Hall, Brother Battle Creek, Michigan May 9, 1865 Previously unpublished. Dear Brother Hall:
I am much hurried but will take time to write you just a few lines. We received your last letter containing ten dollars. We have not yet applied it. We do not feel justly clear in regard to receiving means from you for the cause. We think you may need the means yourself. We would not restrain you from doing that which you think it is your duty to do. You may not exercise just the right judgment in the matter. You should not send means to this Office which you may really need for your comfort and that of your child.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1865, 1)
Ever remember, Brother Hall, obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Rest not until the principles of truth are deeply wrought in the soul and interwoven with all your transactions of life. Our blessed Saviour has invited us to come learn of Him who is meek and lowly of heart and we should find rest unto our souls.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1865, 2)
Here is the school for Christians to learn in and Christ is their blessed heavenly Teacher. Above all things, live in obedience to the will of God. Seek humility and true godliness and you will have heavenly enjoyment as you pass along, and at last have everlasting life.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1865, 3)
Lt 2, 1865
Chase, Maria [Wisconsin] June 12, 1865 This letter is published in entirety in DG 120-122. Dear Niece Maria [Chase]:
I have a desire to write you a few lines. I have not lost my interest for you although I have become very much discouraged in regard to your case. As the prospect of your becoming a Christian has seemed to lessen, I have felt a painful anxiety in regard to your future course and prospects.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 1)
I do not know as I fully understand your present state of mind and I may not be as prepared to help you as though I did. I should know better how to address you if I knew that you sincerely desired to become a humble Christian. I have thought that perhaps you desired this but that on account of your late failure to carry out your purposes to become a Christian you have become discouraged and thought that the confidence of others in you was so much shaken that they could not have faith in efforts you might make in the future. But, Maria, if the Christian life has charms in it for you, and you see the sinfulness of sin and your lost condition out of Christ, I advise you to commence again in earnest. In meekness seek the Lord. You may be very distrustful of yourself, for you have reason to be; but God is true, and I advise you for your soul’s sake to try again and earnestly seek to become a follower of Christ. This work no other can do for you. It is a solemn work between God and your own soul, which must bear the test of the Almighty.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 2)
Let me entreat of you to seek for those things which make for your peace. You have all your life been anxiously, worriedly seeking for earthly pleasure and worldly enjoyments to satisfy the longing mind, but a thorn has been found in every earthly, worldly pleasure. With you it has been disappointment upon disappointment, and life has been a failure. You have not filled the purpose on earth which God designed you should. Your mind has been allowed to dwell upon frivolity, fashion, and show. Appearance has been the altar whereon you have sacrificed soberness of thought—high and elevated considerations and eternal interests which are as much higher and more valuable than earthly considerations as the heavens are higher than the earth.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 3)
Satan has strewed the broad and downward road with tempting flowers, but those who are allured to death in this road learn by experience that these pleasing flowers wither as soon as grasped. They yield no rich perfume, but a disagreeable, sickening odor.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 4)
Maria, do you intend to devote the little time that is allowed you to God, and secure your happiness here and salvation hereafter? I beg of you to take hold of the work in earnest. No longer worship your personal appearance, which cannot bring you into favor with God in the least. God prizes moral worth. Says Peter, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”1 Peter 3:3, 4.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 5)
Seek for this meek and quiet spirit. Get rid of this spirit which controls to a great extent. Overcome this desire for change, and seek meekness, seek righteousness. I believe that God will yet be gracious unto you, if you turn to Him with your whole heart, and make it your first and primary business to learn of Christ. Learn how to serve Him. Study the Bible, beseeching God to enlighten your mind to understand its sacred teachings, which you have so long neglected and despised. Turn your attention to the words of life. “Search the scriptures.” [John 5:39.]
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 6)
Although all your lifelong your heart has been in rebellion against God and you have trampled upon His offered mercy, choosing the pleasing things of the world and the service of Satan rather than the service of Christ, yet Jesus in unbounded mercy still invites you to choose Him as your Saviour and become a child of God, an heir of glory. You can choose life and salvation if you will, or you can choose to worship self and devote your precious hours of probation to making your person attractive to please the eye of the worldling and the sensualist, to receive flattery from lying lips, and at last reap that harvest which you have been sowing—corruption. The poor mortal body which has been your idol, your god, will be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. Oh, Maria, how heartsick has it made me to see your mind almost wholly taken up with your own person, your dress, your appearance. Your mind seemed to be on a constant stretch to improve your appearance.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 7)
The Word of God exhorts us to study to show ourselves approved unto God. How much has this important lesson been studied? The approval and the praise of those who are lovers of pleasure and the enemies of God have been coveted of you while you have had no elevated desires and determination of purpose to seek above everything else to show yourself approved unto God—Him who grants you life and every good thing which you have enjoyed.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 8)
I leave these hastily written lines with you, praying that they may do you good. Again I beseech you to make a business of seeking the Lord. Pray much. Weep and pray. Humble yourself before God, relying alone upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, One who maketh intercessions for just such sin-polluted souls as yours. If others do not help you as you think they ought to, do not be discouraged. With you it is a case of life or death. Angels of God are watching with interest to see whether you will be overcome by Satan, or yourself be an overcomer and through the efficacy of the blood of Christ bruise Satan under your feet. Will you choose Christ as your portion forever?
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 9)
Pray, Maria, earnestly, that God would reveal to you yourself, the sin and corruptions of your own heart. Let this desire be ever with you, for it is important for you to see yourself as a sinner in order for you to feel the necessity of pardon through the blood of Christ. Let your second prayer be, Lord, reveal to me Thyself, Thy mercy, and the value of Thy blood. Lay hold on everlasting life. You have proved the worthlessness of earthly things, and it has been perfectly astonishing to me that you yet seemed to manifest so little interest in becoming a Christian. But I can understand it now. Your personal appearance is your idol and God cannot dwell in your heart or thoughts where self rules supreme. Your good appearance Satan means to use to your own destruction and, if he succeeds, it will prove to be the greatest curse that ever came upon you.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 10)
What is show and appearance merely? What is good looks alone without moral worth or true goodness of heart and nobleness of mind? It is a mere outside gloss which pleases a certain class of minds but which will perish in the day of God, leaving only sinful, corrupt deformity. Seek heaven, seek true humility, and God will then direct your path.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 11)
In love.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1865, 12)
Lt 3, 1865
White, J. E.; White, W. C. Monroe, Wisconsin June 13, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 384. Dear Children, Edson and Willie:
I am some miles away from home, yet am I not forgetful of home and children. We obtained a good seat in the cars, after a little difficulty, and had a very pleasant ride to Chicago. There was a splendid breeze in the cars and we were not troubled with heat or dust.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 1)
We arrived at Chicago sometime after eleven o’clock. We did not think to obtain the number and street of Brother Place’s residence. While waiting, hoping to see him in the depot, nearly all the hacks left. We then started on foot for the best hotel but it was full and could not lodge us. Midnight found us wandering about the streets of Chicago in search of a resting spot. After walking above a mile we found ourselves in a second class hotel in a little, close bedroom with one window which came about the center of our bed. We tried to improve what hours we had and obtained a little broken sleep.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 2)
In the morning we sat down to a most miserable breakfast. We tried to make the best of it. After breakfast we walked about four miles in Chicago. We took the cars at 9 o’clock for Jamesville. Had to wait there several hours for the cars to take us to Monroe. I had no appetite through the day and felt quite sick in the cars. At the depot in Monroe a large company of brethren and sisters were anxiously waiting our arrival, urging us to their different homes. We crowded through the company of twenty or thirty and were escorted across the fields and beautiful groves about three quarters of a mile to Brother Ingraham’s house, where we met Brother Loughborough and found him still afflicted with boils, but in good spirits.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 3)
I do not remember of our engaging in a series of meetings more thoroughly exhausted than at this time. I had no appetite to eat and therefore could obtain but little strength. Sabbath, notwithstanding my feebleness, I spoke three times with freedom, but after the meetings closed I utterly refused to visit or talk with anyone. Evening after the Sabbath your father had nothing special resting upon his mind and urged me to improve the time, which I did with some freedom.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 4)
Sunday the tent was pitched, for the meetinghouse could not begin to hold the people. Your father spoke to large congregations under the tent. Then I was introduced to the stand. I took my position with much trembling, knowing my exhausted condition of body, but the Lord strengthened me. I never felt more freedom in speaking upon the law of God than upon this occasion. The Lord strengthened me. Several of the Crisis and Himes parties were present. Some were ministers who had abused me with their base falsehoods. God gave me a season of perfect victory. Elder Loughborough preached once in the tent with special freedom. Your father spoke to the people again at six o’clock p.m. giving his war discourse. He was free and the people were especially interested. This discourse closed our series of meetings.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 5)
We have had excellent meetings. We have had evidence that we never were more needed in any place than in Wisconsin at the present time. There is much work to be done here, which has been neglected altogether too long.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 6)
What I desire now is strength. Anxiety of mind and care have left me so reduced, so shorn of my strength, that I cannot endure much. I hunger and thirst, not for ease but for strength to do the will of my Father which is in heaven. For two nights past I have not been able to sleep until after midnight. My nervous system was so affected I have had to sit up in the night, one night about two hours.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 7)
We shall leave this place for Madison next Wednesday. We have here met with a lady who was at “Our Home” at Dansville when we were there. She introduced me to her husband. They attended our meetings. Your father gave a temperance discourse Sunday morning. She sat with her husband in their carriage just outside the curtains of the tent. They are intelligent people and the first in the place. They invited us to visit them and today we comply with their request. She made the remark in regard to your father’s discourse that it seemed to her she was listening to Dr. Jackson again. She spoke especially of my speaking at the convention, said she had never forgotten it; that it had been a great help to her since that time; that it had especially benefited her.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 8)
Dear Children, be true to your own convictions of duty. Learn to love the right. Seek to be humble, devoted Christians. Guard yourselves every moment. Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation. My dear children, serve God. Seek to develop a good Christian character. Don’t be restless, Edson; be steady, be faithful to God, and you will relieve us of a great burden. May the Lord bless you, dear boys, and may you learn in the school of Christ until you are perfected for immortality. Much love to you dear boys.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 9)
From your Mother.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 10)
You had better send us all the pictures prepared. Send us Edson’s and Willie’s with us, and if you have none prepare the best of those of second quality. Put them on cards—Loring’s cards. If you fail for cards, get more from him.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 11)
Edson and Willie, there are flower plants in the hotbed, everlasting or arameth and Chinese pinks. Take them carefully and transplant in those beds in front of the piazza. Don’t neglect to take good care of my flowers, rosebushes especially. Have Selah try on Edson’s coat. If it fits him he can have a summer coat cut out of that black cashmere at the office, if it suits his taste. I have cut out Edson a coat of ladies’ cloth. Selah’s coat could be cut from that if the pattern fits, and let Sister Hewitt have it to make. If he chooses to wait three weeks we will be at home and attend to it ourselves.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 12)
Your Mother.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1865, 13)
Lt 4, 1865
White, J. E. Crane’s Grove, Illinois June 20, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 4MR 173-177; 6MR 298-299. [Note written at top of page:] Read this alone, Private: My dear Son Edson:
We received letters from home with gladness, but were a little disappointed that none came from you or Willie. I should not have expected much from Willie, but you can write, Edson.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 1)
I think much of home and cannot but be quite anxious for you, Edson, especially. When all around me are locked in slumber I am kept awake with anxiety and I can only obtain relief in silent prayer to God. I understand your dangers and your temptations as few parents can, for He who understandeth the secrets of the heart has been pleased to show me your peculiar dangers and besetments. I do not think you understand your dangers. It is my anxiety and fears in regard to you which have prevented my sleeping nights and have brought upon me dyspepsia. Sadness of spirits and heaviness of heart, which are wearing me down and bringing debility upon me affect the digestive organs and cause inaction of the liver.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 2)
I am troubled in regard to you and do not feel at ease at any time. And when I see you disposed to take a course which is not in accordance with your profession, and which I know will prove an injury to yourself by placing you in the enemy’s power, my feelings are intense and a weight of sadness settles upon me which it seems impossible for me to throw off. It binds me like fetters.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 3)
As I have seen in you, my poor boy, a disposition to disobedience, I have also seen a yielding to temptation to prevaricate—to speak plainly, to deceive us. This commenced by an unwillingness to let us know the secrets of your heart. You would have plans formed which you would keep secret from your father and mother, fearing that you would meet opposition in some of your projects or fond plans, and when questioned you have evaded or thrown a different shade upon and around the matter under inspection. Too frequently this has been received by us and we have thus been deceived. You knew we did not know just how the matter stood; you wished us to be in darkness in regard to your doings.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 4)
This spirit of concealment has increased upon you until you are controlled by it in a great measure and your course has been marked by deception and falsehood and you have tried to hide the enormity of this thing from your own conscience. By frequently violating your conscience it has lost much of its tender susceptibility. Every instance when you fall into this deplorable habit binds the chains of the enemy upon you and makes you his captive and a more easy subject for his entire control. You may have become so darkened and hardened by these repeated efforts at concealment and deception that these facts plainly written by a mother’s hand, painfully and with an aching heart, may seem like idle tales and may make no lasting impression upon you for good.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 5)
I could refer you to many instances of your equivocating, but perhaps this would be of no use. The only instance I will now mention is your deception practiced upon us in regard to obtaining a carriage after Adelia’s marriage. You deceived us, to all intents and purposes. I cannot gloss this over, neither have I been able to for a moment since the occurrence. In my own mind I can call it nothing but falsehood, dark falsehood. Satan may have so deceived you that it may look to you like a light matter, that unnecessary words are used about it. But, Edson, such things are recorded in God’s book as falsehoods, nothing less. I intended to talk with you again and present that matter in its true, unvarnished bearings before you, but did not. I saw so much of a disposition in you to violate your conscience and force yourself to think the matter all right that I said to myself, It is no use. My words fail to make the slightest impression. Satan has such control of his mind that he has glossed over glaring lies and made them as though truth to him.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 6)
These traits in your character cause me such grief, such continued and constant sadness, that life to me is not very pleasant or desirable. The future—O how I dread it, day and night! You—now my oldest son, ripening into manhood—you who should be the soul of honor! Your parents, who live for you and are desirous of your present and future happiness, see you taking a course which leads them often to doubt what you say and to look upon you distrustingly because they know that you are often planning and entering into schemes and enterprises and concealing it from those who gave you birth, who have the right to know every cherished plan, that they may give the advice a boy of your critical age needs. This concealment has led to serious, dangerous, and soul-destroying evils, to which you, my poor, erring boy, have suffered Satan to blind your mind. This habit of deceiving us has grown upon you. Deception and lying join hands with disobedience.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 7)
You have a strong, set will. You make up your mind to do a thing and do not discipline your mind to yield, to be submissive, to give up your plans which are very pleasing to your own fancy. When opposed by your parents in something you had planned, you outwardly yielded, yet kept it all in your mind, did not give it up at once but kept studying upon it. Your many notions may seem valuable and right to your own inexperienced mind. The experienced minds of your parents may see the foolishness and perhaps hidden danger in these things. But you cherish your own notions and then Satan tempts you to carry out your strong desires unbeknown to your parents. Thus you have been led on to think you understand what is right and best. In our presence you may comply with our wishes, but in our absence you feel restraint gone and do those things that, if you would reflect you would know that we would not allow or consent to your doing. This is what has led you into nearly all the trouble you have ever known. You disobey us in our absence.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 8)
When we went to Monterey last summer, for instance, you went into the river four times and not only disobeyed us yourself but led Willie to disobedience. A thorn has been planted in my heart from that time, when I became convinced that you could not be trusted. I am not easy any time, whether at home or abroad. You have followed your own will and projects so many times, concealing all from us, going directly contrary to all our counsel, advice, and prohibitions, that we cannot depend upon you, and this painful fact has been so evinced in your character that you are associated in my mind not with pleasant thoughts but with most painful fears and forebodings. Instead of being a comfort you are a source of painful anxiety. We are puzzled, and at times stupefied with amazement and anguish. We promise nothing in regard to you. Unless you can see these sad traits in your character and shall take hold of your case with zeal, obtaining your strength from God, your case is hopeless.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 9)
My reflections are very sad in connection with you, Edson. You who ought to be my noble, truthful boy, a staff to your father, who is worn with care and constant labor, a comfort to your mother who has nursed you in sickness and cared for you in health. What can cause greater sorrow to parents with high principles and a keen sense of the beauty and importance of truth than to become convinced of the fact that their children are not truthful, that they have learned to deceive? I have felt sometimes as though a blight had fallen over all our future prospects, as though my precious plants were already blighted. Thorns and briers have sprung up in my garden and choked the seed which I have tried to sow. You may say, “Dear me, Mother feels very keenly over trifles. I may not have been exactly truthful in little trifles.” Trifles! Dear boy, there are no such things as trifles. Till truth itself is a trifle and valueless, no departure from it in any case can be called so.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 10)
Dear Edson, permit your own deep-feeling, tender-hearted Mother to appeal to you while her tears cannot be restrained. You have so long cherished little habits of concealment (especially from your dear father), so long retreated from openness and candor, that you have become habitually secretive, even when there is often no inducement to be so. This makes you unsatisfactory, unstable, and insincere in character. Your habit of excusing and justifying yourself is often contrary to your convictions of truth. Every act of this kind is doing much toward forming your character hereafter.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 11)
Edson, in youth or early years we can trace the characteristics of riper years. The rank and noisome weeds of falsehood and deceit, which choke the precious plants of candor and truth, are sown in the springtime of youth. They flourish in a soil too friendly to their growth, even the human unrenewed heart which God’s Word declares to be “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” [Jeremiah 17:9.] After indulging in deception or concealing things from your parents, prevarication comes next; which is a mean, cowardly sort of lying. The path of truth is always safe, straight, and easy; that of deceit has so many windings and turnings that one deviation from uprightness and candor may lead to a thousand deceptions which were not anticipated at the first. A love for candor and truth is respected and loved by everyone not excepting those who place no estimate upon it for its own sake. Concealment, my dear boy, is the child of transgression.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 12)
I have many fears that your strong, set will will prove your ruin. Your favorite plans look so perfect to you you cannot see anything like failure in them, and when we oppose them then you still cherish them and secretly nourish them and carry them out if you possibly can, when you know well enough that it is contrary to our judgment and wishes. You have chosen your own judgment and followed the bent of your own mind which has led to greater evil. One evil has been unfaithfulness. The most positive and particular directions given to you are not remembered to the fulfilling of them. Your mind is almost constantly in such a frame as to make it easy to forget. Perhaps you neglect to do these things when you do remember, through a desire to do something which strikes your mind as more pleasing. These constant failures wear us, and compel us to come to the conclusion that instead of being our comfort, our dependence, you will be a source of grief and anxiety as long as you live.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 13)
Unfaithfulness is a characteristic of your life. Your mind seems all unsettled. You are not thorough in that which you undertake. I am satisfied that you see no necessity of disciplining your mind. You do not have any system. This you could have if you are inclined to, but you let your mind ramble too much upon this and that scheme and different projects, and do not confine your mind upon the everyday duties which devolve upon you. He that is unfaithful in little is unfaithful in much. Unfaithfulness marks your life, and you deceive yourself in the matter and think that the failure is in others instead of yourself.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 14)
Now, Edson, I wish to speak of the evil of these things in another direction. We are not only distressed beyond measure at the seeming hopelessness of reform in you, but a gloom which I cannot express shrouds our minds in regard to your influence upon Willie. You lead him into habits of disobedience and concealment and prevarication. This influence, we have seen, has affected our noble-hearted, truthful Willie. You do things and enjoin upon him strict secrecy, and when questioned he evades it by saying, “I don’t know,” when he does know, and thus you lead him to lie in order to keep concealed your cherished, darling projects. This is the most heart-rending of all. You reason and talk and make things appear all smooth to him, when he cannot see through the matter. He adopts your view of it and he is in danger of losing his candor, his frankness.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 15)
O, Edson, it is the knowledge of these things that is wearing me out and bringing upon me discouragement which will compel me to cease laboring in the cause of God. Such anxiety for Edson and your younger brother is destroying [my] courage and making me too weak to labor in the gospel field. Can you see the weighty responsibility which rests upon you? Satan controls your mind and you yield your mind to his control. He knows that it is the surest dart he can aim at us to hinder our labors among God’s people, to so influence your mind that we shall have sorrow and a weight of sadness on your account. Are you willing to bear this responsibility? If Willie’s mind is injured and his fine sense of right blunted, you can reflect it is your own work. You have had a greater influence over him than any other one.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 16)
We have again felt very sorry that you had so little sense of the true value of character. You seemed as much pleased in the society of Marcus Ashley as with your own innocent brother Willie. You never prized him as he deserved to be prized. He is a treasure, beloved of God, but I fear your influence will ruin him. My poor Willie! I see no way for us but to cease traveling and do what we can to save our own children. I have lost confidence in you and I think you would avail yourself of opportunities in our absence to gratify your propensity to go on the water. You know that we should not be pleased with this, but I fear this would not be sufficient to restrain you in your strong desire to go on the river. I think every day it would be nothing strange if my boys should go on the water contrary to our wishes, and one or both of them be drowned in their act of disobedience. Satan would then have gained his object and our cup of sorrow would be full. We should go down to the grave mourning that our boys were forever separated from us, that we should not meet them in the resurrection morning.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 17)
My dear Edson, you must render an account for the influence you exert. You have been blessed with good instruction and more is expected of you than of the generality of boys. I do not love to cause you pain, but I dare not withhold from you the light in which I view your case. Edson, I have seen in you a sort of vanity and pride which has hurt me. I felt sad every time I saw you wear that gold watch with that heavy chain.
(1LtMs, Lt 4, 1865, 18)
Lt 5, 1865
White, J. E.; White, W. C.; Patten, Adelia; Anna Rochester, New York September 18, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 384; 10MR 26-27. Dear Children [Adelia, Anna, Edson, and Willie]:
I have arisen early this morn to steal time to write a few lines to you. Your father is sleeping this morning. Uriah and Loughborough not yet up.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 1)
We are all as well as could be expected. Your father is doing well. He sleeps well nights, which is a great blessing. I have been thoroughly exhausted since my journey and have had but little care of your father. Brother Loughborough lay on a cot by his side two nights and he and your father both slept well. Last night Uriah lay upon the cot by his side. I know not, as yet, how they rested. I cannot sleep much, which prevents my getting rested.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 2)
I think of you all many times a day, and think of much I ought to have arranged which was neglected, and to have said which was left unsaid. It is raining, and I now think of things I ought to have—that little short balmoral skirt for one thing. Someone told me that they would put in the steel-rimmed buttons left from my dress but they cannot be found. If there is one dozen left I want them sent; if not, get enough to make one dozen. I need them up and down the front of my short dress. That is the way they all have them. The black buttons left from my dresses I also want for my short plaid dress. There is a little box of buttons I left in the front chamber; send them if you please. There is a remnant of brown broadcloth in my clothespress in the front chamber; please send it. Don’t send the brown ladies’ cloth for it is a pattern for Edson a coat next summer. I wish to make a sack to wear with my brown merino. Please get me the pattern from Mary Loughborough—garibaldi waist—and send the pattern of my sack cloak, and find the green pieces like my green morning dress. It is in the trunk in the clothespress or on the shelf at the head of the stairs. I meant to have found time to sort all my patterns but did not. Please put in Sister Walker’s hands the patterns for her children’s dresses. Look at all the patterns very carefully—Adelia and Anna, I mean, for I suppose the boys could not tell a dress pattern from a pants pattern.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 3)
In regard to Edson’s clothing, sponge seven yards or the whole of the smallest piece of that gray, and then let Edson take the cloth to the best tailors and get it cut whole frock, for that is the style now worn. I do not wish it to be cut half frock for I never fancied it. Find out how much a tailor would ask to cut and make up the coat and write me as soon as you receive this, then I will answer immediately. Anna can cut and make the pants and vest. I want him to have a whole suit alike. Get the tailor to cut a pattern, if he will, like the coat. If he charges more than twenty-five cents, Anna can cut one like the coat. Edson’s vest pattern is in the upper hall drawer. In the second drawer in the hall is a summer coat cut out ready to make, but cut rather large for it was not designed for a lining and the seams were to be felled. After his coat has been cut by a tailor if anyone can be found to make the ladies’ cloth coat, you could compare the coat cut or pattern cut by the tailor to the coat cut, and if you can make them agree, do so. I thought the ladies’ cloth might want a little paring; otherwise it will do. In the garret on the floor near a box is some drab worsted cloth for a lining; looks like debeige.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 4)
If a man tailor makes these coats they must cost too much for making. If you can obtain a good woman tailor whom you can trust, engage her to make both coats, if she does not ask too much. Can’t you get Sister Hewit to make one or both, by Annie helping her? I leave you to do as you think best. Martha spoke of a tailoress somewhere who would probably make the coats. If you cannot very well get but one coat made, get the grey by all means. Let Anna make the vest and bind coat, vest, and top of pants or waistbands of pants with that nice alpaca braid. Let the summer coat go. It will not pay to have it made.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 5)
Buy Willie, down street, enough black and red plaid at two dollars per yard for Willie’s two shirts. Make these shirts liberal, plain on the back, pleated front, like his calico shirts, and put buttons on them like his calico shirts. Then make him two shirts of that thin bleached cloth to wear underneath. Make the flannel just as pretty as you can, with a little collar about the neck bound with black silk or braid. This will save making two or three waists. Anna might make one waist out of that cloak I mentioned to Annie, or out of that coat of Willie’s. Save the lining of the cape to that cloak for I shall make another like that and shall use that lining.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 6)
At Cobb and Pettie’s they have a piece of black and white plaid, quite thick, for $1.00 per yard. If you cannot find anything prettier in the shape of black and white plaid, get the plaid mentioned. If you have to pay $1.50 for plaid you would think would be much better, get it. I want him to have pants and waist and loose sack just alike. Bind the waist and sack with black alpaca. I have patterns in the bureau drawer in the front room; the waist pattern is in the upper drawer in the hall. There are two sack patterns; cut from the one you think best.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 7)
If you think the suit of clothes made out of that remnant of Grandma’s dress and waist out of that old cloak of Willie’s looks nice enough, you need not be at the expense of purchasing the plaid. Do as you all may think best. I do not think it will pay now to make up anything as thin as that ladies’ cloth for he might outgrow them and they be too small next summer, but I leave this merely as suggestions. Do as your judgment dictates. He has a good warm everyday suit. He needs now a nice suit for summer. His green suit is all the summer clothes he wants considering how late in the season it is getting to be. Look at the cloth at Cobb’s and see what you think of it. It is single width pants cloth. Then look at Skinner’s and see what they have. The cloth at Cobb’s may not be so suitable for a boy as something prettier or some plaid.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 8)
You need not make any summer pants for Edson except that ladies’ cloth. The lining for the ladies’ cloth pants and the grey is behind the trunk in the boys’ clothespress. I designed then the grey will be all he needs for pants. That piece in the under drawer in the bedroom need not be made up. The pattern of his pants is rolled up with that piece. It is not certain that we shall send for the boys but we can soon tell when we get to Dansville.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 9)
Your father is not as well this morning. Yesterday we all were taken by Brother Orton in his hack to Brother Andrews’ house. His child, the babe, is very low with dysentery, yet I think it will get well. Little Mary is also quite unwell. After making a little visit there we went to Brother Orton’s and took dinner. He then attended a funeral which kept him till near night. James became very tired. It set in raining, but Brother Orton brought us to Bradley’s in his hack and we did not get wet one bit. The storm continued all night and it still storms so that we cannot go to Dansville today as we designed. We none of us rested extra well last night. They have done all that they could do to make us comfortable and happy. They are very attentive to all our wants. Probably your father was too much wearied with walking, riding, and visiting yesterday.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 10)
Mary went on to Dansville with the doctor and I am glad she did, for when she was through here last she disgusted them all with her talk and acts and they would not have been much pleased with her visit.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 11)
Sister Loughborough sends things to John this week. Send what I have mentioned with the things she sends. Put in those two strips of white flannel and those two halves of flannel blankets for fomentation cloths. Brother Loughborough says, Tell Mary not to send anything until she hears from him at Dansville. We may want things sent then that we do not now think of. But get these things I have mentioned all together and ready to send at a moment’s warning.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 12)
Much love to you all, Adelia, Anna, and Edson and Willie.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1865, 13)
Lt 5a, 1865
White, J. E. NP September 18, 1865 Previously unpublished. Dear Edson:
I have time to write but a few lines. I shall lay down no rules for you to follow. You know what course to pursue in order to please us, your parents, and to meet the approbation of God. Be faithful I entreat of you. Do not cause Adelia anxiety on your account. She dreads the responsibility of your case. Take it off from her upon yourself, feel that a responsibility rests upon you, that you are accountable to God for your acts, your doings. Have the fear of God continually before you, then you will not go astray.
(1LtMs, Lt 5a, 1865, 1)
Give up your schemes, your projects and enterprises. Face duty, stern duty and faithfully perform that which rests upon you. Friday commence in the morning to prepare for the Sabbath and one hour before sundown, have everything done and you be prepared for reading.
(1LtMs, Lt 5a, 1865, 2)
Edson, I believe you [want] to do right. Go to God. He is your strength. He will sustain you every hour.
(1LtMs, Lt 5a, 1865, 3)
Oh, Edson, rest not until you have obtained an experience in the things of God. Help Adelia all you can. It injures her to lift and to put pails of water in the reservoir and filter. Take these things upon yourself. On no account do you go out evenings down street. I do not write this to Adelia, but to you. Spend your evenings at home.
(1LtMs, Lt 5a, 1865, 4)
I will write you from Dansville. Be tender of your brother Willie’s feelings, encourage fine feelings.
(1LtMs, Lt 5a, 1865, 5)
From your mother.
(1LtMs, Lt 5a, 1865, 6)
Lt 6, 1865
White, J. E.; White, W. C.; Patten, Adelia Dansville, New York, “Our Home” September 22, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 385. Dear Children Adelia, Edson and Willie:
I write in a hurry this evening in order to mail before the Sabbath. Your father is no worse. He progresses rather slowly. At present we have a room in the cure.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1865, 1)
I would like to have you send to us the health journal in which Graham gives his apology for being sick. It is a few numbers stitched together, sent from Adams Center, from which we selected largely. Please send one half dozen of our pictures, both on one card, and one dozen each separate; also two of James, large, and two of mine, the best you can find. Please send a couple dozen How to Live, bound.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1865, 2)
Please send that castor beaver for James and self cloaks, also send five yards of the best cashmere with a stripe in it found in the clothespress adjoining my chamber. Send large spool of coarse twist. Send a couple more sheets. Send ladies’ cloth sack dress. Tell Annie to please face it up four or five inches with cambric as near the color of dress as possible.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1865, 3)
Send all the things mentioned in the last letter. Send James’ thick white knit drawers. Send me that sack pattern that my ladies’ cloth sack was cut from. John Loughborough wants another cotton sheet.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1865, 4)
This should be sent by express to Elder James White, Our Home, Dansville, unless Loughborough in his letter orders otherwise.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1865, 5)
In great haste.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1865, 6)
[P.S.] Adelia, the notes James received from Abraham are in the package which he committed to Adelia: one from Berry, one from Carpenter, one from Cornell. Compare them with the credits given Abraham on our books and the matter is all straight.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1865, 7)
Lt 6a, 1865
Children Dansville, New York September 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 3MR 175. Dear children,
We very much regret being separated from you so far, but thus it is, and may God fit you and us for to bear the affliction like Christians which has come upon us. To us there is no place like home. Yet if it is in the order of God for us to be thus separated, let us be cheerful, be reconciled. You can help us bear the inconveniences we may here meet by a right course of action on your part.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 1)
Dear Edson, shape your course for heaven. Live for God. Let all you do be done faithfully. Every day live right for that day, that angels in heaven may record faithfulness on your part.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 2)
Be careful to cultivate true politeness, which is true courteousness. Kindness and love for others will win for you quite a satisfaction and consciousness of right doing. You will also gain respect from others.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 3)
Edson, my boy, seek in the strength of God to overcome your passion for reading story books. The time you spend in reading, devote to study. Make your time tell somewhere.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 4)
Edson, strive to set an example, worthy of imitation. Never visit such a place as where that air gun is kept in order to extort money from rowdies, curiosity lovers. Ever live as though you realized that the eye of God was upon you.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 5)
Love Willie. Be very kind to him, love to please him and do not leave too many burdens upon his young shoulders. Don’t expect much of him. Set him a good noble example.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 6)
Willie, love Edson. You two brothers should love one another deeply, fervently and should be ever studying to make one another happy.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 7)
May God bless you is our daily prayer.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 8)
Your mother.
(1LtMs, Lt 6a, 1865, 9)
Lt 7, 1865
White, J. E. Dansville, New York, “Our Home” October 19, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 4MR 95; 5MR 385. Dear Son Edson:
It is now half past six o’clock. It is a dismal, dark, rainy morning. Can scarcely see to trace the lines while I write.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 1)
Your father has passed a very restless night. He suffers considerably. Everything he eats hurts him but mush, yet he is patient and tries to bear up with good courage. He was troubled considerably last night with numbness. I rubbed his shoulders and arms, which gave him some relief. We find comfort in prayer and are often blessed.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 2)
We received your letter and were pleased with it. At the same time we received one from Adelia giving us the particulars of your misfortune. This caused us sadness and grief and much anxiety.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 3)
You know, Edson, I talked with you in regard to guns and firearms, and cautioned you to restrain yourself on these points lest you should obtain a passion to possess such things, which are dangerous. Do you remember this? But perhaps it had so little weight with you that you never thought of it again. When I have tried to counsel you kindly and reason with you, you have sat and made no response, as though you were a piece of machinery I was talking to instead of a reasoning being. This has grieved me, that my eldest son could not at all appreciate a mother’s anxious solicitude for her boy enough to frankly open his mind to her and confidingly let her know his heart secrets. I wish you to read again the long letter written you from Illinois. Had that letter had the influence on you it should have had, your present misfortune would not have been.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 4)
Edson, I cannot tell you how badly I have felt to have individuals tell me that I did not know you nor know what you were doing much of the time. I have reason to know that there was at least reason for them to make this statement. Now we have been laboring directly with you in regard to keeping things from us and not giving us your confidence, yet at the same time you continued to keep your secrets, to have your notions and plans and fancies, and to hide them from your father and mother, who have a right to know what you are doing. I have said enough on this point.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 5)
You may feel to blame the brethren and sisters because they surmise things in regard to you that are not correct. But, Edson, your own course, my poor boy, has led them to suspicion you, and they may have done so in instances when you were not guilty. But when they see you going directly against that which they know to be our express wishes, see you secretly making trades, borrowing firearms, and concealing it carefully from us, can you, my dear boy, wonder that they lack confidence in you as an obedient, faithful, truthful boy? They may imagine you would go to any lengths in deception. You write me in regard to your keeping your promise to me in regard to eating. I see nothing to censure in the instances you have mentioned to me. You say to me, “You do not know your son.” Perhaps we do not, but, Edson, late revelations have shown us that we did not know you. We did not know to what lengths the enemy was leading you.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 6)
We want to know our son, to know that we can rely upon his fidelity to us and that he will be true to what he knows to be right principles. You can, by your noble frankness in your future course, blot out this now dark blot upon your Christian character, and you can take a course to establish our confidence in you. Your father and myself have the tenderest, kindest feelings towards you. We sympathize with you in your present suffering, and if your hand proves to be crippled that you can no longer play on the melodeon we shall try to comfort and not blame you. You are a boy who can feel, and you must have felt punished for your disregard of our wishes and for your disobedience to us.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 7)
I have faithfully warned you of your influence over Willie. You have been teaching him terrible lessons of deception. May God forgive you! I entreat of you to closely examine yourself—your past course—and write me frankly what you think of it, if your right hand is not the afflicted one. If you cannot write, let Adelia write for you. This is no time, my dear boy, to deceive yourself or to deceive us. We are in deep affliction on account of your father. God is bringing us very low, making us very humble, and it becomes us, your parents, to carefully consider the events of our past life and see the wrongs, the mistakes we have made and confess them before God and others that they may now be healed and finally be blotted out.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 8)
It becomes you, Edson, to humble yourself before God. Confess your errors, your mistakes, to God, to us, and to those who have manifested an interest for you that you may be healed, forgiven of God for your past offenses, and by your thorough repentance and reform establish the confidence of your parents in you that those whom God loves can love you and confide in you. As a family let us draw nigh to God that He may draw nigh to us. Oh, Edson, look at your example! Reflect and inquire of what profit will it be for you in the end to choose your own way, to follow the course you have done. You will reap what you have sowed.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 9)
In answer to our earnest prayers your heavenly Father has raised you up several times when you seemed to be almost in the icy arms of death. How anxiously should you labor to make your lease of life which God has granted you of service to others and to glorify God by your Christian course. Henry, my first-born, was removed from us to save him. Oh, Edson, will you suffer your mind to be controlled by the enemy until, to save us from being brought to shame by an ungrateful, disobedient boy, you will be cut down just as you enter your manhood, and we be compelled to lay you away to molder to dust? God forbid it, is our prayer. May our children live and by their obedience and right doing honor us and be a comfort to us. You know just what course to pursue to do right and adorn your profession. O, seek to be thorough in all your Christian duties.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 10)
Edson, we think Marcus has had an injurious influence upon you. We have told you to shun his company. And now it is your father and mother’s special request that you keep no company with Marcus Ashley. I have told Edson that his own sister and mother have said he was reckless and kept dissolute company. Shut out the tempter every way you can. “One sinner doeth much harm.” [Ecclesiastes 9:18.] It has been told me that you were seen riding with the Walters girl. I do not charge this upon you as a grievous sin, but you are well aware that we would not approve of your showing partiality or attention to any young miss at your age. When you are old enough to begin to manifest preference for any particular one we are the ones to be consulted and to choose for you. I wish you to be careful of your acts, not make yourself foolish and a subject of ridicule. You are but a boy yet. Will you please to remember it, and rely upon your parents’ advice and instruction?
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 11)
Now, dear Son, I have written this hurriedly for I have but little time. It takes most all my time to wait upon your father. But be assured no one can have half the interest for you that we have, no one can have that tender solicitude and affection that we have. Your father and myself bow before God three times a day and pray earnestly that God will have a care for you and will love you, and that His angels will guard you.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 12)
We are hoping and praying to get well that we may return to you—not to plunge into business as we have done and leave you poor boys to take care of yourselves, but we are going to spend more time with you, seeking to make you and Willie happy. We will have more recreation and less work. Only be a good boy, seek to get into an acceptable state before God, and we will love you and confide in you and will not censure your little mistakes but will advise and counsel you for your good.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 13)
From your affectionate mother.
(1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, 14)
Lt 8, 1865
White, J. S. Rochester, New York November 21, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 385. Dear Husband:
We are all well today and we feel better than when we left Dansville. I hope you are better and that the blessing of the Lord is resting upon you. I had a good, free time praying for you at the family altar this morning and a free time while presenting your case to God this noon alone in my chamber. The promises of God are sure, they cannot fail. He says it shall be done, and you will obtain deliverance speedily through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Hope you are of good courage.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1865, 1)
I was fortunate enough to find Marrett (?) Lampson with her machine here so I employed her to sew for me this week. Therefore you need have no anxiety that I shall work too hard.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1865, 2)
The children are well and happy. My breakfast this morning was plenty of well cooked mush, one gem, and two raw apples. This noon, baked potatoes with a little milk gravy and one gem, one spoonful of turnip, and one small apple.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1865, 3)
My dear Husband, I will not forget you in your affliction but will pray for you and hope and believe. I expect to get a letter from you today. I am anxious to hear often. Have not yet been out and have no news to write. Uriah is expected here this week so I shall see him. I must give this to Bradley.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1865, 4)
In haste and much love to you all,
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1865, 5)
Your Ellen
Lt 9, 1865
White, J. S. Rochester, New York November 22, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 387; 10MR 27. Dear Husband:
We are all as well as usual. The children are well and happy. Our Willie and Willie Lampson play together very pleasantly. Willie Lampson is not a bad boy. There has not been one word of disagreement between the two boys. They play together in the house with little blocks with letters for hours. The boys have been out rolling snowballs.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 1)
Edson has been in the city but once, and then with me. He appears well. Last night was a cold night. I dreaded sleeping alone in a cold room but my nice warm nightdress was finished and I put it on and it was real comfortable. This morning I put on my waist and drawers and find them just what I want. My sewing is going off bravely without my taxing myself at all.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 2)
I am expecting a letter from you today. Hardly know what to write till I hear from you, but as I promised to write you every day, will do so.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 3)
I have not neglected our seasons of prayer and have felt the blessing of God while praying for you. I hope to hear that you are improving. Let us trust in God, for He is our Helper, our Rock, and Fortress. I do believe that the time of our deliverance has about come.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 4)
The first night after we came here I dreamed of being at Dansville and of the power of God resting upon me in such abundance that I was nearly lost to everything around me, and I was exalting God and our Saviour as the great Physician and the Deliverer of His afflicted, suffering children. The Spirit of inspiration was upon me. I could not forbear, and in a most exalted, elevated strain I was magnifying the power of Jesus and His saving grace, His exalted, spotless character, His blameless life.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 5)
Dr. Jackson was near me, afraid that his patients would hear me, and wished to lay his hand upon me and hinder me, but he was awed and dared not move; he seemed held by the power of God. I awoke very happy.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 6)
Dear James, I feel a deep interest for you every moment, and my heart is uplifted to God in your behalf. I shall be glad to return home in a few days and again stand at my post and do what I can for your comfort. I think it is right that I came here.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 7)
Today is one of my poor days. When I get better I would like to get my teeth fixed. I dared not before this, and shall not venture to till next Monday, fearing the rush of blood to the brain. Had I better stay a day or two longer and come home next Wednesday for the purpose of having my teeth fixed, if I am not in a condition of health to do it before? Please speak your wishes freely and I will do just as you wish. I should prefer to come home, for I want to see you very much. May the Lord bless you abundantly, is my prayer. I hope dear Adelia will be of good courage. I will relieve her soon. I fully appreciate her self-denial and privations for us, and I pray that God will bless her with His free Spirit. She must not get desponding or homesick, but be cheerful and happy and free in the Lord.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 8)
Here comes Bradley. I must close. Brother Loughborough must have a special care for James and he shall have my warmest thanks.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 9)
In much love from, Your Ellen
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1865, 10)
Lt 10, 1865
White, J. S. Rochester, New York November 24, 1865 Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 387; 10MR 28. Dear Husband:
Bradley has just brought me two letters from you. Oh, how glad I was to hear from you, and that you were no worse. I began to be anxious. We sent Edson away to Rochester in the rain three times for letters but he returned without a line. But these two remove my anxiety.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 1)
Yesterday I thought I would not write without receiving a letter from you, and so did not write. But will try to write every day, and I must hear from you every day or I shall not be satisfied.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 2)
Yesterday and today I had a rush of blood to the head. My head has not felt well for some time. It is about the same now. The children remain well and are enjoying themselves finely, no quarreling or the least differing with one another although they amuse themselves for hours together. It has been so stormy I have not been out of the yard but once since I came. I have not been to Brother Orton’s or Andrews’ as yet. They have been very kind and attentive to us at Bradley’s and do all they can to make me contented and happy. I live here about as I do at Dansville. Mornings I eat mush, gems, and uncooked apples. At dinner baked potatoes, raw apples, and gems.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 3)
The boys do not cause me trouble. Edson plays on the Melodeon most of the time. Does not urge to go here or there, but is quite contented. Today I go to Brother Andrews’.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 4)
Yester morning I had a free time praying for you, also at noon. It did seem to me that God was commissioning His angels to be round about you and minister unto you and bring you out from your present state of affliction to the enjoyment of health. All here pray earnestly for you, and notwithstanding Dr. Jackson’s “long time” I believe you will astonish the whole fraternity by a speedy recovery to health. Many times in the day you are in my mind and I say aloud, God lives and reigns, and I believe we shall live to praise Him.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 5)
Although I do believe that God is working for you, yet when I think of you tears will flow. I cannot restrain them. I think the fountain of my tears is loosed.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 6)
We will present your case to God, dear James, every time we pray, and will press our petitions to the throne. At times I have had a blessed assurance that God heard me pray through His dear Son and that His blessing rested on you there at Dansville. I feel the sweet presence of God at times when I pray, and feel such an evidence that God has set His love upon you, and although you are afflicted Jesus is with you, strengthening and supporting you by His all-powerful arm. He that stretched out His hand to save a sinking Peter upon the troubled water will save His servant who has labored for souls and devoted his energies to His cause. Yes, James, the eye of the compassionate Saviour is upon you. He is touched with the feelings of your infirmities. He loves you. He pities you as we cannot. He will make you to triumph in His own dear name. Be of good courage, my poor suffering husband, wait patiently a little longer and you shall see the salvation of God. We know in whom we have believed. We have not run as uncertainly. All will come out just right in the end.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 7)
God will give us strength and we shall yet be a happy family, rejoicing in God our Deliverer.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 8)
I have sent to Parma for socks. I have found a large pair of buffalo overshoes Number twelve for three dollars. Shall I get them? I have also got on track of a warming pan, if it has not been used up. Have written to know. I will look for hood as you propose and for a blanket for Adelia. I must close and go to Brother Andrews’. Wish I could see him.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 9)
In much love to you, my dear husband, and to Adelia and Loughborough.
(1LtMs, Lt 10, 1865, 10)
I cannot feel clear without saying a few words to you. I have had an interest in your case for the reason of its being presented before me several times in vision. I read over the testimony frequently for you and Sister Mary and inquire in my own mind, Are they living up to the testimony? I believe Mary is doing the best she can. I have made inquiries of several in regard to what you were doing, if you were helping your husband in meetings, and was sorry to learn that you did not manifest much interest and take much part in meetings.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 1)
Please read the parable of the talents, in Matthew 25. Those who had improved the talents given them, and doubled them, received the commendation from their Lord: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” [Verse 21.] He that did not improve upon the one talent given him, but hid his talent in the earth, came complaining—as an excuse for his slothfulness,—“I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.” [Verses 24, 25.] He carried the idea that God was such a severe and unjust master that he was afraid to make any use of the talent. Again, he would not himself be benefited with the improvement, for God would gather the improvements Himself. Therefore he did nothing with his talent.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 2)
“His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed; thou oughtest therefore to put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.... And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [Verses 26-30.]
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 3)
You have had light graciously imparted to you of God in regard to your duty. If you choose to hide your talent you are without excuse, for your duty has been made known. You know your duty but are too slothful to perform it. “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers.” [Verse 27.] The light given you, you are to exchange with others, impart to others, benefit them by your experience. If you are the means of gaining a soul from the ranks of Satan you have gained other talents to your Lord. That soul you have been the instrument of saving, in his or her turn can improve the talent given, and the work moves onward.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 4)
Oh, how many, who have done little or nothing for the salvation of souls or to benefit others, will be disappointed to find they have no reward laid up in heaven. They were too slothful here to invest much in the truth and in the salvation of others. They sought their ease, their pleasure; shunned burdens and crosses and responsibilities. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”Matthew 16:27. “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.”Romans 2:6, 7.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 5)
“I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”Revelation 2:23. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”Revelation 22:12.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 6)
You can invest little or much, as you please, in this great work. Remember the words spoken to him who hid his talent. “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” [Matthew 25:29.]
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 7)
I thank God my whole interest is in this work. The truths to me so precious form a part of my existence. They are interwoven with my very being. I have taken stock in the next world, and mean by patient continuance in well doing to seek for immortality, that I may be rewarded with eternal life. I will not choose my ease, my own way, or my own desires, but will labor with all the energies I can command. If I fail, I mean to fall in the battle. Let me be found not a slothful servant, but let me die at my post; or if Christ comes, let His hands lay off my armor and place upon my head a crown of life that fadeth not away.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 8)
You have no cares of children and have less excuse for your indolence than most ministers’ wives. I speak plainly, hoping to arouse you. I have your present, your future, and eternal good in view. May God remove every deceptive influence of Satan from you and cause you to feel what He requires of you in regard to your talent.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 9)
In love for your soul,
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 10)
Your friend.
(1LtMs, Lt 11, 1865, 11)
Lt 12, 1865
NA Janesville, Wisconsin June 15, 1865 Previously unpublished. +
In your letter to me some weeks since, you inquire if we have any evidence in the Word of God for public prayer. You also inquire if I have ever seen in vision anything on that point.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1865, 1)
I answer, I have been shown definitely upon the point of vocal, public prayer. It was shown me that as Moses entered the Tabernacle he prayed vocally to God, and the people heard him in the door of their tents. God answered Moses in an audible voice. Exodus 33:11.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1865, 2)
After the temple was erected Solomon prayed vocally, kneeling upon a brazen scaffold in the presence and hearing of the people of Israel. The words of Solomon are given in the Bible. After the prayer ended, the Lord sent fire from heaven and consumed the burnt offering. 2 Chronicles 6. “The Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer.” [2 Chronicles 7:12.]
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1865, 3)
Daniel prayed vocally in his chamber with his windows open toward heaven. The people could bring no evidence that his prayer was offered to the God of heaven only as they heard the words which he used.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1865, 4)
Christ gave His disciples instruction in regard to prayer. He saw the Pharisees’ course of praying in the synagogue and market places, recounting their good deeds and the alms that they had done. This had some influence upon His disciples. He would warn His followers against the hypocritical prayers of these Pharisees, who recounted a whole list of their good works exalting themselves. Jesus gave His disciples instruction to enter into their closet and pray to their Father in heaven. He gave them the substance of the prayer that they should use, exalting God and continually impressing upon man not some great and good deeds which they had done but their own dependence and weakness, and exalting God as their all, the beginning and the end.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1865, 5)
Nothing in this instruction given by Christ to His disciples forbids public prayer, but rebukes the hypocritical, self-exalting prayers of the Pharisees. They have their reward, says Christ. They thus pray to obtain the praise of men. This they have, and that is all their prayers amount to, for God heareth them not.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1865, 6)
Then Christ exhorts His disciples to cultivate what the Pharisees entirely neglected, that is, secret prayer. He exalts this Christian privilege of duty telling His disciples that their Father which should hear their humble prayers in secret would reward them openly; that if at the very moment when praying in secret they felt that no special change or immediate answer, yet while about their business transactions, while brought into peculiar trying positions, at the very time when he needs special help from God, he will receive an answer to the prayer offered to God in secret from the humble heart.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1865, 7)