The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts

Chapter 6 — “A Mother in Israel”

AMONG THE MANY NOBLE women of old whom the Lord used as His messengers, Deborah in the time of the judges is perhaps best known. She is called a prophetess and said to be the wife of Lapidoth. She “dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah” and judged Israel many years. She speaks of herself as “a mother in Israel,” a term applied to only one other woman in the Bible. (2 Samuel 20:19.) This expression indicates that she was not only a judge and leader, not only a helpful, kind person, but she was a mother with a home and children, which fact increased her influence in Israel. The same is true of the Lord’s messenger in the remnant church. Mrs. White’s example as mother and wife gained the confidence of all and gave her standing both in the church and in the community. FSG 74.1

We can never fully understand and appreciate the life and work of Mrs. White unless we know of her burden and care for her own loved ones. In the early days Mrs. White was known everywhere as a kind, efficient, and godly homemaker. The White family had a most helpful influence for good. FSG 74.2

In later years when Elder White was ill from care and overwork, and when even his doctor had given him up, she nursed him back to health. He suffered from several severe attacks of apoplexy, and no one expected him to recover. When he was told that the only thing that would help him was physical exercise, and when he was so discouraged and nervous that he declared he never could work, she even went into the hayfield with him and helped him pitch hay to get him started. Her practical sense and kindly humor helped him as well as many others. FSG 75.1

Elder and Mrs. White had four children, all boys. In order that all may know how old they were when they received the letters reproduced in this chapter, we give their first names and dates of birth, as follows: Henry, August 26, 1847; Edson, July 28, 1849; Willie, August 29, 1854; Herbert, September 20, 1860. Of these Herbert died when but five months old and Henry at the age of sixteen. FSG 75.2

Henry was long remembered as a bright lad, an earnest Christian, gifted as a singer and a faithful worker in the Review office. When he passed away, after a most beautiful experience in the Lord, it was decided to print a short sketch of his life. A small book, now very rare, called An Appeal to Youth contains the sermon preached by Uriah Smith at his funeral in Battle Creek and a brief biography, as well as many motherly letters sent through the years by Mrs. White to her children, especially when she was with her husband away from home in gospel labors. They were not written with any thought that they would ever be printed. Their serious religious tone may seem strange to modern youth or parents, yet they reveal the deep spiritual life of Mrs. White as well as her tender love and solicitude for the children. We think the reader will be interested to see them. Even at this late day, when new dangers threaten our youth, and parents have difficult problems to solve, these letters will be helpful. FSG 75.3