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The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1 - Contents

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    Lt 7, 1853

    August 24, 1853, Rochester, New York1EGWLM 387.4

    Letter to
    Cyrenius and Louisa Smith.1

    Identity: Even though the letter reveals that “Brother and Sister Smith” live in the Jackson, Michigan, area, it is still difficult to identify them since there are several Smiths from that vicinity during that period as mentioned in printed sources. Apart from the well-known Cyrenius Smith family (including his wife, Louisa, and son William), there are references to “E. Smith,” “L. Smith,” and “Eliza Smith” in Jackson. Ellen White mentions a Smith family in Jackson in four letters written between July and December 1853 in a way that suggests that in all four she is referring to the same family. The only hint as to their full identity is found in the December letter. “Tell Sister C. Smith I thank her for her present. Much love to her and all that family.” This may well be a reference to Sister Cyrenius Smith and gives some reason for identifying “Bro. Smith” here as Cyrenius Smith. The notes that follow will proceed on the assumption that Cyrenius and Louisa Smith are the addressees.

    See: A. N. Seymour, “The Shut Door Sabbatarians,” Advent Harbinger, June 3, 1854, p. 395; [C. P. Russell,] “Forgive One Another,” Messenger of Truth, Oct. 19, 1854, pp. [1, 2]; search terms “Smith” and “Jackson” in Words of the Pioneers; Ellen G. White, Lt 6, 1853 (Aug. 3); Lt 7, 1853 (Aug. 24); Lt 9, 1853 (Dec. 5).

    1EGWLM 387.5

    Portions of this letter are published in Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, p. 282.

    Family news to friends in Jackson, Michigan.1EGWLM 387.6

    Dear Brother and Sister Smith:

    We received the box of things Monday; it came all safe. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. The carpet is very nice, almost too nice to lay down upon the floor of a chamber. Thank you for the labor you have bestowed upon the carpet, skirt, and gloves. Accept our united thanks for your remembrance of us. Tell little Sis,2

    This person has not been identified.

    Eddy [James Edson White, aged 4] likes his walnuts very much.3

    According to J. N. Loughborough, Cyrenius Smith, of Jackson, had earlier demonstrated his generosity in selling his farm to aid “in the prosecution of the work of the message.” Adventist historian Brian Strayer has noted the exceptional generosity of the Jackson members. The carpet mentioned here would have been a welcome addition to the large but sparsely furnished house in which not only the Whites lived but also some of the Review staff. Ellen White recounts that in all “our family numbered from fifteen to twenty” during the Rochester period.

    See: J. N. Loughborough, The Great Second Advent Movement, p. 285; Brian E. Strayer, “Early Advent Waymarks in Jackson, Michigan: Parts I & II”; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 191, 160, 161.

     Thank Sister Palmer [Abigail Palmer]4

    Identity: The only Palmer of Jackson, Michigan, mentioned in the Review during the 1850s is Dan R. Palmer. His wife's name was Abigail.

    See: Search term “Palmer” in Words of the Pioneers; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Dan R. Palmer,” Michigan, Jackson County, Jackson, Ward 4, p. 134.

     and Sister Dickinson [Celesta B. Dickinson]5

    Identity: Although there were a number of Dickinsons mentioned in the Reviews of the 1850s, the only one associated with Jackson, Michigan, was Preston Dickinson, whose wife's name was Celesta B.

    See: Search term “Dickinson and Jackson” in Words of the Pioneers; obituary: “Celesta B. Dickinson,” Review, July 20, 1869, p. 31.

     for their remembrance of me.1EGWLM 387.7

    We felt very sorry to hear of Brother Palmer's [Dan R. Palmer]6

    Identity: See on “Sister Palmer” in note 4.

    illness. I hope he is much better. May the Lord spare him to help on His cause and glorify His name.1EGWLM 388.1

    James [James Springer White] has had some discouraged feelings of late, is much better now body and soul.7

    For descriptions of James White's health problems during the summer of 1853, see Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 183, 184; Lt 6, 1853 (Aug. 3); Ms 5, 1853 (July); James White to Abram Dodge, July 31, 1853.

    Luman [Luman V. Masten]8

    Identity: Luman is here connected with “the office” and mentioned together with Stephen Belden and Fletcher Byington, who also assisted in publishing the Review. There is reason for identifying Luman with a “Bro. L. V. Masten,” who is mentioned in the paper as being “foreman” of the printing operation and who “died of Consumption, in this city [Rochester], … March 1st, 1854 … aged about 25 years.” His full name is never given in the Review, but years later Ellen White wrote “we buried Luman, foreman of the office, with consumption.” The references to his coughing and his lungs in this letter confirm this identification.

    See: “The Pamphlet,” Review, Oct. 14, 1852, p. 91; obituary: “Bro. L. V. Masten,” Review, Mar. 14, 1854, p. 63; Ellen G. White, Lt 95, 1886 (Feb. 16).

     is coughing again; his lungs are affected, but the Lord is our physician; we shall hold on to His almighty arm. His labors are much needed in the office. He has overdone often. Stephen Belden [Stephen T. Belden] and Fletcher Byington [John Fletcher Byington] do not return from the office until 10, 12, 2 or 3 o'clock. They have labored uncommonly hard of late, and God has strengthened them, or they must have broken down. The Lord blessed us abundantly last Tuesday eve; our hearts were made glad and to rejoice in God. Praise His holy name.1EGWLM 388.2

    We start on our journey East in one week from today.9

    A two-month journey from which the Whites returned in early November 1853.

    See: James White, “Note to Brother Waggoner,” Review, Nov. 8, 1853, p. 144.

     I can write but little, as I have much to do. The paper comes off today. My little Edson's health is much better than it has been. We feel determined to have unshaken confidence in God. Our hearts cry out after the living God. My soul is not satisfied. I long to see the King in His beauty and be made like Him.1EGWLM 389.1

    Dear friends, how thankful we should be that we have a hope in God, that our treasure is on high. We will praise Him, we will honor Him, for He is high and lifted up and greatly to be praised.1EGWLM 389.2

    Please to remember me to all that I am acquainted with. I love them in Jackson [Michigan].10

    Ellen and James White had visited the believers in Jackson three months earlier at the beginning of June 1853. It was the Whites’ first visit to Michigan.

    See: “Western Tour,” Review, June 23, 1853, p. 21.

     Much love to your dear family. Thank Sister Caroline for writing and Sister Dickinson. James thanks you for what you have sent. May the Lord reward you is our prayer.1EGWLM 389.3

    I am not quite as well as usual; am filling with water; have bloated more or less since I returned from Michigan.11

    The Whites had returned to Rochester, New York, on June 21, 1853.

    See: James White, [Notice], Review, June 23, 1853, p. 24.

     My trust is in God. He will strengthen me, and rebuke disease. I have written some of my vision and directed it to Brother Palmer.12

    This letter is not in the White Estate archives.

     You will have seen it, I think, before this reaches you. The gloves and skirt fit well.1EGWLM 389.4

    From your unworthy sister.1EGWLM 389.5

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