Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Lt 23, 1867

Smith, Harriet; Amadon, Martha; Cornell, Cornelia

Wright, Michigan

January 6, 1867

Previously unpublished.

Dear Sisters Harriet [Smith], Martha [Amadon], and Cornelia [Cornell]:

I wish you to purchase for me [some] empress cloth, dark brown or some suitable color, and make me [a] dress sack and loose pants just like Sister Lay’s. You may get the cloth I mentioned, or any other suitable material and color as your judgment may decide, and make me up a model short dress. I do not think the dress I have [is] proper to stand before a large congregation to represent the short dress; just the kind of dress in style and material will be imitated by others. I would not ask you [to] do this work. Hire it done if you can, but see that it is done just right. I want a model dress. The pants pattern that I had at Martha’s and brought home is the pattern to cut from. My dress pattern, I think, is in the kitchen closet. Look for it yourself. You will find it without difficulty. Please get me one dozen buttons with eyelets in them to put on shirt of James. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 1

I have spoken to the people here eleven times with freedom. Today has been a hard day with me. I have read forty-seven pages of reproof to different ones, and it has almost used me up. James talked yesterday forenoon [for] one hour with great clearness; this forenoon [for] two hours. He feels the burden of the work as he never has before since his illness. I shall keep him out just as long as I can, for he is improving; seems much as he used to do. I labored speaking to the people one hour and three quarters yesterday afternoon, and there was deep feeling in the meeting. Such testimonies as I have had to bear today have told upon my strength more than all the labor I have hitherto performed. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 2

Please get that dress up, if you can, and send it [so] that I can have it next Sabbath. I want the two cotton flannel suits, mentioned in my letter to Jenny—one for Willie and one for me. Send James’ black ribbed pants that he wore last winter. Also Willie’s slips. Send James’ summer draditary coat. I would give a good price for a neat, suitable coat for James to wear in meeting, but suppose it [is] impossible to obtain one. If that box has come from Adams Center, I would like a couple of pairs of socks sent. I have not [yet] had time to knit any, and James is about destitute. Please send Willie’s everyday pants; put in Willie’s geography. I want my pants made loose like Sister Lay’s. If there was a dress maker I could trust, I would employ one here, but there is not. You can get the length from the black ladies cloth—about six inches shorter than that. Send James’ new boots that I bought in Conn. And if the paper and envelopes I sent for have not been sent, send them. Get me Edward’s book for Willie to read, and get me one or two of the new books in the office that he has not had, and send [them] for him to read. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 3

God has blessed our labors in this place and I believe we are in the way of our duty. The dress question I make as important as the diet, and I must represent it just right. Don’t put my pocket so high or so much [in] front as in my short dress last made. Don’t stand for price; get a good thing just right. Send these things by express to Berlin, Ott., c/o., Eld. James White. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 4

I have a rabbit skin either up in the open chamber in a pillow case or in that closet in [the] kitchen below. I have a faint recollection of bringing it from the chamber but do not remember distinctly. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 5

If that little gold watch is not disposed of, please send it to me in express package for me to use until mine can be repaired. Mine [is] all broken down—cover off and crystal broken. We have had an express invitation to go to Greenville and make it our home at Bro. Maynard’s. We shall do so when our duty is done here. Love to all our interested friends. Write us a letter we shall be very glad to hear from you. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 6

Ellen G. White

Interest yourself to get some books for Willie. He is so lonesome and no books at all for him to read. I can’t spare him, for he must wait on his father while I write. I wish while Edson is at home Uriah and George and Myron will manifest an interest in him and labor for his salvation. I have been writing him earnest importuning letters. It may be now a good time for him to reflect and make a start. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 7

Ellen G. White

Jenny, no need to send the plaid flannel as I have purchased cloth for shirts for James. 1LtMs, Lt 23, 1867, par. 8