Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 15a, 1887

White, Mary; White, Emma

New Bedford, Massachusetts

August 14, 1887

Previously unpublished.

Dear Children, Mary and Emma:

We slept upon the campground last night. The bed was not just right. It rolled forward. Sarah slept with me, and I imagined myself on the boat which was pitching and rolling and I grasping hold of the berth to keep into the bed. In the morning found the bed was not right. I am exhausted this morning. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 1

Sister Bradford has a splendid home on a genuine small farm. How I did wish you and your children were here. The air is bracing; it is not hot and debilitating—the sky is clear. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 2

The night I left you we had a shower. I slept but very little. The bed was hard. We had a nice room, but on account of rain could not have good air and plenty of it. Since that shower we have had it cool and nice. But we did get so weary. We took a slight breakfast on the boat and when we landed at Fall River found we must wait nearly three hours for train at Fall River to take us thirty minutes’ ride on the cars. Then when we arrived at New Bedford we learned Mr. Bradford had come for us and did not find us, for we did not come on the five o’clock boat. If we had, we would have saved half a day of painful confusion. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 3

In the depot were two children just running and jumping and stomping, which was painful to my nerves. And I thought how cruel it is to allow children to do such things to annoy and distress the many passengers who were tired and needed rest rather than a bedlam. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 4

About eleven o’clock Mr. Bradford came and took us over a pleasant road to his country home. Here everything was convenient. Mr. Bradford cannot do too much for me or for the camp meeting. He does not keep the Sabbath. I think his tobacco stands in the way. He feels that he cannot leave it off. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 5

He and his wife insisted upon my staying over the Sabbath and resting at their house till Sunday, but somehow I felt that I must come to the meeting Sabbath, and the Lord gave me a testimony for the people. I asked them to come forward, and a goodly number responded, and good, humble testimonies were borne. Our meeting lasted from half-past two till five o’clock p.m. We had a very profitable meeting, and after receiving another letter from Ohio, we decided it would be best to leave here Wednesday eve and go to Ohio and be there Sabbath and first day. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 6

I am tired today, but must speak. The urgency of calls to Ohio I cannot neglect. Brother Olsen is of the same mind as myself. He feels more on this point than I do. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 7

I was glad to receive a letter from Emma stating she was at the house, and this relieved me of a burden. You can get Tilly, who came over with us, to work and Emma tell her what to do, while Mary takes treatment. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 8

I will write no more, for my head is feeling tired from not sleeping well last night. I hope to hear from you, if only a few words. Write us at Ohio about your prospects. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 9

Mary’s cape and nester are here. I am sorry, but so it is. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 10

That box was not found. We shall have Thursday in New York if we can get off as soon as Wednesday night on the boat. If not, we must make some arrangement to look up that box. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 11

Yours with much love. 5LtMs, Lt 15a, 1887, par. 12

Mother.