Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 7, 1878

Children

Oakland, California

February 10, 1878

Previously unpublished.

Dear Children:

We received Willie’s and Mary’s letter in due time. Thank you Mary for writing that good letter. I sometimes think you may, among your many friends and brethren and the many things to require your attention, forget that we are isolated almost entirely from old friends and from children. 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 1

I should have not consented to cross the plains this last time had it not been for Father’s health and to leave you children free to pursue your studies. I hope that it will not prove a failure. Certainly it is no little sacrifice for me to be in the position I am with the care of your invalid father with no child to share it with me. In many things he seems as he used to; in many things he needs guarding tenderly and firmly. He gets habits that will prove a great hindrance to his recovery. It is difficult to break up these in such a manner as to leave the impression we do not want to rule, but act as an advisor, a counselor. 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 2

Yesterday, Father spoke one hour to the church at Oakland on baptism. He did well. We had a good congregation, quite a number of outsiders were in. Brother Healey is giving a course of lectures, and he is quite an acceptable speaker. He has a very good congregation, considering that there is something almost every night exciting to draw away the people in these cities [of] California, and Mary Clough attends regularly. Mary is reporting. 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 3

Yesterday I had a very courteous invitation from Dr. Jewel to lecture in the Methodist Central church on the subject of temperance next Sunday evening. I was obliged to say I could not come next Sunday evening, but would the week following. So you see I have something before me. His request is that I give them all the time and labor I can possibly spare from my other duties. 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 4

I have taken a severe cold which makes me unable to undertake such a responsible duty at present. 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 5

I shall the following Sunday speak here at Oakland on the same subject. This will detain me here for at least three weeks. Then I have urgent calls to Vacaville, Sacramento, and Woodland, Napa, and St. Helena. I shall not visit these places till the going shall make it advisable. We have had much rain, and our evenings have thus far been very wet and unpleasant. The last evening seemed much more like fair weather. We hope now we shall have some sunshine and more pleasant weather. We feel deeply in regard to the work and cause of God on this coast. If there were one able laborer, the tent would be put into these two cities as soon as the weather would permit, but California is almost destitute of laborers. 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 6

I wish now at this time Elder Canright were here. Can you think of anyone who could come and work to advantage here? These cities must have labor, and who will give the note of warning in showing the people where we are in the world’s history or in prophetic history? 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 7

My soul is weighed down with responsibility, and my hands are tied. I dare not go and leave Father without Lucinda or Mary Clough or anyone with him. I dare not take him with me, for he has his habits of eating and sleeping that would not impress the people correctly. It is difficult to make him feel that it is not faith to pet invalidism. 3LtMs, Lt 7, 1878, par. 8