After this went to Indian Creek, where I had the great pleasure of immersing [names seven persons]. At last baptizing Brother Winters told me that he had been baptized by his parents when a child, and now they were dead and gone, and out of respect for them he would never be baptized again. I told him to read his Bible and see whether that satisfied the demands of God upon him. I further reminded him that religion was a personal matter. He acted upon these suggestions and the result was he was anxious to obey God. Oh how the commands of God are made void by the traditions of men! The baptizing was one of great interest. All were happy. Eve, had a good speaking-meeting. Some said it was the happiest day of their lives. Preached on the ordinances and had a heavenly time in observing them. Bade the brethren and sisters farewell. =13.= Was to have a breaking bee, but it rained all forenoon. P. M., worked on my claim. Eve, preached from Acts 20:32. We got lost going home with Brother Hoffer. Got home by eleven. It was raining and very dark. =18.= Went to Seward in the morning. Spent the day preparing for my journey. Eve, preached in Seward and returned home. =19.= The happy time has come at last that I start back to my beloved Sarah. May God's kind care be over me by the way. Took train at half-past nine at Seward. This is the morning I have been thinking about so long. The hard labor of another year is over. Since last July 4 preached one hundred and fifty-five sermons. =20.= Nebraska City. Visited a beautiful orchard of eighty acres. Am enjoying my visit much with Bro. John F. Kimmel and family. Took a pleasant ride. =21.= Today the Board of Missions meets in Chicago. Wish I could be there to report in person; but I sent out my report yesterday. At 7:20 P. M. started on my journey. Came via Hamburg, St. Joseph, and Kansas City, where I arrived at early daylight. =22.= Took the Missouri Pacific through the State of Missouri. Train stopped for dinner at Jefferson City. Ran through tunnels, under rocks. Many places the rocks stood a perpendicular wall one hundred feet on one side of the cars and on the other the Missouri River. Missouri in some parts seems to be a beautiful State; but taking it altogether it falls far short of Nebraska as an agricultural state. It is rather rough. Had three fourths of an hour in St. Louis. Purchased a suit for thirty-five dollars, also a small present for my beloved Sarah, a collar, $1.50, and cravat, $1.50. Took train on Toledo, Wabash, and Western at 7 P. M. Crossed the Mississippi on a transfer boat near the great iron bridge, which is a wonderful structure. Took sleeping-car and lay down with a heart full of gratitude to God for his protection through the dangers of the day and humbly entreating his care through the night.