Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 273, 1905

White, Mabel

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

September 28, 1905

Previously unpublished.

Dear granddaughter Mabel White,—

Several times since returning home I have begun a letter to you, but after writing a few lines have felt urged to answer some important letter that required thought and care, and my letter to you has been laid aside. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 1

I can but feel an anxiety in reference to you. I greatly desire that you may preserve your capabilities as a true child of God. Be sure that you have an abiding trust in your Redeemer. He will be your comfort and your stay and your exceeding great reward. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 2

I hope, my dear, that you will not feel it to be your duty to remain on your feet longer than is reasonable. You must have proper periods for rest. Be conscientious in an effort to preserve your physical, mental, and moral health, that you may not fade away like a much-washed cloth. To put in for one day’s service all the powers that God has given you may disqualify you for performing future work that is essential. There is wisdom in understanding how to treat your powers of mind and body with mercy and care, that you may always be bright and cheerful. You should economize your strength that you may be prepared to act in a time of emergency. Thus you may set a wise example to others. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 3

We find that our vineyard this year has not produced nearly as much as usual. The grapes are small, but the wine is very rich. All our grapes are to be used in the manufacture of the unfermented wine. We have been obliged to buy grapes to fill our orders, but still we are unable to meet the demand. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 4

Our tomatoes are good, and we have canned quite a quantity of loganberries. We have only a few apples. Our prunes have all been disposed of, except a few which we have kept for our own use. The remainder we sold for a good price. We were able to sell them fresh, so have been spared the trouble of drying them. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 5

As yet I have heard from no one who has any fruit that they can ship to Paradise Valley. I am told that there are large vineyards in Southern California. Sister Gotzian informed me that she could procure better grapes there than any in this vicinity. I hope that you may can some of these, just as you would can strawberries. We used to can grapes, and I considered them equal to any other fruit. The canned grapes are delicious. They are strengthening and in every way suitable for the patients. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 6

Ella May is busy canning fruit. She is preserving tomatoes, figs, peaches, and whatever fruit can now be secured. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 7

We are sorry to write that Maggie fell and broke her arm last Tuesday evening. She had been to the sanitarium for the mail and in hurrying home fell over a pipe that had been put up to carry water to the wine shed. Her whole weight came on her left hand, and one bone was broken just above the wrist. She was taken to the sanitarium, and the arm was set by Dr. Brighouse. It has been very painful, but yesterday she said she had but little pain, and she slept pretty well last night. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 8

The following day your father also met with an accident. In prying out some stones, he slipped and heard something snap in his ankle. It is not out of joint, but is somewhat wrenched. He walks about with two canes and looks quite like a cripple. The doctor says that it is nothing serious, but your father will be obliged to refrain for a time from prying stones and take his exercise in riding with me. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 9

I have not been able as yet to rest much, but I am now at home, and that is a great comfort to me. I hardly think that I shall attend the meeting at San Diego; for I am working very hard for one of my age. My mind is still clear, and I often write from twelve or one o’clock in the morning. I am trying to get out many things, but do not seem to make the advancement I would be pleased to make. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 10

I trust that the mother and the twins are doing well. May the good Lord bring both father and mother to accept Christ as their Saviour. We need continually a missionary spirit that we may win souls to Christ. I think of the two nurses who cared for the mother so constantly, and of Sister Williams who is in such great need of rest. May the Lord bless the devoted ones who for so long a time watched over this critical case. May they be revived and strengthened. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 11

Good is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. Every day I long to see the salvation of God manifested as decidedly as on the day of Pentecost. O that there might be more earnest efforts put forth for the salvation of souls! Spiritually we seem to be half asleep when we should be making every effort possible to represent Jesus Christ in an effort to save perishing souls. I cannot do as much as I would like to do, but my heart hungers for souls. I trust that there may be an awakening in the San Diego church, that when work is begun in the city by Elder Simpson, the importance of the truth may be demonstrated to many souls. May the Lord bless those in the Paradise Valley Sanitarium is my desire and my prayer. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 12

It is now nearly daylight, and I must close this letter. Mabel, put your whole trust in God. Those who enter the narrow path and the straight gate will find entrance to the city of our God. I desire that you may be one who shall win the crown of life. 20LtMs, Lt 273, 1905, par. 13