Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 40, 1876

White, W. C.; White, Mary

Milton Junction, Vermont

August 22, 1876

Previously unpublished.

Dear Children, Willie and Mary:

We have just received and read your very welcome letters. We feel ever glad to hear from you. Your good letters were read with interest. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 1

Our camp meeting here has not been the most encouraging or successful. The location was wrong to commence with, but we had good outside attendance all the way through. It was much better in this respect than we feared it would be. Very many excellent discourses were preached. But Sunday morning I was taken sick and suffered much for two days. Evening after the Sabbath closed my labors on the ground. It is now Tuesday noon and I am still very weak. We shall take sleeping car tonight for our next meeting. Be at Groveland Wednesday morning. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 2

I have regretted leaving Oakland. I am not in good health, yet I try to keep up good courage. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 3

(Private). Children I think your father’s mind is changing and he is looking some to Oakland. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 4

For two days I have kept my bed; very trying position in a camp meeting when all are desirous to have your labors and cannot have them. Two thousand and half of people were on the ground Sunday, but our people seem to be rather discouraged. Here we met some of the oldest friends of the cause. These we had been acquainted with twenty-six years. Precious souls; we never expect to meet them again in this world and yet how short the time, if they and we are faithful, when we shall meet them nevermore to part. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 5

I pant for home where the weary shall rest. But we must wait patiently all the days of our appointed time. He that endureth unto the end shall receive the crown of life. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 6

Your father is worn. He needs rest, very much. Mary [Clough] is suffering from severe cold. She is having a great time sneezing and coughing. She is this moment finishing the copying of the balance of the article she mailed to you this morning. I do not remember what I did write. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 7

The people have left the ground mostly. Mary is sitting on one bed, I on the other, and we [are] writing. Both our productions will go to Oakland. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 8

In regard to resuming the history of my life, I have found no time as yet to crowd in the matter. We have both overworked during the first series of camp meetings. Your father has not lost interest in the Signs. He thinks you are getting along well with the paper. He regrets that he cannot do more in writing, but it is impossible. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 9

Mary, in reporting, has to sit up very much nights because she cannot write days without much interruption. She feels an interest for the Signs. She sat up till midnight to send you the matter she did. I do not want to start out in the paper again until we can continue the narrative. Only keep up good courage, my dear children, and help will come. You only need to do the best you can and trust in the Mighty One. This work is the Lord’s. It is not the work of man. God will work with our efforts. We may not see that we are making much progress but for all that we may be advancing far more than our short human sight can perceive. I see that what we all need is faith, more perfect trust, more thorough consecration. Oh, the times demand that we daily dedicate ourselves to God and that [we] search our hearts daily and with humility of soul, feel our weakness and dependence and cast all our care and burdens upon Jesus. We want a deep and living experience daily in the things of God. We want to be conversant with our heavenly Father. We are not safe in having our minds diverted from Christ for a single instant. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 10

Children, make God your Friend in all your trials. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 11

I see the time is exceedingly precious and we want to make right moves, and in the fear of God labor where our work will best glorify the Master. Jesus is ready to help you, children, to enlighten and strengthen and bless you. Only cling to Jesus firmly. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 12

A package of the Signs came after the people had nearly all left. I wish they had come a little sooner. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 13

We were glad to see W. C. White had given an article. We hope both of you will do more writing. We know you have heart and soul full and we hope you will not in any way be discouraged. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 14

Brother Henry Kellogg is here with his family. He received a telegram to come home. His father died very suddenly. His father died with bilious colic. Poor man, backslidden from God. He then remained to attend the deathbed of his sister Alice. She came out and embraced the truth some two or three years ago, but her sister, an unbeliever, ridiculed her and this she could not stand. She backslid. She was coming down with consumption, and when very weak her heart, which she had hardened in resisting the Spirit of God, was softened. She requested baptism. Brother Hutchins thought she could be baptized in a bathtub, but she said, No, take me to the river. She was taken to the stream in a buggy and urged that she might be permitted to walk in herself. Her request was granted. She endured the taxation remarkably. This was her last chance. You remember the catarrhal difficulty in her head. Well, some seven weeks before she died, she was insane, and thus died. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 15

I have had a talk with Brother Henry Kellogg in reference to his dangers while connected with the work in Battle Creek. I tell him he needs to consecrate himself fully to God, set his heart right and have a practical knowledge of the mystery of godliness. He is, I told him, in danger of seeing the big work to do and overlooking the littles. He will fail to keep up the work thoroughly unless he is faithful in that which is least. If God sees that he is faithful in the duties lying directly in his path, he will be entrusted with greater responsibilities. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 16

Brother Charlie Stone and his wife will immediately go to Battle Creek to work as the way opens. Brother Hutchins seems good. I think Brother Bourdeau has been making rather of a large spread at considerable expense and but little to show as the result. It needs men of wisdom to manage in these close, hard times or expenses will be run up that will involve the cause in embarrassment. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 17

We intend remaining on the ground this night and have one day of retirement and rest. We may leave here tomorrow morning or tomorrow night. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 18

I am glad you have rented the house, for this will bring in a little means. All outgoes and no income is rather discouraging. I think your rent is reasonable and enough. I would be very glad to see you in Oakland, but we may not be there for some time. 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 19

We have decided to go tonight. So good-by. Love to all friends, 3LtMs, Lt 40, 1876, par. 20

Mother.