Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)
Lt 24, 1873
White, J. E.; White, Emma
Battle Creek, Michigan
March 1873
Portions of this letter are published in 11MR 121-122.
Dear Children:
We have received two letters from Edson and I think three from Willie. We should have written you immediately but I thought Father would write and he thought I would write, so between us both you were neglected. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 1
We had a very pleasant journey home with the exception of smoking on board the cars, which made me very sick. For three days I could eat scarcely anything. I could not understand my feelings. I learned that smoking was allowed in the palace car. We paid nearly forty dollars extra for the conveniences of the palace sleeping car. I decided to endure the smoking so as not to be called a fusser. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 2
The third day when the aromatic odor of the cigars came to me I became stomach-sick. The most intense pain pierced my eyeballs and back of the eyeballs in my head. It seemed that the top of my head was crashing like broken glass. My distress became very great. I thought I was going into a fit. Large drops of perspiration stood upon my face and my entire body broke out in profuse perspiration. Then came a confused noise in my head and I became blind and fainted entirely away. In half an hour I revived by lemon juice being pressed in my mouth. I knew as soon as I revived that it was the smoking of cigars which had thus affected me. All in the cars were alarmed and smoking was banished from the car. I have not fully recovered from the effects of this illness. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 3
In regard to the journey, it could not have been better for us in July. We made close connections and arrived at Battle Creek Tuesday, ten o’clock p.m. Brother Abbey was waiting for us with sleigh. We telegraphed him soon after leaving Chicago to meet us at 10:05 p.m. It seemed very nice to rest in our own home, on our own good bed after an absence of nine months. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 4
We had Emma come to our house in a few days. We thought it better for her than tending children at Burley’s. We feel an interest for Emma and we shall have a care for her health. The small, close, heated rooms at Burley’s are an injury to Nettie and Emma. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 5
We are very glad to receive your letters and we hope that you will continue to write. We expect to see you soon. We hope in your application to your studies you will not cease to be learners in the school of Christ. “Walk in the light.” [1 John 1:7.] Walking denotes activity. You must not become dwarfed in religious growth. Press to the mark for the prize. If you want your faith to increase you must exercise it. You can grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 6
The more knowledge I have of the world the more I see it is rottenness, crime, vice, and lust that controls the minds of men and women generally. Children, keep above the corruption in the world through lust by being partakers of the divine image. Do not forget God. Pray much and watch constantly unto prayer, and you will have peace and the joy of the Spirit of God. We shall be so glad to see you, our dear children, again. We appreciate the care of Brother Kellogg for you. We hope you appreciate his efforts. We believe you do. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 7
In much love, 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 8
Your Mother. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 9
Edson, my son, we know that you have attractions at Battle Creek, but don’t allow your mind to become homesick. Do your best. We believe that you will. We want this effort should prove a success. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 10
Mother.
Mother Ella Belden is in a very doubtful condition. We hope she may recover. She is a precious child. She cannot eat anything. Takes only a little scalded milk. It was thought she had dropsy. This is disappearing and bowel difficulty has set in. We have fear of consumption of the bowels. She coughs some. I am puzzled to know what to do for her. 2LtMs, Lt 24, 1873, par. 11
Mother.