Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Lt 10, 1868

White, J. E.

Greenville, Montcalm County, Michigan

March 22, 1868

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son Edson:

We received your last letters but not the ones from the brethren who sent means to your father. Please state if you know who these letters were from that we may give them credit. We have not fully considered your letters that we can now answer them, but we think best for you to begin to teach next winter. You will be qualifying yourself by teaching and will be putting into practical use the knowledge you already have. We have a strong desire that you should be forming a character for heaven. You are not prepared to live in this world and act the part here heaven has assigned you until you have a right interest and firm hold of the better world. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 1

We do not forget to pray for you. We trust you will be strengthened, stablished, rooted, grounded and built upon the faith. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 2

Dr. Lay leaves today for Orleans. On the morrow goes to Ionia to take the cars. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 3

We had but few out to meeting yesterday, but we had a good, precious, little conference meeting. All spoke with deep feeling and sincere gratitude to God for His merciful kindness in preserving the life of our dear brethren, King and Wilson; especially the case of Brother King is a miraculous preservation of God. He is doing well. Sits up now considerable of the time. He is a precious man. All prize him in this vicinity. When we first went to him and saw his bruised, broken head, we felt that he could not live. We wrapped him in comfortables and blankets and brought him as tenderly as we could to our house. We have here taken the responsibility of his case and are rewarded in seeing him coming up as it were from death to life again. Praise God, for this another token of His lovingkindness. Oh, why should not our hearts flow out in gratitude to God continually and love glow in our hearts with fervor for all His benefits and lovingkindness to the children of men, and let all that hath breath praise the Lord. Let His praise be in our mouth continually. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 4

Our family for nearly two weeks have numbered ten. We are all cheerful and this makes it pleasant. A painter is painting our house who is rather quick tempered, which makes it not as agreeable. Does things his own way without consulting us. We do not let this trouble us. We have a precious girl to do our work. I am relieved from care a great deal in that direction, but was disappointed that Robert and Mary could not come and live here and take all care from us. But the Lord knows what is best. We will not mark out any way for the Lord to work. We have all we can do. My health is not good. Your father is most a well man, active, cheerful, with clearness of mind. He labors hard in closely applying himself to writing, but his head does not trouble him. We are thankful for this. Your father and I have just taken a walk across to the woods. Last Tuesday we both walked the entire length of the woods to Saunder’s fence and back. We were some tired but rested well that night. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 5

Brother and Sister Strong are with us. Brother Strong is Brother King’s nurse. Willie is not as well as usual. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 6

Brother John Corliss is one of the most faithful, true, good hands to have about. He seems to me as near as a son. His faithfulness has endeared him to us. He is a man of a good mind, an excellent reader. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 7

I hope you are cheerful, contented and happy. We expect to see you one or two weeks before the conference. Shall want that much time at Battle Creek. Establish a character, my dear son, a spotless pure, holy character, an untarnished name which shall be recorded in the Lamb’s book of life to live among the heavenly angels and thus be immortalized. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 8

Write us how Grandfather and Grandmother get along. Read the letters or parts of letters which I wrote to them which they would be interested in. We do so much want to see you all. I should be glad to have my family all at home, but then we shall be at home so little that we shall not be with them if they were at home. Our life is in this work of saving souls. We must work with all our energies for the night cometh in which no man can work. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 9

These peaceful times will not last, when we can go about our work with so little to interrupt us. Be faithful, my son, true to your own soul and true to God. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 10

In much love, 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 11

Your mother. 1LtMs, Lt 10, 1868, par. 12