Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 48, 1884

White, W. C.

Healdsburg, California

July 7, 1884

Previously unpublished.

Dear son Willie:

I am in my mountain home; everything here is quietness and peace. I long for this, but some way my mind is exercised in regard to those eastern meetings. I shall not be obliged to leave this coast before the first of August. In that time I can do all essential upon my book and see that it is completed. That is all that I can do on it. I do not know certainly that I shall go, but my mind is drawn that way by night and by day. I cannot close my mind to it, for it will force itself upon me every few moments. It may not be my duty. It is not my choice, by any means. Sister McOmber will go East this fall. She thinks she must be with her mother. If Edson and Emma [White] do not go with me, she will accompany me whithersoever I go, if I desire it. If Edson and Emma will go, then Sister McOmber need not go; so it will be a saving of expense. Sister McOmber will go anyhow, she says, so you see how the matter stands. 4LtMs, Lt 48, 1884, par. 1

I think of these large meetings, so many of them; and I was so weak when I went East before, I could not accomplish that which I desired; but if I am even as well as I am now, I could do much better work with the help of God than last year. I do think that just this year in these appointed meetings I could do much work for the Master. 4LtMs, Lt 48, 1884, par. 2

In that case, I cannot be at the camp meeting in California this year, but one camp meeting should not stand in the way of five or six. Should I decide to go East, [I] will come to Oakland this week. Will you lay this matter before Elder Waggoner and pray over it as I am doing? 4LtMs, Lt 48, 1884, par. 3

I find myself rather exhausted, but of good courage. Wrote yesterday seventeen pages, part for Volume Four. I think my writing on it is about done. Just as long as I exercise my mind on it, there will be something more to write. I shall never feel that I am through. The matter must be left in this way—that it is not possible for me to crowd into this volume all I have to write, so that what I shall write more fully, if I ever do, my enemies will not have a chance to make a handling of it. 4LtMs, Lt 48, 1884, par. 4

Willie, the long lost carpet has come. It has been in Santa Rosa all this time. It was not injured for it was done up nicely. 4LtMs, Lt 48, 1884, par. 5

I hear nothing more in regard to Leininger; shall send him a letter today. I should return and spend the winter here. 4LtMs, Lt 48, 1884, par. 6

Mother.