December 13, 1850, Paris, Maine 1EGWLM 263.1
Letter to Identity: The information given in the third paragraph that the Lovelands live in Johnson or vicinity makes it clear that this letter is addressed to Reuben and Belinda Loveland of Johnson, Vermont. The inference is strengthened by the fact that all nine references to “Loveland” in the Review before 1853 are prefixed “Reuben” or “R.” or “B.” See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Reuben Loveland,” Vermont, Lamoille County, Johnson, p. 64; search term “Loveland” in Words of the Pioneers.
Reuben and Belinda Loveland.1
Portions of this letter are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, pp. 31, 32; vol. 4, p. 270; vol. 5, p. 226; vol. 6, p. 252; vol. 8, p. 223; vol. 9, pp. 98, 99.
A letter to personal friends containing news and spiritual encouragement. 1EGWLM 263.3
Dear Brother and Sister Loveland:
We have waited some time for an answer to our last,2 This is probably a reference to Ellen White's letter to the Lovelands of November 1, 1850 (Lt 26, 1850).
Our last conference3 A notice in the November 1850 issue of The Present Truth announced “a conference of the brethren at Paris, Me., Nov. 16, to hold over the first day.” That this Paris conference is the one Ellen White alludes to becomes very clear when one examines a letter she wrote to Mary Nichols sometime before December 12 describing a Paris conference in very similar language: • “All fell upon their knees, some were crying for mercy, others for a closer walk with God, and some for salvation” (Lt 31 to Mary Nichols). • “All were upon their knees, some were crying for mercy … , others were begging for a closer walk with God and for salvation” (Lt 30 to the Lovelands). See: [No title], Present Truth, November 1850, p. 88; Ellen G. White, Lt 31, 1850 (Dec.). On ecstatic phenomena in early Adventist worship, see Appendix article “Ellen White and Religious Enthusiasm in Early Adventist Experience” and EGWEnc, s.v. “Ecstatic Experiences.” Arthur L. White sees the tide turning against “emotionalism” in Adventist worship after Ellen White's vision of December 24, 1850, which contained cautions concerning ecstatic exercises. See: Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 195, 200-203.
Are you free in Johnson [Vermont]? Does God manifest Himself to you? Are the dead weights shaken off? You, of course, have nothing to do with Terry;5 This is the only mention of “Terry” in Ellen White's writings. No identification has been made. The two most recent conferences in Vermont attended by the Whites were held in Johnson (July 6, 7, 1850) and Sutton (Sept. 26-29, 1850). Although not specifically mentioning “Terry,” Ellen White writes of a confrontation with certain “fanatical spirits” at the Johnson conference. See: W. [James White], “Our Tour East,” Advent Review, August 1850, p. 15; “Conferences,” Advent Review, November 1850, p. 72; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 131, 132.
Oh, what a time this is! Oh, how carefully do we need to walk before God! Time is almost finished. Oh, do, do be free. Make one mighty struggle for victory and you will have it. I warn all of you to ply the oar and every one row his own boat up stream. The wind and tide is against us. Multitudes are going downstream, and we, if we enter the port of glory, must press our way through the multitudes and row for our life (eternal life) up stream. Will we row? One cannot row another's boat. We must strive for heaven with all our might. Every one has a part to act and something to do in the cause of God. None of you should keep silent in your meetings. Surely every one who has tasted of the powers of the world to come can say something in honor of the lovely Jesus. Eternal life we are striving for. Shall we get discouraged? No, no. The riches of Eden are before us and we must pass through the strait if we would enter the wide. Let us double our diligence to make our calling and election sure. Victory, victory, will be ours if we endure a little longer. 1EGWLM 264.2
I do beg and pray to be more like Jesus that I may reflect His lovely image. More and more I long to be filled with all the fullness of God. It is our privilege to rejoice in a whole Saviour, One that saves us from all sin. We will not rest unless we know the length and breadth, height and depth of perfect love. I expect you are buffeted by the enemy. Do not yield one inch to him. Let faith be in lively exercise. Let it enter within the second veil and take hold upon the most excellent glory. 1EGWLM 264.3
Dear Brother Rhodes [Samuel W. Rhodes]7 Identity: Only Samuel W. Rhodes fits the description of an itinerant preacher surnamed “Rhodes” in 1850. The announcement in The Present Truth of “a conference of the brethren at Paris, Me., Nov. 16” adds, “We hope that Bro. Rhodes will meet with us.” See: [No title], Present Truth, November 1850, p. 88. The Review of January 1851 notes that “Brn. Rhodes and Andrews returned from Eastern Maine Dec. 31. They found a good number … who joyfully received the truth.” See: [No title], Review, January 1851, p. 31. These letters are not in the White Estate archives. An allusion to a widely publicized dream William Miller had in 1847. Central to the dream were jewels covered in dust and rubbish. A man with a “dirt-brush” entered the room, and brushed away the rubbish, restoring the brilliance of the precious stones. James White published the vision in The Present Truth in 1850. According to White's interpretation, the dust and rubbish represent the “darkness and error” that had covered “the clear light of … the third angel's message.” See: “Brother Miller's Dream,” Present Truth, May 1850, p. 75. Also published in James White, ed., Brother Miller's Dream.
I had the privilege of being with my oldest boy [Henry Nichols White] two weeks.12 Henry Nichols White, now aged 3, had lived with the family of Stockbridge Howland in Topsham, Maine, since he was 1 year old. During this travel itinerary in the autumn of 1850 Ellen and James White had the opportunity to meet Henry during the conference in Topsham, October 12-13. After a visit to Fairhaven, Massachusetts, the following weekend, Ellen White returned to Topsham and spent some time with Henry, among other things taking him to Gorham, Maine, to visit his grandparents. See: Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 135, 136, 283; “Conferences,” Advent Review, November 1850, p. 72; Ellen G. White, Lt 26, 1850 (Nov. 1). James Edson White, 1 year old, was looked after at this time by Clarissa Bonfoey, probably at the home of Ira and Rhoda Abbey in Brookfield, New York. In August 1851 Edson and Clarissa rejoined the White family in Saratoga Springs, New York. See: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 143, 152.
I wish I could see you. I have much I should love to say to you [but] I cannot write much. Love to your eldest daughter.14 Anne D., age 18, married to Orange Bailey. See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Orange Bailey,” Vermont, Lamoille County, Johnson, p. 64; obituary: “Ann D. Bailey,” Review, Oct. 16, 1856, p. 191. Florinda Loveland, aged 16. See: Obituary: “Florinda Loveland,” Review, Dec. 27, 1855, p. 103.
When I wrote you last I was bound in spirit. I had no liberty. I could not tell the reason I was [not] free before I commenced to write. Perhaps I ought not to have written. 1EGWLM 266.2
I hear, by the by, that Mrs. Foster has gone to live with her husband.16 There is insufficient information in this letter or in other available materials from the 1850s to be certain about the identity of “Mrs. Foster” or to explain more fully the nature of her domestic problems. No further information about the healing of S. W. Rhodes during this period has been found in the writings of Ellen White or in early publications.
I have got a glimpse of what God is preparing for His children and it has spoiled this world for me. Everything here looks desolate and dreary. The glorious charms of heaven attract my soul above. Oh, what could we poor mortals do without a God? We do not deserve the least of His notice. What can it be that the high and lofty One, He who taketh up the isles as a very little thing, and the nations before Him are as but a drop in the bucket; yet He condescends to us who are as the small dust of the balance. Yes, even the hairs of our head are numbered. Oh, let us humble ourselves before the mighty God of Jacob. Thanks be to God for His goodness to such poor worms. I do love Jesus. He is my all and in all. I do love Him with my whole soul, and my very being cries out after the living God. Stem the current a little longer. Press your way to the kingdom. 1EGWLM 266.4
James sends love to you all that love God in sincerity and truth. He joins with me in the above. Pray for me. 1EGWLM 267.1
In much love. 1EGWLM 267.2
E. G. White
Be sure and, just as soon as you get this, write us all the particulars, how you are. Do not forget to answer this immediately. 1EGWLM 267.3