Bailey, Brother and Sister Battle Creek, Michigan January 3, 1871 This letter is published in entirety in DG 208-210. Dear Friends, Brother and Sister Bailey:
I have been feeling it to be my duty to write you since I have been writing for others the things that have been shown me in regard to them. I have had some things to write to you but have not felt free to write until now. When at your house if a favorable opportunity had presented, I should have spoken to you and relieved my mind. Since my returning home, I do not feel free unless I write to you.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 1)
I have had much writing to do in regard to the errors of parents in properly instructing their children and the result upon their children. Your course was opened before me. You have both been too indulgent to your children. Your dangers and errors are not seen and realized so fully as to lead you to take a position you should in your family and command your household after you.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 2)
God in His great mercy has brought to your knowledge the truth. You love the truth. You see its claims upon you. It has wrought a reformation in the life and led you to have a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of your children. All this is in accordance with the Spirit of God. But while you feel thus anxious you fail seriously to do the work the Lord had left you as parents to do. Your children have not been restrained. They have been indulged to their injury. They have not been brought into subjection as God requires.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 3)
There has been a serious lack with you in the training of your children. Your daughter especially has been petted. Your sons have not been educated aright. Your daughter has been petted and indulged until her practical usefulness is very small. Her attention has been mostly directed to herself until her mind has become supremely selfish and centered upon herself. If she has had indisposition, she is averse to labor. She has been favored and excused from any exertion. You have talked before her that she was not well. Her imagination has been excited in this direction. The mother has borne the heavy burdens she should have shared with the daughter and with her sons. The mother would have been spared much suffering in consequence of acute attacks by disease, could she have had the help she might have had from her children, especially her daughter, which labor would have been the greatest benefit to the daughter healthwise and saved her from sickness and been a blessing to her mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 4)
She is a girl so constituted that unless she has active exercise and engages in labor with cheerfulness, she will realize a stagnation of the blood, and is in danger of fever, paralysis, or apoplexy. She is of a bilious temperament. Inactivity, yielding to despondency and discontent, will produce an inactive liver. This organ will become dormant and the entire system will be filled with waste matter. Impurities of the system could be thrown off most successfully through the exhalations of the body, if all who are indisposed would stimulate nerve and muscle by activity in every department of household labor. The organs of the body must be kept in use in order to act their part healthfully.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 5)
Another evil which threatens to destroy the usefulness of your daughter is a love of the world, and pride of appearance. She has cherished an affectation which is death to spirituality.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 6)
Sister Bailey, you have committed a serious error in bringing up your children. Just as the twig is bent, the tree inclines. Your petting and excusing their errors and disrespect of your authority, has stood directly in the way of their salvation. Children who are not trained to be courteous and to yield to the claims of their parents, will not have a sense of their duty to God and His claims upon them for obedience and submission.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 7)
Your daughter has professedly yielded her heart to Christ. But she has failed to obtain a religious experience, and has not borne fruit to [the] glory of God. Your daughter has not yet discerned the true Fountain of the living waters. She has not a clear sense of the Source of her strength, of her joy, and salvation. Selfish pleasure and inclination have been followed, and the call of duty has been neglected. When your daughter discerns the way of true happiness, there will be a marked change in her life. Her spirit and her deportment will be of altogether a different character. Self will then be no longer consulted and indulged. At this shrine she will no longer bow. When the transformation takes place in her which can be compared with the change from life to death, then there will be a marked change in the motives and in the affections. She can say, The things I once loved, I now hate. The things I once hated, I now love.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 8)
A cheerful, happy, contented mind will never be found with those who are loving, petting and living for their own selfish pleasure, those who are seeking for happiness by gratifying their own desires, seeking for change and amusement, repining and complaining of ills and disappointments. If the attention is mainly devoted to the service of self, that mind that has no higher aim, will be barren, desolate and unsatisfied. Happiness is not found by those who are seeking for it. In the path of duty there is happiness. Doing good to others, forgetfulness of self, will result in peace and happiness. Unless your daughter meets with a thorough conversion, she will be weighed in the balance and found wanting. Her conversion is too superficial. She has not laid the foundation right. Storms, adversity and winds will carry away the house that is not built upon the rock, but on sliding sand. A circumstantial religion will not stand the trial of the day of the God. Frivolity and foolish talking and jesting and joking is classed in the Word of God with filthiness, fornication, and all uncleanness. Ephesians 5:3.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 9)
I ask myself frequently, How does God regard the clownish witticism of young men of this degenerate age, and the vain trifling, simpering affection of young girls? Especially is this grievous in the sight of God when found in those who profess to be bearing the cross of Christ.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 10)
Those who are Christ’s followers cannot find their delight in the society of worldlings or in seeking amusements in any society where they would not and could not welcome the Redeemer. How do angels regard the worldly-loving spirit of professed followers of Jesus? Love for dress or for selfish pleasure or vain amusements are positively forbidden in the Word of God. Your daughter needs a work accomplished for her at this critical age which cannot be done without the power of divine grace.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 11)
Oh, my dear Sister Bailey, indulgence is the barrier you and your husband have erected to debar your children from submission to God and a religious experience and from forming characters for heaven. Could you have labored for the present and future well being of your loved ones by teaching them self-control, mingled with respect and noble self-independence, you would have done a noble work, which God and heavenly angels would approbate, and which would have been returned to you in blessings to your own heart in this life, and blessing and happiness to your children. As parents, you have terribly neglected the work God has left you to do in the training of your children. You have shrunk from the labor and duty of controlling your house. They do not respect and love you more for your indulgence. No, no, for this very indulgence has made them selfish, proud, headstrong, unyielding and bigoted. It is impossible for a selfish person to have true love for others. Love is of so fine a quality, so heavenly in its nature, that but few have the genuine article. Your children, who share your bounty and hospitality, should be made to understand that in return they must show obedience and respect for your authority. Your children will yet be without the grace of God, where they will cause you heartaches and the keenest pangs of anguish without one feeling of remorse. They will consider the slightest restraint an invasion of their rights and will despise reproof.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 12)
Your children lost the benefits of the early training they should have had, but now you should change your discipline entirely and redeem your neglect. Your children lack those noble, desirable qualities of mind which right discipline and self-culture would have given them. Your children are not courteous, neither are they respectful. You listen to words from their lips that you should not permit under your roof. The young who are not restrained at an early age become their own masters and their own mistresses. They take the reins in their own hands. They are self-important, self-conceited, and impetuous, and do not have much taste or ambition for self-respect or to discipline their mind by close application to anything. They will not be restrained. They despise school discipline, for they have not been disciplined at home.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 13)
If youth are permitted to be independent and coarse and uncourteous at home, they will be the same in school and their bad example will prove a great injury to others. The youth mingling together should seek to cultivate manners which would be an advantage to their future success in life and should make daily improvements, making every circumstance tell for their good in developing their intellectual faculties. They can, like the lily of the pond, gather the good, tending to nourish purity and flourish amid the slime and impurities of the pond, but reach down deep beneath the surface and gather only the properties for itself which nourish its beauty and purity, rejecting that which is unfavorable to the development of its spotless purity.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 14)
Youth who have had their own way and chosen their own course and been allowed to say and do very much as they pleased, will never be happy in any place, neither will they be subordinate to any authority. They will not choose the society of associates which are persons of good sense and of good improvement of mind and manners from whom they can derive some intellectual advantage from their association. They will choose the company of those whose minds are cast in an inferior mold, and will really despise those youth who possess amiable traits of character, who are willing to be controlled and to be instructed. Those who are selfish and unlovable, headstrong, disrespectful, “and unthankful and unholy, truce breakers, fierce, despisers of those that are good, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,” are signs which characterize the last days just previous to the pouring out of the vials of God’s wrath. [2 Timothy 3:2-4.]
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 15)
You have your duty, Brother and Sister Bailey, marked out in the Word of God. The neglect of Eli in restraining his ungodly sons was given in history for the benefit of future generations, that fathers and mothers should take warning and shun the example of Eli. Your children are corrupting their ways before God.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 16)
Sister Bailey, you love your children unwisely. Better would it have been for them and you if they had never been born as far as their influence in the world for good is concerned. This sad condition of things is because of your unfortunate tenderness and favoring and seeking to please while you have not restrained them. Your tears, your pleading, Sister Bailey, in behalf of your children, has had bad results. You have tied the hands of your husband. He was too lax. He did not command his household after him as he should have done and what government he would have exercised, Sister Bailey has warded off or turned aside and counteracted by her over-tenderness. She has let her feelings control her instead of sanctified judgment and sound wisdom, having the future happiness and welfare of her children in view.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 17)
God is not pleased with Sister Bailey’s course in the management of her children. Remiss in duty, weighed in the balance and found wanting. This is a serious defect in a mother to be so tender of her children that she would allow sin upon them, allow them to be passionate, unthankful, disobedient, heady, high-minded and yet excuse this and cover it from other’s eyes and even from her own eyes. In this she is partaker of their wrongs and has been sustaining them in sin, and the blood of their souls will be in the skirts of her garments and their father’s. They can now redeem the past by a reformation on their part, but they can never blot out the results of their great neglect as far as their children are concerned. God holds parents responsible for the conduct of their children in a great degree, for they have the formation of their characters. Any neglect on the part of parents will be reflected back upon them in this life and will affect their future life. The character which has long been forming through a lifetime, if it is defective in several particulars, or even in one, when Christ comes, if that defect is not overcome before, they lose heaven. If it has been barely overcome at the last extremity, Christ when He comes does not change the character, but the mortal bodies to immortality. God has given man a lifetime to form his character. If he makes a failure through negligence, or for any other cause, this neglect is felt through all eternity. God will not be trifled with. His Word is to be our guide and if we will not appropriate the light and counsel and reproof of God’s Word to ourselves, and we be doers of the Word, the consequence will be upon ourselves.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 18)
God has made you stewards of means. Be careful that you do not pursue a course that will bring the curse of God upon your property. If your means sustain your children in their wickedness, God will curse your means and you. If your means are squandered by your children, what can you as God’s stewards say when He calls you to account? Your children will be injured by means in their control. They will consume upon their lust in rioting and frivolity means which the Master will require at your hands.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 19)
Self-culture will be the means of acquiring a vigorous reflecting and self-possessed mind. Noble qualities of mind are not obtained without patient effort, persevering cultivation of the mental, physical and moral powers. A course of self-discipline is most essential for the development and perfection of Christian character. Firmness, courage, industry and perseverance should be cultivated. These qualifications are essential to the formation of Christian character and should be sought after, cherished and exercised, for they lie at the foundation of usefulness and of success [in] this life, their success in this world and of their success in securing the future, immortal life.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 20)
The youth generally of this age are not careful to obtain a thorough education to the end that they may be useful. They despise everything that savors of disciplining the minds. A large number of young men and women delight in novels and have an aversion for intellectual, useful, instructive reading. They shun almost everything like responsibilities or useful employment. They have not an aim or purpose in life. They are vacillating, incompetent in any emergency. If called to battle with adversity, they are weak as helpless babies. They will only murmur, repine and manifest discontent, be saucy and impertinent, while means are being lavished upon them by their parents. They feel no sense of mutual obligation. They lived in slothful idleness, playing or aping the gentleman, lounging about with nothing to do. They might have listened to wise counsel if they were teachable. There will be chapters in the experience of every youth that will try the soul, and which will need the exercise of wisdom and demand courage, perseverance, industry and energy in order to have self-reliance.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 21)
Useful labor will not degrade any lady of refinement or gentleman of culture. But the ignorance and inability of the young to perform labor is that which degrades and gives even servants employed a superiority over the mistress because her skill and education in household labor is above the lady who employs her.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 22)
If the youth in the days of peril, would make God their trust and their Counselor, they will bless others with their life and stand as pillars of strength, efficient in any position, seeking divine strength. Following the voice of duty, they will possess noble self-reliance in any position God may assign them.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 23)
Your daughter is unfitted as far as useful life is concerned. Her imagination is more sick than her body is diseased. She is too fond of the society of young men. Her thoughts are not in obedience to the will of Christ. There is a vein of vanity and sickish sentimentalism in her organization which she must see before she can exert a good influence anywhere. The practical, homely, every-day duties of life have no charm for her, yet a love of these duties cultivated would have a tendency to wean her from day-dreaming, romantic castle-building, living in an unreal, imaginary world and finding her greatest happiness in the company of young men.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 24)
Your daughter needs to be energized by active labor. She is far better able to work and bear her share of life’s burdens than for her mother to bear them for her. Work, every day, that will bring in action her muscles and the organs of the body, will be the best medicine your daughter can have. Delicate idleness is keeping her bilious and discontented and unhappy.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 25)
In looking over and arranging my writings, I came across this testimony written some time ago. I related much of it to you at camp meeting and since that time lost track of the writing. It has been brought to my notice. I have copied it and send it to you.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 26)
May God bless these lines to you, my brother and sister.
(2LtMs, Lt 1, 1871, 27)
Lt 2, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma Greenville, Michigan January 30, 1871 Portions of this letter are published in 10MR 29. Dear Children:
We arrived at our old home last evening. We thought at first it would not be safe to come here because of measles, but we think there is no danger. We keep the children apart as much as possible.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 1)
We could not find my small satchel. In that is a six hundred dollar draft. Edson, you assured me it was put in. What does it mean? It could not fallen out, could it? If it is left it is safe, but there were letters therein I would on no account permit other eyes to see than my own. Dear Edson, do not on any account move rashly in regard to the letter written by your father. Keep quiet; wait and trust; be faithful; make every concession you can, even if you have done so before; and may God give you a soft and tender heart to your poor, overburdened, worn, harassed father.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 2)
I purchased one bushel of sweet apples for you of Brother Wicks, as Emma expressed a wish for some. Paid seventy-five cents. He said he would bring them to you. Ask Brother Buck to let you have some of his fruit that is spoiling to make applesauce. Do not pay a cent for them.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 3)
I meant, Edson, to have handed you five dollars, which will leave me five. Have Emma get her a hat, if she comes to the Creek.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 4)
I sat up, after all, and wrote ten pages, but Hannah was in bed. I was up at four, awake at three. The children leave as soon as light. It is thawing. I dare not have them stay.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 5)
You have, ere this, seen Brother Sawyer. If he has brought things you do not need, we will take them sometime or you can bring them to us. We met half way and told them that they had better go on with their load.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 6)
Dear children, my visit with you was made very agreeable. I shall not soon forget it. I love you both most tenderly and my most earnest desire is that you may be loved of God and that His love may dwell richly in your heart. Ever manifest tender regard for each other as you have since I have been with you; and may God bless you, is my prayer.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 7)
Your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 2, 1871, 8)
Lt 3, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma Battle Creek, Michigan February 22, 1871 Portions of this letter are published in 10MR 30-31. Dear Children:
We received a letter from Edson since our return from camp meeting. We will come out and see you perhaps next week; I cannot say surely. As soon as the Reformer is off we will see what we can do to getting out to see you.
(2LtMs, Lt 3, 1871, 1)
We are sorry you are sick, but hope it will not last long. My greatest fears have been lest death might overtake you, either Edson or Emma, and find that you have not made preparations for a home in heaven among the pure, holy angels. I hope Emma will not be indifferent in regard to these things, if Edson is. All must perfect Christian character for themselves. It is an individual work, an individual responsibility. One cannot give ransom for the soul of another. Christ has paid the dear price to ransom us. If we have no interest to avail ourselves of the benefits provided at such an immense cost, our retribution will have been justly earned.
(2LtMs, Lt 3, 1871, 2)
God help you both to make sure of a better home than this world affords.
(2LtMs, Lt 3, 1871, 3)
Edson, have your place look as well as you can. We will come soon and see you; perhaps next week.
(2LtMs, Lt 3, 1871, 4)
In love,
(2LtMs, Lt 3, 1871, 5)
Your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 3, 1871, 6)
Lt 4, 1871
Alexander Battle Creek, Michigan March 16, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Alexander:
I feel much troubled over your case. I cannot feel reconciled to the thought of your going on in a reckless course, hardening your heart against the influences of God’s Spirit, setting your will against the wishes of your widowed mother. Oh, how much you need to subdue Alexander, and gain a noble victory over self. How much you need Jesus for your friend and counselor. How much you need the tender softening, comforting influences of His Holy Spirit. You, my dear boy, possess naturally a proud, rebellious spirit. You have not opened your heart to the Saviour, who died for you to redeem you to God. You prefer rather to be considered a hardened sinner than to be known as a humble penitent, confessing your sins. You are now where Satan has control of your mind, and you are so deceived you think it brave to pursue a headstrong course.
(2LtMs, Lt 4, 1871, 1)
Remember, my dear boy, that every tear you bring to your mother’s eye, every sorrow to her heart, is registered in heaven. Can it be possible that you will plant thorns in your mother’s pillow and wrench sighs and groans from her lips because she is burdened on your account? How stands your record in heaven?
(2LtMs, Lt 4, 1871, 2)
The Word of God enjoins upon children the command to honor their parents. If the mother has the double burden to bear because of her widowhood, how hard and cruel must be the heart of a son to rebel against her authority and wound her heart by his wayward course. God lives and He will visit for these things. But Alexander, we cannot think that you are settled to resist the Spirit of God, set your heart against the truth and feel brave in your impenitence and in resisting the truth. Will you venture to grieve the Spirit of God from you? Oh, my young friend, don’t be afraid or ashamed of trying to do right. You are not happy. Your conscience is not at rest. Christ has invited you to come to Him. He invites you, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28. You may indeed be sinful, more sinful than you think, but your sinfulness is no excuse for delaying to bring your burden to Christ and accept the full forgiveness tendered to the penitent believer. To be a half believer is bad, for it makes a weak, vacillating character. Half belief in the truth excludes the joy that they might receive in a full faith and opens the door for an army of doubts and fears and miserable forebodings. How cheerily, how bravely can you move along and bear the burdens and perform the duties resting upon you, although they may appear severe, if you only bear in your breast a clear conscience.
(2LtMs, Lt 4, 1871, 3)
Dear boy, I write for your good. Would your ambition, your future recollections [be pleasant] with the thought that [at] a time when you could as a dutiful, faithful son have been a comfort to your widowed mother, a stay to her, you refused and chose to take your own self-willed course and be a grief, a burden, a weight? Dear boy, think of this.
(2LtMs, Lt 4, 1871, 4)
Serious obligations are resting upon you at this time. Your mother needs your help. There is a garden to make this summer. Who will do this? You can cultivate that land and raise much that you could live on in the fall and winter. When all the children are doing what they can, you, the one that is able and strong, a young man, step out, take your own course and leave the family to worry and distress themselves over your case. A blot, Alex, will rest upon your name if you do this. You will be considered by all an ungrateful child. What can be worse than a thankless child?
(2LtMs, Lt 4, 1871, 5)
Now, Alex, we are anxious for you. We want you to form a good character for this life and then you will be forming a character for the better life. Jesus loves you. He died for you. He wants you to come to Him just as you are, helpless and sinful. He will wash you in His own blood and purify you for the society of the heavenly angels. Will you come to Him? Your soul is worth saving and we cannot endure to see you working against your own present interest and your eternal interest.
(2LtMs, Lt 4, 1871, 6)
Lt 5, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma Greenville, Montcalm County March 23, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Children, Edson and Emma:
We came to Greenville yesterday. The cars entered Greenville about half-past eight o’clock. Brother Sawyer was not at the depot and we patronized the omnibus which took us to Brother Cypher’s door. We had written to Robert that we would be at Greenville Monday, but we could not leave Battle Creek Monday.
(2LtMs, Lt 5, 1871, 1)
Samuel Abbey came to Battle Creek the first of the week to be at the wedding of Joseph Perry. I talked with Mary Smith in regard to Samuel and she desired an interview with him. It resulted in Mary and Samuel being married. Last Sunday, I spoke to a large audience in the meetinghouse upon the reform dress. I had the best of attention. Many outsiders were in from downtown. After I ceased speaking, Brother Joseph Perry and Rosetta, Samuel Abbey and Mary Smith walked up the aisle and your father sealed them. He then told the congregation that he had a service to perform to unite the two couples before them, that he was glad to see them come in with the reform dress. They had very nice dresses made with straight pants which made a good impression after I had given them the subject of dress reform. Monday they were to leave for Brookfield. A dinner was given at the Institute and a Bible similar to the one presented to you, except the album was not in the Bible, was given to Joseph after Father had made an appropriate speech. All assembled in the parlor for this little scene. We had a season of prayer and bid them farewell.
(2LtMs, Lt 5, 1871, 2)
We hope you are well and happy. Make God your trust, children. Do not let the things of this life engross your mind and neglect secret and family prayer. You cannot gain spiritual strength without earnest prayer to God daily any more than you can receive strength of the body without temporal food. Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation.
(2LtMs, Lt 5, 1871, 3)
I fear you will be disappointed in regard to one of Stephen’s boys. I cannot think how they can get here, unused [as they are] to traveling. Their father would not dare to trust them. I think Stephen is decided not to move this summer. If the children could come, I think it would be a good thing. When you get an opportunity send those trunks, not by express but watch your opportunity and when someone comes, send them.
(2LtMs, Lt 5, 1871, 4)
Write me, Edson and Emma. I should be so glad to see you at your home. I am glad you have things arranged more comfortably. We shall probably go to Iowa next week. We ought to go, if I can only get Father away from the office. He is wedded to the office.
(2LtMs, Lt 5, 1871, 5)
In much haste and love to you both, and to Brother and Sister McDearmon, and to Nettie and all the children.
(2LtMs, Lt 5, 1871, 6)
Your mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 5, 1871, 7)
Lt 6, 1871
White, J. E. Battle Creek, Michigan April 2, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Son Edson:
I have read your last two letters to your father and am not pleased with the tone of them. I fear you are standing in your own light.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 1)
My dear son, your father has dealt very liberally with you. Please look back and consider the money he has expended on you, commencing at Albion. Your time was his until you were twenty-one; all you earned belonged rightly to your father. But consider you were no help to us. We were helping you, but never you us. Now my son, had your father had your time in faithful service until you were twenty-one, then you would be entitled to consideration; but he did not have it. You were a grief to us instead of a blessing.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 2)
Now, Edson, your father has been disposed to do more for you than I ever thought he would feel that he conscientiously could. His heart has been drawn out in love to you. Nothing could make us feel disinclined to help you like the manifestation on your part of distrust and of grasping. We fear that to do for you would only increase your acquisitiveness and be as so many bands to fasten you to the world and separate you farther from God by your placing affections upon it.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 3)
We are God’s stewards, and we must render an account for all the means He has entrusted to our care. Although you are our son, it would be wrong for us to put means in your hands to place your heart upon and draw your affections from God.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 4)
My dear boy, we do love you sincerely. If we thought God would be glorified by our giving you the farm outright, we would do so. But we dare not do it; and we feel grieved that you feel just as you do. It only has the effect to lead us to fear we have been hasty in doing as much as we have. We do not want you to work beyond your strength for the bread that perisheth while you neglect to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Trust in your father; be grateful for his liberality and kindness that you have not merited, and be content to climb slowly, making religion the basis of your action. Your father will do his part, I warrant you. You need not mistrust him.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 5)
Father is unwilling to encourage you to give a mortgage on your place. He wants you either to send the deed from Brother McDearmon or return the money. You, my son, are working against yourself. There is no manor of reason for this anxiety on your part. Your father, to help you, pays for the place, takes the deed, and saves you above one hundred dollars interest per year, and yet you are not satisfied. If, say you, Father should meet with misfortune you would lose all. Your father has been a careful, judicious manager and there is not one chance in a thousand of your father, by mismanagement, meeting with loss. This property is located where it will not decrease in value, but increase. There is insurance on this place; also upon the one in Iowa.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 6)
My dear son, we are anxious to see you governed by right motives and principles. You are too anxious. Whenever you have come in a strait place we have helped you, and if you take a course that we think God would approbate, we shall continue to do so. But Edson, if you make that small spot of land your highest ambition, to the neglect of your eternal interest, you will meet with a loss for which you can never be compensated. If, while you are trying to acquire earthly treasure necessary for your sustenance, you feel still that above every earthly advantage the eternal must be made secure by your laying up a treasure in heaven, you are safe. You are not then building upon the sand, but upon the rock. If sickness or adversity comes, like a wise master builder you have made provision and are safe.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 7)
We fear for you, my dear boy. We want you and Emma to be comfortable and happy in this life, but above all to have the better life. While you are so anxious to secure a right to a title to an earthly, perishable treasure, we long to see a corresponding zeal in securing a sure title to the mansion above. While you are zealous that you should run no risk here of meeting with loss of a small spot of this earth, we want you to feel the necessity of making sure to have a treasure in the heavens that is imperishable, where no thief approacheth or moth corrupteth; where there is no danger of investing time or interest without large returns. If you pursue a course which God can approbate and you can have His blessing, you are rich indeed, if you own not one foot of earthly soil.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 8)
I appeal to you, my dear children, Edson and Emma, to make diligent work in securing the eternal. Neglect not a preparation for the better life. Seek, o seek diligently, for purity of heart and holiness of life, and be the servants of the heavenly King who has given you every evidence of how highly He values your souls by dying to ransom you from the claims of Satan. Now will you show your allegiance to this your best, your truest Friend, by yielding to Him your best and holiest affections? Will you lay at His feet your all—your influence, your talents, your entire being—to work for His glory? Your interest should not come first. Said the heavenly Teacher: “Seek ye first (in all the pursuits of life) the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all things shall be added.” [Matthew 6:33.]
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 9)
Why do you labor and fret yourselves for that which is not bread, for the meat which perisheth? Is not the eternal, immortal life more than meat? Hang your hopes upon Jesus. Maintain a close walk with God. Be true to your own soul, be true to God, and His blessing will attend you. He will prosper all you set your hand unto. His love will encircle you. His guarding angels will minister unto you. But if you neglect your duty to God, if you cease to walk humbly before Him, if you turn your heart from God and forget Him, how can you expect prosperity, health, or peace? All that is good comes from above. Look not then to the earth alone to bring you happiness and prosperity, because if you do you will be miserably disappointed. Look up. Make God your trust. Walk tremblingly and carefully before Him. Fear to move without His counsel, and you are safe whether you live or die.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 10)
Let us hear from you, my children. We want to know whether you will live for God; whether you will be true and loyal servants of the Most High God or serve your own interest and risk the consequences. We have given ourselves to the service of God. We have not studied our own interest, our ease, or our earthly advantage. We have not dared to move in anything without praying to God to lead and control our matters Himself. This is why we have been blessed and prospered of God. This is why we have something in this life. And we dare not take this means and without the sanction of God give it to our son, even if we love him ever so dearly, when we have evidences his own interest is first with him, his eternal secondary.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 11)
We feel but little satisfaction in helping you as you now feel, and with the spirit you now manifest. Look, O look, my dear children, at what I have written candidly. Do not pass it by without taking it to heart. Father has not asked me to write or told me what to write. I am writing from a sense of duty.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 12)
Your affectionate Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 13)
A Few Words
Dear children, you are both of you qualified to do good. You have both had advantages. The light of truth has shone upon your pathway. Do not fail to realize that you are accountable to God for all these things. Your talents are not given you of God for the purpose of merely serving yourselves, of benefiting and pleasing yourselves. God will require the talents He has lent you, even if it were only one. You have the example of the man in the Scripture to whom He entrusted only one talent. He hid it in the earth, and you are acquainted with his reward, or the merited punishment he received. You have, neither of you, any right to bury your whole interest in the earth and benefit only yourselves by your living. Your talents, which God has lent you, are given you to improve upon and to increase. If you have large talents, you are accountable for their improvement. If you have less, you are accountable not for a large number of talents but for a lesser number of talents.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 14)
May the Lord impress your mind with the duties resting upon you. Your influence can be of that character to benefit others, to bless others. In what way shall this influence be exerted? Shall it lead minds, by your example and precepts, to ambition and zeal to obtain the things of this life? Or shall your influence be ever tending to lead the affections up to God and to secure the better life?
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 15)
Dear children: Live for God. Watch and pray. Do not, I entreat of you, neglect secret prayer. Glorify God upon the Sabbath. Do not seek to divert your minds with reading or with writing which will not increase your spiritual strength. Remember the claims that God has upon you. When the Master comes He will say, Give account of thy stewardship. The mind will not naturally tend upward. Every earthly influence has a tendency to draw the affections from God. Therefore we must train the mind to be elevated heavenward, loving that which God loves, hating that which God hates. Will you dedicate yourselves anew to God? Will you strive to educate the mind to love to meditate upon heavenly things?
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 16)
Private
Now, Edson, I deeply regret that you have written what you have, because I have urged your father to do some things he would not have done in his own judgment. And now he feels that he has made a mistake. Please look this matter right in the face. You plead in one letter that you could not have courage to work as though the place were your own because it would seem that you were working to improve another man’s place. Who is that other man but your own father? How much better would your letter have sounded had it run thus, that you would seek to improve the place, although you could not call it your own until the payments were met, and “in taking care of your property, Father, which I one day hope to possess, I will by my care and judicious labor seek to redeem the past neglect of my life which should have benefited you.”
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 17)
You manifest extreme selfishness. Look at it, Edson. Have we not helped you liberally to clothing when you were married? Did not your father do more than you had any right to expect of him? Did he not manifest an unselfish, liberal spirit? We then helped you to some things which you did not expect in bedclothing. With your father’s sanction, I sent you trunks containing things you needed in order to save your paying out means. I also took Emma to my heart as a dear daughter and helped her to some things gladly, with father’s consent. I carried you furniture with his sanction.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 18)
When you came here last with Emma, we did all we could to help you. Father interested himself for you, let you have his horse and helped you to a wagon. The horse we have really needed, but father has inconvenienced himself to help you. He has given you [much] from time to time, as he did the seeds and sums of money. Then, Edson, you know what I have done besides this. In view of these things, your letters are certainly out of place. They place you in an unfavorable light before us and lead us to think we have erred, that the more we do the more you expect we will do, and the more will you try to get by imprudent labor beyond your strength.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 19)
If you can in any way remove the unfavorable impression that you do not appreciate and are not thankful for what has been done, I hope you will do so. You had no need to lay out so much work and labor so hard. We have our fears that you will be suddenly prostrated by sickness, but we hope not. We wish you happiness and prosperity.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 20)
Your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 21)
P.S. Now, Edson, your letters only confirm your father in the fears that he has had that he has done too much for you. When you left he stated to me your feelings in reference to the seeds, which led him to feel that you were grasping, that you did not feel grateful for what we had done for you. Remember, these things live in your father’s mind. An unfavorable impression is not easily effaced. Do what you can now to undo the effect of these letters.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 22)
Remember, Edson, you could have shared our burdens but did not. Children generally work for their parents’ interest and help them to gather what they have. You have not done this, and you have no part in what the Lord has given us only as we feel it our duty to help you to think seriously of these things. For you to come up boldly to claims, like a son who has been true and served us, is out of place.
(2LtMs, Lt 6, 1871, 23)
Lt 7, 1871
White, J. E. Refiled as Lt 8, 1871.
Lt 8, 1871
White, J. E. Battle Creek, Michigan May 6, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Son Edson:
I feel like writing you a few lines. Your father has been much depressed since you were here. Amid all his cares and perplexities, your coming seemed to be an additional care and perplexity. He has had more discouragement and anxiety of mind, and has been positively afraid to sleep some nights because threatened with paralysis. I do not think you came with the right feelings or with the right spirit. It seems you had been talking over matters in regard to Father, and given your version of things, feelings had kindled in your breast which you were not authorized to have and should not have allowed there in regard to your father. When Father is overwhelmed with care and perplexity, I think it unwise in you to press your case upon his notice. But you get so anxious, in such a nervous hurry, that you consider no one but yourself.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 1)
I wish to point out to you where I consider you have and do make mistakes. You made a mistake last winter when you had two hired men in your employ. Your circumstances did not admit of this. I think it was a disadvantage to you.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 2)
This spring when you laid out so largely for improvements, you made a mistake. Had you waited until you could have done this more within yourself, and not had two or three boarders and wages to pay amounting to from thirty to fifty dollars per month for hired help, but done what you could yourself and not overworked—doing two day’s work in one—you would have been the gainer, not only as regards this life but your spiritual strength would have been more favorable. Your branching out so largely involves great expense and you will, I have no doubt, be disappointed in your returns. Your income will not warrant or meet the outlays. Brother McDearmon cannot afford to hire help as you have done, for experience has taught him it will not pay. Your father has seen this from the commencement; so have I. He told you you could not depend upon him to back you up. I think his position was correct. When you knew that you had nothing to depend on this spring, how could you feel like doing so much in improving when all this must cost money?
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 3)
Your raspberries and strawberries surely would not warrant this expense. You told me that if it had not been for Father’s telling you to hold on, you would have marketed your raspberries and strawberries. Now, Edson, you are at too great a distance from your father to have him work for you in this line to advantage. I think you should make no dependence upon him, and then he will not be perplexed and anxious on your account, and you will have nothing to complain of. I am not reconciled to your casting even a feather’s weight of anxiety upon your already overworked father. You have been helped liberally by us, yet you are behind in debt. How can you run in debt by making such large calculations? You should keep on the safe side.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 4)
You made remarks to me which grieved and distressed me. As you saw the two-hundred-dollar wagon your father had bought, you remarked that you meant to get just such a wagon. Would it not be more wise to invest your two hundred dollars in making payments upon your home? Although you had, with your father’s help, got a wagon which would answer your purpose for your business well, yet your grasping mind wanted one more valuable, to do a larger business. While you have not your place clear, do not talk of going into the extras. Brother McDearmon has not a wagon even as good as yours, and he has a good farm and a large family, which you would think would make such a wagon a necessity, yet he has not put his means into the extras. Edson, I beg of you to curtail your expenses; discharge your hired help—three hired men, I think you have, and only twenty acres of land. If you had improved only the land you could well take care of, and used the means you have exhausted on your place in making payments upon your place, or in even sustaining yourselves through the winter, you would be more wise and show better calculation.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 5)
You made the remark that Brother McPherson said that you could not have done what you had on your place if you had not your father to back you up. Is not this truth? Is it not a fact? If we had not taken hold to help you and to give you things to start housekeeping with, and made you presents of clothing, of money, and so forth, could you have done it?
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 6)
I hope, Edson, the enemy will not take possession of your mind and make you blind to your own interest in this world and the better world.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 7)
We have known what pinching want was for years after we were married. We had no help from any quarter and it did us good. We obtained a valuable experience. You are surely, in my judgment, rushing on too fast. You want too many nice things, like the wagon your father now owns. Why did he get so expensive a wagon? He has for years gone back and forth with the mail bags and boxes and bundles to the post office and express office with the light single buggy; but now he thought he could afford a wagon that would accommodate his business better. But to hear you talk of getting an expensive wagon when you have just started in life with nothing, or next to nothing, is not the right principle on which to begin life or to make a success of life.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 8)
Economy is with you and Emma the battle of your life. The letter I last wrote you called forth no response from you, but you said that you thought that Father had worked to get me on his side and then thought he could bear down on you as hard as he pleased; and you stated that you were not the only one who thought so, that Emma thought the same. I expect, Edson, that Emma will view things as you view them, and therefore it is highly important that you view things with right judgment and not let selfishness and self-interest pervert your judgment. You are in danger. Emma is in danger of thinking and feeling wrong. It takes but a small matter to kindle up feelings which should never exist in the bosom of a son toward a father. Sacred duties are resting upon you toward your father who is harassed by care and perplexities and burdens which he is bearing in the work and cause of God. You permit not one of the burdens to rest upon you, but your interest is undivided for yourself. Be careful that ingratitude does not possess your heart and you be found a transgressor of the fifth commandment.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 9)
Your case, Edson, has been one of the greatest trials of our life. I hoped that when you were married and started in life, you would then consecrate your heart and affections to God and be that comfort and blessing to us that you have heretofore failed to be. I fear we are doomed to be disappointed, and that you will never have a true sense of your obligation to your parents. Your father has expected that you would be a blessing to us, that you would sense our long and wearing labor in the cause of God and know that we were worn and prematurely old and be prepared to help us, encourage us, and bless us. Must we be disappointed? Will you not view things candidly and unselfishly, and see that while you are working for your own interest you do not forget your duty to God and to your parents? Father has had tender feelings toward you and Emma. He has been proud of you both. But the impression of your last visit here has embittered his life and made it very hard for me.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 10)
I beg of you to live within your means. Incur no debts, and carry on only that portion of your farm that you can do yourself, with occasionally hiring a few days’ work. Your father let you have his good old Jim to help you, that you should not run in debt to purchase a team. He also helped you to a good wagon and to means and furniture and clothing. Would he have done this if he had wanted to work against you? Now let Father rest. Don’t perplex him any more with your case or cast the slightest burden upon him. If you cannot do anything to help him, don’t require help of him. If you will calculate right, you can live well; but if you have two or three hired hands eating at your table and taking of your means at the amount of from thirty to fifty dollars per month, you would need an independent fortune to rely upon. This is not the way your father managed in the days of his poverty. For a few weeks this spring Willie has had hired help, but now he has only Arthur Genley. He has had orders to fill, the fruit to put in the ground, and general improvements to make on the place.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 11)
Your father feels terribly discouraged and sad. I cannot help him. I wish you could see and understand that your course has a depressing influence upon him. Now, Edson, I think it is your duty from henceforth to rely upon your own resources. You have health. You are not burdened with any care in the cause of God. Your father and mother have this burden. You are interested only in your own case. Then when you bring discouragement upon your father you weaken his power to do good in the work and cause of God. If your father should not always have exactly correct judgment in your case, you should not take it to heart and let it separate your affection and feelings from him. Consider how many minds he has to be brains for and then pass over words that seem to you to be designed to hurt you. You are too independent, too easily touched. I hope Emma will help you in this matter instead of encouraging and fanning to a flame the feelings that exist in your heart against your father.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 12)
I would not discourage either of you, but I beg of you, Edson, to control your feelings in regard to desiring this or that and launching out to get expensive things. Come up slowly and surely upon a right basis. I am your mother and I have a right to counsel you and you, as my son, should regard my counsel. Every dollar that you can accumulate, beside what you use to live upon, invest it safely somewhere to make payments upon your place. Your father means to do the right thing by you children, but if he sees you grasping and avaricious he will be so discouraged he will not have any heart to do anything. Do manifest affection and respect for your father. Honor your father and your mother. How? By taking their counsel and advice instead of rushing on in your own wisdom. Honor God by obeying all His commandments. Live for the next world. You may be cut down in the midst of your worldly plans, and if you have not made sure of a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life, you are truly wretched.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 13)
Father knows not I am writing to you. I told him nothing of what you said except that he had told McPherson and Root in regard to you.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 14)
My dear children, since writing the foregoing I have felt like saying a few words more. I have prayed to God, Edson, to know my duty in your case. I have been instructed in a dream that leads me to tremble for your soul. I look back on your visit as a great mistake. You did not come with right feelings as you should. You came to complain, to find fault. You have no just cause for complaint. Every bit of available means you have been using to invest upon your place when you should have used it to provide things to live on. You had strawberries and raspberries set out and one dozen dollars’ worth of seeds to put in the ground. Your large order for seeds besides this I look upon as a mistake. If you had done what you could and waited till your means would allow you to go further, and improved only as fast as you could and not involved yourself, all would be well. But as I consider your case I am astonished. You have been helped and helped and yet you continue to invest, take your own course, surround yourself with hired men, and then get in want and burden your father with your case.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 15)
I hope you will look at this matter candidly. You are becoming selfish. Our means is lent us of God, not that we should use it for ourselves needlessly or expend it upon you to use to your own advantage. My son, I fear you will always be in want unless you work upon a different principle than you have. You work too hard. You work too many hours, and your blood-making organs are not in a healthy condition to make good blood. Your face shows a diseased liver; fever may cut you down. I want you to take such a course that you will be happy, and will fill your position in this world and secure a home in the better world than this.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 16)
How many times do you pray daily that God will give you grace and wisdom? How much interest do you manifest for the salvation of souls around you? I fear you are sacrificing your eternal interest for a spot of land in this world, burying your talent in a napkin. You cannot afford to sell heaven so cheaply. May God help you to change, turn square about.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 17)
In much love,
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 18)
Your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 8, 1871, 19)
Lt 9, 1871
White, J. E. Battle Creek, Michigan May 24, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Son Edson:
We expected to be before this in Iowa, but every day something has come in upon your father that needed his attention and he has not yet been able to leave. Our trunks have been packed a week but here we are still. Everything in Iowa is suffering for attention from your father, but we cannot leave things here in the office and Health Institute to suffer. Shall we hear from you here before we leave? We were going without fail yesterday, but the night before a very desirable span of horses was driven up to the office to see if your father would purchase them. The man was drunk and Brother Abbey could not do anything with him that night. Yesterday he and Willie were gone all day until nine o’clock at night. They bought the team, paid four hundred dollars.
(2LtMs, Lt 9, 1871, 1)
Then Brother Root was taken sick and Brother [?] and things were suffering at the Institute, and Father could not leave today.
(2LtMs, Lt 9, 1871, 2)
If a letter will not reach us here evening after the Sabbath, send to Washington, Iowa.
(2LtMs, Lt 9, 1871, 3)
We hope you are well and seeking to walk in the counsel of the Lord. Do not, I entreat of you, neglect your eternal interest for the meager things of this life.
(2LtMs, Lt 9, 1871, 4)
May God help you and Emma to make a full surrender of yourselves to God to serve the Lord with all your heart.
(2LtMs, Lt 9, 1871, 5)
In much love,
(2LtMs, Lt 9, 1871, 6)
From your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 9, 1871, 7)
Lt 10, 1871
White, J. E. Washington, Iowa June 8, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Edson:
We have just received and read your letter. We are sorry for your disappointment. We shall send your letter to Willie, for we have our place set to the same plants. We had no plants when you sent for them. Brother Kellogg had and we obtained yours and ours of him. It is a shame to be disappointed so, after spending labor upon them and waiting for fruit and finding a very poor yield.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 1)
Dear children, may not this prove to be your case, represented by the plants, in a spiritual sense. We hope your dear Saviour will not turn from you in disappointment as you have from your plants because of their unfruitfulness. May the dear Saviour who has patiently waited for you to yield fruit, decide to wait another year and more fully prove and test you; and if you bear no fruit, He may say, “Why cumbereth it the ground? I have come again and again, year after year, to find fruit upon this tree but I have as often been disappointed. If it bear no fruit this year, I will cut it down.” [Luke 13:7-9.]
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 2)
If you are so disappointed about a few strawberries, how can your Saviour, who died to redeem you, regard your case of indifference, coldness, and ingratitude for His great love manifested for you? May God help you not [to] build your hopes in this world of disappointment and sorrow and losses. Let your treasure be accumulating in heaven, for all that you invest in the enterprise of everlasting life will prove sure capital every time.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 3)
We have felt, Edson, that it was not wise for you to have your hopes too high in regard to your crops or small fruit. We have felt that it was a mistake for you to hire so much and pay out means when you could not be sure of returns that would warrant this. We are always liable to drought and reverses. If you would do what you could do by perseverance and steady labor, yet not hard and violently, smiting not the work, you would get a little something ahead; but you are, I see, determined to learn by experience instead of taking advice.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 4)
Nathan Wheeler is an invalid with heart disease. Doctors said he was liable to die at any moment by over-exercise or if he became weary. He took hold of our place that was run down, that needed almost everything done to it. He has worked steadily and perseveringly without hired help, and we find our seventeen acres in a good condition. Everything is done thoroughly and is flourishing. He has a very fine piece of wheat. He has set an acre and half of raspberries, and in regard to strawberries is in a worse condition than yourself. He took up the plants on the place here and set them. They prove to be an inferior brand. Weeds grow fast here. He has expended a great amount of labor to keep down the weeds, and his strawberries are like the common field strawberries. He had about a half acre to plants. His raspberries are the best growth we have ever seen for the first year. Nathan has economized and worked within his means, and this will have to be your battle, my son.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 5)
If you would do only the work you were able to do yourself, and not overwork, and let the land you cannot tend well be put in wheat, raising your own bread, so that if your small fruits fail you may depend on other crops, and if you have not thirty dollars a month to hand out to hired men, you will work yourself clear from debt and will have the satisfaction of knowing that by your own labor and calculations you have succeeded to climb the hill, you will be self-reliant upon a good basis.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 6)
You have made a mistake, Edson. I have made a mistake, in helping as much as I have. I have encouraged you in pursuing a course of dependence for which I am sorry. Will you forgive your too-indulgent mother? Do not build your hopes too high. If you make God your trust and serve Him with faithfulness, His blessing will attend you. If you become selfish and irreligious, you need not expect that God will prosper you.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 7)
You need not have murmuring feelings or be dissatisfied with your father. He has done liberally by you and if you had felt gratitude and a willingness to be advised, he would have felt that he could safely do more and not incur the displeasure of God. We fear God. We are working for the interest of our Master whose servants we are. We dare not follow impulse in regard to our children. I have done so too much. God help me to move with His glory in view. You, my dear boy, are not, I fear, a servant of Jesus; but your own slave, studying your own pleasure and following your own will. Your will has controlled you too long, notwithstanding to follow it has caused you much trouble.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 8)
We have just returned from the Iowa camp meeting. It was a very large meeting and yet there is to be another meeting in the State. Eighteen were baptized. We had freedom in speaking the Word.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 9)
My health is not good. Dropsy afflicts me much.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 10)
With much love to dear Emma. We feel an interest for you both that you prosper in temporal matters, but are far more anxious that your prosperity in spiritual matters shall be the first, as Jesus has recommended.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 11)
You have our prayers and love.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 12)
Your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 13)
We shall not attend the Illinois camp meeting. Write us at Washington.
(2LtMs, Lt 10, 1871, 14)
Mother.
Lt 11, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma Campground, Laporte City, Iowa June 16, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear children, Edson and Emma:
We received a few lines from Edson at Washington. We are always glad to hear from you. I wish, Emma, you would write me a letter giving particulars how you are and all the news.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 1)
We find our strength is small; we are worn. The elasticity is gone out of me. Your father is, I think, a used-up man. I feel so sorry that our usefulness is gone. I shall accept nothing from the Conference for my labor this year. I have so much anxiety and care. My courage is gone and I cannot rally hope and cheerfulness.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 2)
We obtain a free pass to Washington and back from Washington to this place. We shall save the Conference one hundred dollars in these free passes. There are a goodly number assembled here to this encampment. I was utterly unable to attend the Illinois camp meeting.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 3)
Last evening your father addressed a larger number assembled than we have ever met upon a week-day evening. The merchants agreed to close their stores and unanimously turn out. We never saw a company listen with better attention. Your father spoke with great clearness. Prayer and singing in the tents have been going on.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 4)
I dread the responsibility of speaking to the people. Oh, that God would give me His Spirit and His grace. “Without me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] I may never meet these souls again until the grand review when every case will be decided and rewarded as their works have been. We see that Satan is vigilant, earnest and persevering. He sleeps not a moment. If we out-general the enemy, we must be wide awake. We must not falter. We must not be off our guard an instant. Overcome as He has overcome. This requires a life-long, persevering, untiring effort, and then the reward at last.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 5)
Why is it that Christians are so often called upon from God’s Word to deny themselves, to crucify the flesh, with its affections and lusts, to take up the cross, to maintain a continual warfare, watch and pray always. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith.”1 Peter 5:5-9. Many other charges we have of a similar character.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 6)
We see by these charges we cannot safely follow the inclination of our own mind. Would inclination, if made the director of our actions, send our heart to God or draw it to our Saviour? Many, although they profess to be servants of God, are only slaves to their own inclinations, just as other worldlings. Self is gratified in following inclination, but God is not honored. His cause is not advanced and souls are not saved. The heart subdued by grace, subject to the will of God, will make every opposing inclination give way before the claims of the Saviour. Inclination would never lead us to forsake all for Christ, father, mother, friends, and sacrifice even our own life, if necessary, to be disciples of Christ. Yet, Christ who left His majesty, His splendor, glory and titles and came upon the earth to die [as] man’s sacrifice, declares that He who would not do this when required, cannot be His disciple.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 7)
The heart is naturally inclined to the wrong and it needs to be trained to be educated, disciplined to run in the right channel, to do these things which God will approve, irrespective of our inclinations. This work to bend the will in the heavenly channel cannot be done without the grace of God. This alone can lead it aright. The heart is deceitful above all things, therefore we cannot trust to its inclinations. Wakeful vigilance, a firm reliance upon God, will subject the inclinations to the dictation of the Spirit and will of our Saviour.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 8)
Children, you have no time to lose. Time is precious. Advocate no longer by your influence the cause of Satan. Be braced for duty and conflict with the foe every day. Give the adversary of your soul no vantage ground. Let not the insinuations of Satan bias your decisions and you be led by inclination in the place of duty.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 9)
Take your position, children, decidedly in the ranks of Christ’s faithful soldiers, who are warring against the powers of darkness. Be fully on the Lord’s side. You are associating with those who are not Christ’s disciples. You both know the way, the truth, and the life, and if you appear indifferent in regard to their salvation, you must render an account to God for the good you had ability to do if you were consecrated to God and did not do because your inclinations did not lead in that direction.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 10)
The Master will say to every soul saved, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”Matthew 25:21. It is not enough even to be good yourselves; faithfulness to others as manifested in the life of Christ must characterize your life and deportment. Let your light shine to others. You must be light in the Lord yourself, and then reflect the light to others. You will both be without excuse. If you neglect the great salvation freely offered, and choose your own pleasure and follow the bent of your own mind, you will not only be weighed in the balance yourselves and found wanting, but your course will be a stumbling block to others. While you are serving yourselves, nor rendering God the heart’s best and holiest affections, your influence is aiding others to do the same. Not only do you by unfaithfulness shut the gate of heaven against yourselves, but you stand in the way of sinners and the blood of souls will be upon your garments. Children, it pays to serve God with the whole heart. A half a Christian is no Christian at all. He makes a profession; he takes the Christian name, but is deficient in the Christian graces; therefore [he] is a false representative of the Christian religion. The true witness address such, “I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”Revelation 3:15, 16.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 11)
God help you, my dear children, to awake and not let Satan charm you in the broad road that leads to death, and you not realize your condition until it is too late to secure a moral fitness for the kingdom of heaven.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 12)
I know, Edson, you are not in a condition if sickness and death should come that you would rest in hope. You have not taken stock in the heavenly enterprise. Eternal things are not your first consideration. How can you quiet your conscience and pass on indifferent in regard to your own salvation, and the salvation of those who have no knowledge of the truth? I have written letter after letter to you, Edson, yet have never received a line in response as far as your spiritual health is concerned. You sometimes write in regard to your worldly interest, but the matter which we are more deeply interested in, you give us no satisfaction, no comfort, no hope. Perhaps my letters are distasteful to you. Yet I know if you were living up to the light and the dictates of your own conscience, my letters would touch an answering cord in [your] hearts and you could speak understandingly of your progress in the divine life. You would make some allusion to my many appeals which have been written with an anxious, burdened heart. May God help you, my children, not to make a god out of this world and be content with earthly treasure only, while you feel no interest to secure the heavenly prize.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 13)
The flattering toys of earth attract and fascinate the mind, while the purity, the beauty, the glory of heaven, have no alluring charms; the glitter and tinsel of this poor world have eclipsed the heavenly treasure. God grant that you may change this order of things. You can do it, and should do it at once.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 14)
Why halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, serve Him, if mammon, serve him. You know that your service has been devoted to the interest of this world. God help you children to live for the better world. How many more warnings I may be called to give you without producing any fruit, I cannot say. I see no change as yet in you for my many letters. God give you hearts to feel and yield to God.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 15)
In love,
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 16)
From your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 11, 1871, 17)
Lt 11a, 1871
White, John Medford, Minnesota June 29, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Father [John White]:
We feel bad to be away from you at this time of your great feebleness. Although we know that you have faithful attendants about you, still it is not as though they were your own children. We have thought at every tent meeting we would not go to the next, but would return to Battle Creek. But ministerial labor has been so scarce they could scarcely have any meetings unless they had our help. But if Father desires it we will come without further delay. We now intend after this meeting to make a call at Washington [Iowa] and then return to Battle Creek and remain with Father.
(2LtMs, Lt 11a, 1871, 1)
We hope, Father, you will be of good courage. Dear Father, the Lord is good and He will not leave you nor forsake you. If He requires us to be absent from you, He will commission His angels to be with you to comfort and guard you. My health is not good, and I have hoped to return home better in health than when I left Battle Creek. As yet I am no better.
(2LtMs, Lt 11a, 1871, 2)
I hope, Father, you will now lean upon your best and never-failing Friend. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. He will comfort you as no human power can. You have often experienced the consolation of His love and His gentle care, and now in your age and feebleness He invites you to repose in Him with that perfect trust a helpless child confides in its earthly friend. No great exercise of faith does He exact. It is simple trust and childlike confidence. Dear Father, be hopeful, be happy in God your Redeemer.
(2LtMs, Lt 11a, 1871, 3)
We feel a deep interest for you and pray for you often. You must not fear for the future that you will lack for care and attention in your helplessness. If there is force enough in Michigan you shall not be neglected, but have all the help and loving, tender care it is possible to give you. We do not feel indifferent to you because it seems to be a necessity to be thus absent from you. May God be to you a present help is our prayer. Your conflicts and fears and warfare are nearly ended; your sorrows and feebleness will soon be over. Be faithful and rely upon God a few days more and all will then be well we trust.
(2LtMs, Lt 11a, 1871, 4)
Your daughter.
(2LtMs, Lt 11a, 1871, 5)
Lt 11b, 1871
White, W. C. Medford, Minnesota June 29, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Son Willie:
We received your letters in due time; also Lucinda’s in reference to Father. We thought strongly of returning immediately to Michigan. But your last expressed nothing especially discouraging from Father, therefore we came on because ministerial labor was so very scarce and our labor so earnestly desired. We know that you will all do what you can for poor Father in his feebleness. We do not mean that he shall lack anything.
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 1)
Since writing the above we have received yours and Lucinda’s letters. We are so glad to hear from you. Poor Father. Write us every day the particulars. The next letter you send, after you receive this, direct to Washington [Iowa]. I commenced hoping to be able to write you a long letter, but I must give it up for I am not able. My head troubles me considerably.
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 2)
We hope, my son, that everything in our household will move off well, that no special sickness may afflict you, and above all we desire that God’s blessing may rest upon you all. We are very glad to receive the letters from our dear son Marcus, and I would be glad to write especially to him, but my head will not admit of my writing. I now think I must have taken cold at Knoxville and at the last meeting. I had congestion of the brain at Milton Junction. I do not recover. I think I am not any improved in health since leaving Battle Creek. I have had drawbacks continually. But I am not going to be cast down or discouraged.
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 3)
I hope, my son, you will keep well, and trust in the Lord. Quietly possess your soul in peace. Don’t be too anxious or worried about anything.
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 4)
You say nothing in regard to your raspberries. Do they promise a good crop?
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 5)
I must lie down and rest now. Love to all the family, Brother and Sister Howland and the children, Marcus, Richard, and Lucinda.
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 6)
In haste,
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 7)
Your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 11b, 1871, 8)
Lt 12, 1871
White, James Amherst, Massachusetts August 27, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Husband:
Our meeting has progressed well thus far. There has been a good interest from the first. There were fifty to one hundred came forward twice yesterday. Several kept the Sabbath for the first time and seem decided to persevere. I have labored hard. I could not help it. Last night I slept but little. Had a disturbance of the bowels. I feel tolerable well today. The cars have brought quite a crowd of people. I lodge in Sister Harris’ tent. The tent is small. Three of us sisters lodge here, and Willie has bedding and lodges in the large tent with Brother Harris’ boys. We eat with Sister Harris. Her husband is not at the meeting. I thought it would be necessary for me to be very careful and keep from every appearance of evil as you are not with me.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 1)
[Of] those who came forward yesterday, nearly all arose and spoke. There was much feeling. Willie does not seem to take hold yet, but I hope he will get interested. I see that he attends every meeting.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 2)
This is not as convenient a place as at Lancaster. It is not as accessible and there will not be nearly as many out as attended at Lancaster. Yet, we think many are being helped.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 3)
I am disappointed in not seeing any of Brother Belden’s family here. I can but feel an interest for them and for my relatives also who are not in the truth.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 4)
I wrote you from Rochester, from Worchester, and from the campground.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 5)
Tomorrow I shall read an appeal to the people and tell them just how you are situated. As yet the character of the meeting would not admit of introducing our case, fearing the minds would be diverted from the work.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 6)
August 28
Yesterday the attendance was large. It was estimated that about two thousand were present, but the most irreligious set that we ever had out to meeting. The interest among our brethren has been good. The young have made good moves. Brother Stratton’s children came forward for prayers and his eldest daughter, about fifteen years of age, has spoken in every conference meeting since. Brother Madison of New Hampshire had become discouraged but he took a good start. He could not be prevailed upon to make the attempt again, but I felt that I must go to him and insist upon his coming forward. He had been weeping and feeling deeply, but had no power to move. I took him by the arm and led him along. Since then he has spoken well and feelingly in every meeting.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 7)
I have been called away from my writing to talk with the parents of a crippled boy. They think of sending him to Health [Institute].
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 8)
A fine-appearing man came to me and conversed about his own case. He is an invalid, but able to walk three miles a day. I advised him to come to the Health Institute. He takes Jackson’s paper; eats no meat, butter or spices, drinks no tea or coffee. He is about decided to go to Battle Creek, but is in limited circumstances.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 9)
This morning I made quite a lengthy appeal to the people with good effect. Then Brother Littlejohn arose and made the most able-pointed speech I ever listened to in behalf of the Health Institution and the Association. Every word could be put in print just as he uttered them. I prize Brother Littlejohn more highly every day. Then Brother Andrews presented the printed request of Battle Creek in behalf of the two institutions; seventeen hundred has already been raised. Your call is for three thousand, rather large for this conference, but they are determined to bring up the amount to two thousand and set down [missing words here].
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 10)
Last night we had a powerful rain that almost flooded us out. In many of the tents was a foot of water; some say three feet. I had not much sleep. We were comfortable. Our beds were raised on frames built for the purpose. Many got very wet, but today they are as cheerful and happy as though they had not been drowned out. In the tent where Brethren Andrews, Littlejohn, Smith and Rhodman lodged, they first prepared boards for them to place their beds on. Then they got joists; next they got benches. The water was two feet deep in their tent. Many had to do in the same way.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 11)
This is not the place for camp meetings. The meeting breaks up tomorrow. I have tried to write you all the particulars. Emma Sturges has had no benefit of meeting because obliged to cook in the provision stand with several others. Brother and Sister Gage cooked all night on Thursday night. No bakers to depend on for supplies.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 12)
Brother Andrews gave his judgment decidedly that this was not the place for camp meeting but the Hastings, Farnsworth and a few of the old hands overruled the matter and brought it here.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 13)
I have not heard a word from you. I am anxious to hear. Write me just how you get along. I feel anxious for you.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 14)
In much love,
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 15)
Your Ellen.
P.S. Books by express and melons just came. Thank you for the lemons. Wish Willie’s linen coat had been sent with them, but we can get along, only one more meeting to attend.
(2LtMs, Lt 12, 1871, 16)
Ellen.
Lt 13, 1871
White, James Campground, Skowhegan, Maine September 2, 1871 Portions of this letter are published in ChL 20; 13MR 32. My dear Husband:
Our Sabbath meeting has closed. We have had excellent meetings thus far. Mr. Tenny was here and heard me speak this afternoon. He said that he could say, Amen, heartily to every word. He wished to know when I could meet him and Lizzie. She was at Skowhegan. I told him after I had spoken tomorrow afternoon I would meet him at Mary’s. He expected to meet you here. I have labored all I had strength to. This morning we met the Cornville church under the large tent, and I told them what I had been shown in reference to his labors among the churches, that it was not for the good of the churches for Elder Stratton to go over and over the same ground among the churches, but go out with Brother Barns or Goodrich to labor in new places.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 1)
An invitation was given to those who were seeking God to come forward. About fifty answered to the call this forenoon; about that number this afternoon. Gowell presented himself for prayers and confessed his wrong course to his family with considerable feeling, poor man. His wife is present at this meeting. She spoke of her being backslidden from God.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 2)
My dear husband, I have read and reread your long letter, but I think you are not looking in the right direction for freedom. In the vision that was given me in Rochester, in regard to your being raised to health, I saw that God had received the confessions of Brother Andrews and his wife in reference to the past, that God had spoken pardon, and that they should no more afflict their souls in regard to the past and that it should no more afflict your mind. You had been unforgiving and had not manifested the spirit that you wished Christ to manifest to you. I saw that Brother John Andrews had felt deeply in regard to his past errors and had done all that he could do to undo the past. God had accepted these efforts and had given him an experience which was of great value to His people. At a later date, when the matters were opened before me at Adams Center in regard to Battle Creek, I was shown that Brother Andrews was deceived by others, but his motives and feelings were not of the character of those who have been so wrong at Battle Creek. I saw that there was no period of time during your sickness when Brother Andrews did not feel the most earnest desire for you to be raised up and take your position as you had done. He honestly regarded your case as he [had] done. I was shown that others would be held responsible for the course Brother Andrews pursued.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 3)
I saw that your affliction was a great misfortune, and the peculiarities of the case were such that it was impossible but that great perplexity must rest upon minds in reference to your case.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 4)
From what God has shown me from time to time, Brother Andrews was His chosen servant, to do a work others could not do. I have testimonies where the most distinct reference is made to his precious gift. The experience he has obtained has qualified him for the important work for these last days.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 5)
Now my dear husband, in view of the things which I have seen, I am prepared to say [that] I greatly tremble for the direction your mind has taken to go back and call up the past, which God has in a most wonderful vision shown me He had forgiven, and that Brother Andrews grieved the Spirit of God by bringing up these things and rehearsing them when God has shown He had forgiven the past errors and wrongs of Brother and Sister Andrews; and then [He] set His seal to the pardon given by His blessing resting upon them that Christmas night.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 6)
The purpose in your mind I dare not encourage you to carry out. Your imagination is diseased. Satan is taking advantage of it to not only injure and destroy Brother Andrews, but to ruin your own soul. In view of what God has shown me, I cannot go one step with you in this direction. We will step quietly away from the work. But when you desire to publish the failings and errors of the responsible men among Seventh-day Adventists, I am restrained every time I make the attempt. I dare not do it even for your love and confidence. God has shown me you were unforgiving to your brethren and children. Do you guard this point as God would have you? The cause of God is already enough. What do you desire Brother Andrews to do? He has already confessed heartily over and over again his errors until you have entreated him to no more make reference to it. The Lord Himself has spoken that he must not longer let the past affect him, for he made himself weak and lost his faith by dwelling upon the past. He must forget the things which are behind and press forward to those things which are before.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 7)
Would you destroy the confidence of God’s people in Brother Andrews because an idea enters your mind that he may not be right? What can he do to get right, which would fully satisfy? Your confessions will not do it, for this he has done. Why can you not leave this matter where God has left it? You have accused me repeatedly of having more sympathy for Brethren Waggoner and Andrews than for yourself. I know that is not true. But why have you felt this, because when you have called up the dark past and talked of these men which would have an influence to injure the faith of your brethren in them, you were, I fully believed, hedging up their way from doing the work for souls God designs that they should do. Such a work I dare not unite with you in doing until I know that God does not longer use them in His cause and work. “Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”Matthew 7:1. May God help me in this fearful, painfully fearful, time. I am in distress of mind [as to] why God does not reveal Himself to you. I cannot say, but I fear it is because you do not forget the darkness of the past, but gather darkness, unbelief and infidelity by talking over the disagreeable past. Oh, that you would be entreated to forgive and forget. Oh, that you would heed the words of the apostle, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”Philippians 4:8.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 8)
I verily believe that here is a victory for you to gain. God has spoken to you in visions. He has spoken to you in dreams, but yet you continue to do these very things He has warned you not to do. I cannot believe that you are impelled by the Spirit of God. “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”1 Chronicles 16:22.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 9)
If you will, with me, covenant to leave the things which are behind and take your hands off of Brother Andrews and Waggoner and leave them with a little spark of courage and of their manhood, I believe you will be free. May God help you, my beloved husband. Do not gather sin to your own soul by destroying the confidence of the people of God in two of His servants who are responsible men and who have experience in this work. James, I dare not read your letter to Brethren Andrews and Littlejohn. I have too much respect for my husband than to do this. I believe that Brethren Andrews and Waggoner have served God as conscientiously in their position, according to their light, as you have in yours, according to your light and privileges. They would help you, either of them, if they could. But it is the greatest wonder to me, considering your feelings to them, that they have not resented your severe reflection upon them and lost their love and interest for you. The confidence they have in the work and that God is leading you has led them to frequently sacrifice their own judgment to yours, which has made them weak men.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 10)
Dear husband, when you weaken the confidence of God’s people in their leaders, you weaken the cause of God. The minds of the people are left in uncertainty. They cannot depend anywhere. I cannot engage in the work in making prominent the weakness and errors of God’s people. I am willing to submit to have you hold me in doubt and uncertainty. This is my cross. In comparison with them, I have suffered nothing. I have borne nothing. But I cannot have you destroy yourself by pursuing a course you would regret all your life.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 11)
I had a testimony for Brethren McPherson and Cramer of Wright in regard to their rejecting the testimony given of Brother Andrews, a servant of God, whom He had tried in the furnace of affliction. I saw that it was the same as if they had rejected Christ. Now, my husband, these things have an influence upon my life. I cannot censure before others these men in their absence. Would you wish them to do this with you? How you can excuse your course of accusing your brethren and making public their errors, I cannot determine. I dare not present them in a light to lessen the confidence of brethren in the fact that God is using them in His work. If these men of experience cannot be depended on, the inquiry is raised, Whom shall we trust? If men like these are untrue and hypocritical, what can we expect of anyone? Doubts and unbelief will enclose about the people of God. God forbid I should be the agent in doing this. Rather let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth than open a field of doubt and distrust to God’s people. Unbelief is the prevailing sin of this age. There is too little confidence in one another. Jealousy is as cruel as the grave; not only does the one suffer who possesses it, but the one who is suspected is frequently, cruelly misjudged.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 12)
What if you have been wronged and misjudged? Is it the Spirit of Christ to retaliate? When He was reviled, He reviled not again. When afflicted and persecuted, He threatened not. But many of your trials come through your imagination. They are real to you, but after all not forced upon you by God. God has shown you a way to have peace. You must be forgiving, pitiful, kind and merciful. This is one of the lessons God designed to teach you in your terrible affliction. This is why despair enclosed you about. You had an experience to obtain.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 13)
You may take a course to humble Brethren Andrews and Waggoner, so that with all their infirmities of body and deprivation and opposition they meet everywhere, they will have no courage, no confidence in anything they may do or say. What will they be worth then? Nothing at all. Just turn the tables and make their case your own, and see how you, who cannot bear the slightest censure, would conduct under similar circumstances.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 14)
Let us step quietly from the work. Cease writing and laboring and then see how we feel. I will be a true and faithful wife to you. But I cannot violate my conscience in pursuing a course which will please you when I have the clearest evidence that God would not be honored. I have nothing but the tenderest feelings of pity and sympathy.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 15)
Sunday afternoon
I have spoken this forenoon with considerable freedom. About three thousand people are on the ground. Brother Littlejohn speaks this afternoon upon the seventh part of time. Mr. Tenny was here yesterday afternoon, this forenoon and this afternoon. After the discourse I go to Mary’s and meet Lizzie and Mr. Tenny. I have had seasons of special interest since I have tried to speak to the people. Sometimes the blessing of God has rested upon me. If you were free I should be happy indeed. I do not cease to pray for you. I have the utmost confidence in your conscientiousness and determination to do the will of God. But we must follow closely the light which God has given. We afflict our souls unnecessarily. May the Lord show us the better way.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 16)
I have a testimony for the people. They receive my testimony gladly. Yesterday I spoke upon the duty of parents to their children. The hearty confessions that followed showed that it was the proper subject. Tomorrow I talk upon the health reform. I wish you were here. But do, I beg of you, cease to afflict your soul over unnecessary things. It does seem to me that you might be a free man if you would. I have heard you say over and over that you would just as leave have a fuss as not. Now this is not a right spirit. It is not the Spirit of Jesus. Just as long as you feel at such a variance from your brethren, and are so ready to complain of them, and appeal to your own sympathies, you will be weak. God cannot come to your help, for you place yourself beyond His hand. Let us look to ourselves, correct our errors and perfect holiness in the fear of God. Leave your brethren with God. God lives. I wish I were with you this moment. I start Tuesday morning. I shall come direct to Battle Creek. We cannot possibly get there before Friday noon, if we do the best we can. You are restless, murmuring and are worrying yourself out of the arms of Christ. Oh, that God would help us to help ourselves. There is a work for us to do for ourselves. God has left this work for us to do. He does not propose to do it for us. Oh, I entreat of you to let everyone alone, but James White. He is all that you can handle at present. You have not wisdom nor judgment to take any other case in your hands.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 17)
Leave the work just where it is and never touch it again until your way is as clear as the sun. But I have seen that yourself was in great danger of losing your reward of all your labor by becoming a rebellious murmurer. Don’t allow this to be a standstill. Don’t turn to tear others to pieces, but wait, hold up all you can but do not weaken the hands of any.
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 18)
With much love, I remain,
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 19)
Your own affectionate,
(2LtMs, Lt 13, 1871, 20)
Ellen G. White.
Lt 14, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma Potterville, Michigan October 26, 1871 Previously unpublished.
We left Battle Creek Monday noon designing to see you ere this, but on second thought we concluded it better to return to Battle Creek, get off some things pressing and get out an appointment for Wright, one week from next Sabbath. Then all the churches can be notified and we can have a general meeting. All who desire to meet with us can have the privilege. If we came now, we could only tarry two nights. We shall not be compelled to be in quite so big a hurry in a week from now. Hattie came thus far with us. She will return and wait and she will come with us when we come in a week.
(2LtMs, Lt 14, 1871, 1)
Dear children, I feel the necessity of drawing nearer to God. We have been perplexed on every hand and in a state of great uncertainty, which has disheartened us and worn upon us much. Your case has cost us much anxiety. What to do for you or what to say, we could not tell.
(2LtMs, Lt 14, 1871, 2)
Last Sabbath I was especially convicted by the Spirit of God that I must consecrate myself anew to Him and cast all my care upon Him. Your father has had many cares and burdens and I have failed sometimes to help him in the best way I could. Scenes that occurred at Wright camp meeting, when you came to me with your complaints in an excited manner, stirred up with strong feeling; I let your words have too great an influence upon me. I gave up to my feelings, which brought great burdens upon your father. He humbled himself to confess to me, to relieve me, which I think he ought not to have done. I feel bad every time I think of it. Edson, Father has heavy burdens to bear and the least we can do in the matter is to help him share his burdens instead of adding to them. We have unitedly taken hold anew of the work of God.
(2LtMs, Lt 14, 1871, 3)
My breast has been exceedingly painful. The worst results were to be feared. My left arm was nearly useless. Your father and myself dedicated ourselves anew to God, united our efforts, our prayers and faith and God has heard us pray. Relief has come. The pain is greatly relieved. The swelling is disappearing. God is good. Your father and myself are united; our hearts are one. We never felt greater desire to do the will of God than at present.
(2LtMs, Lt 14, 1871, 4)
There is so much work to [be] done in this cause that we need especial help and power from God to move forward under these burdens. We are determined to help each other, be a strength to each other, bless each other and move forward trusting in God. We shall succeed if we put our trust in God. I seek for a broken heart and contrite spirit. These He will not despise.
(2LtMs, Lt 14, 1871, 5)
Dear children, it is too late for us to allow ourselves to be diverted from God. Seek the Lord earnestly and you will find Him.
(2LtMs, Lt 14, 1871, 6)
In much love.
(2LtMs, Lt 14, 1871, 7)
Lt 15, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma South Boston, Massachusetts November 15, 1871 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 397. Dear children, Edson and Emma:
Here we are at Brother Stratton’s good home. We were heartily welcomed here by all in Lancaster and Boston.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 1)
Your father is now at New York, at Dr. Trall’s, on business. He returns tomorrow. When we returned home from Brother Sawyer’s we found that Brother Stratton had come from Boston to visit us and if we had not in the providence of God returned home, he would probably not have stayed in Battle Creek, but returned to his home or passed on to Chicago.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 2)
Your father’s mind was worn. He did not know how much. I could see and feel it more than anyone else. I knew that unless a change came soon he would be broken down in brain, in courage, and then his physical strength would feel the effect.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 3)
I had labored for months to get Father away from his business cares, but he thought that it was impossible. Brother Abbey had fearful dreams in reference to Father. He had dreams in regard to himself to arouse his fears, yet he could see no opportunity to leave the care, for there was no one to take it.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 4)
Brother Stratton urged your father to go to Boston. I wanted very much to visit you first and so did Father. He urged this as an excuse for not going with Brother Stratton to Boston, but I did not dare to have him wait and Brother Stratton return to Boston, for I feared that Father would make no change and would keep right on till his brain would be used up. Even after Brother Stratton had waited for him several days and Father had consented to be gone two weeks, and the appointments were out, he thought he should give up going, but Brother Stratton held him to it, and would not consent to have him give it up.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 5)
After we got here Father seemed so happy and free I persuaded him to extend his visit longer and go to Maine and give me a chance to see my sisters. Your Uncle Samuel [McCann] is very low. If he lives till spring it will be beyond the expectations of all his friends. Sister Harriet has taken care of him till she is nearly helpless herself. Their house is a sad, sick house. If I do not see Samuel now I never shall.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 6)
I promised your and Emma’s pictures to Harriet and Lizzie. Will you send the ones you spoke of to their addresses: Mrs. Harriet McCann, Saco, Maine; Mrs. E. N. Bangs, West Gorham, Maine. Don’t fail to attend to this immediately if you have the pictures.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 7)
We have had excellent meetings in Lancaster and Boston. Our next appointments are in New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island. Let us hear from you at Norridgewock, Maine. Write just how you get along. We do not forget to pray for you every day.
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 8)
We visited Dr. Lewis and found him as bad, yes, worse off, very much worse off, than Father. We think him near insanity. He has a house in which he has put two hundred and thirty thousand dollars and he is yet making improvements. We stepped into apparently a little bedroom, four by six, sat upon a nice sofa, and were hoisted by an elevator up four stories to Dr. Lewis’ room; and yet there w[ere] four stories above the doctor’s room. We could look all over Boston. The doctor has been engaged in business so long that he had a diseased brain. He told us frankly all about his condition. I think this statement of his case helped Father. It certainly explained things to me I had not before understood. I see that we must all be more careful of our words and actions when Father is overwhelmed with care. [Remainder missing.]
(2LtMs, Lt 15, 1871, 9)
Lt 15a, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma South Boston, Massachusetts November 15, 1871 Portions of this letter are published in TDG 328; 5MR 397. Dear Children, Edson and Emma:
We are now visiting at Brother [Stratton]. We were heartily welcomed in New England by our friends in Lancaster and Boston. Your father is now at Dr. Trall’s on business. He returns tomorrow.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 1)
We visit Maine before we return. Your Uncle Samuel [McCann] is very sick. He is not expected to live through spring. Our next appointments are New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 2)
We visited Dio Lewis and found him an overworked man. He is liberal, open-hearted, and frank. The doctor has been overworking his brain. Your father enjoys the change. He resolves now not to confine himself so closely to Battle Creek. We have had excellent meetings, but I feel somewhat anxious for you, my children, lest your attention will be so fully absorbed with temporal matters that the Saviour will not find a place in your affections.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 3)
You mention the obligations you feel to some who have been very kind to you. This is right. Obligations are mutual. We should ever cherish feelings of gratitude to those who have shown us favors in times of need. But these feelings that are so readily called into exercise by the kindness and disinterestedness of our friends should respond to the love and compassion of our benevolent heavenly Friend. Think, dear children, of the claims of God and let them call forth devotion. The friendship expressed by nearest and dearest relatives and friends is so far surpassed by the revelation of Jesus Christ that the former is dumb and expressionless when compared with the latter. It is natural that the heart should entertain sentiments of the warmest affection toward those who have done or suffered something for us.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 4)
Let me lead you to the scene of the crucifixion and show you the Son of God dying in your stead. Will not the spectacle of the cross of Christ awaken every feeling of gratitude? Will it not sweep away the coldness and indifference which steels the senses to the great sacrifice made in our behalf? Oh, why does not the cross of Christ awaken gratitude and incite to cheerful obedience?
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 5)
Our hearts should be naturally softened, but they are not. They should be obedient and submissive, while they are cold and insensible and hard-hearted. Here, dear children, God has qualified you to exercise certain feelings in response to the exceeding love manifest to you in the gift of His dear Son, and if you do not exercise these feelings when there is the greatest manifestation to call them into action, how can God look upon such indifference? You will naturally display love to every earthly friend, but your best and heavenly Benefactor is treated with indifference. Satan, the adversary of souls, is constantly at work with his devices and enchantments, stealing away the senses and deadening the feelings to our highest interest. To all the little matters of life the affections are given free play, but in eternal interest the affections are trammeled, bound as by magical cords. These can only be loosed by looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Love for Jesus Christ must be exercised, be cultivated. There must be a yielding of allegiance to Him, and breaking the cords of Satan.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 6)
The love of Jesus calls forth our most ardent love in return. He not only died our Sacrifice but He has obtained for us a home unsurpassed by any earthly home. He has purchased for us everlasting happiness and eternal glory. The price paid is beyond estimate; it cannot be computed; neither can the happiness and glory which was purchased be measured. It is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 7)
There are so many who endure privation and pursue at considerable sacrifice a course which promises advantages in the future. They forego present comfort for a future inducement as an equivalent, but here Jesus presents eternal life as the reward of obedience, and if paltry things of earthly gain will be sacrificed for some future good, how much more should ease, pleasure, and present worldly advantages be sacrificed for the incomparable riches and glory of the future immortal life. Let not the sorcery of earthly enchantments steal the affections from God and harden the heart to eternal interest. Look at the things that are unseen. Enshrine Jesus in the heart. Love Him with your whole soul, for it is not possible for you to love Him with the ardor He deserves.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 8)
The call comes; it is time for meeting.
(2LtMs, Lt 15a, 1871, 9)
Mother.
Lt 16, 1871
White, W. C. South Lancaster, Massachusetts November 3, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Son Willie:
Here we are at Brother Haskell’s. Here was the scene of your severe illness, which caused us so many fears and so great an anxiety on account of your extreme feebleness. Here in this house prayers were offered in your behalf. Many tears were shed on your account. But God did not leave us in our distress. He heard our cry; He answered our prayer and saved us from a great sorrow, by raising you to health. God has done this, my dear son, which should call forth our gratitude for His merciful kindness. Why has God given you a new lease of your life? Is it not that your life may be more fully devoted to His service? God is proving you with health to see what you will make of the health He now blesses you with. All these are tokens that God loves you.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 1)
Brother Haskell says, “Tell Willie his sickness is frequently revived [in my memory],” his taking you in his arms from the bed and placing you in bed again. He says, “Tell Willie I shall never forget that scene.” He expresses strong attachment for you and sends his affection and best wishes to you.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 2)
My dear Willie, be very careful of your words and of your actions. You are forming a character for life or for death, for happiness or misery. It pays to have the fear of God continually before you. Let your yearning, earnest cry go out to your heavenly Father: O, God, be Thou the guide of my youth. If you have God for your counselor, you will move in wisdom and will not be left to rely upon your own imperfect judgment. Be in earnest, my son, to have a right hold from above that the communication may be opened between you and heaven, that light from God may be given you, and may you in the very best manner let your light so shine before others that they, by seeing your good works, may glorify our Father which is in heaven.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 3)
How precious it is to be right with God, to call God our Father! What a privilege! Live for God, my son. Keep your life pure that angels may be attracted to you and guide you. To be united to God, to Jesus Christ, to the heavenly angels, is the highest and most sacred and exalted privilege that mortals can have.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 4)
Dear son, do not let lightness and trifling destroy your confidence in God. Jesting and joking is not convenient for to make a success of perfecting Christian character or to increase your confidence toward God, or increase your love for devotion and for spiritual things. Willie, I urge you to live for God, to make a business of serving God.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 5)
The Lord is working graciously for us. Your father and myself have been very anxious in regard to a swelling which we settled could be nothing else but a cancer. For several weeks the pain had become almost unbearable. Your father and myself dedicated ourselves to God. We acknowledged our lack of faith and forbearance and spirituality. We consecrated ourselves to God with humility and sorrow that we were not stronger in God and better prepared to honor Him. We united in prayer each day for God to heal me of mine infirmities. To the praise of God I will say, My difficulties are nearly gone. In three days a large painful swelling of nearly two years’ standing was removed. I cannot discern any swelling now. I will praise God for His goodness. Let us accept the blessing of God and praise Him. Let us as a family dedicate ourselves more thoroughly to God. We want you to unite with us and offer our best and holiest affections, a willing offering to God. We will be right, Willie. Don’t live for to meet the minds of the unconsecrated, but live for God. Live to please Him who died to redeem you. What greater blessing could we desire than to be beloved of God and angels? Link your life to God and you will have strength to resist temptation. You will grow stronger and stronger.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 6)
Now in regard to our journey. We endured the journey well. At Rochester made good connections. Father telegraphed to Lucinda to buy tickets for Worcester instead of Boston. We met Lucinda at Utica. We had a few minutes conversation with Samuel and Mary [Abbey] before the cars were in motion. We stopped at Worcester at the same house you and I put up last summer. The hotel was full unless we mounted four flights of stairs. This we did and had a hard straw mattress to lie upon. I could not sleep for several hours. We awoke early but could not find a match. Father went down four flights of stairs but could not get a match or arouse one of the inmates of the hotel. But daylight came at last and we were taken to the depot by paying one dollar and a half. We arrived here all safe.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 7)
They were glad to see us and entertained us. Lucinda seems quite cheerful. Her health is improved, but she has been very poorly. I feel glad to have her with us again.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 8)
Father is talking with Brother Haskell. We shall go into Boston to visit Brother Stratton the first of the week. We are decided not to keep house at present. We want to be free from care ourselves, and have opportunity to write, and Lucinda can help me write and have freedom from care.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 9)
Now, Willie, I entreat you as your mother, do not condescend to anything cheap and low. Aim to elevate your life from a Christian standpoint. The worldling's standpoint of elevation I am not ambitious for you to meet. “Upward to God be soul's adoration.” Love heavenly things, love a pure and virtuous character. Do not indulge in cheap nonsense. Let your words be sound (as the apostle enjoins) that cannot be condemned. “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil things to say of you.”Titus 2:6-8.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 10)
The Lord strengthen and fortify and bless you that you may meet the mind of God by coming up to the high standard erected by our divine Lord.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 11)
Willie, write to us. Direct to South Boston, 65 Dorchester Street. May the Lord bless you with health and a happy, cheerful mind is the prayer of your parents.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 12)
In much love,
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 13)
Your mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 14)
Please preserve my letters.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 15)
Mother.
Much love to Brother and Sister Abbey and Lillie. Will write next week to them.
(2LtMs, Lt 16, 1871, 16)
Mother.
Lt 17, 1871
White, W. C. South Boston, Massachusetts November 10, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Willie:
We have just received and read your letter. We are glad you are getting along so well. We are now comfortably and pleasantly situated at Brother Stratton’s. We are driving our writing as fast as possible. Lucinda is copying. We have appointments Sabbath and Sunday, and in mid-week we write.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 1)
Father is cheerful and free and enjoys his change well. We are in no hurry to return to Battle Creek. We can do tenfold more here than we can there.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 2)
I had to break this off to go call on Dio Lewis. We found a very affable, social, open-hearted man. We took our seats upon a sofa and were elevated by steam power up four stories. When up at this distance we were in the doctor’s parlor. We were introduced to a portly, plain-looking lady, about my age. She was a sensible-minded, intellectual woman. Our interview was the most pleasant. We chatted as familiarly as though meeting friends of long acquaintance. The doctor invited us to visit the Athenium library. It is quite a sight,—curiosities in the form of books of almost every date. Some hundreds of years old. The style of type, margin of books, arrangements of matter, were a literary curiosity. Books, books, books on every shelf, from story to story, of every description, of every order.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 3)
Dr. Dio Lewis talked out his peculiar case to us freely. He has been business surfeited until he is in danger of losing the balance and control of his mind. If business is mentioned to him, he says he becomes irritated and provoked, but on every other subject he is all right. I thought of your father. His case is similar. This is nothing more or less than a mental infirmity. Dr. Lewis says he can lecture with perfect ease from one to three hours every day. He can discuss; he can dictate to write with perfect ease, “but it is deplorable (said he) that I am going all to pieces. The organs that are called into exercise by thought on business matters are so irritated, I get mad fifty times a day at the most simple question asked me in the kindest manner. This infirmity is growing upon me and I am compelled to make a change. I shall go to the Pacific coast and have a change.”
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 4)
We invited him to tarry a while at Battle Creek at the Health Institute.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 5)
But, Willie, I am thoroughly convinced that your father should not stay for any length of time at Battle Creek. Again, I am convinced that we should endeavor to perplex Father as little as possible. Father is happy, cheerful and free. I believe that he should have had a change ere this, but I failed to bring it about. Father, has, I believe, been very nearly unbalanced in some directions. But we may save his brain from permanent disease and insanity by a judicious course. We must be cheerful. We must be happy and patient and not be easily grieved or discouraged or disappointed, if Father cannot do exactly as we feel that he might. We must consider the business care, the continual, wearing tax upon his brain for twenty-five years. Yes, my son, we must look at these things carefully, candidly, and prayerfully.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 6)
Some of these things are explained to me since I visited Dr. Lewis that I could not fully understand before. I hope to make a right use of all the light and knowledge I can obtain. Father has been overworked. A strain has been upon his brain so long that he feels it. I feel thankful that he is not entirely broken that he may yet recover or at least escape entire shipwreck.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 7)
Willie, we had a good visit to Brother Harris. They have moved in a large quaint, old house that used to be a tavern. The location is good. It cost seven hundred dollars. There are three acres of land with the house. There is an excellent well of pure, soft water close by the house. This is invaluable. There is an excellent school in North Lancaster where Sister Harris lives. The boys attend school. We almost wish that you were here. We would board with Sister Harris and you attend school. But we know not how things may yet turn and where we may be. I like old New England for summer but it is too cold for winter. But the air is bracing and good. I am feeling first-rate except a cold taken on the cars in coming. Lucinda is quite smart. We have her go out every time we go; [we] ride on the street cars to Washington Street and back three miles, which makes six in going and coming.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 8)
Willie, try to do your duty faithfully in every spot and place. Be faithful in the littles. Keep up good courage, preserve your integrity and trust wholly in God.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 9)
Write us to South Boston as we shall be here till next Thursday. Father will go to Trall’s next Monday. Lucinda and self will remain here to Brother Stratton’s till he returns. I close with much love to you, my dear son, Willie.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 10)
From your mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 17, 1871, 11)
Lt 18, 1871
White, W. C. South Boston, Massachusetts November 18, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Willie:
I have risen quite early to get a few moments to write to you.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 1)
Father returned from New York last night. He called on Emma Sturges on his way and on his return; he stayed there two nights. He says they were very glad to see him. His visit to Dr. Trall’s was a perfect success. Today we go to New Hampshire. Leave Boston at 7:00 a.m. It is a hard, rough route, but we hope to be favored of God in our journey.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 2)
Addie Marriam wrote me a few lines stating that you had an excellent meeting at Battle Creek, and that you bore a good testimony. Oh, Willie, my dear son, how glad this made me. I am pleased to have you progress in your studies, [and] glad to have you in good health, but above all it rejoices my heart to have you make progress in the divine life. This progress is, above all, the most profitable in the end. We have temptations. This is the lot of all, but we are not obliged to yield to them. Says the apostle, we are tempted when we are led away of our own lust and enticed. It is following our own inclinations that makes us weak and which brings us into condemnation. May the Lord help you, my dear boy, to be an overcomer, that you may obtain daily victories and finally have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 3)
Father feels cheerful and happy. I am glad he is so free. My health is good. Father has taken some cold. How do things move on at our house? Do you think Mary is needed longer at the house? If not, have her go at once to Sister Lockwood’s and be earning something for herself in the office. If she is really needed, all right, let her stay. How are you feeling? Like an orphan or are you contented and happy? We pray for you every day that the Lord would bless you and preserve you and give you an abundant entrance into His kingdom.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 4)
Do you hear from Edson? If so, write us if you have any news.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 5)
Lucinda is improving. This journey is just what she needed to rest her. She remains at Brother Stratton’s while we go into New Hampshire. We shall be gone from Friday till Monday. Then she joins us and we go to Maine. The route is so hard and rough to New Hampshire, having to go many miles in stage and then private conveyance, we thought it would be a needless tax on her.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 6)
Take good care of your health, Willie. Wear your best coat and pants. We will have you a good warm suit made by Salisbury soon. Don’t dress cheap and careless. There is no need of it. I will write about it. Do you have plenty of time for study?
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 7)
I must say good-by. Love to Brother and Sister Abbey, Lillie and Mary.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 8)
Your mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 18, 1871, 9)
Lt 19, 1871
Burton, Br. Refiled as Lt 27, 1872.
Lt 20, 1871
White, W. C. Portland, Maine November 23, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Willie:
I understand that you sent letters to New Hampshire, but we have not received them. They will probably be remailed. We are at Brother Gowell’s of Portland. We visited your Aunt Harriet last Monday; left Tuesday. Your Uncle Samuel [McCann] is some better than he was in the summer. They were all glad to see us.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 1)
I write now for to tell you to take the tulip bulbs in the cupboard in the parlor and place them between the peonies, between the house and the gate. They should have been set long ago. Will you take up the gladiolas and the dahlias and put in a box of dry sand?
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 2)
Have Lillie look in the under draw of the bureau in open chamber and get Willie’s pants pattern. There are two patterns. We want the largest of the two, and get Willie’s coat pattern and cut a pattern just like it and send the patterns to us at Boston, care of H. B. Stratton, South Boston, 65 Dorchester Street.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 3)
Send the coat pattern [that] Willie’s best close fitting coat was cut from. I had rather not have the only pattern sent, fearing it may not reach us.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 4)
Your father has [a] bad cold. I have a cold also. Lucinda is well and cheerful. She is with us.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 5)
We hope that you are all well and prospering in the Lord. I dreamed, Willie, a few nights since, in regard to Edson, that Byron Sperry and you and Edson were playing ball. Byron injured Edson very much. He showed us that he was hurt. I told him before I dressed his wound I wished Byron and Willie to see it. I asked him if Willie did not see that he was badly hurt by Byron. He said he did, but guess he did not think he was hurt much. I went and called Byron and Willie. But you, neither of you, responded to my call at first, although you both heard me. Finally Willie said, “Byron does not have to come and I wish to play this game out.” I went back to Edson. He was trying as best he could to dress his wounds. Your indifference to his injury made me feel very bad. Said I, “Poor boy, wounded and bruised and yet awkwardly try to dress his own wounds.”
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 6)
I don’t know what this dream means, but don’t let Byron get you into any difficulty. Keep clear of his schemes, stand by yourself as much as possible.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 7)
Much love to Brother and Sister Abbey and Lillie. I meant to have written them before this, but could not get to it.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 8)
James is waiting for this. So goodby.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 9)
Your mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 20, 1871, 10)
Lt 21, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma Skowhegan, Maine November 29, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Edson and Emma:
We came to this place last night. We were heartily welcomed by Brother Atward’s family. We had excellent meetings in Richmond. The Adventists that have been prejudiced against us by falsehoods being circulated, came to hear us. The Reed meetinghouse was filled and we never saw a congregation pay better attention. Your father and mother had perfect liberty, and the prejudice of the people was greatly removed. The Sabbathkeepers were much strengthened and encouraged. The roads were muddy, yet some came five miles to the meeting who had been very much prejudiced against us. We think the time has come to do something in this State. Winter is better than summer, for in summer every one has to work hard in order to obtain a living.
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 1)
Flour, white, is from nine to ten dollars per barrel. Graham is eight dollars a barrel and everything is equal to this. Apples are six dollars per barrel. In the winter farmers are at leisure to hear, and it is the best time to get the truth before them.
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 2)
We see much to do. We desire to get out our writing. We cannot have a favorable chance to write at Battle Creek and have about decided to do our writing in the East. Lucinda will be my copyist. Father will return to Battle Creek to the Conference and we remain East. He will return in [the] east in a few weeks and then we shall labor Sabbath and Sundays and write during the week. There is as intelligent a class of people here as we have anywhere in the world. All are greatly attached to Father and those who heard him in forty-three and forty-four, are attached to him now.
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 3)
Well, children, how do you prosper spiritually? Are you interested in heavenly things or are your affections, your anxiety and interest in temporal things? When you, my dear children, live up to the light that God has given you, when you are faithful and obedient, serving God with willing, cheerful hearts, then God will work for you and His blessing will abide upon you. His prospering hand will attend you. But if you neglect sacred things and choose your own course and are indifferent to the claims God has upon you, then He will leave you to your own judgment to pursue your own course. If you would have the blessing of God, you must comply with the conditions God has laid down in His Word. If you make the things of this life your first business and eternal things secondary, you will not realize the promise of God in your case. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”“For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”Matthew 6:33, 32.
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 4)
It is important that you make a practical application of the promises of God to yourselves. If you comply with the conditions and then believe, God will verify His promises, [and] you will not fail of receiving the peace of Christ in your hearts. But if you are indifferent to the claims God has upon you, you must not expect the blessings resting upon the faithful and obedient. His servants ye are to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey. May God help you, my dear children, to more earnestly turn your attention to heavenly things. Cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and every day seek to perfect Christian character that you may be formed without fault before the throne of God. We want to hear from you. Do not fear to write fully and freely your feelings. Emma, I want very much to hear from you. Direct your letter [to] Bordoville, Vermont.
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 5)
Much love to you both. We pray for you every day. In haste from
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 6)
Your Mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 7)
Father says you had better direct your letter to South Boston, 65 Dorchester Street.
(2LtMs, Lt 21, 1871, 8)
Lt 21a, 1871
White, J. E. NP 1871 Portions of this letter are published in 10MR 386. [To Edson White:]
[First part missing] ... on working, as we anticipate the solemn event. We are not, because we are in the attitude of waiting and watching, to be indolent, doing nothing. But as we view the great event of Christ’s coming, and we see the necessity of watching and waiting for it, we must unite zeal and diligent industry to our waiting and watching, A life of idleness or mere meditation and abstraction will not answer for the waiting, watching ones. Neither will it be safe or justifiable for the waiting, watching ones to become so busy in worldly matters that they cease to watch and forget their peculiar position as waiting ones. They should not be in a busy excitement like worldlings and become surfeited and drunken with the cares of this life. A drunken man is bewildered. The fine organs of the brain are beclouded. This is exactly the position of the professed Christian who allows the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches to have such a powerful influence upon them as to eclipse the attractions of heaven. They become insane in their worldly pursuit.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 1)
The drunkard loses all sense of his obligations to his family and friends and will gratify his craving for drink, although in thus indulging his appetite he is bartering away his house, his food, and his clothing. Those who profess to love God and rush on in worldly enterprises, plunging deeper and deeper into care and labor to secure worldly possessions, may see their counterpart in the insanity of the common drunkard who will have strong drink to his own misery.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 2)
The world-loving, professed Christian is drunken with the crazing, benumbing influence of the desired appetite for gain. For this worldly gain, heaven with all its sweet and exalted charms is put out of mind and forgotten. They do not prize heaven or eternal life, for their spiritual powers are benumbed with the anxious desire for gain. Like the drunkard, the worldly-possessed Christian is so taken up with worldly attractions and plans and gains [that] his obligations to God and his fellow men has no weight upon him. He gratifies his appetite for the love of this world, although by so doing he loses the heavenly mansions, the glorious rest God has prepared for those who love Him. He parts with peace of mind and joy of soul. The approbation of God he sacrifices, and toils on in the way of the transgressor to receive the wages, in the end, which the God-forgotten, God-dishonoring worldling receives, which is death! death! death!
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 3)
Is not this worldly-loving spirit at such a sacrifice a greater exhibition of insanity than even that shown by the drunkard? God had warned the lover of strong drink. He has told him the influence and result of gratifying the appetite. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”Proverbs 20:1. “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”Proverbs 23:29-35.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 4)
The warnings have been given by God in regard to the love of the world and the cares of this life. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”1 John 2:15. It is just as easy for one to place the affections upon a small treasure as a large one. “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”Mark 4:18, 19. “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”Luke 21:34.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 5)
I might quote many more passages of Scripture, but I have not the room. We are required to cultivate personal piety to train the mind to become familiar and intelligent upon religious matters. I do not wish to be understood that a life only of prayer and quiet is the extent of our duty as Christians. We must be workers. “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”Romans 12:11.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 6)
Every effort should be put forth to exemplify the virtuous character of Christ and be zealous in being right and working righteousness. God has given to every man his work and He expects a corresponding return. Some are capable of filling responsible positions, others fill a more humble sphere. They may have but two talents, while others of still less influence have but one. But all, by diligent trading with unwearied diligence, can make successful investments and double the talents committed to their trust. And if all accomplish the duty severally to the best of their ability, their fidelity will be tested and accepted. None should mourn that they cannot glorify God with talents that they never had in trust. They are responsible for only what they have. If the one talent is put to a good use, God will accept the improvement, be the returns ever so small. Some will do nothing unless they can do a large thing, handle large talents. Such aspire after great things, to do a great work and overlook the daily opportunities right in their sphere of usefulness to serve their Master. The interest required will be no larger than the entrusted capital.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 7)
My son, God will require His own with usury. It is not our capital we are improving or abusing. It is the Lord’s, and we shall have to render a strict account of our stewardship. The light has shone upon you. Your privileges and opportunities have not been small. You know the right way. Do you inquire daily, “What shall I do to glorify God?” How stands your record in heaven? God will call the names of all, one by one, and how will you answer to your name? Will the Master say to you, Well done, good and faithful servant? Will He bid you enter into the joy of your Lord? [Matthew 25:21.]
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 8)
Your motives will soon be scrutinized. Will fidelity stand opposite your name? What has been your success in working for your Master? Have your mental endowments made those within the sphere of your influence wiser, better, or have your talents been left to rust in the earth, to be abused and witness against you in the judgment? You may exert a noble, elevating influence upon others by your purity of life, your virtue, your love for God and heavenly things. Your example before your hired help may be such that they will know you are a Christian. Your works of love for God, your devotion to His cause may say to them that there is a reality in the religion you profess.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 9)
The talents that are yours today may be demanded of you on the morrow. Up, up to duty. The heavenly Master has given you an example. He was often wearied in body and in spirit, yet hear Him say, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is today; the night cometh when no man can work.”John 9:4.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 10)
Can you, my dear Edson, take your place by the side of Jesus? Have you suffered for Him and loved Him and worked for Him who died to bring to you salvation? Follow the dear Saviour through His pilgrimage of matchless love upon the earth and then to His ascension, while the straining eyes of His disciples looked wistfully towards the cloud of attraction, their bosoms swelling with first fear and then hope as the cloud vanishes in the distant heavens. He has entered heaven with His divine form and He ever liveth to make intercession for us. O, my son, who can comprehend the mystery of divine love?
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 11)
Stephen was permitted to see His Saviour who had walked upon the earth, a man among men. The divine light beamed forth from heaven and lighted the way that the disciple might discern His Master and proclaim to His murderers and to His humble followers the sight which enraptured him as he beheld Jesus standing at the right hand of God. That same Jesus says to you, I am acquainted with your sorrows. I have endured them. I know your temptations and conflicts. I have encountered them. I know your soul anguish which pressed from your tears. I also have wept. “Fear not.”“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore.”Revelation 2:17, 18.
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 12)
He bears [on] His human heart, which loved and pitied and sympathized with unutterable tenderness, all the woes of humanity. What a subject is this for contemplation,—our citizenship in heaven where our living, loving Jesus is, that same Jesus that ascended from the Mount of Olives. He will be a present help to us in time of trouble. God will be your strength. Trust in Him. Look to Him by faith. May God help you and bless you is the prayer of your
(2LtMs, Lt 21a, 1871, 13)
Loving mother.
Lt 22, 1871
Kellogg, H. W. Battle Creek, Michigan December 27, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Brother H. W. Kellogg:
I have been writing out the testimonies for Battle Creek in relation to things in the office.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 1)
My view was quite definite in relation to the work in the office. I was shown some things in regard to yourself which will stand in the way of your being the man for the office.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 2)
You were shown me as the head of a gang of hands. I saw that you were dictatorial, arbitrary and exacting. You were also in danger of being dictatorial in your family.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 3)
The above defects in your character would disqualify you for the position in the office. No one should stand in the position there unless he is kind, accommodating, and courteous and forbearing.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 4)
In the view that was given me years since, I was shown in regard to you, that your organization was of that cast that unless you preserved a consecration to God and cherished a humble mind, the strong points in your character would predominate and your wife would not be happy. She loves you truly, yet unless you are watchful and guarded even the precious love of your earnest, true-hearted wife, may be shadowed and become dim. You can by effort change this order of things.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 5)
When my husband was earnest for you to come to Battle Creek, I told him that I had been shown that your strong points of character would have to be seen by you and overcome before you would be qualified to act any special part in the sacred work of God. But he thought these things would not be sufficient to unfit you to be a burden-bearer in the office. He thought you could learn. He was much attached to you and he liked your earnest manner and was assured that you had the prosperity of the cause of God at heart.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 6)
In the last view the things which I had previously seen were repeated with some things new. I was shown that you had earned means readily and were in danger of spending means readily. You were in danger of failing upon the point of economy. The man who fills a position which you would have to fill in the office should be an experienced economist, careful in the expenditure of means for he will be handling his Lord’s money. You have an experience in doing business upon a large scale and unless you have more experience would not be inclined to look after and keep up the littles. It is even more important that the odds and ends be looked after, the littles be attended to, than the large business. For there are many businessmen which can do a large business, but the successful businessman must have a discerning mind and take in the littles, attend to little items. The man for the place must be a burden-bearer, a caretaker.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 7)
You love the truth. You love the cause of God. Your heart is in the work, but you need to discipline yourself and cherish humbleness of mind and simplicity. You are in danger of having exalted views of yourself. You have a good mind, good qualifications for a general businessman, but still you lack and you need a work done for you by the Spirit of God.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 8)
Men are needed in the work and cause of God with unselfish interest, discerning minds, good judgment, naturally sanctified by the Spirit of God.
(2LtMs, Lt 22, 1871, 9)
Lt 23, 1871
Cornell, M. E. Battle Creek, Michigan December 27, 1871 Portions of this letter are published in TSB 166-168. Dear Brother [M. E.] Cornell:
You will see before this reaches you that the Lord has again visited His people by giving me a testimony. In this view I was shown that you were not standing in the clear light and you are in danger of bringing a reproach upon the cause of God by moving as you happen to feel. It is Satan’s intent to destroy you. He is seeking to keep your mind in a constant state of agitation, stirring it up that it may cast up mire and dirt instead of the peaceful fruits of righteousness.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 1)
Calm your feelings, commit your case to God and trust wholly in Him. I saw you seeking to stir the feelings of your wife. You had a spirit of retaliation. This is not the Spirit of Christ, and every approach you make to this, you give Satan the advantage. You are placing yourself upon the enemy's ground. Your wife deserves your pity. Poor deceived woman selling herself to the enemy, deceived by Satan to believe a strong delusion that she may be damned.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 2)
If you are clear, if you discern the darkness and the workings of Satan with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, be thankful to God, for it is only His grace that you are not in a like deception. If you have feelings of triumph, if you have feelings of retaliation or that savor of a revengeful spirit, you will be in danger of stumbling where your wife has stumbled, although you may feel strong in your own strength.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 3)
We know that you have been sorely and deeply tried. God is now testing and proving you. How will you bear the test?
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 4)
Will this severe and fiery trial lead you to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ? Shall this furnace in which you are tried, remove the dross and tin and leave only pure gold? Your character has been defective, you have been selfish. You have been easily exalted. God would now have you see where you have erred and set about the work of correcting your wrongs.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 5)
Consider yourself lest ye also be tempted and stumble and fall. Be not high-minded, but fear and tremble before God. We are amid the perils of the last days and I greatly fear that you will make a shipwreck of faith. I know that your will is not in subjection to the will of God. Self is clamoring for the victory. You, my dear brother, have been deeply affected with selfishness, as well as your wife. When the call was made for your home, you did not need it. Your wife had duties to do and obligations to fulfil to her mother which are resting upon every child, no matter of what age. Your selfish feelings dictated your desire for a home, and then after the liberalities of your brethren had secured for you a home that your wife might be settled and not travel with you, you did use your home but very little. Your restless, selfish feelings prompted you to send for her to be with you, directly contrary to the testimonies which God had given you. She being with you crippled your labors. She considered herself only. She influences you by her strong spirit and has withdrawn you from fields of usefulness time and time again. Satan has used her as his agent to counteract the influence of your labor.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 6)
When in Maine, there was a place not a great distance from Norridgewock that you raised an interest. Opposition was strong and you needed much faith and courage to persevere in your efforts and make the work a success. Your wife’s unconsecrated strong will resulted in your giving up that hard place of labor. If you had persevered, you would have gained a great victory. Notwithstanding the discouragements, many were getting interested and no less than twenty-five souls would have been the result of a faithful, continued effort. These souls, united with the truth, would through their influence have convinced others and they in turn still others. This failure was a terrible neglect of your trust. And this all, through the influence of an unconsecrated wife whom the Lord had warned you to leave at home, for she was a hindrance to you.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 7)
In her leaving home, she manifested supreme selfishness. She went in direct opposition to the commandments of God. She did not honor her parents. Her selfish nature was afraid some responsibility would rest upon her and that she would be required to have sympathy and care for her own father and mother who were both suffering under severe affliction. To get rid of doing her duty to her afflicted parents, she chose to go east to her husband who was doing far better without her influence. The selfishness and willfulness of this woman has proved her ruin. It was impossible for her to love God with all her heart, mind and strength, for she loved herself better than God. She apparently served God when it was convenient and when it did not interfere with her will or pleasure. But when duty crossed her wishes, she readily laid it down and followed her own will. There are others who are doing the same and they will sooner or later stumble and fall among the dark mountains of unbelief. “His servants ye are to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey.” [Romans 6:16.]
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 8)
Angeline going to Maine as she did, was a most heartless affair, and evidenced her unfeeling temperament, which we seldom see in a civilized country. She knew not as her parents would live two weeks. But as she had during her life made everything subservient to self, she would sooner sacrifice the lives of her parents than to arouse her selfish, indolent nature to exertion and filial duties. She left the care of her parents to drop upon her sister and husband, who had a true sense of her duty and obligation to her parents.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 9)
Brother Cornell, the interest can never be raised again in that community in Maine as it was when you were laboring there. What account will you render to God for being withdrawn from the work by the will of your wife? God had warned you that this would be the case. You manifested a selfishness and a lack of wisdom when you settled in Boston and sent for your wife, when you proposed a team being gotten up for you partly by donation, and there are many things of like character which have been a detriment to your influence and shut you away from the favor of God.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 10)
In my last vision I saw that it had been a wrong plan to give our ministers homes or to help them to means to purchase homes. It had been the means of destroying souls. I was shown that if means are provided by the brethren to secure homes for ministers, these homes should be deeded to the cause of God and held as the property of the association. And all who have been helped to homes through the liberalities of their brethren, should pay for their homes by returning their means as fast as they have a surplus or an amount over and above what is required for their sustenance. I have no more to say on this point.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 11)
But, Brother Cornell, I was shown that you now should be very circumspect in your deportment and in your words. You are watched by enemies. You have great weaknesses for a man that is as strong as you are to move the crowd. As you are now separated from your wife there will be suspicion, and jealousy and falsehoods will be framed if you give no occasion. But if you are not cautious, you will bring a reproach upon the cause of God which could not soon be wiped away. You may feel, as I saw you had felt, that if you were not going to live with your wife, you wished to be free from her. You are restless, uneasy and unsettled. Satan is tempting you to make a foolish man of yourself. Now is the time for you to show yourself a man, to exhibit the grace of God by your patience, your fortitude and courage. You are better away from your wife, but you have no evidence that your wife has violated her marriage vow. You need not be in anxiety to separate yourself from her or to provoke her to separate from you. You are in no need of a wife, but you do need sound judgment and heavenly wisdom.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 12)
Your wife has been a curse to you, but if you remain true to God, true to your own soul, you may claim the promise, If you forsake houses, lands, father, mother and wife for Christ’s sake and the gospel, ye shall have an hundredfold in this life, and in the world to come life eternal. If you are required for the sake of Christ to be separated from home and the society of your wife, God will raise up many homes and those who will care for your comfort and supply your wants.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 13)
You need to consecrate yourself to God and not dwell upon your troubles. Be careful how you are enticed to make women your confidants or to allow them to make you their confidant. Keep aloof from the society of women as much as you can. You will be in danger. Remember we are living amid the perils of the last days. Almost everything is rotten and corrupt. Look to God, pray, O pray, as you never have before, to be kept by the power of God through faith. In God you can stand untainted, without a stain or blemish. Fasten your hold upon God. Look to Him in faith that you may be a partaker of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. God will bring you off victorious if you will live a humble life of prayer and dependent trust. Leave your wife in the hands of God. Set your own heart right; purify your soul by obeying the truth. Do not worry yourself out of the hands of God, but rest, O, rest in His loving arms. Do not be in a hurry to get out of the furnace. Patiently wait till Jesus sees fit to take you out. When His image is reflected in you, then He will take you from the furnace purified as gold.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 14)
My soul is deeply moved as I have a solemn sense of the shortness of time and see so much to be done in warning sinners. A great work, a solemn, sacred work is before us. Shall we do this work in a manner which will clear us from the blood of the souls of our fellow men?
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 15)
Brethren Loughborough and Cornell, work while the day lasts. Do not think that you of yourselves can engage in this great work. Secure the Lord to be with you by holy living and earnest, fervent prayer. Remember Christ poured out His soul with strong crying and tears. Brethren, link your souls with Christ. Die to self, die to sin, but live to God and honor Him daily. If angels prepare the way before you, you can have access to hearts.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 16)
In our last journey we have seen the work of God in power upon the hearts of unbelievers. Jesus lives and will impart His power to you to work with you if you will only believe. If you trust merely to the arguments upon Bible truth, you will fail to see the work you can and should see accomplished.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 17)
God help you to have your hold strong upon the mighty One.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 18)
In haste and love.
(2LtMs, Lt 23, 1871, 19)
Lt 24, 1871
Agents of Satan Refiled as Ms 9, 1880.
Lt 25, 1871
Wells, Sister Battle Creek, Michigan July 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Sister Wells:
I improve the first opportunity since our return home to pen a few lines to you. After we left you, I felt rather weak but endured the journey well. At McGregor [Iowa] we passed on the boat and took the cars again for Medford [Minnesota]. We had good sleeping cars and slept considerable. Next morning at five o’clock we stepped off the cars at Medford Station. We there partook of our liberal breakfast so kindly provided by you. We then were taken to the campground. A few tents only had been pitched. Our tent was soon up and I had a comfortable bed provided upon the straw.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 1)
Our meeting was good from the commencement to the close. I was strengthened to speak to the people three times besides attending the conference meetings and taking a part. I had a testimony for the people and believe that it was my duty to accompany my husband to that meeting. The meetings closed Tuesday morning. We did not leave immediately for Washington, [Iowa]. We tarried on the ground for the purpose of preparing copy for [the] Reformer.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 2)
Wednesday about eleven o’clock we were at the depot, the cars in sight and to make our way to Washington, when the telegraph operator informed us that a dispatch was just coming upon the wires for Elder James White in regard to his father. The telegram was placed in our hands and we there read that Father White was failing very fast. We had but two minutes. We changed our course for Battle Creek. We came direct as we could. Rode the balance of the day and all night which brought us Thursday morning at Milwaukee. We soon stepped on board the cars for Chicago. We could not connect and were obliged to remain five hours in Chicago. We arrived at Battle Creek at midnight. We found friends awaiting us with our team to take us to our home, one mile. We were informed that Father was not living. He died Tuesday night without a struggle. We were sorry we were not present at his death bed, but we were glad his sufferings and trials were over. No more would weariness and pain rack his mortal frame. We were glad that he was at rest. John White, the Methodist preacher, and his son John, also a preacher and professor of languages, came to Battle Creek to attend the funeral of our father. We buried him upon the Sabbath. All this sad work has occupied our thoughts and feelings and given us no time for rest or writing.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 3)
We see the providence of God in my accompanying my husband to Minnesota. It would have delayed us much if he had been obliged to hunt me up before he could have answered the telegram by returning to Battle Creek. Had we left the campground for Washington at an earlier date, we should not have received the dispatch till a later date. The angel of God must have been about us guiding our judgment. Had the telegram been a few minutes later we should have missed it.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 4)
Our meeting in Minnesota was indeed satisfactory. More so than any meeting we have held this season. The brethren and sisters were greatly comforted and encouraged, established, strengthened, and settled.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 5)
My health is improving. I feel very grateful to God for His merciful care and loving kindness to us, His servants.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 6)
We bear in happy remembrance your kind care of and attention of us when we needed rest so much. We thank you and your husband for your tokens of love and we hope sometime you will visit us in our own home and we may have the privilege of waiting on you, and entertaining you as our special friends. We hope that you are well and that the blessing of our kind heavenly Father may rest upon you both.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 7)
We want to give to God our best and holiest affections and love Him with purity, simplicity, and fervency, because He first love you, and has given you such unmistakable evidences of His matchless love. It amounts to no good for us to live for this world and be conformed to its practices and customs.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 8)
To live for Heaven will pay. To live for God will bring a sure reward in the end and present happiness and peace. How encouraging to know that Jesus understands our infirmities, our weakness. He is our large-hearted, sympathizing Friend, a present help in every time of trouble. The consolation coming [from] God is valuable and with it we have an assurance of love that is exercised toward us that is inexpressible.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 9)
I will write no more at present. Will you please write [to] me? Be assured we hold your husband and yourself in grateful remembrance, and it would be a real pleasure to learn that the blessing of God was comforting and gladdening your hearts. My husband is writing for the Reformer. The printers are driving him.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 10)
In much love,
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 11)
Your Sister in Christ.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 12)
We return the poetry. Thank you. The printers have set it up for Reformer.
(2LtMs, Lt 25, 1871, 13)
Lt 26, 1871
White, W. C. Richmond, Maine November 25, 1871 Previously unpublished. My Dear Son Willie:
I sent you a few lines from Portland. We came from Portland yesterday. We tarried last night at Brother Merriman’s. Today we came to Brother Weber’s. We are welcomed by all with great ardor. I have had one dozen homes opened to me to make my home and write. I fear if we come to Battle Creek we shall not do much writing. We have just about decided to tarry at Samuel Abbey’s with Lucinda. I could perhaps do better there than to stay further east. But in many places they urge my tarrying that I may be a help to them in their meetings. How does this plan suit my Willie?
(2LtMs, Lt 26, 1871, 1)
I am settled not to keep house if I come home, but we do desire to get my book out this winter. I have great freedom in writing when I can get an opportunity. We have taken bad colds by sleeping in damp, musty beds. We hope we shall not be exposed any more in this way.
(2LtMs, Lt 26, 1871, 2)
Willie, I told you to plant the tulips. If you think the tulips would freeze to be put in now, you need not do it. If you have planted them, cover them with dressing or plant them quite deep. Consult others in regard to this.
(2LtMs, Lt 26, 1871, 3)
My dear Willie, we do want to see you but we hope you will have both physical and mental health. Watch and pray, my dear boy, lest ye enter into temptation. If the disciples had regarded the words of warning given by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane they would not have been left in their weakness to forsake their Saviour in the hour of His greatest trial. Had they watched and prayed they would have been impressed, in a manner never to be forgotten, by the sorrowful anguish of Christ in the hour of terrible agony while Satan was assaulting the Divine Sufferer with his fiercest temptations, which led Him to exclaim, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death.” [Matthew 26:38.] They lost the impressive scene of seeing an angel from glory descending with a message of love from the Father to His Son. This message soothed and calmed the noble, sensitive soul of the Son of God.
(2LtMs, Lt 26, 1871, 4)
It will pay, Willie, for you to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. God has promised that if you do this He will bless you. Trust in God, my dear boy. He knows every trial and temptation that besets you. He knows every conflict, every good endeavor. God is good and His mercy endureth forever. Seek to perfect a Christian character for yourself. Do not be influenced by anyone in the wrong direction. We must all overcome for ourselves. It is an individual work. A work has been left for each and all, all individually to perform. Christ has opened the way by His own death, making it possible that we may work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We may wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb. We are to remove from us the defects in our moral character and trust in Christ for the great salvation He has provided.
(2LtMs, Lt 26, 1871, 5)
God strengthen and bless you is the daily prayer of your mother.
(2LtMs, Lt 26, 1871, 6)
Lt 27, 1871
White, J. E.; White, Emma Ashland Crossing, Iowa June 2, 1871 This letter is published in entirety in 19MR 189-193. Dear Children [Edson and Emma White]:
We have been spending a few days at our home in Washington [Iowa]. It is a beautiful place. There are flowers and shrubs of almost every variety. Shade trees and fruit trees in abundance. All nature is radiant with brightness of early summer. But much as I admire this beautiful place, which is a picture of loveliness, I can hardly call it home. We have never been permitted to remain here longer than a few days at a time. Yet why should I regret this? The work of God is dearer to us than pleasant homes and beautiful scenery.
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 1)
If we can only gain the inheritance among the sanctified, and have apportioned to us in the heavenly Canaan a part of Abraham’s farm, we will be satisfied. Shall we not enjoy it all the more for being pilgrims and strangers here? John saw in holy vision the redeemed host saved, eternally saved, arrayed in white robes around about the throne. John was told by the heavenly messenger, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” [Revelation 7:9-17.]
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 2)
Children, let us as a family wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. We must be earnest, self-possessed, firm, decided, and persevering if we are overcomers and have on the white robe of Christ’s righteousness—a fitness for the society of heavenly angels, for the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Home sweet home! Shall we not prize that rest that remaineth for the people of God? We shall see Jesus, Him whom our souls love.
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 3)
Dear children, Jesus loves you and He wants you to reach the highest Christian standard. You must come out from the world and be separate, untainted by its corrupting influences. There is a large class of professed Christians who assimilate to the world, conform to its customs, its practices, its forms. It takes all their time to meet the world’s forms and ceremonies and superfluities and parade, and they have no time to pray and study the heavenly chart and learn in Christ’s school meekness and lowliness of heart. The outside appearance is the burden of their life. The beauty, the loveliness of character they are not laboring to obtain, for this is not necessary to meet the world’s standard.
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 4)
Your mother, my son Edson, dedicated you to God as soon as you were born. You are the subjects of many prayers, and your precious Emma we have fully taken into our heart as our daughter. We love you both and we want you day by day to form characters of moral worth that God will accept. We are not anxious you should bear the worldly stamp or that you should have that cheap praise and uncertain honor that the world bestows. I do not wish you to imitate the example of worldlings, but to copy the character of Christ, to be a partaker of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust. “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” [James 4:4.] Your religious life must rise above the standard of public opinion if it abides the searching investigation of the Judge of all the earth. Should the shadow of death gather about you, you will never regret that you were a lover of God more than a lover of pleasure. You will never regret that you did not participate in worldly dissipation. Your only regret will be that you did not love Jesus more fervently, that you did not devote more time to helping others to see their danger and turn their feet in paths of holiness and heaven.
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 5)
In devoting your time, Edson and Emma, to useful employment, you close a door to the tempter. Nothing besides prayer will deflect him so effectively as earnest, useful labor. Can you not see, my children, of how much greater value is the approval of God than the friendship of this world? Will it improve your condition in the day of final reckoning to know that the world was pleased with you? All earthly honors are soon to pass away. It is moral worth that will endure, and will stand the test of trial. In these days of superficial attainments, of false show, the temptation to be satisfied with a mere outside polish is peculiarly strong. Your safety, my children, is in being content to enjoy a quiet, unassuming position. Seek more earnestly the inward adorning; be not content with hollow forms, with time-serving policy. If you could but realize the capabilities of the human mind and your own accountability for the Creator’s gifts, the wise improvement of these talents would constitute your chief happiness. It would give you a joy, pure, unselfish and ennobling.
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 6)
You should learn to rely upon your own energies and upon your heavenly Father. Youth who have been thrown upon their own resources will generally put forth the effort necessary to develop and invigorate their moral and intellectual energies. There are too many youth like the swaying willows that grow beside the meadow brook. You want to make your life the sturdy oak, springing from hardy soil amid the clefts of the rock. These have battled with the storm and tempest and yet grown into giant proportions. The great men who have done service to our country were not reared in the lap of luxury. Our greatest men are self-made.
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 7)
All earthly honor is perishable, all earthly treasures valueless when we are passing from this life. There will be nothing enduring but the heavenly treasure, and the favor of God will be more valuable than choice gold. There is time now to prepare for the future immortal life. It will not answer to neglect the preparation essential for our heavenly home. But many will be found wanting in that great day. The precious hours of probation will have passed by unimproved, and when it is too late the mournful cry will be heard, The harvest is passed, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved. When the righteous Judge shall proclaim the destiny of all fixed—“He which is filthy, let him be filthy still: ... and he that is holy, let him be holy still” [Revelation 22:11]—it will be a time when the most careless, the most trifling, will come to their senses and discern that the truly wise were those who loved God and kept His commandments.
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 8)
Long have the gates stood ajar for you, long has the heavenly light been shining upon your path. Let it not be slighted, but gather up its precious rays to reflect upon others. Jesus loves us and we should love one another. We should be meek and lowly, pure and undefiled, and if we are thus we shall meet the approval of God here, and the blessed “Well done” when the Master comes. [Matthew 25:21.]
(2LtMs, Lt 27, 1871, 9)
Lt 28, 1871
Friends at Home Ashland Crossing, Iowa June 2, 1871 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 429. Dear Friends at Home:
Here we are on our way to Knoxville. James did not feel exactly free to remain away so we are to attend the meeting in Knoxville. We wait here from two o’clock till near seven and then proceed on our journey.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 1)
We found our home in Iowa truly beautiful. Our home at Battle Creek can bear no comparison to this in Washington [Iowa]. Brother and Sister Abbey said that they had never seen anything half as beautiful before. Sister Abbey is perfectly delighted with the place.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 2)
Nathan has kept up things in good order. We are well satisfied with the appearance of things. Venelia is perfectly happy amid her multitude of flowers. We had strawberries for dinner. They are low in the market, for they are rushed in from Muscatine. They sell for twelve and ten cents per quart. We had a mess of green peas for breakfast. Brother Abbey and James and Nathan have been making apparently destructive work with trees, trimming the orchard and shade and ornamental trees.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 3)
We endured the journey well. We were not troubled with dust. I had good rest in the cars. Have slept considerably, curled up on the seat. Yesterday after dinner we walked out to the orchard. The sun was too hot for us. I was very much heated. I have not fully recovered.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 4)
We shall return from Knoxville Monday. We hope to prevail upon Ben Auten to return with us and help Brother Abbey repair the house.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 5)
We hope you will sow all the seeds you can. Make a frame for the trumpet vine. There is one at the corner of the piazza. It is a small one; is by the large lilac bush. The last needs to be framed. Sow morning glories where we spoke of making a kind of arbor. The gourd seeds have not been planted yet. Plant some gourds and morning glories around the trees in the peach orchard, the oak trees. Let the vines climb these trees. Do not neglect to weed the flowers. I expect Willie will want help in his strawberry bed from Loi and Lilly can help if she would like to.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 6)
We do not expect to hear from Father till we return from Washington. We hope that Father is no worse. Keep us informed. If you need more help if Father should be worse, get it by all means. But a hired girl in the kitchen I do not think will be profitable. With calculation in regard to the work and if the children engage in it with will and heart, it would be a benefit to both Loi and Lillie to do the work of cooking, which is less now the family is reduced. The exercise will not injure them.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 7)
Lucinda will be a good matron and I hope the children will obey her wishes cheerfully in everything. I believe that they will.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 8)
It is my wish that the children study and write some each day. If they improve their moments, they can acquire considerable knowledge of the sciences so that when they shall attend school in the winter they will not be behind children of their age. If the children have a purpose and a will, they can advance in knowledge daily. If they really want to learn, they need not depend upon the excitement of school to stimulate them to obtain an education. If the children would practice writing, following closely the copy books and making use of the instruction they have had in writing, they can by practice become good writers. But patience is required in this as well as other things. This skill of writing correctly will not come to them without an effort on their part.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 9)
An education cannot be obtained in school or out without mental effort. If the moments were employed by the children in study that they spend in reading with no particular object in view of benefiting the mind, of obtaining useful knowledge, very many could obtain a good education without ever entering a schoolroom and mingling with those of all classes and grades—the low, the vulgar, the proud, the vain, conceited, the impure, etc., and endangering their own morals by associating with them.
(2LtMs, Lt 28, 1871, 10)
Lt 29, 1871
Hall, Lucinda Laporte City, Iowa June 17, 1871 Previously unpublished. Dear Sister Lucinda:
Here we are near the close of another camp meeting. There have been today, Sunday, about four thousand people. I spoke to the crowd. It required quite an effort to reach the extent of the crowd. The people are intelligent and rather of an extra class.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 1)
Yesterday morning as I arose at eight o’clock to speak, my eye rested upon Mr. Carver and his wife, she who used to be Sister Martin, from Ireland. I had an interesting interview with her yesterday. She is not as stubbornly prejudiced as that party Carver and his clan.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 2)
I have spoken three times to the people. James is very hoarse. He thought it impossible for him to talk but he is at it this afternoon. The congregation is good although not as large as this forenoon.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 3)
We have had very good fare. We live all over the ground. We are invited here and there and all try to get up something extra. Today we took dinner in the grove outside the tent. We had placed before us fresh, ripe currants and fresh ripe black-cap raspberries. We enjoyed them much. We sleep in the tent with Brother Kilgore’s family.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 4)
Yesterday about twenty came forward for prayers. There seems to be deep feeling with many. Oh, may God manifest His power in this place at this meeting.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 5)
I have been suffering under a severe cold. I have not had such an attack for more than six years. I was down sick a week at Washington [Iowa]. James and self are worn. We have stayed in Battle Creek altogether too long for our health and spirituality.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 6)
You write in regard to Father. Poor Father! What can we do? Is there not someone that you can find who will give him the attention he wants? I think we will have to return. Father feels dissatisfied, I know, with our being away. I had thought I would have time to write, but I begin to feel that this may not be best while Father lives.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 7)
What do you think of your mother staying in Iowa if your father returns? She has been so long accustomed to a large family and so much going on it is difficult for her to feel contented and keep from being lonesome unless she is busily engaged. Her lungs are better. I have not heard that scraping of the throat that she was subject to. She is, I think, very dependent on her food, and wants about such a kind of food or she does not thrive. What advice to give your mother I hardly knew. I fear she will not bring her mind to be content and happy with Venelia. She likes the house and the surroundings, but there is not enough going on to make her contented. We tried to get them to come to this meeting but they could not be prevailed upon to come. Had we known the meeting would have been as large and so good accommodations we would have insisted; but we thought if there should not be much of a gathering—as we did not expect there would be—and poor accommodations, it would rather discourage than help and strengthen.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 8)
I wish you would write a little more particulars about how you all get along, how Marcus stands it and how Willie is and what you think of our returning because of Father. Write us at Washington immediately. We want to know if you have picked any raspberries? Do you have rain? How are the children, Loi and Lillie? I have not been able to write anything as yet. Have been too poorly to write.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 9)
I wish we could be with you a short time. Your father talks of returning to Michigan as soon as the house is completed. He says he has nothing to stay for. We don’t know as we ought to attend the Wisconsin meeting or go to Minnesota camp meeting.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 10)
Love to the children and yourselves.
(2LtMs, Lt 29, 1871, 11)
Lt 30, 1871
Francisco, Br. December 10, 1871 Copied from PH159 94-97.