Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 147, 1894

White, W. C.

Norfolk Villa, Prospect Street, Granville, New South Wales, Australia

June 1894

Portions of this letter are published in 4Bio 141-142.

Dear Son Willie:

I was glad to receive your postal mailed at Albury. I am thankful to our Heavenly Father for His watchcare over you. I think you will be interested to read the letter which I enclose. 9LtMs, Lt 147, 1894, par. 1

Brother Stewart came yesterday. He says he is willing to take two hundred acres of land, the poorest you have purchased for school grounds, for the price paid for it. He is much pleased with his investigation of the grounds and thinks you will look a long time before you will see anything that will in many respects compare with it. Yestereve he rode to Seven Hills with S. T. Belden with the windows for the church. Today they have gone to Kellyville. 9LtMs, Lt 147, 1894, par. 2

I have sent provisions for Brother Jones’ family. He cannot get work, only a job now and then. They are destitute of food and clothing. He keeps up good courage in the Lord, but there are many families destitute and it hurts my soul. Just how far I ought to go on my own judgment I do not know. Brother James, I understand, has four children and some days has had nothing to eat but wild berries. But we have sent them flour, beans, peas, cornstarch, cabbages, turnips, and potatoes enough to last them a little time. Perhaps help will come. 9LtMs, Lt 147, 1894, par. 3

But there must be certain ones appointed to look into the situation and teach some, like Brother McCann’s family, how to make the best use of their land, and meanwhile they must be helped and instructed as well. I am troubled. I cannot help it. I want a little more good judgment and sound counsel on how to manage this poverty question. Our people must be helped and educated and trained how to help themselves. Brother James has been waiting to have an opening on the school ground where he is willing to do anything if he can get bread for his family. Can anything be devised that he can be set at work on the school grounds and live in a tent or some place else and subsist until the Lord shall open the way for him? 9LtMs, Lt 147, 1894, par. 4

I have not time to write much, but I feel as though I can scarcely eat or sleep while my brethren are suffering. 9LtMs, Lt 147, 1894, par. 5

I rode in the park yesterday. All are as well as usual. Emily is here, hurrying me. The Lord bless you all in your convention is my prayer. 9LtMs, Lt 147, 1894, par. 6

Mother.