Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

J. S. Washburn to E. G. White, Apr. 17, 1890

FROM J. S. WASHBURN
Clarinda, Iowa
Apr. 17, 1890
Dear Sister White,

I almost fear to write to you as I know you are most extremely busy at all times but there is a question I have been desiring to ask you for some time. I was in Ottawa Kansas last May attending the Institute there and I was most deeply impressed by the sermons of Eld. A. T. Jones on the righteousness of Christ and by the talks I had with you. I have been thinking since that time, and since I heard at our own camp-meeting last June at Des Moines Eld. Rodwick S. Owen preach on Holiness, that among our people before the end of time a special work on true holiness would be brought out. I have thought that now in fear of the counterfeit holiness have missed very much of God’s special blessing in fact have failed to experience true holiness. I have heard something about the work in California and longed more than I can tell to understand it. Bro Owen told me that speciality was made there at that time of the subject of holiness. Was that work of God or was it fanaticism? I was one of those ordered by the General Conference Committee to attend the Minister’s school at Battle Creek the last winter but was not able to go on account of sickness in the family. But some of the reports from there have made me think it was in a measure “Minneapolis” over again. It seems to me God is just holding over our heads a great blessing, but is waiting for us to be ready for it before bestowing it upon us. And that this blessing is true holiness and that when we shall come up to our duties and privileges in this matter then our work shall go with the “loud cry”. Is this true or is it a mistake? As for myself although God has given the last year, a measure of success, yet there is certainly something which I have not attained that I long so much to reach. I am straining my eyes into the future for light on this subject. Is there light for us? It does seem to me as I never realized it before that we are in the condition spoken of in Revelation 3:14-and that our experience at Minneapolis and other places and times is evidence that we did not know it. And that there and since Christ is counseling us to buy the gold and white raiment and anoint our eyes with the eye salve, Is this so? I want to have a better understanding of the subjects of righteousness through Christ and true holiness. I do hope that at our coming campmeeting there may be some one who will explain those subjects. I can see now that I was, once blind but now like the man whom Christ healed I think I can see men as trees walking,” but I desire to understand more fully, I want to see clearly. If out of the multitude of your cares and burdens you can find time to answer these questions your answer will be most gratefully received. MMM 174.1

Yours in the Blessed Hope
J. S. Washburn Clarinda Iowa