load of fish aboard, we could get along but slowly, and were not able that day to reach Bay Settlement, which is only ten miles from Greenbay. At dusk our horse could not hold out any longer. We, therefore, made for the shore, where we fortunately found the deserted hut of a fisherman, which had to serve us instead of a tavern. We built up a fire on the rocky floor, by which to keep ourselves warm; but to sleep was out of the question, for we felt no desire to lay down on the stones. Still this fisherman's hut was to us a Bethel. At three o'clock in the morning the moon began to shine, and we proceeded upon our journey. By eight o'clock we reached Bay Settlement, where we breakfasted, and at noon of this day, the 1st of February, arrived at my home. Fatigue had almost made me sick. On the 2nd I went into the city to sell the check of br. Shultz; for I knew that in Menasha, where the Land-office is, I would not be able to dispose of it. A land-agent, Mr. Wood, was the only person who could just then buy the check; and from him I unexpectedly learned how matters stood in reference to our land in Sturgeon Bay. It was but too true that we had been cheated out of the last piece of good land which we had there selected and preempted it had been sold in November already, before br. Shultz's check arrived. But in what way the whole transaction was managed I could not ascertain.

With a heavy heart I returned home, and invited the brethren residing here to meet me at my house in the evening; when I then informed them of the aspect of our affairs they were likewise much cast down. All appeared dark before us, and we knew not what to say to one another. One of the brethren at length requested me to pray with them; whereupon we knelt down, and besought the Savior, who is our only refuge, that when others would impose upon ùs, He should care the more for us, and make us conformed to His will, that we might desire nothing besides, the grace and gifts which He imparts. Friend Larson, of whom I spoke before, came into the room where we were met together, and listened to our troubles with heartfelt sympathy. When the prayer was over, he spoke out his mind to this effect-that we should only be of good cheer, the Lord would not forsake us; if we had no counsel to give each other, He had still counsel enough in store, and though we could not discover a way out of our dilemma, He might have one for us, and it would be an easy matter for Him to point it out to us. He reminded us, too, of what an absent brother had a long time since related to us about a tract of land lying quite near to Eagle Harbour: that brother had always maintained that we would have done better by moving there instead of going to Sturgeon Bay. Both Larson, and the brother who had been our travelling companion, were well acquainted with the tract in question. They gave a description of it, and

concluded with saying, that, although they did not presume to declare that the Lord had reserved this spot for us, yet they did not think that there would be any harm in our going thither and taking a look at it. Larson's brotherly observations were welcome to us. I at once offered to go there as soon as possible and examine the locality, which can readily be done in winter, provided one is experienced enough in such undertakings. The present family eircumstances of our brethren residing here prevented them from accompanying me; but we agreed that when I got to Sturgeon Bay I should take a couple of brethren from there along to assist me in inspecting the land. On the 8th of February, then, I set out once more with the same man that had taken me to Sturgeon Bay the former time, and the fervent prayers of my brethren followed me. On the evening of the next day I arrived at Sturgeon Bay almost stiff for cold. The attention which I truly stood in need of, was tenderly bestowed upon me by the same family with whom I had stopped before.

On the 10th I visited a number of our church members living here, and told them the sorrowful tale of the loss of our land. They of course, were pained to hear this; for some of them had already put up large log-cabins, the erection of which had caused them much labor, and now all their pains was for nothing. I reminded them of the history of our forefathers in Moravia and Bohemia, and this together with what I had to say about the land in the vicinity of Eagle Harbor, revived their spirits again. To their question, what I thought might be the reason of the Lord's shutting the door so completely against them in Sturgeon Bay? I gave the answer (which I still believe to be the true one) that our Savior wished to get us away from those wicked countrymen of ours, who had already done so much harm, and who, were we to stay amongst them any longer, would perhaps work out our total ruin. On the 12th of February, I went, with two brethren as my companions, on foot and over the ice to Eagle Harbor, a distance of 22 miles. Arriving there by 6 o'clock in the evening we were welcomed by our friend Larson with open arms. his house we met with some of our brethren, who were either in his employ, or had come to visit him. The Sunday we employed for edification; and although there were no more than sixteen persons in attendance, I still kept two meetings, in which the Friend of our souls let us feel His presence sensibly. On Monday morning the 14th of February, the examination of the land was to be made; the text for the day called out to us: "Be not slothful in business," Rom. 12. 11., and with these words of exhortation we cheerfully addressed ourselves to the task. I was accompanied by three of our brethren, our friend Larson, and in particular as I confidently trust, by our Lord and Master. The result was gratifying, beyond the expectation of us all. We inspected

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the land carefully and minutely, and I can with truth declare that none of us had seen any land on Sturgeon bay as beautiful and good as this; and of such excellent land there is enough for more than a hundred families. I have not the time at present to say more about the examination which we undertook. Suffice it, that we were all delighted, and felt truly thankful to the Lord for the grace which He had shown to us. It appears to me necessary, however, to say something about Eagle Harbor. On Eagle island, which properly constitutes Eagle Harbor, lives our friend Larson, and two and a half miles distant from him there are some of our countrymen to be found. The steamers plying between Buffalo and Chicago, on their way to and from Greenbay, frequently stop at Eagle Harbor to take in fuel; Larson was not able last summer to furnish one fourth of the fire-wood needed, although he kept a number of hands continually employed in cutting timber. Every settler can dispose of his cord-wood without difficulty, and therewith pay for his land. Besides, no settler needs go to the city to buy provisions, as he can get all that he wants and at cheaper rates from the steamers; and if he has fish to sell, he can find purchasers enough on board the steamboats. The fisheries in Eagle Harbor are better too than those of Sturgeon Bay. Finding Eagle Harbor and its neighborhood in every respect preferable to Sturgeon Bay, and having no spot in the vicinity of the latter on which to locate our congregation, we had no other alternative than to choose the land which we had examined, and as speedily as possible to buy so much of it as our means would permit. Our friend Larson offered to take me to Menasha with his horse and sleigh, and to assist me as far as he was able in the purchase of the land. I accepted his offer with a grateful heart. On Tuesday, the 15th of February, we drove to Sturgeon Bay, where we arrived by evening. I spent the following day in visiting the people here, but had to listen to many unpleasant things from our evil-disposed countrymen, who had begun to suppose that we would move to Eagle Harbor, and were now dissatisfied with our doing so. Strange! that although these people misrepresent my actions, oppose my efforts, distort my words, and try to make the upright view me with suspicion, yet they do not wish that I should leave them; some of them even sobbed aloud when I bid them farewell. On the 17th Larson and I proceeded on our journey. In the morning, when we started, the weather was tolerably fair; but we had not gone many miles before a snow-storm set in and it became very cold, so that we could only travel with the greatest difficulty. We were obliged to stop on the ice, at noon, to let the horse rest; the provisions which we had taken along for ourselves were frozen as hard as a stone. As the snow soon became deep we made but slow progress. The cold was so intense that Larson froze his feet, and my nose was at one time so stiff and entirely

without the sense of feeling, that I believe I could have broken it off without experiencing any pain. I judge that it was about half past ten o'clock at night when we came in sight of the first house in Bay Settlement. The people were all a-bed already; we first sought accommodations with a man of our acquaintance, but he had taken in so many of his friends that he had no room for us. We drove from house to house, but folks either would not, or could not give us lodging. Till after midnight we drove about in this manner, in the midst of darkness and storm, until we at last found a family, that gave us quite a friendly reception; and had not the Lord thus provided for us, I think this would have been our last journey. The next morning, the 18th, my friend Larson could not stand upon his feet, but by the application of snow he was so far relieved that by 10 o'clock we could proceed on our way. By noon we arrived at my house, truly glad that we were now able to recruit again. When our brethren, residing here, came to me in the evening, they heartily rejoiced at the result of our examination of the land; and each one wished that there might be nothing to hinder us from purchasing the tract which we had selected. Having some engagements in the city on the 19th, I made use of the opportunity to visit our br. and sr. Fett, who have always shown a faithful and affectionate attachment to us and our congregation; the news which I this time had to tell them interested them not a little. On the 20th of February we again set out, in the name of our Savior, strengthened in soul and in body; towards evening we got to Appleton, where we staid overnight. The next morning we drove to Menasha. Immediately upon our arrival there we went into the land office, and after acting with due deliberation and the utmost caution, we effected our object. I bought 424 94 acres for $474 96 including all expenses; and I have in my hands Certificates signed by the Register and Receiver as full security for the purchase of the land. Thus, at last, on the 21st of February, did the Lord grant us a spot of ground, on which the members of our congregation now may move.

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I have likewise to report that I have been engaged through the winter in imparting religious instruction to three grown girls, whom I hope to confirm in their baptismal covenant, the Savior willing, during the Passion week.

With an affectionate salutation to the brethren of the Home Mission Board, the dear brethren of the P. E. C., and all the friends of Home missions, I commend myself and my oppressed brethren to your continued remembrance.

A. M. IVERSEN.

Mills Prairie, Ill., Apr. 13th, 1858.

Dear br. Seidel

I hasten to apprize you of my safe arrival at home, on Friday last the 8th inst., and acknowledge the following receipts for building a church at Olney, Ill.

As you probably have heard, I left Litiz on Easter Monday, and reached Pittsburg next morning, where I made choice of travelling on the steamboat, rather than railroad, which was the cause I did not reach Hope till Saturday evening the 2d inst. Next day (Sunday) being the anniversary of the congregation at Enon, br. Clauder being absent from Hope, there was no divinė service till evening by candlelight. After br. Clauder had preached in German, I made a few brief remarks alluding chiefly to my trip to the eastern congregations and the affectionate and brotherly reception, and success in collecting means for building a church at Olney. I was very sorry that I was prevented from being at Enon, as it appears they had a blessed day. On Monday I started, in order to take the cars at Columbus for the West, but, whether for good or evil, came to Columbus about five minutes too late, and had to wait till next day. Tuesday morning, I was at the station house in good time, and by half past P. M. reached Coatesville, where br. Barstow was engaged in moving to his new dwelling. I tarried with them, and in the evening consecrated this house as the Lord's property, supplicating for a blessing on all who may reside here as pastors of Christ's flock. Next morning we went to the School house where br. Barstow preaches; notice being given to a few families, we met, when I addressed them, and at the close baptized br. and sr. Barstow's infant daughter.

The Church is not yet finished, but the brethren hope to have it ready for consecration till May or June. Every thing is new,