Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 45, 1875

Hall, Lucinda

Newton Campground, Newton, Iowa

June 5, 1875

Previously unpublished.

Dear Lucinda:

I have just written to Edson some particulars of our journey. A letter a few days previous was directed to Willie. We received your letter today. We are as glad to hear from you as you are to hear from us. James and Uriah are talking as fast as blackbirds chatter, so if I make mistakes you need not be surprised. We just received a good letter from Rosetta, saying the children were doing well. The baby was getting fat and heavy, hard to tend. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 1

Nathan has been fussing around getting bedsteads, and we hope to have a good, precious meeting. If you do not want the children to come, we will leave them for the present till the way is more clear for them. We miss you, Lucinda, but father is so well and cheerful, and I am so well, I do not feel the miss so much, except companionship. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 2

I have had some sewing done for me, for you know fifteen camp meetings will tax clothing some. As yet I have worn altogether the slate-colored dress and overskirt. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 3

Brother Smith says there are twenty-seven tents up and more to be pitched today. All the brethren are rejoiced to see us. Brother Butler is not here. He is in Missouri where the Allens have been at work. He does not feel right yet. I hope we shall not see him at any of the camp meetings unless he is in harmony with our work. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 4

I do not want Sister Willis’ bedsteads. When you can get a set for about fifty or at the most sixty dollars, get it, but I do not feel it duty or right to pay higher than this. You may say this to her. She can sell hers for more than we can afford to give. We see so many ways for us to use the means which God has entrusted to us to advance His cause. We cannot lay out much in furniture. There is money wanted; money we must have. I am willing to take up with cheap bedsteads until the meetinghouse is built in San Francisco and the office in Oakland. We are bound to see these enterprises through, and to see the work move prosperously. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 5

Be in no hurry to buy. (You may read this to her.) We find much real, genuine poverty among our people where we travel. They can scarcely afford comfortable clothes and convenient food. The work of God must move. We will do what we can. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 6

We have sold both places at Battle Creek at a sacrifice in order to have the means to use in California, to place the work there on the firm basis we think it should be on. We are willing to run some risks for the prosperity of this cause. Will you say to Sister Willis, one hundred dollars is all we can afford at present for two bedsets, or fifty for one? We will do almost any way. When means is not demanded as now, we may furnish our home more to our taste. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 7

We love to see good things and enjoy them as well as anyone can. But God’s cause must come first, our wants and convenience second. Jesus laid our redemption in a sacrifice. Self-denial and self-sacrifice marked the life of the Majesty of heaven. For our sakes He became poor that we through His poverty might have eternal riches. And shall we look out for our convenience and let the cause be crippled? God forbid. We see the prints of our Saviour’s footsteps in the self-denying, self-sacrificing path. We will follow where He has led the way. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 8

The work must move on in California. The cause must prosper and we will act our part with cheerfulness. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 9

Tell Sister Willis she shall never be pressed, never be crowded. Her bedsteads are very nice, better than we need. We have the greatest respect and sympathy for her. We believe she loves the cause of God and it is her highest joy to see it prosper. May the Lord bless Sister Willis and make her prosperous in Him is our earnest prayer. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 10

In love to all. 2LtMs, Lt 45, 1875, par. 11