and took dinner and then went to the house
of Bro. Daniel Hoch and Bro. Hershey preached on Rom 8:31 and I exhorted a little and closed
by prayer. I was during night at the house of Bro. J. Hoch and B. Hershey at Bro. Albright's.November
Sun. 1 - This forenoon I was in meeting where Rev. W. N. Shelly preached on John 5:25. In the afternoon I was in Oxford Sunday School. In the evening was in meeting at C. Bleam's where Rev. Shelly exhorted on Acts 4. I was refreshed to day in my soul.
Mon. 2 - This forenoon I did not do much as Bro. Shelly and wife were here a short time and also Harrison Seiple was here this forenoon and left again in the afternoon. In the evening I received a letter from Bro. E. Hershey. May God guide me by His Spirit to act according to His mind. May He give me grace that I can in all cases say "Lord, not my will but thine be done." This evening in prayer before I went to bed I experienced much joy and felt the presence of my dear Jesus. To God be all the praise.
Tues. 3 - This morning I left for Saucon. I took dinner at my uncle, D. Geissinger. After dinner I left and went to the house of Mrs. Heitzelberger where sister Mary Shilling is at home, who is in a backsliding state. I prayed there and enjoyed God's presence and the women also had much seriousness. I then went to Weiss' who fixed my watch for nothing. I have no doubt God inclined his heart to do so. I went home to my parents, though on the road met many acquaintances so that it was nearly sunset till I came home. I soon left again and my dear mother had tears when I spoke a few parting words and exhorted her. I was over supper at the house of John Yoder which I left again and went to the house of Charles Gehman. Bro. M. Landis was there. When he left God inclined his heart to give me $1 without my asking.
Wed. 4 - This morning I spent a short time at the house of sister Meyer. Then I returned to Gehman's and then to John Yoder's. The latter gave me $5 without my asking. God is indeed a prayer hearing God. I was at noon at Bro. Strawn's. In the afternoon I went with him to Haycock and went to Bro. H. Diehl's house. I went with Bro. Diehl to meeting. Bro. Shelly preached on John 3:36. I made also a few remarks. Sarah Hertzel felt deeply about her soul and wept and prayed to God for grace after meeting. I went home with Bro. Shelly and slept with him during night. I felt very happy in the Lord during this evening.
Thurs. 5 - This morning I left Bro. Shelly though first wrote a letter to my sister Susanna. I was a short time at the house of C. Sell though prayer with them before I left. At noon I was at the house of Bro. Levi Shelly. Then I went to the house of Levi Bleam whose wife was sick. I prayed before I left. I came to the house of bro. A. Kaufman at about 3 o'clock. After supper I went to the house of bro. Jonas Musselman.
Frid. 6 - This morning I left the house of bro. Musselman. Bro. David Musselman gave me $2 and wife 50 cents. I went to the house of bro. Wm Gehman who was ready to go to Juniata Co. He walked with me to Emaus where we separated. He gave me $2. At noon I was in Allentown with Bro. Jesse Young. I came to Weaversville at about 3 o'clock and was in store and bought under shirt, drawers, papers etc., amounting to $3.08. I was at Weaver's in the house a short time, and came home a little before night. In Allentown I bought a second handed travelling bag for $1. Jacob Nicholas gave me 10 cents this evening without me asking. Thus I have since Tuesday received $13.60 in answer to prayer notwithstanding my fears. Satan tried to make me believe that God would not hear my prayer but I again found him to be a liar. My intention is by the grace of God to leave next week for Canada and trust in God for my support. O my God, give me faith that will not shrink. I wrote a letter to Sarah Clymer.
Sat. 7 - Today I made preparations to get ready to start next week for Canada. I wrote a letter for Sarah Frick of Quakertown or near there and one to my grandfather and to Uncle Auro and to uncle Levi. Towards evening I fetched my cloths from Mrs. Kiefer and paid her yet 63 cents for washing and mending. After Supper I went to Schafer's and read a sermon of Hofacker on Luke 18:31 -43 in presence of Mrs. Beaver and her daughter. Mrs. Klepping, R. Beaver and W. Klepping came also when I was done reading but I prayed yet in their presence. Merle Bauer soled my boots this evening which I took home. Trumbauer paid me $5.30 for work and gave me 50 cents in silver this evening. I enjoyed God's presence today very much and feel so far confident that it is God's will that I should go to Canada.
Sun. 8 - This forenoon I was at home and spent the time in reading praying and singing etc. In the afternoon I was in Oxford Sunday School. We closed it for the present season. I went home with Jos. Schmick where I took supper. We went to A. Bleam's where I exhorted on John 1. I felt God's presence and His assistance. To Him be all praise and honor. Many tears were shed some I trust were tears of penitence. Jos. Schmick was inclined of God to give me $1. I stayed during night with Bleam's.
Mon. 9 - This morning I returned to Trumbauer's and made ready to leave Mr. T gave $2 without my asking. He left home this morning. After dinner I parted though we sang and I prayed before I left and had a most serious time. Farewell tears were shed. I took my baggage to S. Funk's and went with him to Bethlehem. Mrs. Funk handed me a handkerchief which Mrs. Sam'l Smith bought for me. Indeed how good is God to give me all I need thus far. I was with Daniel Young a short time and went on the evening train to Centre Valley to the house of bro. Chas. Gehman.
Tues. 10 - This morning I left Gehman's and went with first train to Sellersville and walked to my uncle Reuben to see sister Susanna but who had gone home. I went at about 11 o'clock in the cars at Sellersville and came to Phila. about 1 o'clock. I then went to the Tract House and bought for $1 tracts, and was also at the office of the "Sunday School Times" and also bought a blank book for a diary next year for 62 cents. I went to the house of Len Landis today over night. I agree with Cooper, "God made the country - men made the city."
Wed. 11 - This morning Len Landis gave me $1 unasked. God is indeed good and holds His promises but I am unworthy. At about 9 o'clock I left Landis' and went with my baggage to 13th and Callow Hill Sts. where the Pa and RR depot is. I was in the Phila Noon day Prayer meeting and felt God's presence there. I then went to corner 6th and Chestnut Sts and bought a ticket to Niagara Falls for $7.75 and from there I went a bought a Port Folio and Pocket Inkstand for $2.50 and then went to the American Sunday School Union House and bought Mine Explored for 90 cts and from there went to the depot at 13th and Callow Hill Sts. The prayer meeting was at 1011 Chestnut St. and just when I came out on the pavement a brass band passed and I felt serious. I was thinking while the band was playing of the music in heaven, of which I by God's grace expect to be a partaker. I also saw a funeral procession pass through Chestnut St. this afternoon. I left Phila. at 3.30 o'clock arrived in Reading at 6 and in Port Clinton at about 7 in Tamaqua at 9 and in Williamsport at 2 o'clock or a little before that time and slept in Parker Hotel in Pine St. Thanks be to God that He thus far brought me safe. I paid 40 cts. for my bed. I left Williamsport at about 8 o'clock and arrived at Elmira at noon.
Thurs. 12 -1 left Elmira N. Y. at half past 2 o'clock p.m. and came to Hornelsville at half past 6 o'clock a distance of 60 miles and nearly the whole way from Elmira to Hornelsville I was in the baggage car on account of the uncleanness in the Emigrant cars. I left Hornelsville at 7 o'clock in the evening and arrived at 10 in Buffalo the distance of the latter place being about 90 miles. I lodged in the "Reitz House" kept by a German.
Frid. 13 - This morning I paid 37 cents for lodging in the "Reitz House" and then when I came to the Depot to go to the Niagara Falls, I saw the cars going but was to[o] late. Now I have to go with the next train. The sinner who is unprepared when death comes must go with it over Jordan to Hell and no train for ever will come to take him to heaven, a sad truth indeed. My resolution by God's grace to serve Him faithfully that death will bring me safe in the heavenly mansions. At half Past 2 o'clock I left Buffalo for Niagara Falls and came to the Falls at about 4 o'clock and there I was taken to the Suspension Bridge by a man who rode me and charged me $2. Thus I paid something to learn which I will not soon forget. In Buffalo at the Depot I met with a man by the name of Thos. D. Rutter who confessed that his condition was not safe and asked I should write to him which I promised if I could possibly. I took a view of the Falls and crossed the Suspension Bridge and then went on the cars on "Great Western Road" and went to Jordan and from there went to the house of Bro. Jacob Albright where I came till dark. Thanks be to God that He has brought me safe into Canada.
Sat. 14 - This morning while eating or just when done breakfast Bro. Hershey came here. When I came to Canada I had $ 1.12 left and faith in God that He will provide. I had 60 cents more when I then above stated when I treaded on Canada's soil but had to pay that for fare from Suspension Bridge to Jordan Station. Soon after dinner we sang and Bro. Hershey prayed and then we left and went to the house of Bro Daniel High. Bro Albright gave $2 to Bro. Hershey for paying our fare to Waterloo Co. At present we are in Lincoln Co, Lowth Township.
Sun. 15 - This forenoon we had meeting in "Union Meeting House" where Bro. Hershey
preached on Math. 6:9 I was when I had entered the M. House a little downcast but after sermon I
made a few remarks and was assisted from on high and refreshed and closed by prayer. After
meeting we went to the house of Bro. Jacob Hoch(3)
and took dinner and then went to the house
of Bro. Daniel Hoch and Bro. Hershey preached on Rom 8:31 and I exhorted a little and closed
by prayer. I was during night at the house of Bro. J. Hoch and B. Hershey at Bro. Albright's.
Mon.16 - This morning I wrote a letter for Mr. Trumbauer and at 1 o'clock had meeting at the house of Bro. J. Hoch (4). Bro. Hershey preached on Psalm 73:23-26. I closed by making a few remarks and prayer.
Tues. 17 - This morning I gave the letter I wrote yesterday to Bro. Hoch who is to put it in PO and offered to pay for it. We left his house this morning and were a short time in the house of Bro. Try(5). At 10 o'clock we had meeting at the home of Bro. Jacob Hoch and here for the first time undertook to preach in my great weakness. Text Psalm 25:15. I did not speak very long and was succeeded by Bro. Hershey by appropriate remarks and prayer. This morning I commenced reading in the beginning of my Ger and E Testaments and intend to read in them in both languages at the same time. In the afternoon I wrote a letter to Thos. D. Rutter and visited Bro. Jacob Oberholzer (5) and took supper there. We visited also a short time Bro. Daniel Hoch and prayed in their family and Bro. H. and I spoke a few words to their children. We returned to the house of Bro. Jacob Hoch.
Wed. 18 - This morning Bro. J. Hoch gave me $ 1. We were a short time at the house of Dilman Moyer (6). We had meeting at the house of Bro. J. Oberholtzer(7) and Bro. H. preached on Rom. 12. I closed by exhorting and prayer. We took dinner at his son's house. In the afternoon we were a short time at the house of Bro. Jacob Albright and from there visited a family by name of Saml. Moyer(8) and then went and visited an aged sister in the Lord named Keipple (2) who will be 92 years till next 26th of Dec. We came a little before night to the house of Bro. Jacob Cross(11) a preacher of the Evan. Ass. Here we spent a happy evening.
Thurs. 19 - This morning we left the house of Bro. Cross and visited a short time Bro A. Moyer(12) and then Bro. Saml. Moyer(13) and from there to the house of Bro A. Hunsberger(14) where Bro. Hershey preached on Heb. 4:9 and we had indeed a very serious time. I exhorted a short time and had the assistance of God to whom be the glory. I closed by prayer. I was very much refreshed this forenoon and felt alive which I not often do for immortal souls. In the afternoon we visited Jos. Nesh(15) Jacob Nesh (16), Bro. Grenzenbach(17) and took supper at the house or Bro. Houser(18). In the evening there was meeting in the Evan. church. Bro. H. preached on Rom 5:1 and I exhorted a short time. After meeting we went to the house of Bro. S. M. Moyer who gave me to book one containing sermons of R. Weaver and the other on "Christian Perfection" by Wesley.
Frid. 20 - This morning Bro. Moyer took us to Beamsville Sta. and from there we started for Preston, Waterloo Co. This morning I wrote a letter to my sister Susanna. We came to Preston at noon where Bro. Saml. B. Bauman(19) met us and took us to his house where we met Bro. Jonas Schultz. After dinner Bro. Schultz, H. and I went to see Bro. John McNelly(20) where we took supper and after that were taken to a meeting in a school house where Bro. H. preached on Dan 6:16 and I exhorted a little and Bro. Schultz closed by prayer. After meeting we went to the house of Bro. John Detweiler(21) .
Sat. 21 - This forenoon we visited 6 families and came before noon to the house of Bro. A Detweiler(28). In the afternoon we went to the house of Bro. S. Bauman (29) and after supper went to Bro. Benj. Bauman and were in meeting in Carlisle School House where Bro. H. preached on Acts 22:10 and I exhorted and Bro. Schultz closed by prayer. We were during night at the home of Bro. B. Bauman.
Sun. 22 - This morning we were a few minutes in the house of Bro. J. Schlichter(30). This forenoon Bro. J. McNelly's son took us about 13 miles to the house of Bernhard Devitt(31) where we got dinner and after dinner Mr. Devitt took us 3 miles farther out to St. Jacobs in Woolwich T., Waterloo Co. where Bro. H. preached on Rom 8.31 and I exhorted. We were over supper with John Weitman(32) and in the evening I had a short discourse in my weakness also in the school house where the meeting was this pm. Bro. H. closed by exhortation and prayer. During night we were with Bro. Daniel Reutlinger(33).
Mon. 23 - This forenoon I wrote a letter to Chas. Gehman and one to Mrs. Schafer and in afternoon to Bro. Shelly and enclosed the letter with Bro. Hershey's letter and we also visited 2 families and took supper with Bro. John Bauman (36). This evening when we went to meeting we heard that a man who was last evening in meeting had suddenly changed time for eternity. Bro. Hershey preached on Proverbs 6:9. I exhorted and prayed. Bro. H. asked the males in meeting the hope that is in them and I gave all who desired tracts. May the Lord bless them to the conversion of souls for Christ's sake. After meeting we went home with Bro. Jacob Weber(37).
Tues. 24 - As it rained we did not leave Weber's till this afternoon when we went to see - Hoch(38) a Mennonite preacher and from there to the house Bro. Adam Seybert (39) and took supper with Bro. Reutlinger. In the evening Bro. H preached on Acts 10:34-35. I exhorted a short time. After meeting we went Jno. Weitman's.
Wed. 25 - This forenoon we attended the funeral of Christian Martin who died so sudden last Monday evening. Rev. Moses Erb preached on 2 Cor 5:1. Mr. Martin was in meeting last Sunday evening and had then drunk some liquor as I got from his smell. He died almost in a moment. This occasion should and hope will always make me when speaking in public or private to sinners urge them to decision. May the Lord give me grace for Christ's sake. This noon we got dinner with J. Weidman. In the after noon we visited 5 families(44) and one which was Catholic and indeed a very miserable one. May the Lord enlighten them. We got supper with Bro. Daniel Reutlinger. In the evening Bro. H. preached on Dan 6:16 in English and I closed by exhorting in german. We went home with Bro. Otwein(45).
Thurs. 26. - This forenoon we visited 5 families (49) and were over dinner with B. Devitt. In the afternoon Bro. H. preached at the house of Devitt on Psalms 37:37 and I closed by exhortation and prayer. After meeting we went to the house of Rev. Staufer(50) and took supper and then paid a short visit to Daniel Martin (51) and then to St. Jacobs where I had a very short discourse on Isa. 3:10-11 and Bro. Schultz and Hershey also exhorted. After meeting we went to the house of Bro. Christian Weber(52).
Fri. 27 - Today after dinner Bro. H and Schultz left Bro. Weber and visited 5 families (57) though Schultz went to St. Jacobs and therefore was not in all families which I and Hershey visited. I and Bro. Schultz took supper with Bro. Reutlinger. Bro. Schultz preached on Jer. 17:14 and Bro. Hershey exhorted and prayed. Many of the brothers and sisters made confession and I also and was much refreshed. To God be all the honor. After meeting we went home with Bro. J. Bauman.
Sat. 28 - This forenoon we visited 3 families(60). We got dinner with Bro. J. Bowman. In the afternoon we had prayer meeting at the house of Bro. Ottwein and visited 3 families(63) and got supper with Bro. Reutlinger. In meeting Bro. H. preached on Rom 8:18 and I closed by exhortation and prayer. We got dinner with Bro. Singkern(64). We went home with Bro. A Seybert.
Sun. 29 - This forenoon Bro H. preached on Acts 24:14-16 and I closed by exhortation and prayer. We got dinner with Bro. Singkern (64). In the afternoon Bro H. preached on 2 Tim. 4:5 an interesting sermon and I closed by exhortation and prayer. I felt very serious and had God's assistance while speaking and to Him be all the glory. We got supper at D. Eby's Hotel(65). There Bro H. and I had the opportunity to offer prayer aloud at the table. It is indeed singular that a hotel keeper gave me more liberty in this respect than my father who is a professor of religion. In the evening I was in meeting in the Evangelical Church where Bro. Stabler preached on Zech 14:9. Bro. P. Winkler closed by exhortation and prayer. After meeting we went to the house of Bro. Isaac Bowman.
Mon. 30 - Today after dinner we went to visit and were in 7 families(72) and took supper with Bro. Reutlinger. In the evening Bro. H. preached on Isa 55:6 and I exhorted a short time. 2 souls were this evening deeply concerned about their souls salvation and we prayed on their behalf. They were both young females. After meeting I went to the house of Bro. Jac. Weber whose daughter is one of the penitent. Bro. H. went to another place as he intends to attend a conference in Carlisle tomorrow.