Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 122, 1908

Haskell, Brother and Sister

St. Helena, California

April 26, 1908

Portions of this letter are published in 7MR 405-406; 6Bio 168. +^Note

Elder S. N. Haskell
Box 597
Oakland, California

Dear Brother and Sister Haskell:

Since I wrote to you I have been from home making a short visit to Lake Co. We left last Sunday, one week ago, leaving home at half-past four in the morning. I had been much overtaxed with writing and felt that I was getting quite used up. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 1

Our party consisted of W. C. White, Prof. E. A. Sutherland, Sara, Brother James, and myself. I rode with Willie in our comfortable phaeton, Brother James leading the way in the platform wagon, in which the rest of our party were seated. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 2

We drove to Calistoga and after passing through the town began the ascent of a mountain road that was very steep and narrow. For some weeks before this, I had been unable to ride for more than two hours at a time, and we doubted if I could take so long a journey as this to Lake Co.; but I stood it wonderfully well. The air was bracing and made fragrant by the budding pines and hemlocks and wild flowers. This seemed to have a healing influence on me, and I went the entire distance of fifty-two miles without having to break the journey, except as we stopped by the way to eat breakfast and dinner. We took our meals by a stream of water and very much enjoyed eating our health foods in the open air. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 3

It was nearly night when we reached our destination, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbutt. They were pleased to see us and gave us a hearty welcome. We were sorry to find Mr. Hurlbutt having to get about by the aid of crutches. For three years he has been afflicted with rheumatism of the limbs and now is suffering from partial paralysis. He promised that he would come to the St. Helena Sanitarium, where he can be prescribed for by Dr. Rand. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 4

I have read the short letters you have sent me in regard to attending the camp-meeting. I shall be glad to meet you there. Let us come in simplicity of true faith and with strong trust in the Lord God of Israel. Let us come in fullest confidence, believing that God will work out His will and purpose to His own name’s glory. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 5

I have wanted to write you more definitely concerning the matter of publishing of which you wrote me; but I have had many things presented to me which have engaged my thought and time. I cannot here give you my experiences; but the instruction that has been given to me has brought me great blessing. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 6

I wrote you briefly concerning the publication of Early Writings, that I could not consent to the plan by which you proposed to help me out of debt. Counsel was given me by God recommending the steps that you and I should take in this emergency. What ever may be the loss, I would not have brought into the work at this time one experience that would unsettle minds or bring discouragement to our publishing houses. The fact that you, as president of the conference, were carrying out plans for my benefit would be turned against me by our enemies, and this would hurt the cause of God. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 7

The Lord would not have you or me bring in an order of things that would give our enemies a chance to present either of us in a false light before the people. We should say as little as possible in regard to striking out on our own individual responsibility. The use that might be made of any such course would bring discouragement to our publishing houses. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 8

I cannot at this time present the matter to you as I would be pleased to do. The whole publishing fraternity is being placed in an unfavorable light before the people who feel that too large a price is charged for the work done at our houses. Those who have withdrawn from our ranks are making the most of this; through false statements they are making a mountain out of a molehill. You have some difficult and thorough work before you, and you will need the influence of the leading workers to sustain you in it. Therefore give them no occasion to feel that you are working against them. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 9

This is a time when each movement should be made only after careful consideration. Many are ignorant of the true character of your work and will misinterpret your actions. And for myself, I prefer to go on as I have done, paying one thousand dollars’ interest, rather than that any disturbing element should come into the work at this juncture. Our work is a most solemn and sacred one. Let nothing be done that will give occasion for it to be evil spoken of. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 10

I have taken my stand firmly upon this subject. If there are those who are deprived of the books, because of the price charged, then let a contribution be taken up for the benefit of those who cannot buy for themselves. Our publishing houses themselves can help in this matter by making gifts for the benefit of those who, unaided, could not procure the books. Let us never, by word or act, cast the reflection upon our publishing houses that they are not reliable. A great principle is involved here. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 11

We would have all respect paid to your long acquaintance with the work and to your years of experience which have made you one of the pillars of the church. And those who have had such experience need ever to bear in mind that they must move wisely in order to hold the high esteem which this knowledge and this experience bring them. I ask you to study carefully the first chapter of James. It will bring light and encouragement to you. Let us walk carefully and prayerfully before the Lord, and He will direct us in all our ways. 23LtMs, Lt 122, 1908, par. 12