Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 2, 1876

White, J. S.

Oakland, California

April 1876

Previously unpublished.

Dear Husband:

We are usually well. Last Sabbath Elder Loughborough preached in Oakland. Mary and Mrs. Rice from Colorado attended. He preached well, they said. But you will inquire, Who is this Mrs. Rice? Do you remember in Black Hawk, I received a letter from Mrs. Rice requesting me to call on her? 3LtMs, Lt 2, 1876, par. 1

Last Friday, she called on me. She has been in California one year and this is the first she has heard of our being here. She had been boarding in a Catholic family. She seemed quite urgent to board with us. Willie and Mary gave up their room to her. She pays seven dollars per week or twenty-eight dollars per month. She eats only two meals, drinks no tea or coffee, eats no butter or meat. Seems to be a quite intelligent woman. She has kept the Sabbath as well as she could under the circumstances. Her great desire seems to be to attend our meetings. Her husband will locate in California. Her health is better here than in Colorado. Her husband is on his way to the Centennial. She will join him about six weeks. 3LtMs, Lt 2, 1876, par. 2

Elder Waggoner spoke over in the city and feels encouraged in regard to the church there. Their meeting after the discourse was good. The work seems to be deepening. I thought while these brethren were here, I would not attend meeting, but put all my energies on my writings. We are doing all we can slowly but well. We cannot be hurried and yet have the matter come out as it should. 3LtMs, Lt 2, 1876, par. 3

Charles Jones leaves Monday for Michigan. He has the news [that] his wife is in consumption and he is desired to return at once. Perhaps this is best. He may be a help just now to Monterey and Allegan. 3LtMs, Lt 2, 1876, par. 4

I feel anxious to learn how matters stand in regard to Brother Littlejohn. I fully believe that Elder Littlejohn has not been in his right mind. I was shown that there was danger of this. It is a hereditary tendency. This is his danger and this is why I have felt so careful in regard to taking strong measures in his case. His mind is unbalanced. He sees things in an exaggerated light. If this is [it], as I am quite sure it is from what I have seen, he is not as responsible for his course as if he was all right, of sound mind. There is, I know, danger in his case. 3LtMs, Lt 2, 1876, par. 5

We received a few lines from you last Thursday night, nothing Friday night. We had no overland mail last night. Eight hours late. If we get anything from you in the morning mail, will answer it at once. All moves off well. Chinaman excellent. No girl could do the work he does and as well. But Willie being in office makes some more work. 3LtMs, Lt 2, 1876, par. 6