The Fannie Bolton Story

Hattie L. Porter to W. A. Spicer, July 25, 1933

Now a word regarding our dear Sister, Fannie Bolton. She spent her last days here in Battle Creek, and was laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery, [this is probably in error; the Cemetery has no record of her] to come forth, I believe, in the morning of the first resurrection. She was very much broken in health when she came here, a nervous wreck. She was greatly troubled in mind over her spiritual condition, and prayed earnestly for forgiveness of the past. She did not mention having written the book Steps to Christ, and I never had heard the report. Again and again she said, “I so regret that I ever criticised Sister White—that godly woman.” We prayed with and for her, and though weak in mind and body, I am sure was forgiven for past mistakes. She spoke of some things she could not understand, but was willing to leave this with God, and said she was so sorry she resorted to criticism. Could her life be lived again this great sin would be eliminated. All her letters and private papers were carefully gone over, and there was a lot of them, and in none of them was there anything that would indicate she was not a hundred percent Adventist. Frank Belden came forward and asked for these private papers, but they were not turned over to him until they were carefully examined, as we felt that we knew why he wanted this matter. There were a lot of poems, some finished, and some not. She had thought to get them out in book form, but was too near the end of life to finish the work. Some of these poems were worthy of a place in our papers, and some showed her physical powers had weakened, and her mentality could not operate. These she knew were incomplete, and she called them “Junk.” But to the last she tried to force that mind to act, and act along spiritual lines. FBS 117.5

And so Elder Spicer, I know of nothing but good to say of Sister Bolton. She, like all the rest of us mortals made mistakes, but repented, and I believe was forgiven by a kind and loving Heavenly Father, according to His promise, and it was just as though she had not done it in His sight, and should be in our minds. Tell those German brethren and sisters to get their minds off a mortal woman, on to a saving Christ, and it will lift them higher in divine things. I believe Sister Fannie died in Christ, and will be raised in Christ, and [that] we that are faithful will see her again, where she will long enjoy the work of her hands here below, and all the mistakes rubbed out, for they were confessed and forgiven. FBS 118.1

She was without means when she reached B.C. And knowing that she had not long to live, we were sure the General Conference would be glad to provide the comforts needed for her dying hours, so asked them to help. She was told of this and was delighted, but said she was not worthy of it. The first remittance came just after she died. There was a man (do not recall his name), but an Adventist, wanted to marry her, but she could not see light in such a course with her health gone, but he visited her often, paid for her room and board and care, and funeral expenses, together with the sustentation check sent. The Doctors Selmon did everything possible for her to the last. Many of our good members visited her and helped her. FBS 118.2