19 "sanctum," having two objects in view, to be present at the session of the Nauvoo and String Prairie District conference, on the 6th and 7th, and to visit the "Beautiful City" and rest, for a day or two, within its hallowed precincts.
During the railway ride we were cheered and strengthened by the company of our hale and pleasant friend, Bro. Israel L. Rogers, and our kind and good brother, Charles Wagner, of Fort Scott, Kansas. We arrived at the station opposite Nauvoo, at about nine o'clock at night; and meeting Brn. Wm. Anderson and Alex. H. Smith on the platform, we were soon on our way over the mighty river that drains the Mississippi Valley.
We slept in the home of the Elect Lady the night of the 5th, being made welcome by her husband, who "kindly entreated" us; and on the morning of the 6th, we wandered around the city until evening, when we crossed to Montrose. By the kindness of Orson, the son of Sr. E. A. Newberry, we had a wagon ride over "a few hills, not very large," to the place of meeting. We found "the elders" and "the people" in assembly in the Allen Schoolhouse, quite a large number being present.
After a pleasant business session, presided over by that genial friend to the cause, Bro. John H. Lake, and ending in a "social meeting" on Saturday night, we met on Sunday morning in the grand old woods on the banks of the Des Moines River, to hear "reasonings from the Scripture." The day was pleasant, threatening, but withholding rain; the word was declared; the Saints enjoyed the "bread" of both temporal and spiritual life-we rejoiced together-and our ways diverged.
The editor preached in the town of Vincennes, the home of Bro. John Lake, on Sunday evening, upon the "office work of the Spirit," with good liberty, and we trust with good effect. We were the guest of Bro. Wm. Hall, on String Prairie, and of Bro. D. Griffith and Bro. Levi Cheney, at Vincennes. At Vincennes we parted company with Bro. Charles Wagner, who returned to Fort Scott.
On Monday we returned to Montrose by the same kindness as we left it; and availing ourselves of modem magic, "crossed over the river" on the back of a "cricket."
We had before us a visit to the shades of Hickory Grove (Shakerag) and Cottage Schoolhouses, including a stop for a night at the house of our excellent father in Israel, Bro. Richard Lambert, and a talk in the Lincoln Schoolhouse. But our first business was to rest, which we at once set vigorously about.
With the exception of speaking once at Montrose, on Tuesday night, the 10th of June, we passed the days until Friday the 13th, resting-absolute quietude-away from the "world, the flesh, and the Devil." Such a rest of mind and body as we had not had for months, and which we fully enjoyed, whether we appreciated it or not.
There is such an air of quiet and restful repose about the old town, that when we were once within its influence, we found it difficult to remember the pushing, striving, stirring life we are daily mingling
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