White, Emma
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
December 15, 1902
Previously unpublished.
My dear Daughter Emma White,—
We have received two communications from you; the one dated the 12th received in noon mail. Oh Emma, we have not ceased to offer up our petitions at the family altar for the keeping power of God to be realized on this journey. This time of the year is certainly a precarious time for traveling, and the many accidents that are reported can but cause us anxiety for our friends who travel. And their traveling alone seems to make it still more serious. When I have thought the matter over I have said, The Lord will keep Emma. 17LtMs, Lt 266, 1902, par. 1
I am so glad for every letter received, and we pray most earnestly for you and your mother who has been true and faithful. Your mother and I are outliving our appointed period in age. Oh I wish we could see the wickedness of the wicked coming to an end. We need not expect to pass along without trials, but if we keep our hearts in trusting faith we shall have peace. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.” Trials, troubles, and hot trials must not discourage. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” [1 Peter 4:12-14.] 17LtMs, Lt 266, 1902, par. 2
All trials and troubles and annoying things are permitted. Even our Lord Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, suffered being tempted. May the Lord greatly encourage and strengthen you, both mother and daughter, is my prayer. We want to be ripening up for the future eternal life. Be strong in the Lord always. May the Lord give you, Emma, a very pleasant visit and may you be returned to your home in Nashville, and may the Lord strengthen and bless and keep you by His power, is my prayer. 17LtMs, Lt 266, 1902, par. 3
It seems a little odd to have only five members in our family. Sister Nelson is gone, but we get along nicely and have all we eat made palatable, and we are sure we shall survive the fulfillment of the three months and save quite a little sum of money to help Jessie through her student’s course. 17LtMs, Lt 266, 1902, par. 4
We have received from Whitelock a letter stating that he had just received an offer of the Potts estate for the sanitarium. They offer to dispose of the property in Paradise Valley locality for the least they have ever offered it, eleven thousand, if the bargain is closed without much delay. I wrote for their guarantee they would take it. Mrs. Potts declares the property has cost her eighty thousand, that is, the land and building and improvements. So when you and Edson visit us again, maybe we shall make a trip down there. 17LtMs, Lt 266, 1902, par. 5
In love. 17LtMs, Lt 266, 1902, par. 6