From Smithfield, Ohio, we went to Mansfield and Shenandoah, at which places I assisted Brother D. S. Warner in holding meetings. Enjoyed myself very much. Found many new acquaintances who will ever be remembered for their kindness shown to myself and family. I was especially gratified to meet with Elder G. W. Wilson, who I long desired to see. Found him one of the ablest defenders of the doctrines of the Church of God, and notwithstanding his old age he is fully up with the times and appears as vigorous as a young man and bids fair for usefulness for some years to come. But he, like men of superior talents, is ahead of the community in which he has lived, and hence has not been appreciated as he should have been. Elder D. S. Warner is a model young man, of deep piety and superior courage and means business in the work of the ministry, and if he continues humble will make his mark in the church.

      From Mansfield we went to Upper Sandusky where I preached in the house where our lamented Winebrenner preached his last sermon. This circumstance brought to my mind the many wholesome lessons of instruction received from him in my young days and the great interest he took in our defense when our lives were at stake in Texas and we were left penniless in an enemy's land. I never can be grateful enough for such pure-hearted friendship in time of distress and need. I hold the letters of encouragement sent to me and frequently read them to bring to my memory afresh his acts of kindness. I think if I am not mistaken, I have the last letter penned by him in life a few days before he died, which may make its appearance some day, as I contemplate publishing a short biography of my life if ever I am financially able to do so. As a few mountains rise above all the balance in the world in height, so God raised up a few such men as Winebrenner above all others in purity, goodness and intellect to do a spiritual work in the world's reform. Such men belong to the chosen vessels of honor.

      From Upper Sandusky I went to Findlay, where I met the Ohio Eldership. Remained with them until near the close of their session, when I had to leave to meet our Eldership. This was one of the most pleasant times I ever spent in life. There I met some of the old pioneers which I long desired to see. Only a few of them are alive. How strong my feelings were when I looked upon the faces of those old veterans and when from their trembling voices I heard the words of encouragement for the last time; and how sad I felt when I bade them farewell to meet them no more in this life. But as I am also getting on the old list, I trust we shall soon hail each other again on the bright shore where parting will be no more. The brethren of the Ohio Eldership will ever be kindly remembered by me for their kindness and respect shown to me and for the interest manifested by them in my welfare. I was particularly pleased with the spirit of enterprise of the body in taking in hands the Mansfield mission enterprise. It certainly would have brought an everlasting stigma upon the cause of God to have sold and sacrificed that valuable church property. I hope the matter will be pushed through at once. It certainly is a very small thing for the Ohio Eldership to raise the Mansfield mission and put it in a good condition. I remained several days in the city and preached several times in the Mission Chapel. From its location and surroundings I see no reasons why a good church interest cannot be established there. Brethren, you who have this world's goods, love not the cause of God only in word, but in deed, by giving your means to such enterprises as the Mansfield mission.

      With the financial strength of the Ohio Eldership the Wooster church should be revived. I was in the city and looked at the church house and the surroundings and I can see no reasons why good might not be done there if a good, judicious man were sent there to preach for them. The brethren at West Salem should also have some financial assistance by way of building a house. A few dollars spent by the Eldership there would give the church the influence. The brethren there are a whole-souled, noble-hearted band of live workers and a little help will set them on fair footing.

[The Church Advocate 41 (January 10, 1877): 5.]

      Benjamin Ober's "Tour to Ohio and Pennsylvania" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 41, No. 37 (January 10, 1877), p. 5. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article printed from a microfilmed edition of the newspaper held by the State Library of Pennsylvania. Thanks to Adams Memorial Library for arranging for the interlibrary loan, and to St. Vincent College Library for the use of its microfilm reader/printer.

      Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

                  Printed Text [ Electronic Text
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 p. 5:      Shanadoah, [ Shenandoah,
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 13 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.