Hastings, Br-Sr. January 25, 1849 A letter by James White.
Lt 2, 1849
Hastings, Elvira NP March 5 to 8, 1849 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations. Dear Sister Hastings:
We feel it to be duty to visit you before we return to Maine. We shall take the first train of cars Friday for Townsend. Your husband, if he pleases, will meet us at the depot.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1849, 1)
Brother Bates and Brother Gurney returned from Connecticut last week. Their testimony is that the work of God is going forward there. The saints are setting their hearts in order for the coming of the Lord, and moving forward in union and love as they have not for years. Praise the name of the Lord! My prayer is, Lord, carry on Thy work among Thy people until all discord shall be removed and the hearts of Thy people shall be knit together by high and holy ties.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1849, 2)
We have had some powerful seasons here of late. Sabbath and Sunday God moved in mighty power and there was a breaking down before God. There had been wrongs and hard feelings between some of the little company here. God in His mercy gave me a vision of the state of things and showed me that there must be a tearing down and building up. They felt the power of the message and those that were wrong confessed their wrong, were forgiven, and we had a melting time. God’s people are preparing and getting ready for the seal of the living God. Brethren Bates and Gurney are strong in God and the power of His might.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1849, 3)
I must close and get this in the office to go out in today’s mail. Keep up good courage. Lean wholly upon God. He will not leave or forsake us. Love to your husband.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1849, 4)
Your sister in haste.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1849, 5)
Lt 3, 1849
Hastings, Br-Sr. Refiled as Lt 5, 1849.
Lt 4, 1849
Hastings, Brother and Sister Topsham, Maine March 22, 1849 Portions of this letter are published in 1Bio 159. See also Annotations. Dear Brother and Sister Hastings:
I can write but little now as I am weak, but the Lord is very good to poor unworthy me. While riding in the stage Wednesday I thought I should have to stop at a private house and go no farther, but James and I united in faith together that God would give me strength and suddenly I felt a visible change for the better, and arrived here without accident or harm. Praise the name of the Lord. Yesterday I was unable to sit up; today am free from pain, though weak. My faith is strong in God. I am ready to go anywhere He shall send me, knowing He will give me strength.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1849, 1)
Keep up good courage, my dear Brother and Sister. God is your helper. A few more days here in toil and then we shall be free. Time is short; let us hold fast unto the end. Pray for poor me. Excuse my [not] writing more; my side pains me much; I cannot write.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1849, 2)
E. W. [Note added in James White’s handwriting:]
Ellen says, “Do give my love to the children.” Her side is so lame she cannot write a word more, “and sign my name,” so here it is.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1849, 3)
E. G. White
Lt 5, 1849
Hastings, Brother and Sister Milton, Massachusetts April 21, 1849 Portions of this letter are published in 1MR 390; 5MR 93-94, 200. See also Annotations. Dear Brother and Sister Hastings:
I now sit down to write you a few lines and give you a little history of our journey and of the dealings of God with us since we left you. It was rather a tedious journey for me from Dorchester to Brunswick. I stood my journey all quite well until we came to the last sixteen miles. We were obliged to take the stage from North Yarmouth to Brunswick. The roads were very bad. I felt that I could not perform the journey and that I must stop at a private house. The stage shook us round very much. James and I agreed to unite our prayers together, and in faith believing, ask God for strength, and praise His holy name, He heard us pray. I felt a visible change for the better and was enabled in the strength of God to finish the journey without accident or harm.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 1)
The first Sabbath we spent in Topsham, was a sweet, interesting time. It seems that Jesus Himself passed through our midst and shed His light and glory upon us. We all had a rich draught from the well of Bethlehem. The Spirit came upon me and I was taken off in vision. I saw many important things, some of which I will write you before I close this letter. I saw Brother Stowell of Paris was wavering upon the shut door. I felt that I must visit them. Although it was fifty miles off and very bad going, I believed God would strengthen me to perform the journey. We went and found they needed strengthening. There had not been a meeting in the place for above two years. We spent one week with them. Our meetings were very interesting. They were hungry for present truth. We had free, powerful meetings with them. God gave me two visions while there, much to the comfort and strength of the brethren and sisters. Brother Stowell was established in the shut door and all the present truth he had doubted. Strength was given me from on high so that my journey wearied me not at all and my health has been better ever since. Thank God He gives us strength as we need.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 2)
After we returned from Paris, [Maine], we felt that it was time to make up our minds where to go and spend the summer. We were in much perplexity and trial to know how to decide. We had been expecting God to teach in such a way that we could not mistake duty, but we were disappointed and as we had no light to go elsewhere, concluded to go to New York. James wrote them when to come for us at Utica and I signed my name to the letter after he had signed his. Soon I began to feel distressed and burdened. It seemed that I should be driven to distraction. I found relief by weeping. When in my distress James was afraid I would die, and he threw the letter in the stove, as he told me afterward, then knelt down by my bedside and prayed God to roll off the burden, and I was relieved. The next morning I awoke perfectly free and clear, all my distress was gone, and I felt assured God would open the way before us.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 3)
James went to the office and brought in a letter from Brother Belden, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, giving us a strong invitation to come there and live with them; said they should consider it a privilege to administer to our wants. We felt clear to go and felt that it was the way the Lord had opened. They sent us means to go with.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 4)
We came to this place yesterday; found our dear Brother Nichols’ family as well as usual, steadfast in the faith, and strong in all the present truth. Sister Temple continues well and strong. Praise the Lord, she stands out a living monument of the healing power of God. Last week she earned eight dollars cleaning house in Boston. Our God is a living God; He is bringing up and reviving His people and preparing them to stand in the battle of the Lord. The work is still going on in Connecticut. The Lord has shown me in vision He was at work there and that what He was doing for His people was only a few drops before a more plentiful shower.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 5)
Keep up good courage, my dear Brother and Sister. I do want to hear from you very much, and should rejoice to have the privilege of being in your happy dwelling once more. How is your health, Sister Hastings? And how is your child, the babe? Do let us know. We shall start for Connecticut Monday and settle down. Write us there and direct to James White, Rocky Hill, Ct.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 6)
I will now write you the vision God gave me on the Sabbath, the 24th of March. We had a glorious meeting. I was taken off in vision.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 7)
I saw the commandments of God and shut door could not be separated. I saw [that] the time for the commandments of God to shine out to His people was when the door was opened in the inner apartment of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door in the outer apartment and opened the door in the inner apartment and passed into the Most Holy Place, and the faith of Israel now reaches within the second veil where Jesus now stands by the ark. I saw that Jesus had shut the door in the Holy Place and no man can open it, and that He had opened the door in the Most Holy Place and no man can shut it; and that since Jesus had opened the door in the Most Holy Place the commandments have been shining out and God has been testing His people on the holy Sabbath. I saw that the test on the Sabbath could not come until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the Holy and He had passed within the second veil; therefore Christians who died before the seventh month, 1844, and had not kept the true Sabbath, rest in hope, for there was no condemnation until the true light on the Sabbath came.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 8)
I saw that our adversaries had been trying to open the door in the outer apartment and to close the door in the inner apartment where the ark is, containing the two tables of stone on which are written the ten commandments by God’s own finger. I saw that Satan was now using every device in this sealing time to keep the minds of God’s people from present truth and cause them to waver.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 9)
I saw a covering that God was drawing over His people to protect them in the time of trouble, and every soul that was decided upon the truth was to be covered with this covering of Almighty God. Satan knew this and was also at work in mighty power. I saw that the mysterious knocking in New York was the power of Satan clothed in a religious garb to lull the deceived to more security and to draw the minds of God’s people to look at that and cause them to doubt the teachings of God among His people.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 10)
I saw that Satan was working through agents in a number of ways. He was at work through ministers who had rejected God’s truth and had been given over to strong delusions to believe a lie, that they might be damned. I saw while they were preaching or praying some would fall prostrate and helpless, not by the power of the Holy Ghost, No, no, but by the power of Satan breathed upon these agents and through them to the people.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 11)
I saw that some professed Adventists who had rejected present truth, while preaching, praying or in private conversation used mesmerism to gain adherents, and the people would rejoice, thinking it was the power of God; and even those that used it (mesmerism) themselves were so far in the darkness and deception of the devil that they thought it was the power of God given them to exercise. I saw that these men had made God altogether such an one as themselves.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 12)
I saw that some of the agents of the devil were affecting the bodies of those they could not deceive and draw from the present truth. Some of them were even trying to afflict some of the saints unto death. (O that all could get a view of it as God revealed it unto me, that they might know more of the wiles of Satan so as to be on their guard.)
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 13)
I saw that Satan was at work in these ways to distract, draw away, and deceive God’s people just now in this sealing time more than ever before. I saw some who were not standing stiffly, their knees were trembling, their feet were sliding, because they were not planted firmly on present truth, and the covering of Almighty God would not be drawn over them. While they were thus trembling Satan was trying his every art to hold them where they were until the sealing was over and the covering drawn over God’s people, and they left out without protection in the time of slaughter. God has begun to draw this covering over His people, therefore it will very soon be drawn over all of those who are to have a shelter in the time of trouble or day of the Lord.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 14)
I saw that as God worked for His people, Satan would also work, and that the mysterious knocking and signs and wonders of Satan and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth, No, no, but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapt about them a religious cloak which covered up the iniquity of a vile heart so as to deceive God’s people; but if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of souls for sinners as used to be. I looked but could not see it for the time for their salvation is past.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 15)
Dear Brother and Sister, I have now written the vision God gave me. I am tired sitting so long. Our position looks very clear. We know we have the truth, the midnight cry is behind us, the door was shut in 1844 and Jesus is soon to step out from between God and man. The sealing will then be accomplished—finished up. Oh, let us keep on the whole armor of God that we may be ready for battle at any moment. We shall have to fight every inch of ground now. Satan has come down in great power, knowing his time is short; but with the commandments of God written in our hearts and in our minds [we] will go on strong and bold, and although the sons of Anak be many and tall, yet we will go on crying, The commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 16)
Glory be to God, we shall get the victory and enter the goodly land if we keep the commandments. Oh yes, and we shall have right to the tree of life, and drink of those streams that make glad the city of our God, and we shall behold the lovely face of Jesus and be made like Him. Lift up your heads and rejoice, your redemption is nigh.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 17)
Arabella, the Lord is coming; are you all ready? Can you meet Him in peace and say, This is our God, we have waited for Him? Oh do take hold on the strength of God and make peace with Him, that you may stand when the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard. And the rest of the children,—I cannot call them by name,—Love God with your whole hearts and pray much that you may be sealed. It is of great importance that you secure your soul’s salvation. Much love to all.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 18)
E. G. White
Much love to Sister Gorham; tell her, for me, to hold fast; tell her her deliverance is soon to come and she will soon, if faithful, enjoy the company of Jesus and angels. Tell her to stand stiffly, to let nothing move her from the truth. My love to Sister Eastman, although I have never seen her, and Brother Gardner. I should love to see you all. Pray for poor, unworthy me.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 19)
In haste.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1849, 20)
Lt 6, 1849
Hastings, Br-Sr. Refiled as Lt 4, 1849.
Lt 7, 1849
Collins, Gilbert and Deborah NP [September 1849] This letter is published in entirety in 3MR 174-175. See also Annotations. Dear Children, Gilbert and Deborah [Collins],
I have just laid down my child a few moments to write you a word. Are you good children? Do you keep the commandments of God, and love and obey your parents? If you do you have the promise of entering the holy city where all is harmony and joy. You must pray to God much that He would accept you, and keep you from the pestilence and sickness that is abroad in the land.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1849, 1)
God loves the young if their hearts are turned unto Him, and He loves to bless them.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1849, 2)
I am now on my way to visit Henry, and present to him his little brother. I hope you will be good children. Love God. Speak the truth at all times. Be obedient to your parents, and then God will be pleased with you, smile upon and bless you. Be good, be good.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1849, 3)
In haste and love.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1849, 4)
Lt 8, 1849
Hastings, Brother and Sister Rocky Hill, Connecticut May 29, 1849 Portions of this letter are published in 4MR 323-326; 5MR 248-249. See also Annotations. Dear Brother and Sister Hastings:
We received your kind and sweet letter in due time. James was in New York when it came and my health was very poor at that time or I should have written you before his return. He came home last Tuesday, had a good time in western N. Y. feeding the hungry sheep. We have been in a very tried state of late while we see the wrongs in Connecticut. My soul has carried the burden and distress for two weeks past.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 1)
Last Sabbath was a trying day to me. As soon as meeting commenced my burden grew heavier. My heart ached almost to bursting. I was obliged to leave the room and not come in again until meeting closed. I cried aloud for a long time, but tears would not relieve me. I thought I must leave Ct. and made up my mind to go to western N. Y.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 2)
Last Sunday we were at Bro. Ralph’s and we engaged in prayer for the special teachings of God how to move, whether to go to N. Y. or stay in Ct. The Spirit came and we had a powerful season. Brother and Sister Ralph were both laid prostrate and remained helpless for some time. I was taken off in vision and saw concerning the state of some here and also saw there would be a conference at your place and that it was duty of my husband to attend and that a conference should be holden in Paris, Maine and souls would be strengthened and comforted there. I then saw it was not duty to go to N. Y. but that we must tarry and abide where we were, so our minds are made up what to do, and may God give me strength to endure the trials I shall have to pass through here.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 3)
This morning we had a good time; my soul was taken into a sacred nearness to God. I could hold sweet communion with Him, my peace was as a river and my poor heart burned with love to God. Praise His holy name. My soul doth magnify the Lord for His tender kindness unto me.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 4)
I was rejoiced to hear of the good time you had at your house with Sister Gorham and Eastman. I should have loved to [have] been one of your company. I have not forgotten the good seasons we had together, neither have I forgotten your kindness to us. May the Lord reward you for your labors of love unto us. We have had sweet union together. O, may it last until Jesus comes. Let nothing cast you down but be encouraged and remember Jesus hath the watchful care over you.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 5)
Time is very short, deliverance is coming and Satan knows it and is working in great power. I can see the restraint is being taken off from the wicked, and very soon when Jesus steps out from between the Father and man it will be entirely gone. Now is the time we must watch on every hand, against the wiles of Satan and have steady, abiding faith in God, faith that will stand the trial, such faith as Elijah had when he prayed for rain. He prayed once and sent his servant to see if there was any sign of his prayer being answered, and although there was none, outward appearance was against him, yet he did not give up in discouragement but bid his servant to go again yet seven times. Elijah had faith that holds on and that would stand the trials seven times. At last the cloud appeared and the heavens gave rain.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 6)
Bless God the prayer of faith will bring the dew of heaven and our souls will be watered by it. Hold on to faith, let your feelings be what they will. O, how my soul feels for the flock of God. I long to be out among them. I often awake myself crying to God’s people to get ready, get ready that the cloak of Almighty God may be thrown around them and they be hid in the time of trouble. I shall be deprived [of] the privilege of meeting with you in conference. I feel the privation but the will of the Lord be done. My heart and mind will be there, and my prayers shall be for you that God would work among you.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 7)
How are the children? Do they feel their acceptance with God? Dear children, do not rest a moment if you do not. God loves to hear the prayers of the young. Call upon Him and make your peace with Him that you may stand in the day of slaughter. I do love you, children, and I want you to be saved in the kingdom and enjoy the beauty of the earth made new. Get ready, get ready, love not this world, love not the wicked, but God and those who have His image. Tell Sister Gorham to be of good courage; tell her although she may be in the heated furnace the Lord will not leave her. Tell her to hold fast the truth whatever opposition she may have. It’s better to serve God than man, His strength is sufficient for her. Love to Sister Eastman and Brother Gardner. Should love to see you all. Pray for me. I have trials that none but God knows of, but I have started for eternal life and I cannot stop this side. I must see the inside of glory, stagger not at the promises but believe. Faith, simple faith is what we want, a firm reliance and trust in God. Faith will drive back the powers of darkness; only have faith and you will have a clear, sweet atmosphere to live and breathe in.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 8)
Kiss the little morsel for me and do write us often as you can. This is a hasty line. Pray for me.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 9)
E. G. White June 1, Friday Dear Brother and Sister:
It has been stormy here for some days. Last Wednesday about six o’clock P. M. a brother came from Portland, eleven miles from here and wanted we should go and pray for his wife for she was just alive, and that was all. She was taken so violent that they called in a physician. He tried to help her, but could do her no good, and said she must die. Another physician was consulted who said he could do nothing. The last was the most celebrated physician in Middletown, Ct. Sr. Penfield told her husband to go for God’s people; she sent for us.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 10)
It was rather of a trial for me to start. It was rainy and I had been very weak all day, but I concluded to go. James felt he must go too. Brother and Sister Ralph also went according to her request. We prayed for her [at] ten o’clock that night and the Spirit began to settle. She had been in very great agony but we anointed her with oil in the name of the Lord and then our earnest cries went up to God for healing power.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 11)
God began to work, the pain ceased, but we did not get the full victory we wanted that night. She rested well that night, was free from pain. In the morn we united in prayer for her again. The power came down like a mighty, rushing wind, the room was filled with the glory of God, and I was swallowed up in the glory and was taken off in vision.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 12)
I saw the willingness of God to heal the afflicted and distressed. I also saw that God was displeased when we trusted in or called on earthly physicians. I saw the beauty, the glory and majesty of Jesus. The sun could not shine in His presence any more than a star at noonday when the sun shone in its splendor. O how rich the inheritance of the saints looked to me. How glorious! Tongue cannot describe it. On every side and all around was glory, glory, glory, that cannot be expressed. My soul was enchanted with the sight. I longed to see more and more. It seemed that I could plunge in the glory, that I could swim in it. Praise the name of the Lord. O shall we not go on with perseverance? Shall we sink down now? No, no, we shall soon see Jesus and reign with Him in glory. Hold fast, hold fast, hold fast.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 13)
The work of healing was done up well. She grew stronger in body and mind, and while I was in vision the doctor came, he heard the shouting in vision and would not come in. Brother Penfield wanted he should come in, said he would not come in any case, seemed to be afraid and rode off and carried the news that we were making a great noise over that sick woman and he thought if she was kept still she would get well, when he had not seen her since he said she would die. The neighbors, when we left yesterday, were all stirred up and mad at us because we had prayed for Sister Penfield and she had been healed. Sister P. is strong. Praise the Lord.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1849, 14)