Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 211, 1897

White, W. C.

Sunnyside, Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

December 31, 1897

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son Willie:

We leave for Sydney this morning. I should be pleased to meet you in Sydney, but do not expect it. The last chapters of the book will be finished, but you must see them, for the mail goes Monday and the regular main in two weeks from Monday. I have had some most precious things for the book, the last chapter. My part is done now. Oh, thank the Lord! Praise His Holy name that He has spared my life to see the closing up of the book! 12LtMs, Lt 211, 1897, par. 1

Tell Brother Farnsworth I thank him for his letter. It will do me good. Willie, will you please to write May more than you do? Were I in her place I should feel you were neglecting your duty. It is a great trial to be left alone as she has been for nearly one year, and I am not pleased that you write her so little. I want you to comfort and bless her, for if she had not married, she would now be in the Bible work. May White has said naught to me of this, but I have discernment to know she feels it. Will you please do this? She has an appreciative mind and loves you and her family. I love May and I want you to show her every attention. If she had only one little one she could manage better, but to start in with the management of two is a double portion. (Burn up the last letter written to you on this subject.) 12LtMs, Lt 211, 1897, par. 2

In regard to bringing visitors to your home who need care in the place of helping, I object, too. I know how the matter has been presented to me, of the many extra burdens brought upon your dear Mary through your care and benevolence to others, even in Basel, Switzerland. The Lord is a just God and He requires all of us to consider before it is too late. This mistake has been plainly revealed to me. Now I want sunshine brought into the life of May. She is young and needs tenderness and care. With these two children she has sufficient tax. Do not feel it is your duty to relieve others by putting burdens on your family that should have no extra burdens now. I know what I am talking about. Will you consider that it is not your work to gather in the invalids and the worn-out in your house? May dreads it. She has only half the experience in life that you have had, and this must be considered. Your two boys are precious treasures and must give vent to the life and joy of their hearts. Three days ago is the first time I have been in your home since you came home. Reason, I could not walk so far. Kidney difficulty has been very severe upon me since the camp meeting. 12LtMs, Lt 211, 1897, par. 3

Now, dear Willie, I write because it is my duty to write. I must speak in behalf of May. She has not a Mother Kelsey to be with her, to converse with her and advise with her. She has four children to care for at once, and I am surprised that you cannot take in the situation. But it is my duty to speak to you. When you are at home she wants and should have your society. But when away, do write to her letters that are not mere copies of letters. I should not, in her place, feel satisfied. I write this not from impulse but from a pure sense of duty. I know that there were the same things [before]. In your desire to help others, you did harm to your own flesh, to your wife. I decided it would never be again if I could help it. 12LtMs, Lt 211, 1897, par. 4

You have duties to your family that are not to be ignored. This is your property, and no others can act as a substitute for you. The Lord does not require this of you. You have duties to do in the work and cause of God. That is your duty, but it is not your duty to bring visitors to your home to spend days and weeks, especially those who are feeble and worn down, needing care. The greatest watchful care is now to be exercised for your two lively boys, and it takes the almost constant attention of the mother. 12LtMs, Lt 211, 1897, par. 5

Now, Willie, do not think I am severe, for I am not, but I do protest in the name of the Lord against a thing that I know is not right and just, and now I will say no more. May the Lord bless you. But bear in mind you must impart blessings to your wife, bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh. 12LtMs, Lt 211, 1897, par. 6

Mother.