[May 18, 19, 1851,1 The date of writing is not given. However, in the nineteenth-century record book that preserves this letter, it immediately follows on the same page as a vision account ends (Ms 5, 1851), thus suggesting that the two items are related. As indicated in the notes below, the contents of Lt 10, 1851 (May 18) suggest that it is a kind of add-on to Ms 5, 1851, and that it is written on the same day as Ms 5, Sunday, May 18, 1851, with a postscript added the following day, Monday, May 19, 1851. The place of writing is not given in the original source. However, it is known that the Whites were in Paris, Maine, on May 18-19, 1851 (see note 1). See: Ellen G. White, Ms 5, 1851 (May 18).
Letter to Identity: No doubt referring to the itinerant preacher Samuel W. Rhodes, the only “Rhodes” mentioned in the Review prior to 1857. See: Search term “Rhodes” in Words of the Pioneers.
Samuel W. Rhodes.3
Previously unpublished.
Brief letter of greetings and news to accompany a longer vision account (Ms 5, 1851). 1EGWLM 282.3
Dear Brother Rhodes:
I have written this vision to you4 As mentioned in note 1, the physical contiguousness of this letter with Ms 5, 1851, suggests that the two documents are related. In Ms 5, dated May 18, 1851, Ellen White gives a general account to Rhodes of her vision on May 14. It appears that Lt 10 is an addendum to the vision account in which Ellen White personally addresses Samuel Rhodes, asking him to relate her vision to others, where that would be profitable. Identity: In the vision account (Ms 5, 1851) to which this letter appears to be the sequel Ellen White also speaks of “Bro. John,” of Paris, Maine. Reasons are given there (note 5) for identifying “John” with John Nevins Andrews. Ellen White was instructed that Andrews should not stay long with his parents in Paris but “must go and write.” This instruction correlates well with the report given here (Lt 10) that “John will go from here in a few days.” From notices in the Review we know that J. N. Andrews left Paris by June 1851, not to return to his parental home for any length of time until his health failed in 1855. See: Joseph Bates, “Letters,” Review, Aug. 5, 1851, p. 6; [Notice], Review, Sept. 2, 1851, p. 24; [Notice], Review, Mar. 23, 1852, p. 112; “The Office,” Review, Feb. 20, 1855, p. 182. For details of Andrews's travels as reported in the Review, see search term “Andrews” in Words of the Pioneers.
We have good victory in our prayer seasons. God often meets with us, and blesses us, and we feel to triumph in the God of our salvation. Satan has been making mighty efforts to overthrow us, but God has been holding us up, praise His dear name. We are determined to hold the victory, and come off conquerors. 1EGWLM 283.1
One week ago last Sabbath we went up to Bro. Davis's [Charles and Harriet Davis]6 Identity: The only Sabbathkeeping Davis family in the vicinity of Paris, Maine, during the 1850s was that of Charles and Harriet Davis, living in nearby Woodstock. See: Obituary, “Charles Davis,” Review, June 17, 1884, p. 399; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Charles Davis,” Maine, Oxford County, Woodstock, p. 203; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Maine, Oxford County, Woodstock, p. 753; search term “Davis” in Words of the Pioneers. Identity: The conference is identified as having taken place “here,” i.e., in Paris, Maine. The only Sabbathkeeping Stevens family known to live in Paris during this period is that of Cyprian and Almira Stevens. According to a notice in the Review, Samuel Rhodes was invited to speak at a conference held in Paris six months earlier, on November 16, 1850. It is probable that this is the conference referred to here. See: [Notice about Paris conference], Present Truth, November 1850, p. 88; search term “Stevens” in Words of the Pioneers.
I must close, for I have many letters to write today.8 Of these, only Lt 10, 1851, and Ms 5, 1851 (May 18), are found in the White Estate archives.
In much love, in haste. 1EGWLM 283.4
E. G. White
Monday morning.9 See: Notes 1 and 4 above.
We were called up last night by Sister Andrews. Bro. A. [Sarah L. and Edward Andrews]10 Identity: While living in Paris, Maine, from late 1850 to the summer of 1851, the Whites boarded at the house of Edward and Sarah Andrews, parents of J. N. Andrews. See: James White to E. P. Butler, Dec. 12, 1861.