The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

Lt 14, 1857

July 12, 1857, Battle Creek, Michigan 1EGWLM 521.1

Letter to
Elon Everts.¹

Identity: The “Brother Everts” addressed is, among other things, associated in this letter with the expanding work in the “West,” owning “large farms,” and working “with the tent.” There can be no doubt that Ellen White is writing to Elon Everts, preacher from Vermont, who moved west to Round Grove, Illinois, in late 1855, where he purchased “large attractive lands.” In the summer of 1857 Elon Everts lectured at tent meetings in Wisconsin and Illinois. A further reason for determining that “Brother Everts” is Elon Everts is that the Review mentions no other Evertses during this period.

See: “Business,” Review, Dec. 4, 1855, p. 80; J. N. Loughborough, J. Hart, E. Everts, “Tent Meetings,” Review, May 28, 1857, p. 32; Ellen G. White, “A Warning,” Review, Apr. 15, 1858, p. 174; search term “Everts” in Words of the Pioneers.

1EGWLM 521.2

Portions of this letter are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 6, p. 130.

Admonition to an Adventist preacher to sell a portion of his large farms and “lay up treasure in heaven.” Instructions regarding tent meetings. 1EGWLM 521.3

Dear Brother Everts:

I was shown while at Lancaster, Mass.,² that the work of God was progressing in the West, and that you must be narrowing down your large farms. Do not talk your faith. Sell that ye have and give alms, says the angel. Not moving fast enough, said the angel. Cut loose, cut loose from your treasures here; lay up a treasure in heaven.³ 1EGWLM 521.4

I saw that as you go with the tent, be not in haste to take it down after there is an interest awakened; remain until they decide; bring them to the point to decide; press upon them the necessity of decision. I have seen that there is too much haste in moving the tent from place to place, and staying long enough in a place.⁴ 1EGWLM 522.1

I have seen that the work would spread and increase in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. The Lord is moving upon the people, and the servants of God should keep pace with the opening providence of God and with the work of the third angel's message. 1EGWLM 522.2

Tell Brother John [John Norton Loughborough],⁵ [that] before we left this state for the East, I sent a letter to Mary [Mary J. Loughborough] and there was something in it I wished you to see, so I sent it to you. There were two dollars in it, a little present I sent her. Did you receive it? 1EGWLM 522.3

In love. 1EGWLM 522.4