MR No. 1220—Holding Meetings in Cologne; Dogged by Illness

(Written May 28, 1887, from Vohwinkel, Germany, to “Dear Children.”)

The night we left Basle, we—Sister Ings and I—had a compartment wholly to ourselves, until we changed cars next morning.16MR 251.1

We rode until ten o'clock, when we came to Cologne, where we had to wait several hours in the depot. The only waiting room was in the dining hall, which was filled with tables prepared for those who wished to eat. I had not the slightest inclination to eat, although I did relish my breakfast. That is the only meal I have enjoyed since leaving home. The old sickness follows me.16MR 251.2

We found much more comfortable quarters than we expected to find, but we have no more sunshine here than we had in Basle. It is cold and cloudy and damp all the time. The midday, the sun tries to shine, but it is a feeble, sickly, weak shining. There were the same crowded little rooms for meeting that we have found generally. The meeting room was a dwelling room in a private house.16MR 251.3

The people are intelligent, and in every way different from those in Italy. But Satan has been, and still is, at work here to set the believers at variance one with another. Our meeting all day yesterday was to help the believers. I spoke in the forenoon, and then Elder Conradi said they had never had a social meeting. I told him now was the time to break them in. We had a very good social meeting. The meeting did not close until past one o'clock. It commenced at ten.16MR 251.4

In the afternoon Brother Conradi held a meeting three hours long, and I think labored hard. I lay down. At eight o'clock I spoke again to the people and then left Elder Conradi to finish the meeting, seeking to adjust difficulties.16MR 252.1

It is now five A.M. and I am writing sitting up in bed. I have had a miserable time of it thus far, weak and sick and yet compelled to labor. I think my symptoms are more favorable this morning. There is a great deal of coughing here, and all feel badly because of the cold and the want of sunshine.16MR 252.2

The people here are all neat and clean, but I soon perceived musty smells in the bed chamber, and far worse in the little parlor we occupy. I learned the cause. From the cellar came the bleating of goats, so I think that occasioned the smell. I can have all the goats’ milk I want. They have two goats and a kid, but my taste is not now such [that] I enjoy milk. I eat but very little of anything.16MR 252.3

Today we mean to see something of their weaving. Men and women are weavers of lace and silk.16MR 252.4

My cold made me feel real sick yesterday, but I think I am going to feel better today. I shall speak once today, then we take the cars early for another place about one hour's ride, and speak to the few in that place, and Tuesday go on to Copenhagen.16MR 252.5

Friday night I had quite a remarkable dream, especially appropriate for this place.16MR 252.6

I hope, Mary, you will not think of laying off your flannels this summer. I hope you will be blessed with the sweet sunshine and be out in it as much as it is possible. You must not be venturesome. You are too much so. I hope to hear that you are improving in health. I am glad you are not here with Mabel, although had we sweet sunshine I think you would have gotten along very well with the accommodations.16MR 252.7

I am sorry, very sorry, you could not accompany us in this journey, but it may be all for the best. We find small houses are being owned by our brethren for the reason that they were compelled to do this or suffer oppression. Some houses are occupied by three families from the garret down, but all are poor here and have to do as they can. With much love, Mother.—Letter 83, 1887.16MR 253.1

Ellen G. White Estate

Washington, D. C.,

October 2, 1986.

Entire Letter.