Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 145, 1898

White, J. E.

Sunnyside, Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

September 22, 1898

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son Edson White:

I could not write to you the last mail for my left eye was sick. I have much to do just now examining the matter that has been written on the parables and writing more fully on some points, preparing matter for Minnie to print on typewriter, then carefully reading over all that is prepared. Sister Peck is preparing matter of my writing upon education. Sara uses the typewriter, then they slip the chapters under my door and I read carefully to see if any point needs to be more fully developed. The work is being well done and will be finished, all that we intend to do, before we shall leave for Queensland camp meeting. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 1

We are having canvassers’ institute for the closing up of this term of school. There have been many visiting this place at this time. We have had ministerial help in many ways. Elder Starr and his wife are making their home with us. Sister Graham and Sister Harlow are also with us during the institute. We have had a large family of comers and goers, and fresh ones coming. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 2

I read before those assembled in the school chapel an article of which I will send you a copy, so I need not repeat. I was alarmed to see many coming in and all urging themselves to have a building spot close by the buildings erected for the school, but we could not allow this. The light given me I send to you. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 3

My health has been very good for several weeks and for this blessing I feel more thankful than I can express, for there is so much to be done. We are having beautiful weather now. In midday it is somewhat warm, but mornings and evenings are very pleasant and beautiful. I have been out two evenings to the station to convey passengers to the trains and to receive them from the trains. It is new moon, and how beautiful were the moon and the stars! The atmosphere was soft, and the air fragrant. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 4

All who come to this place are much pleased. We expect to have a much larger school here next term. Yesterday I spoke to the students at ten o’clock in the school chapel, and again at half past three in the church building to mothers, showing them how to train their children. We moved the seats out-of-doors on the shady side of the house and we had a good meeting. Brother and Sister Starr were with me. Brother Starr opened the meeting with singing and prayer. Then I spoke about one hour, instructing mothers how to train their children. There was much feeling in the meeting. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 5

The difficulties we find in families are that some are too indulgent, while others are the very opposite. Children are treated like dogs, ordered about, scolded and beaten, and the children are educated in such a rough manner they can but be coarse and rough. The passionate fathers and mothers are doing a dreadful work, perpetuating their own passionate, hereditary inheritance to their children. Satan is pleased to have this work going on in families. I am glad to try to help them. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 6

When I see men and women recently come to the truth, who have been tobacco users and liquor drinkers and have put these things away and overcome the appetite for these things, I know the truth is appreciated by them. Then because they keep the Sabbath, they lose one pound per week. Here is a serious test and difficulty. Yet they have this test. They have yet to learn the lesson of self-control, of patience, of courtesy, and love in the home life. Their own manner of dealing with their children, showing no respect to them but governing with a high hand, is fitting their children to become just such families as they themselves represent. Due respect must be given to the children, for they are the Lord’s heritage. “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” [Colossians 3:21.] 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 7

I am much pleased with W. C. White’s family. The mother is full of tenderheartedness. There is no scolding, no fretting. The two older children love their mother and love their twin brothers. The twins are quite obedient. They come to see me and sometimes I give them passion fruit and apples in a little bag. The other morning there came a rap upon my door and here were James Henry and Herbert White who held out to me a bag similar to the one I used to send them fruit in. It had a long string for handle which they could scarcely manage. They were runaways, and finding they could get out of the gate they came straight to Grandma. I said, What do you want, children? They presented the bag. Oh, you want me to put something in this bag? They said they wanted apples. I went and got them apples and passion fruit, of which they are very fond, and put them in the bag, and tied up the long string. One took hold of one side of the bag and the other the opposite side, and they went down the smooth road to the gate, which was open, and home. They are just the happiest, rosy cheeked boys that I have. I tell them, You take this fruit to your mother and tell her to put it on the shelf and at your mealtime you may eat the fruit. They do precisely as I tell them. They are obedient, and oh, how thankful I am they are full of life and vigor! 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 8

Mabel is a real little mother not only to the twins but to all the little children that come round her. She seems so much like her mother. She was baptized two weeks ago. In Sabbath school she marks if there is a child comes in who has no teacher. It seems to be as natural as her life to find them a place in some class. No child remains unnoticed where she is. There is never a harsh word passes their lips to these twins or any children. She will mother them all, and all children take to her. She has her mother’s looks, her mother’s ways, and her mother’s expressions. Ella also reminds me of her mother so much. They are a kind, courteous, happy family. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 9

May is about as tall as was Mary White. She is a good looking, wholesome woman, kind, thoughtful to the poor, and is a true Christian. Ella is short in stature. Mabel is a few inches taller, although five years younger. I wish you and Emma could see them. The children have the uttermost confidence in their grandmother, and they are very courteous and kind to me in every respect, and heed every word of advice and caution. I have not spoken one harsh, faultfinding word to them, and I hope never to be guilty of being unreasonable in any way toward them or other children. Children should be surrounded with an atmosphere of love, and not harshness. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 10

Our orange trees are full of fragrant blossoms, and our lemon and peach trees are in bloom. There are, I see, a few of the yellow fruit left on the tree, while the blossoms are hanging full upon the tree as thick as possible. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 11

September 23

I am up at a quarter before three and dress and have my season of prayer, and then engage in my writing. I have just read manuscript upon the science of labor which Sister Peck is preparing for a book on education. I am pleased with her work. She gathers from all the copies of my letters and then arranges them and reads them to Sara while she writes them on the typewriter. I am so thankful for the help she gives me. She is wholesome, healthful, and is a treasure to me. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 12

Maggie Hare has been with her mother in Kaeo six weeks. We expect her on [the] next boat. Yesterday May and the babies and I went to the station in my covered phaeton for W. C. White. James Henry and Herbert were constantly talking, “We are going to the puff-puff cars to meet papa!” We found he was accompanied by Brother and Sister Lyndon [?], with her three months’ old babe. They had just arrived on the steamer from America. He will have a situation here in connection with the school work. The health food business will be located in Cooranbong on [an] Avondale tract of land. The sawmill will be utilized; the machinery, and the large cistern built, will be prepared to do another class of work. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 13

The beautiful branch of the river called Dora Creek is of highest advantage, for boats run up from Sydney close to the school grounds and land our goods. This beautiful stream is no creek, but a body of water coming up on both sides of the school land, and boats are used to bring up members of the church from Dora Creek to the school land to attend our meetings. These two branches take us about five miles into a broad, expansive lake, as beautiful a body of water as I have ever looked upon. This gives us an open sea to Sydney. This location is now considered as above criticism. Every soul that comes here soon shows it by improved appetite and improved general health. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 14

I felt somewhat anxious in regard to your remaining in the South during the hot weather. I think you should by all means find as cool a climate as possible. We were made sad to hear of Brother Boyd’s death. I had no letter from you this last boat, but I will not worry. It will not be of the least use. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 15

Our canvassers’ institute will close next Monday with the second term of school. I have excused myself from taxing labor during these meetings, that I might give clear thought to the writings. I have given considerable time to the book Christ Our Saviour. I think the Lord has helped me. Will send you a copy as soon as it is out. I have received from the press of Echo office your last book. We all feel it is executed finely. I like the tint of plates better than the brighter colors. I am very thankful to God that The Desire of Ages is done, and I expect a copy on the arrival of the next steamer. The book that Sister Peck is working upon will be completed before we leave for Queensland. It will be published in Echo office. 13LtMs, Lt 145, 1898, par. 16