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Lt 5, 1851 1EGWLM 317

December 14, 1851, Saratoga Springs, New York 1EGWLM 317.1

Letter to
Robert Barnes.1

Identity: A useful indication of Barnes's identity is the greeting toward the end of the letter, “Much love to Brother and Sister Flanders,” the implication being that they live in the same vicinity. An examination of notices appearing in the Review from this period reveals a Robert Barnes and an S. W. Flanders, both living in Canaan, Maine. Thus it is reasonable to suppose that Ellen White is addressing Robert Barnes.

See: “Appointments,” Review, May 27, 1852, p. 16; “Agents,” Review, Jan. 6, 1853, p. 136.

 1EGWLM 317.2

Portions of this letter are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, p. 225; Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, p. 224.

Vision against the use of tobacco. 1EGWLM 317.3

Dear Brother Barnes:

I received a few lines from Bro. Hewett [Oren Hewett].2

Identity: This letter is not in the White Estate archives. However, the receipt of a letter from “O. Hewett” is recorded in the “Letters Received” section of the Review, December 9, 1851. The name “O. Hewett” (“Oren Hewett”) appears frequently in the Review from 1850 until his death in Rochester, New York, in 1855.

See: Search term “Hewett” in Words of the Pioneers.

 He wishes me to write whether I have seen in vision it is wrong to use tobacco. 1EGWLM 317.4

I have seen in vision that tobacco was a filthy weed, and that it must be laid aside or given up.3

The date of the vision or visions referred to here is not given. According to James White, writing many years later, the earliest vision given Ellen White against tobacco was in the autumn of 1848. No contemporary account of that vision has been preserved. The 1848 date, however, is confirmed by Joseph Bates in January 1849. Of this “idle and sinful habit,” he writes, “God has shown several times by visions that He disapprobates it in every way.”

See: EGWEnc, s.v. “Tobacco”; James White, “Western Tour,” Review, Nov. 8, 1870, p. 165; Joseph Bates, A Seal of the Living God, p. 67. For broader analyses of the part played by Ellen White's visions in the emerging health consciousness of Sabbatarian Adventists, see P. Gerard Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission, pp. 221-241; Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord, pp. 278-309.

 Said my accompanying angel, “If it is an idol it is high time it was given up, and unless it is given up the frown of God will be upon the one that uses it and he cannot be sealed with the seal of the living God.4

See: EGWEnc, s.v. “Seal of God.”

 If it is used as a medicine,5

Inhaling tobacco smoke, according to folklore dating back to Indian traditions, was an effective treatment against coughs, bronchitis, asthma, etc. It is possible that Oren Hewett, who was “wasting with consumption” for several years before his death in 1855, was smoking to treat his cough, or considering doing so, and had written to Ellen White for counsel on the matter.

See: David Armstrong and Elizabeth Metzger Armstrong, The Great American Medicine Show, p. 14; obituary: “Oren Hewett,” Review, May 1, 1855, p. 222.

 Go to God, He is the great Physician and those that use the filthy weed for medicine greatly dishonor God.” There is a “balm in Gilead”; there is a “physician there.” “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” 1EGWLM 317.5

I saw that Christ will have a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing to present to His Father, and as He leads us through the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem, or the golden city, Jesus will look upon His redeemed children and see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Glory be to God; that will be a great salvation, purchased for us by our lovely Saviour. If we are followers of the lovely Jesus, our Pattern, we are safe. He denied Himself. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. If we are made partakers with Him of His glory, we must be partakers with Him of His sufferings. And after Jesus has done so much for us, will anyone be undecided whether to deny himself of the filthy weed for His sake? 1EGWLM 318.1

We must be perfect Christians, deny ourselves all the way along, tread the narrow, thorny pathway that our Jesus trod, and then if we are final overcomers, heaven, sweet heaven, will be cheap enough. 1EGWLM 318.2

Those who have been in the habit of using tobacco will have a struggle to leave it off, but they must not be discouraged. If they cannot overcome by praying to God themselves, let them be as humble as Brother Rhodes [Samuel W. Rhodes]6

Identity: No doubt Samuel W. Rhodes. No other Rhodes is mentioned in the Review in the early 1850s.

See: Search term “Rhodes” in Words of the Pioneers.

 was. When he was leaving off using tobacco he called for the brethren to pray for him and we did. He was cured and has desired none since. Go to God, dear brother, wrestle with Him and you can overcome; pray in faith, nothing doubting. Jesus will be touched with the brother's infirmities. We are all as well as usual here. Be of good courage, Brother Barnes. “Be humble, be little, be meek, and be low, for Jesus our Saviour was abundantly so.” 1EGWLM 318.3

Much love to Brother and Sister Flanders. I hope they will be overcomers and push the battle to the gate. Love to your wife, and all that love God. 1EGWLM 318.4

James [James Springer White] is very busy writing for the paper.7

I.e., the Review.

Night before last the papers came off about eight o'clock at night. We sat up and wrapped and folded them, all about three bushels, so as to get them in the office the next morn. We did not retire to rest until past one o'clock A.M. I must close. 1EGWLM 318.5

In love. 1EGWLM 318.6