Y. Landis.

Wed. 7 - Also wrote a letter to Amanda Shelly.

Thurs. 8 - Today I helped to thrash with flail. Win. Odenwelter & wife were here on a visit. In the evening I made out an order for books & tracts to the A. T. Society in the amount $6.45.

Frid. 9 - Today we thrashed with flails. In the evening I was in Weaversville in store and sent the order for books which I made yesterday evening. On my way home I spoke to Noah Spengler about his soul's salvation.

Sat. 10 - In the morning, I took Joseph Schmick's corn sheller home. The remainder of the day we thrashed rye. In the evening I went to see Jacob Shelby who is sick and also distressed about his soul. I prayed with him and exhorted him by God's help and left again about 2 o'clock Sun morning.

Sun. 11 - This forenoon I read a sermon of Denner's to uncle John and Trumbauers on Luke 16:19-23. In the afternoon I was at home and spoke to Laura T. She was in tears and promised to give her heart to Christ. May God help her to keep her vow. At half past 3 o'clock I left and went to see Shelby again. He has not found the Savior yet but I hope and pray he will soon be able to exclaim “I know that my Redeemer Liveth." In the evening I was in prayer meeting at the house of Stephen Funk. I read the 25th chap. of Math. and made some remarks.

Mon. [12] - Today I filed a saw. We thrashed a Httle etc. In the evening I received two letters one from Sam'l Landis and the other of Sarah Clymer whom I wrote last week. I saw her for the first and last time so far at the house of Henry Diehl and in tears. I wrote a letter to Rev. Jonas Musselman and also one to Sarah Clymer.

Tues. 13 - Today we cleaned rye. I spoke again to Laura T. She promised again to seek the Savior. In the evening I wrote a letter to my father but kept a copy of it. May the Lord bless it to his soul.

Wed. 14 - Today we cut straw and corn stalks & and cleaned the stables etc.

Thurs. 15 - Today we cut and sawed firewood. In the evening I was at the house of Thos. Clendinen where Rev. Irvin was to have a prayer meeting but as he was not present I was called for and read the 15th chap. of Luke and made some remarks. I had very much the assistance from above.

Frid. 16 - Today we prepared firewood again, etc.

Sat. 17 - In the forenoon we cleaned the stables then we commenced to thrashed the oats and thrashed 621 sheaves yet. In the evening I wrote a letter to Joel Spengler and one to John Steinbach. Today I spoke again to Laura Trumbauer. She again promised to seek the Savior now. O may she soon be able to exclaim "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

Sun. 18 - This forenoon I read a sermon to uncle John H. by Denners on Song of Solomon 3:2-4. In the afternoon I spoke to Laura T. again about her soul's salvation. In the evening Iwas in prayer meeting at the house of Abraham Bleam. I read the 6th Chap. of Hebrews.

Mon. 19 - This forenoon Mr. Trumbauer and I cut a cherry tree. In the afternoon I helped to pile up rails. In the evening I went to the house of Jacob Shelby who had died when I came there.

Tues. 20 - Today I went to the house of Jno. Reichert to inform him of the death and burial of Mr. Shelby. In the evening I received the books & tracts I ordered lately. Mr. Shelby professed to have found peace by believing in Jesus about a week previous to his death. I hope it was true repentance though I do not know positively as I do not know the scenes of his last hours. I borrowed 35 cents of uncle Daniel Geissinger today.

Wed. 21 - Today we thrashed with the flail and cleaned the stables. In the evening I wrote a letter to Daniel Geissinger enclosing 35 cents which I borrowed yesterday, also 2 tracts I enclosed. I also wrote a letter to Andrew Walter, a whole sheet full. May the Lord bless it to his conversion is my prayer. I also enclosed 2 tracts german Nos. 87 & 97 and english handbills Nos. 64 & 73.

Thurs. 22 - This forenoon I was at the funeral of Jacob Shelby. Rev. Schantz of Catasauqua preached on Heb. 4:9-11. His age was 52 years 8 months 27 days. Laura Trumbauer rode with me to the funeral. I spoke much to her on the way about her soul's salvation. May the Lord bless it to her conversion. She again said she would give her heart to Christ. When I came home I helped to thrash with flail.

Frid. 23 - In the forenoon we loaded a load hay etc. In the afternoon I cleaned the stables etc. In the evening I wrote a letter to Susanna Weisbach and one to Hannah B. Detweiler.

Sat. 24 - Today we thrashed 900 sheaves rye.

Sun. 25 - This forenoon I read a sermon for uncle John H. and also prayed with him. In the evening I was in prayer meeting at the house of Sam'l Smith. I read the 40th Psalm and made a few remarks.

Mon. - 26 This forenoon we sawed and split firewood. In the afternoon we cleaned the rye that we thrashed on Sat.

Tues. 27 - This forenoon we cleaned the stables etc. In the afternoon I split firewood. In the evening I was at the house of the dec'd Jacob Shelby.

Wed. 28 - Today we thrashed sheaves rye. It snowed today for the most time. In the evening I wrote a letter to my uncle Jacob M. Yoder. I enclosed tract No. 124 E and 168 G. and Nos. 8 & 84 Handbills.

Thurs. 29 - This forenoon we cleaned the rye we thrashed yesterday. In the afternoon we thrashed corn. I received a letter of Charles S. Gehman.

Frid. 30 - This forenoon we cleaned the stables etc. In the afternoon we thrashed corn again and got one corn crib empty. I received a letter from my cousin Peter Yoder. In the evening I was in meeting in the Evangelical Church where Rev. Christian Bleam preached on Luke 13-24. There were the penitents pleading for mercy in the meeting one which was Alice Weaver one of my school mates.

Sat. 31 - In the forenoon we cleaned corn etc- In the afternoon we did sundry work. In the evening Mr. and Mrs. Trumbauer were not at home then we sung several hymns and I prayed before we went to bed.