Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 263, 1902

White, W. C.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

November 27, 1902

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son W. C. White,—

I have just put in Maggie’s hand a letter to you for you to use when you see the right time has come. I am pained at heart at the state of things among our people—that the Lord cannot possibly work them to let His power come upon them to do the work He commissioned His disciples to do when He said, “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” [Matthew 10:16.] He gave directions how they were to conduct themselves, and if they were not received they were to wipe off the dust of their feet against them and it would be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city. 17LtMs, Lt 263, 1902, par. 1

But what about those who claim to believe the truth and seem to possess a spirit just as bad as the party mentioned? Are we to see this work kept up until the last end of this earth’s history? Are messages to come to me to give to those who have been long in the work, because they do not act as wisely as they should and bring confusion and hindrance into the work? Will not the Spirit of the Lord be greatly grieved at the state of things existing among those who are leading men? 17LtMs, Lt 263, 1902, par. 2

They do not obey the Word. They act without wisdom, and I am losing confidence in them. I am afraid of their influence and shall be afraid to speak to them the things that I would like to communicate, for they will make a misuse of my testimony. 17LtMs, Lt 263, 1902, par. 3

They are not under the Holy Spirit of God. I know this to be the case, and if there is not a decided change in this kind of work that has been going on ever since I came to America, I cannot labor with success, for they will spoil my influence and set at naught all the counsels of God in my labors. 17LtMs, Lt 263, 1902, par. 4

I would rather be in a community where there are no Sabbathkeepers, for my soul is so wrung with anguish that they [leading men] will never, cannot ever, understand. They are acting like a family of children quarreling over who will have the largest apple or the largest piece. Oh, how weak it all is! And I know the Holy Spirit will not, cannot, come upon them or the work, because they are not doing the will of God. Must we see those whom I know are doing work for God counterworked by those who choose to regard things in a strange light? 17LtMs, Lt 263, 1902, par. 5

I am getting tired and sick at heart. Night after night I am bearing a testimony to the leading men who are supposed to be wise unto salvation, but who are working in an underhanded, undermining manner. They are, as was spoken by One who knows, deceived and being deceived, and they work directly contrary to the light God has given me. I have lost confidence in them and I know they have very little faith in the testimonies. They make my work exceedingly hard. 17LtMs, Lt 263, 1902, par. 6

I am now looking again toward some other country. Australia is my choice. I want to uproot and get out of the field just as soon as the Lord opens the way for my release. I have seen those claiming to believe the truth for this time, but it is mingled with self-esteem, self-exaltation, and human wisdom. God will not endorse a work of this kind. 17LtMs, Lt 263, 1902, par. 7