The conversation soon turned upon the state of affairs at Brothertown, and I speedily forgot my embarrassment.  In the course of the conversation I inquired whether the proceeding would not be considered irregular, to place an exhorter in charge of the Mission.  The elder replied, “Necessity knows no law, and, besides, our Quarterly Meeting at this place will soon be held, when we will relieve that embarrassment.”  I was doubtless indebted to this law of necessity for the privilege of holding one office in the church not provided for in the Discipline, and one that has seldom if ever been accorded to others.  Carefully instructed in the best method to manage certain difficulties pending in the Mission, I took early leave for a further walk of sixteen miles.

Across the prairie at the head of Lake Winnebago, I found the walk very agreeable.  Passing Taycheedah, I then struck out into the deep woods that skirt the eastern shore of the lake.  I was now between my guide and instructor, and the difficult work committed to my charge.  Thought was busy.  An oppressive sense of my own insufficiency for so momentous a work, came over me, as it had done before, but never in such overwhelming power.  I was now face to face with the great work from which I had shrank for several years, and there was no retreat.  Imagination lifted the little hills of difficulty before me into mountains that seemed impassable.  In the deep shade of the wood I found a moss-covered rock for a seat, and gave myself up to reflection.  The troubled currents of the stream ran on this wise.  To go forward in my present undertaking may involve a committal to a work that a few short months shall not terminate.  In such case, there will follow a life of toil and sacrifice, on stinted allowance, beset with trials and perplexities, and clouded by cold unfeeling criticisms, censures and misjudgings, of both motive and labor, of which I can now entertain no adequate conception.  But if this work be not the dictate of duty, then why this unrest of soul which has so long disturbed the even flow of my religious life, or why the uniform urgency of the authorities of the church both east and west in this direction?  On the contrary, if my feet are now in the path of duty then why hesitate?  A brave soul never falters in the presence of difficulty or peril, but always deals the strongest blows where the conflict rages the sharpest.  The struggle was brief and the result satisfactory.  Kneeling by the side of the rock, prayer was offered for Divine guidance and help, and there fell on the soul a baptism of serene peace and holy joy, which hallowed each remaining step of the journey.