Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

W. C. White to G. C. Tenney, May 5, 1893

From W. E. White
Wellington, New Zealand May 5, 1893.
Eld. G. C. Tenney,
Battle Creek, Mich.,
Dear Brother:-

This morning I read over what I wrote you last night, and then read again your letters to see if there was any important matters overlooked, and I find that I have only just begun to touch them, and that I must write you two or three more chapters this morning. MMM 257.1

I want to thank you most heartily for your interesting letters giving accounts of your journeyings, and describing places you visited. These have not only been read by us, with much interest, but I have let many of our people, and others also, in the places we have visited, read them, with much profit. MMM 257.2

We were interested to hear of your reception at B. C and I am glad you had the advantages of the San. during the cold and stormy weather. My children wrote about your short call, and were looking forward with anticipation to your longer visit. Before the Conf. it was arranged that you were to spend half the time at my house, and half at Eld. Olsens, and that Lewis Johnson was to do the same, you two changing places, for there was room for just one at each place. But the illness of Sr. Olsen upset this plan, and so I suppose Mary M. waited fill, there was a room for you, before urging your visit. MMM 257.3

I was most interested in what you wrote about your personal experience at the Institute meetings, and during the Conf. I had a similar experience in 1888, and I always look upon that as the turning point, in my life, the most precious memories are connected with that experience, although it was a time of great perplexity and trial. It was this that fitted me to stand firm at the Minneapolis meeting, and to recognize the voice of God speaking peace to my soul, when surrounded by a storm of criticism, opposition, and bitterness which I had never met before, and for which I could recognize no occasion. My chief error since, has been to allow myself to think that the light and blessing of that occasion was only for special occasions, whereas, it is needed continually, and the supply is continual. MMM 257.4

Nothing that has occurred for years has given me so much joy as to hear what you have written about this experience. It was for this, more than anything else, that I wanted you to go to the Conf. and it was the faith that you would get this great light and blessing, that has kept me firm in tire opinion that you would come back to do better work in this field than ever before, when others have thought that the great expense of your journey, was unwarranted, and ill advised. MMM 257.5

Perhaps it would be more polite for me to say that I think you are in danger of taking too serious a view of your past work and experience; that I think your deep feeling was unnecessary, and due in part to your weariness: but I do not believe anything of the sort, and shall write to you as I have tried to talk, straightforward, and what I think. I believe that what has been revealed to you of the imperfection of your work, is not impression, but fact. I know that the same is true of my work, and of that of many others. O, That God may arouse us, and give us power to shake off the lethargy, and childishness, we are so full of, and which binds us as with iron bands. MMM 257.6

The lesson that I have so long been trying to learn, is that the conquest of sin, and nature, is to be a daily victory; that the grace and wisdom, and peace, are given daily, and that I am to die daily. I know the truth of these things, but how easy it is to trust in self, and walk complacently into the mist of uncertainty, and the darkness of a self confidence, instead of the light of trust in God. MMM 258.1

[Paragraph deleted.] MMM 258.2

Now, of a necessity, our very work is a criticism of your plans and policy, and when we condemn wrong methods, they are often attributed, to you: sometimes, no doubt justly; and often, no doubt, unjustly. In Melb. you have many friends who question anything different from your methods, and also many critics, who find self justification in any change from your plans. Under these circumstances, what effect would it have upon the work, for you to withdraw, and others take up the work on different plans. Will not the Enemy tempt some to say, It is always change, no two of these Americans agree as to methods, and yet they wish to run things; and others, This alls shows that the old plans which I never was in harmony with, were all wrong.” MMM 258.3

Now it seems to me that the best thing for this poor scarred field is for you to come back bringing all the new light and blessing, and experience that you can, and take hold to help us heal the field. This will not be nearly so pleasant for you, as to accept promotion to the work of F. M. Sec. in fact, it may prove one of the most trying experiences that you ever passed through, but I do not think you will make your decision from selfish considerations. May the Lord guide your mind. MMM 258.4