Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 255, 1902

White, J. E.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

January 28, 1902

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son Edson,—

I am pleased with your letters to the publishing houses. This is the spirit you are to maintain. But do not be free to speak of the great profits coming on your books. Your boat-building is not in harmony with your work. However good the motive may be, it is a venture in speculation; and as I have helped you, and all know that I have done this, there will certainly be conclusions drawn. As the people shall see your offices so nicely furnished, they do not take in the pressing call for help. They think that if less was expended it would be more in harmony with the pleas made. Now, Edson, be careful how you move. There should be working as your father and I have worked. 17LtMs, Lt 255, 1902, par. 1

Now I would say, Be cautious. You are too outspoken. You should not break out into speech as you have done to Brother Palmer against your own brother. If there is a man in all our ranks who has worked unselfishly and upon the most pure principles, it is W. C. White. I know how the Lord regards his labor. Any lack of confidence you manifest in him will not be in your favor, for he has been willing modestly and humbly to walk and work, notwithstanding he has been left in hard places, to stand alone to bear reproach—and never, never a jot of it should come on him. Yet he had no words of reproach for those who allowed him to carry the blame of their own wrongs. 17LtMs, Lt 255, 1902, par. 2

When you break out as you have done before his own mother, who knows him well, what can I suppose is the kind of spirit that works you to do this? I have been grieved to the heart. And if you and so injudicious in your speech about one who does not deserve your censure, what confidence can I have in your wise discrimination? The Lord is with W. C. White, and although he may make mistakes, they are the least of any man that I know of that lives. I know what I am talking about. He has been my counselor and to me a great blessing, and he takes my counsel. He is a man of firm principle and clear understanding, as I have reason to know. 17LtMs, Lt 255, 1902, par. 3

Now make haste slowly with your speeches. We are all making history, and I want your history to be one that God shall commend as one who is an overcomer. I do not advise you to take hold of the food business: it means so much, and you will become involved in a large outlay of means. I advise you to take hold of the book business. These book sales are dead enough. 17LtMs, Lt 255, 1902, par. 4

And I beg of you do not use my name as an influence to sustain you in any of your plans or methods. Let my name lie still if you want me to have the standing the Lord would have me to have among His people. I know you are uprooting my influence in your effort to build up your enterprise. The people are sore over the idea of the free drawing of means to help the Southern field, and when they learn (as they will learn) in regard to money laid out to build a boat, then they will consider who knew ... [remainder missing] 17LtMs, Lt 255, 1902, par. 5