Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 189, 1904

White, May Lacey

Nashville, Tennessee

June 6, 1904

Portions of this letter are published in 3MR 52-54.

My dear daughter May Lacey White,—

How pleased we should be to see your pleasant face and to hear your voice and to see the children, Henry and Herbert and Grace. Dear children, you must try to help your mother all you possibly can; for your father is not at home to encourage her and to help to bear the burdens. I pray for you all and love you all. I pray that the Lord Jesus will make you kind and patient and gentle and obedient. Your father would be pleased to be with you. He would greatly enjoy the society of your mother and of his children. But there are many things that must be done at this time which your father can do. Just as soon as we have done what must be done, we shall return to our home in St. Helena. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 1

Henry and Herbert, you are growing old enough to be able to study, able to exercise your physical and mental powers. You are to learn to pray and to be obedient. In this way you can be a great blessing to your mother, and she will not grieve so much because of your father’s absence. The Lord Jesus will be pleased because you are trying to be His own little children. You are to be always truthful and always kind and pleasant and gentle and obedient to your dear mother. Do not do or say anything that will grieve her heart. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 2

We are looking forward to the time when the Saviour shall come in the clouds of heaven to gather His jewels to Himself. I pray that you, my dear grandchildren, shall be among the number who shall be called true and pure and faithful, fitted to become members of the royal family. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 3

You are now old enough to know what it means to be obedient to your father and mother. I pray that you will always remember that the Son of God so loved you that He died that you might have everlasting life. But if you do not love Jesus, if you do not try to do those things that will please Him, your characters will not be pure and true. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 4

You remember how the mothers brought their children to Jesus, that He might bless them. At first there were only one or two mothers. They were joined by others, and when they reached Jesus, there were quite a number of mothers and children. They were weary and dusty, but O so anxious to come into Christ’s presence and receive His blessing. Christ had watched these mothers and their little ones all along the way. He heard the disciples forbidding them to come to Him, and He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 19:14.] And He took the children in His arms, close to His great heart of love, and blessed them. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 5

These children never forgot the kind, gentle words that the Saviour spoke to them. The mothers were never tired of repeating these words. Both to mothers and children the occurrence was a constant wellspring of joy. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 6

Children, your father and mother are trying to do their best for you. They try to keep you from doing that which will displease the Lord Jesus. They present you to the Saviour, that He may keep you from all harm. Every day you are to remember that you are under the keeping power of Him who sees every action that you do and hears every word that you speak. You must seek to help yourselves by doing those things that will be pleasing in the sight of God, who is too pure and holy to regard with approval anything like falsehood or deception. You are old enough now to try to do right. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 7

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, who in his youth was a minister of the gospel: “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” [2 Timothy 3:14-17.] 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 8

I must now stop. I leave this letter with you, asking you to think of what I have written, and obey my words. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 9

Your Grandmother. 19LtMs, Lt 189, 1904, par. 10