Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Lt 5, 1859

White, Henry

Somerville, Massachusetts

September 6, 1859

Portions of this letter are published in AY 44-47. See also Annotations.

My dear Son Henry:

I will write you a few lines although I have no news of importance to write. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 1

We received your letter, and were very glad to hear from you. You must write oftener. Send us a letter at Topsham. Think of everything you have left there and wish us to bring, and we will try to do so. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 2

We hope you are well and happy. Be a good steady boy. If you only fear God and love Him, our happiness will be complete. You can be a noble boy. Love, truthfulness and honesty,—these are sacred treasures. Do not lay them aside for a moment. You may be tempted and often tried, but my dear boy, it is at such a time these lovely treasures shine, and are highly prized. Cling closely to these precious traits, whatever you may be called to suffer. Let truthfulness and honesty ever live in your heart. Never through fear of punishment, sacrifice these noble traits. The Lord will help you, Henry, to do right. I believe it is your purpose to do right and to please your parents. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 3

You may see little dishonest acts in other boys, but do not think for a moment of imitating them. Learn to despise such things. Do not condescend to mean talk or to mean acts. Shun the company of those who do evil, as you would a deadly poison; for they will corrupt every one who associates with them. Ever have your young mind lifting up, elevated above the low, evil habits of those who have no fear of God before them. You can have correct thoughts, correct ways, and can form a good pure character. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 4

Our dear children are our treasures, and O, how anxious we are that they should meet the approbation of God. In His strength, you can reform, but never in your own strength. You can give the Lord your heart, and ask Him to forgive your sins, and if you move with sincerity, He will accept you and make you white and clean in His own precious blood. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 5

We, your parents, pray much for you, that you may be a consistent, true Christian. We know that our Saviour is coming, and will take the good and holy, the honest and pure to dwell with Him forever in a holy heaven, where all is beauty, harmony, joy and glory. I want you to remember that Jesus suffered, groaned and died for you that His blood might cleanse you from sin. But there is a work for you to do to feel that you are a sinner, lost without the cleansing blood of your Redeemer. You must feel your undone condition without a Saviour. May the Lord clearly open to your young mind the plan of salvation, and lead you to give yourself unreservedly to Jesus as His, to serve Him continually. Come to Him, dear boy, love Him because He first loved you. Love Him for His lovely character, because He loved you well enough to die for you. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 6

Henry, as soon as you were born, we prayed that you might be a Christian boy. We believe that you have felt some of the influence of the Spirit [of God] upon your heart; but we want its sweet influence to abide upon you, and the impressions lasting, your course steady, and you to daily receive grace to resist temptation. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 7

I must close. Love and obey Jenny. Do right because you love to. Preserve these letters I write to you, and read them often and if you should be left without a mother’s care, they will be a help to you. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 8

Much love to Father and Mother White. Here is a peppermint for Willie. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 9

From your affectionate Mother. 1LtMs, Lt 5, 1859, par. 10