Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 69, 1905

Brown, M. H.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

February 18, 1905

Previously unpublished.

Elder M. H. Brown

Dear Brother,—

Do not make a public matter of Rodney McClure’s case. I know that Brother McClure is misled and deceived by the boy he has adopted. Both he and his wife are so deceived that they cannot be the help to the boy that they otherwise could. Brother McClure could not believe what I wrote, until Rodney himself told his father that every word was true. 20LtMs, Lt 69, 1905, par. 1

Please be very discreet with the McClure letter. It is not best to have it blazed abroad. Go to the boy yourself, and talk with him, and make in his behalf the efforts you have neglected to make. Get your right bearings. I positively do not want this matter to come before the whole church. Make every effort in your power to find out Rodney’s real situation. Talk with the men in positions of responsibility in the school. Make every effort to get the truth from the boy himself. 20LtMs, Lt 69, 1905, par. 2

These disagreeable burdens must be borne, but they are to be borne in a way that God can approve. My heart aches for all the erring. I am very sorry that Elder McClure has allowed such an example of mismanagement in his home to be set before the church. 20LtMs, Lt 69, 1905, par. 3

I shall not have time to write more now. I will send you with this [a] copy of an article written to one of our churches regarding brotherly love and unity. I have written more on this subject, and sometime I hope to have it all put together in a pamphlet so that the churches can have it. 20LtMs, Lt 69, 1905, par. 4

Move judiciously and prayerfully. Before anything else is done, let the boy be visited by some one whom you may judge best. May the Lord give wisdom is my prayer. 20LtMs, Lt 69, 1905, par. 5

I had hoped that the school could be moved away from Healdsburg. I still hope that a way will open for this to be done and that it will be clearly seen that it is best for the school to be in some other place. Is it thought best to move to Mountain View? 20LtMs, Lt 69, 1905, par. 6