Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 207, 1897

White, W. C.

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia]

December 8, 1897

Previously unpublished.

[W. C. White:]

Brother James went for the sisters to Dora Creek and they were not there. We have not seen or heard anything of them. Where are they? I have written considerable today, twenty-five pages, and I cannot write much. Our workmen could do nothing this week until today; began their plastering the rooms above the woodshed. It is well we were here, for there would have been blunders made if we had not been here. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 1

Edith does the cooking with Sara’s directions; did very nicely, the family say, like a little woman, when we were gone from Friday morning until Monday evening. Sister Lucas went with us to unite with the Mission. If we keep our family small, we will not need to pay, every week, ten shillings for hired help besides room and board. Brother Goodheart boards with us; occupies the parlor of your house through the day. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 2

December 9

I awoke, astonished to find it was daylight. I arose and dressed; looked at my watch. It was just a quarter to one o’clock. It was the moon made my room so light. I had slept nearly five hours. I am feeling much better healthwise and I hope to remain stronger. Sent letters yesterday to Sister Wesley Hare and Maggie’s mother. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 3

Have received letters in American mail to be answered; received a letter from Brother Pallant to be answered. I am praying for health and believe the Lord will answer my prayer. The letter enclosed I wrote Wednesday. Maggie copies it this morning. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 4

I have received from Edson a large batch of matter on temperance for the book that still hangs unfinished. I shall do nothing with it until you come and look it over yourself. I think it would make me wild to wade through all this manuscript, and I do not dare venture. I have to go through all the manuscripts for papers, and with the writing I have to do, it is tiresome. I expect Sister Peck will come some time, but just as long as they can keep her they will not seek to get one to supply her place. She wrote Sister Haskell that Elder Olsen said she must not leave, so I suppose that ends that matter as far as she is concerned. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 5

You speak of educating persons to do my work. I do not see that this is the best way. If I cannot obtain persons that are educated, I shall not feel any courage to take in persons on trial. There are not the suitable ones to educate. I will not think it my duty to experiment in this line. If you could not find any persons in America, I think you will have no better success in Australia. I shall not make one draw for Sister Peck again. All my efforts have been unavailing. I may decide that my work will close up in America. It is certain that the prospect here is not flattering in regard to the work before me. It looks just as hopeless, and impossibilities just as large, as it has done for years. I am resolved to do what I can, and leave what cannot be done. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 6

I have not from the first counted on you. I do not now. I question about it being your duty. Other things will be constantly drawing you away and my dependence on you is like leaning on one I cannot depend on, even in the very largest crisis that can come to me and my work. It is not your forte. You will not act the part that one must act for me. Your whole nature needs a different line of work, and I do not count on you, notwithstanding all the resolutions of any conference and board. Resolutions—I have had enough of these. And if a large share of the time spent in board meetings and committee meetings were devoted to seeking counsel from God, His wisdom would be of more value than the best council and committee meetings. We want so much more of God and far less of the wisdom of men. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 7

Well, I think I have said enough, but I want you to plan in the line of work you are best fitted for, for which you are best adapted and can accomplish the most in the general work. I will now commit my case to God and say with my whole heart, I have done my best. The farce of providing me so large help in coming to Australia amounted to just nothing, and now I shall do what I can and no more. God helping me, I stand alone as I have done. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 8

I do not want you to suppose I feel tried with you, for I do not. You have been educated to a different line of work altogether. Take up your line of work. Do that work in which you can do the most for the interest of the cause, and I will be satisfied. But I feel little confidence that you can be the help I must have, for you will be called here and there, and the demand is imperative; and I could not say, Do not go, for I would not interpose, you well know, to restrain you in any way. I write now that you may consider these things in relation to the work and cause of God and adjust yourself to it where you can accomplish the most good in various lines, and I will not say anything to bias you in this matter. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 9

May the Lord direct in all things is my prayer, but let us not make a mistake in this matter. 12LtMs, Lt 207, 1897, par. 10

Mother.