Stevens, Harriet Rochester, New York March 10, 1854 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 436. See also Annotations. Dear Sister Harriet [Stevens]:
I have just received a letter from you. We were glad to hear from you, but my health is so very poor [I] can write but a few lines now. I have been almost entirely confined to my room since we returned [from] our last three weeks’ journey in this state. Was unable to sit up but a few hours in the day most of the time on the journey, have done nothing like work for six weeks. Disease of the heart is making rapid progress upon me, and unless I soon regain some strength of body and soul to rise above my fearful and threatening disease, I cannot continue long. You may inquire, Has Sister White given up to die? I answer, No. I still hope because others wish me to, and my faith is increasing, that the enemy will not be permitted to triumph over me. But I have been sorely afflicted and have been brought very near death’s door.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1854, 1)
We had a special meeting appointed to devote to the special purpose of presenting Brother J. N. Andrews’ case to the throne of grace, pleading with God to rebuke disease upon him and restore him to health, that Israel may not be led to mourn his loss. Sorrow upon sorrow will come upon us if he is removed from us.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1854, 2)
We also have covenanted to pray three times a day and make Brother John’s case a special subject of prayer; also to strive to cultivate deep piety in our own hearts that we may grow strong in faith and be prepared for the events which are just before us, the time of trouble.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1854, 3)
Thank you for your kind letter. Do not wait for me to write and answer every letter, for I am too feeble to write much. My sickness has been very discouraging and wearing. I will try to keep you apprized of my state of health. You need not think because we do not write often that we do not wish to hear from you. Our time is occupied and we are even pressed. But poor me—[I] am punished with sitting and lying, doing nothing.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1854, 4)
You must excuse all bad writing for I am writing on a trunk in my lap. Anna was glad of the communication for the Instructor. Be of good cheer. Much love to each of the children. In much love.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1854, 5)
Lt 2, 1854
Pierce, Brother and Sister Rochester, New York April 11, 1854 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations. Dear Brother and Sister Pierce:
We received your letter in due time and as you make inquiry concerning my health, I would say it has been very poor all winter. For months [I] have been unable to do anything. The swelling upon my eye commenced to grow directly after we returned from visiting the East. It is upon my upper eye lid. It has increased in size and has troubled me so much [I] have been obliged to give up writing entirely for a time. My whole eye was very painful, especially the ball.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 1)
But this has not been all my difficulty. I have been troubled with disease of the heart for years but of late this disease has made rapid progress upon me. I have had constant pain in my heart for months. We have all been alarmed as we have been aware of the progress of disease. A few weeks since I had an alarming attack of paralysis. My left arm, tongue and head were numb and then extreme coldness followed.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 2)
I sent for my husband, not knowing but that in a short time I should be silent in death. We tried to look to the Lord. I grew weak very fast, was almost blind. That night we had a little meeting and I presented my case as a special subject of prayer. I told them I was satisfied that my work upon earth was done unless there was a speedy deliverance wrought for me. We prayed for the Spirit of God to indict our petitions. The sweet Spirit of God did rest upon me, the pain in my head was rebuked and my soul was abundantly blessed, and I could not refrain from weeping and praising God. My soul was filled with love and gratitude for His unbounded goodness to unworthy me.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 3)
The next day the pain in my heart continued, but I was free in the Lord; my peace was like a river. That night I again requested the prayers of those present, and for the first time in my life was anointed with oil. I felt less of the Spirit than before, when prayed for, but I believed in the sure promises of God, that they would be verified, that God would give me strength to still be of some use in His service. I felt no change that night but rested well and awoke with the praise of God upon my lips, and the pain gone from my heart. The Lord has done for me that, which no physician upon earth could do. It is about three weeks since I was healed and my heart remains free from pain. I believe that the Lord will remove the swelling from my eye, and give me strength to do His will.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 4)
We feel the necessity of drawing near to God, of having our every motive and action governed by His Spirit.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 5)
Dear Brother, as a spirit of irreverence is very common it should be reproved at all times. Those who are [as] ignorant as you speak of concerning this being a sin, should always be reproved before they are rebuked publicly. Those who are so thoughtless as to continue to get off their guard after being reproved, and knowing the mind of the body of the church concerning this irreverence, should be rebuked publicly, for this sin has brought the frown of God upon us.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 6)
Your donation [of] $5 was gratefully received. Thank you for your interest [in] my welfare concerning being healed of disease of heart. Much love to all that love God. Pray for us that God would give husband and self health to labor for Him.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 7)
In much love.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1854, 8)
Lt 3, 1854
Pearsall, Brother and Sister Rochester, New York July 12, 1854 This letter is published in entirety in 7MR 208. See also Annotations. Dear Brother and Sister Pearsall:
In the vision at Grand Rapids I was shown something of your case. I saw that Brother Pearsall had not abstained from all appearance of evil, had been too familiar with the sisters, and had not always behaved with discretion and comeliness with his own wife in the presence of others. These things have brought a reproach upon the cause. Dear Brother Pearsall you have been indiscreet in practicing the salutation and have made but little difference as to the time and place, whether you were surrounded by unbelievers or not, and had been ready to practice it too frequently, and no good but evil has resulted from it.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1854, 1)
I saw that you had dwelt too much upon little things, nonessentials; had entered too largely into others’ business and affairs, and were too precise to bring them to your views and ideas, and the result has been bad. You have been too severe upon others, noticed their faults too much and dwelt upon them, have dwelt too much on articles of dress &c., &c. I saw that you had done very wrong, and been exceedingly unguarded in taking sisters upon your knees. God’s Word does not allow it, and you have no right to do it, and you have sinned in so doing. I saw that you could not be too careful and reserved with the sisters. No married man has any right to sit another woman upon his knee, or allow it in a woman, but his own wife. You must be more judicious, more guarded, and watch your [The remainder is missing.]
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1854, 2)
Lt 4, 1854
Friends Refiled as Lt 30, 1859.
Lt 5, 1854
Brethren and Sisters Rochester, New York December 16, 1854 Portions of this letter are published in 6MR 297; 7MR 259-260. See also Annotations. Dear Brethren and Sisters:
I have been wanting to write you for some time but a multitude of cares has hindered me. I have not forgotten your kindness to us, No, no. But we have passed through trials and suffering.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 1)
Dear Anna sleeps in Jesus. For weeks before she died she was entirely helpless and had to be lifted from six to nine times a day, and for months she could not walk without help. O, it has been a fearful scene of suffering we have passed through. Anna died a hard death. O how my mind has suffered. My feelings have been intense. Nathaniel lies low in the grave. Anna sleeps in Jesus.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 2)
I have been very fearful, yes greatly alarmed, that the disease that has preyed upon Nathaniel and Anna is preying upon James. He has been afflicted in the same way and unless he is speedily relieved he will go in the same way. We have prayed and wrestled with God, and are still holding on to His promises. We have set apart noon in this family for a season of prayer especially for James. We believe God will work for him. Pray for him especially.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 3)
Henry’s health is good. Edson is not very well. Baby seems to be in perfect health. He is a great fat boy. Is three months and a half old and he weighs 17 pounds. He is good natured, seldom cries, is very playful and active. He has but one fault; that is, he is afraid of singing. My health is quite good for me. But James, poor James, I think he must leave the work sometimes and have quiet rest. I fear at times his life will fall a sacrifice to his incessant labors. I ask again your prayers. I do want to see you very much. I have about as much as I can do to take care of my three children. You have seen Henry, well Edson has more life and roughery than Henry, so you must know my hands are full.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 4)
January 9, 1855
You see the above has been written for some time before I finished it. I made a visit to Mill Grove, and have but just returned. We are as well as usual. Baby weighs 19 pounds, is a fat, healthy boy, perfectly good-natured, seldom cries. My health is quite good except a trouble of bloating which makes me feel unpleasant. I weigh 150 pounds.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 5)
I am very grateful to the friends for their donations to me. I will try to use it just right, knowing it is the Lord’s money. You thought of sending a box of dried fruit; it would come very acceptably. Can you get some spikenard? [You] need not preserve it in sugar; send it dry. James ate a part of that you sent to poor Anna and thought it did him good. Many of our friends recommend a constant use of it to James as very healing and useful for the lungs. John Thomas and James need to use it freely.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 6)
I want to see you very much. O shall I have the privilege?
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 7)
James says ask them if they can get some spikenard and send me. Much love to all the dear children of God.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 8)
From your unworthy sister.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1854, 9)
Lt 6, 1854
Loughborough, Sister NP 1854 Winter Portions of this letter are published in 10MR 20. See also Annotations. Dear Sister Loughborough:
The Lord shewed me that the field of your husband’s labors was west, that his work was not east. I saw that the hungry sheep West must be fed and that Brother John would have trials to pass through and much to bear from opposers. When he shall have finished his errands that the Lord has sent him on and shall return home for rest and sympathy, you must be prepared to sympathize with him, and to comfort him and hold up his hands. He must not come home to be burdened and to hold up your hands, but you must be prepared to hold up his hands by kind, sympathizing words, and by your prayers.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1854, 1)
I saw that his heart often suffered many pangs, that if you had been careful of your words and yielding, he would not have felt. I saw that you have not realized your duty to your husband. He has and does still fondly love you, but there has not been that tenderness on your part towards him and for him that there should be. Often things have been said which would barrow up the soul, and cause him deep sorrow; often you have talked for the sake of talking, which wounded your husband and caused him sorrow and distress. I saw that you had not loved as he has loved, your affections have been too much divided.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1854, 2)
Your friends have taken too much of your sympathy. There has not been boldness enough on your part when you have been with them, there has been a shunning or shrinking from letting them know that the interest of your husband, and yourself, was in heaven, and not on the earth.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1854, 3)
You have sought to please your friends altogether too much, and if you would have eternal life you must cut loose from relatives and acquaintances and not seek to please them but have your eye single to the glory of God, and serve Him with your whole heart. This will not wean you from your husband at all, but will draw you closer to him, and cause you to leave father, mother, sisters and brothers and friends and cleave to your husband, and love him better than anyone on earth, and make his wishes your wishes. And you can live in harmony and happiness.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1854, 4)
I saw that you had often teased and fretted him until he would speak impatiently to you. This I saw on both sides was all wrong. God has given the man the preference; he is the head and the wife is to obey the husband, and the husband is not to be bitter against the wife, but love her as his own body.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1854, 5)
Dear Sister, I saw that you were not half given up to God, not half consecrated to Him. Your will was not swallowed up in the will of God. And you must get ready, fitted and prepared for Christ’s coming, or you will come short, be weighed in the balance and found wanting. You must be more devoted to God, more in earnest about your soul’s salvation and your eternal interest. I saw that if you would labor with your husband for God, you would not lose your reward. That is, labor to have him free and not lay a feather in his way but cheer, encourage, and hold him up by your prayers. God will notice it and will reward you.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1854, 6)
In love.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1854, 7)
Lt 7, 1854
Loughborough, Brother and Sister NP [July 1854] Portions of this letter are published in 7MR 259, 352. See also Annotations. Dear Brother John and Sister Mary [Loughborough]:
I have written off the vision for you as soon as I could.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 1)
I came home from Michigan as you will know expecting to get rest, but we did not get home until Friday, the very day the conference commenced. That day our house was crowded and was so all through the conference. As soon as the conference closed Clarissa was taken sick with fever and ague, and when we returned from the West we found that Anna [White] had greatly changed. Consumption has marked her for his victim, and to all human appearance in a few months she will be laid by Nathaniel’s side. We have had a serious time. I found Clarissa and Anna could not eat, had no appetite, and our family did not understand providing for the sick. The conference brought so much labor upon the family they had all they could do, and I was obliged to keep on my feet day after day to wait upon the sick until my feet at night would be blistered, and it was impossible for me to rest I was so exhausted.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 2)
Clarissa was very low and two or three times a day we labored in prayer to have the power of the enemy rebuked upon Clarissa. The anxiety of my mind was very great, it has been wrought up to the highest pitch.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 3)
Sister Seely lives the next house to us, and there was Brother Rhodes sick with fever and ague, and a few days since Brother John Andrews was taken down with the fever and ague. He had two or three days [of] chills here, but he has now gone to Brother Ortons.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 4)
Anna and Clarissa have been very, very sick. The power of the enemy was broken upon Clarissa about two weeks since, yet her chills continued until yesterday. She and Anna have been unable to labor at all. My sewing has laid almost entirely still. I have been disheartened and nearly discouraged to have so many sick around. I have to have a care in this family that I ought not to have, yet I have felt thankful that my health is so good, but I am getting worn out.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 5)
This morning we anointed Anna and prayed for her, just before James left for Vt. Anna has neglected her own case, seemed to be rather stupid to her own condition, until we have feared much it was too late for her. Our trust now is in God, but Anna to all appearance is marked for the grave. We have had some faith that God will have compassion and save her to labor for Him. She has had no faith for herself, but now is aroused some to take hold of God.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 6)
The above is my excuse for not writing before. I am not going to get down or get discouraged, but do pray for me. I need your prayers. We are trying to hold on to faith. James has gone to Vt. to attend the tent meetings there. I felt that it was his duty to go. I would request the brethren and sisters to remember us in their prayers. Write us often. You must not expect an answer, this is the last letter I can write you for it wearies me much. I have written and sent the vision to Brother Fitch and one to Brother Pearsall, also one to Brother and Sister Brooks and the band in Bedford. I have attempted to write the vision to Brother Frisbie, but had no liberty to write.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 7)
Much love to all.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 8)
E. G. White
I meant to have written Brother Smith’s family but am too tired. They must excuse me now. I will say that I was very sorry that I did not know when the box of books went to Jackson so that your things did not go, Mary, nor the manuscript. I meant to have sent about Luman, and the frame of the purse Brother Dodge spoke of. I was sorry but James did not think to speak to me about it till it was mailed and in the wagon.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 9)
I would say I spoke of quilts when I was West but I hope none will trouble themselves or rob themselves to send [to] me. We have enough to reach around and if we have a smaller family next spring can do without any more. I spoke about having some strips of carpet woven. I have been thinking we might do without them very well, especially if we reduce our family. So don’t trouble about them.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 10)
I received a letter from Sister Kellogg. Thank her for writing. It does not tire me too much. Will write her soon.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 11)
Much love to each member of Brother Smith’s family, also to Bro. and Sister Dodge. Their great kindness will never be forgotten by me.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1854, 12)
Lt 8, 1854
Brethren and Sisters at Bedford NP July 1854 This letter is published in entirety in 21MR 364-366. See also Annotations. Dear Brethren and Sisters at Bedford:
While at Grand Rapids I saw that cases of some.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 1)
I was first shown the case of Brother Hungerford—that he was far from God. He realized but little what it was to be a true Christian, a follower of Christ. I saw that religion did not consist in making a noise, but that Brother Hungerford was in the habit of going into meeting and praying long and loud, and after the meeting closed his heat and excitement were gone, and then he was light and trifling; that he seemed to have no foundation, no heartwork—did not show the fruits of a Christian. His conduct out of meeting was such as God abhors. He was too familiar with the sisters, his life was not at all in accordance with his profession, and every day he gave his profession the lie.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 2)
He is a reproach to the cause, and it would be better if he had never embraced the third angel’s message than to take the course he does—appear to be full of zeal in meeting and when you look for the fruits out of meeting they are not to be found. I saw that he was too dilatory. Much of his time that he should spend in laboring with his hands to support his family and to help the cause was idled away. I saw that he would have to give an account for his strength and time that he has idled away. He is just as accountable for his time and strength as those who have property are accountable for what God has given them. God has given strength to Brother H. and he has made a bad use of it. He has not spent it to the glory of God but has felt satisfied and easy if he could go a distance to meeting and idle away his time there when it were much better for him if he was at home laboring with his hands, for he would be no benefit in meeting.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 3)
Brother H’s heart is far from God. His imprudent conduct has brought a reproach upon the cause that will not be easily wiped away. To be a Christian is to be Christlike, and the habit Brother H has of shouting is no evidence that he is a Christian, for his shouting is regarded by God as no shouting. Half of the time he himself knows not what he is shouting at.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 4)
There is also a great lack of neatness and order. God wants His children in these last days to be neat and clean. His commands to the children of Israel were definite in regard to cleanliness. God has not changed or altered. He wants His children in these last days to be clean and holy and have no guile found in their mouth. God will not own a filthy person as a Christian. There is no place for such in heaven, for all is neatness and order there.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 5)
I saw that some in Bedford were at fault, did not realize how precious their time was, and that they must be diligent and faithful in the things of this world, or God would not trust them with the true riches. I saw that all did not realize that their time, their strength, was the Lord’s, that it was not their own. If they did realize this they would be more diligent, not to add land to land and building to building, but to obtain all they could by using the strength God has given them for His precious cause, and then they will receive their reward hereafter.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 6)
I saw that there was not that spirit of sacrifice in Bedford that there should be; that some were not careful enough to study, when they decided to attend meetings, whether they were going to gratify themselves or to glorify God. Those who know the truth and are established in it should deprive themselves of privileges in order to assist other souls who are hungry and starving for present truth in other places. There is too much of a spirit and feeling like this: that those who are diligent in their affairs at home, and deprive themselves of the privileges of attending meeting abroad were worldly-minded, when the truth of the matter was they were making a sacrifice of their inclinations and desires, and with their hands were laboring to obtain something for the necessity of God’s servants. All these things were noticed of God.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 7)
It is not the will of God for His children to be engrossed in cares and get worldly-minded. No, no; and they will never do this if the suffering cause is ever before them. They must die to self. God is not displeased, but approbates His children getting together every Sabbath and listening to the testimonies of each other. Neither does He frown upon their going once a year, or perhaps oftener, to a distance to meeting. But when souls have had a feast—and a rich one—hearing from God’s Word of His precious truth, then is the time for them to improve upon what they have heard. Instead of going again and again to hear more, let them ponder over and over what they hear. Many will have to render an account for privileges they have had in attending meeting and hearing the truth they have made no improvement upon.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 8)
I saw that it was necessary that all should have the true object rest before them, and then they should be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. They must remember what Jesus has suffered and sacrificed for them, and they must be watching for an opportunity that they may sacrifice something for God and His cause—watch and see how they can be the means of doing others good. There is too much of a feeling like this: My time is my own; but it is not so. It is not your own. You are bought with a price, and are soldiers, and you must be ever at your post, wherever it is, at home or abroad. Idleness and slothfulness God abhors. Ease and love of self-gratification must be overcome and all must have a spirit of sacrifice.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 9)
Those who are in the habit of indulging in passion and of being impatient will have to overcome it. They will, and must be, perfectly subdued by grace or they can never enter heaven. Jesus is the example that is set before us. He endured all the slight and indignity that could be heaped upon Him, yet He opened not His mouth. He that could have had a legion of angels to assist Him had He asked His Father, was the meek Lamb and was spit upon, crowned with a crown of thorns and stretched on Calvary’s cross, there to die an ignominious death for our sins. O, it behooved Christ to suffer all this to make a way of escape for lost man! He was the innocent Sufferer, and shall we dare to complain of any sacrifice we have made or can make? Shall we murmur who shall suffer something for our own sins? O, no! Let us crave the suffering part.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 10)
Brethren and sisters in Bedford, learn to suffer more. Learn to deny yourselves more. There is need of it. Die to self. Do not love your ease too much. Have energy in your daily labors and energy in the cause of God. Your reward is not here. Jesus has purchased for us an immortal inheritance and for that we can endure anything. O what love, what wondrous love has been manifested us by the Beloved of the Father! O, do not, any of you, neglect the preparation necessary, and finally be weighed in the balances and found wanting!
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1854, 11)