Lt 1, 1854

March 10, 1854, Rochester, New York1EGWLM 421.1

Letter to
Harriet Newall Stevens.¹

Identity: The reference in the last paragraph of the letter to a submission from Harriet to the Instructor provides specific evidence for identifying the addressee as Harriet Newall Stevens (later Smith). Harriet's “An Address to the Youth” was published in The Youth's Instructor in April 1854, which dovetails nicely with Ellen White's mention in this March 10 letter that Harriet's submission had been received. Ellen White became well acquainted with Harriet Stevens and her family of Paris, Maine, during the period October 1850 to summer 1851, when the Whites were based in Paris. Harriet Stevens had literary ability, with several poems, articles, and letters published in the Review and Youth's Instructor. At least one of Harriet's poems was set to music and printed in early Adventist hymnals. She subsequently assisted periodically at the Review office in Rochester, New York, and Battle Creek, Michigan.

See: H. N. Stevens, “An Address to the Young,” Youth's Instructor, April 1854, pp. 29, 30; obituary: “Harriet N. Stevens Smith,” Review, Mar. 30, 1911, p. 23.

1EGWLM 421.2

Portions of this letter are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, p. 436.

Letter to a close acquaintance containing mostly family news.1EGWLM 421.3

Dear Sister Harriet:

I have just received a letter from you.²

This letter is not in the White Estate archives.

We were glad to hear from you, but my health is so very poor [I] can write but a few lines now. I have been almost entirely confined to my room since we returned [from] our last three weeks’ journey in this state.3

James and Ellen White had arrived back in Rochester on February 21, 1854, after a three-week journey in central New York.

See: “At Home,” Review, Feb. 28, 1854, p. 48. Arthur L. White provides a summary of the highlights of this tour in Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 289-292.

Was unable to sit up but a few hours in the day most of the time on the journey, have done nothing like work for six weeks. Disease of the heart is making rapid progress upon me, and unless I soon regain some strength of body and soul to rise above my fearful and threatening disease, I cannot continue long. You may inquire, Has Sister White given up to die? I answer, No. I still hope because others wish me to, and my faith is increasing that the enemy will not be permitted to triumph over me. But I have been sorely afflicted and have been brought very near death's door.4

For a fuller autobiographical account of Ellen White's sickness during these months and her remarkable healing, see Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 184-188.

1EGWLM 421.4

We had a special meeting appointed to devote to the special purpose of presenting Brother J. N. Andrews’ [John Nevins Andrews] case to the throne of grace, pleading with God to rebuke disease upon him and restore him to health, that Israel may not be led to mourn his loss. Sorrow upon sorrow will come upon us if he is removed from us.⁵

News of J. N. Andrews's illness would naturally be of concern to Harriet Stevens. Both had been members of the Sabbatarian band in Paris, Maine, from its beginning until Andrews left Paris in 1851. Since then he had been based in Saratoga Springs and Rochester, together with the Whites. Notices regarding J. N. Andrews's failing health started to appear in the Review in March 1854. By February 1855 James White described Andrews as “feeble” and “broken down at the age of 25.” Andrews then returned to his parents’ home in Paris, Maine, “to labor with his hands, hoping to regain his health and sustain himself.”

See: [Notice], Review, Mar. 7, 1854, p. 56; “The Office,” Review, Feb. 20, 1855, p. 182.

1EGWLM 422.1

We also have covenanted to pray three times a day and make Brother John's case a special subject of prayer; also to strive to cultivate deep piety in our own hearts that we may grow strong in faith and be prepared for the events which are just before us, the time of trouble.1EGWLM 422.2

Thank you for your kind letter. Do not wait for me to write and answer every letter, for I am too feeble to write much. My sickness has been very discouraging and wearing. I will try to keep you apprised of my state of health. You need not think because we do not write often that we do not wish to hear from you. Our time is occupied and we are even pressed. But poor me—[I] am punished with sitting and lying, doing nothing.1EGWLM 422.3

You must excuse all bad writing for I am writing on a trunk in my lap. Anna [Anna White]⁶

Identity: Anna White, sister of James White, edited The Youth's Instructor for some months in 1854, before her death in November of the same year.

See: Obituary: “Anna White,” Review, Dec. 12, 1854, p. 135; EGWEnc, s.v. “The Youth's Instructor.”

was glad of the communication for the Instructor. Be of good cheer. Much love to each of the children. In much love.1EGWLM 422.4