Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 171, 1898

Clough, J. C.

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

April 27, 1898

Previously unpublished.

Dear Nephew:

I was pleased to receive a letter from you dated January 8. April 25 I returned from my journey to Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, [and] Sydney, which kept me from my pleasant home two months. My son, W. C. White, and my secretary and my nurse accompanied me. I spoke to assemblies on twenty-two occasions and the Lord sustained me and those who accompanied me. I am thankful to settle down once more in my pleasant home at Sunnyside. 13LtMs, Lt 171, 1898, par. 1

We have made us a home in the forest of trees. We have a comfortable house and W. C. White has a very nice cottage which is one story and a half nearly opposite our dwelling house. It is so near we can call to one another and W. C. White’s family never feel alone, although W. C. White is compelled oft to be absent in distant colonies. I have an excellent orchard which has borne some fruit the past two seasons. We have had the most excellent peaches, beautiful in appearance, and many of them weigh one-half a pound each. We have nectarines and various kinds of trees that will bear next season. We are now in mid-winter. I have not had a fire kindled in any room where I have journeyed, but once in Melbourne. I have not felt the need of fire. 13LtMs, Lt 171, 1898, par. 2

Since writing the above, I have looked over our orange trees. They [were] set out two years last September. They are full of fruit—nice large oranges. Lemon trees which we have set are not in bearing yet. They are not as quick to bear as the oranges. We have apple trees and plum and fig trees. 13LtMs, Lt 171, 1898, par. 3

Three years ago last July Mrs. May Lacey White, Ella May White, and Mabel White, with our span of horses and platform wagon, broke the path in the forest to our present location. Two years ago last July we built the first brush fire for clearing, then hired men to fell the immense monarch trees to prepare a place for building. We pitched three tents and I lived in my large square tent. I wrote my articles and books and directed the workmen. I had our hired man to whom I gave my orders to be given to the workmen. The last of September the bullock team—seven span—with a large plough broke the soil only in furrows, and these furrows were prepared for our setting of the trees. One year ago the last of November I ate the fruit from the peach trees, most delicious to the taste. In a few months the team came again to plow the entire ground. I have a house built for my farmer family and a small house for my over-run family to occupy when essential. 13LtMs, Lt 171, 1898, par. 4

I have three lady workers who prepare the matter that I place in their hands for books and articles for the paper. My son Willie will take hold of my work in a few weeks and give himself wholly to my bookmaking and to the work of ministry. I have now an excellent schoolteacher who had been employed in Africa as the preceptress of the school there. I needed her talent and she engages with me in preparing my writings for the press. I should be pleased to meet you in our Sunnyside home. 13LtMs, Lt 171, 1898, par. 5

I have had many interruptions, but you will excuse poor writing. Much respect to yourself and family. 13LtMs, Lt 171, 1898, par. 6