the general part of a vision for the church in New York, given me at Ulysses, Pennsylvania.^{4
No doubt the vision given at Ulysses, Pennsylvania, two weeks earlier on July 6, 1857, as mentioned in Ms 2, 1857 (July 24). The “general part” of that vision is recorded in Ms 2, 1857, and deals with the problems of church trials in New York, whereas this letter to S. W. Rhodes deals with the sensitive matter of Rhodes's own part in encouraging those trials and with the involvement of certain other named individuals. The letter to Edson that Ellen White had written (prior to July 19), giving a “general account” of the vision of July 6, is not in the White Estate archives. It was, however, probably close in content or identical to the account found in Ms 2, 1857, which bears the date July 24. Some months later, in November 1857, it was published (see note 1 above).} I was shown that the church took advantage of a vision that was given to reprove you, and did wrong, felt hard to you. Then the vision that was given to reprove the church you took advantage of, and have listened to the church trials altogether too much.^{5
Exactly which visions are referred to here is not known. By the time this letter was written we know of two documents (Ms 1, 1853 [June 2], and Ms 6, 1854 [Feb. 19]) that contain reproof for S. W. Rhodes, and a variety of documents, published and unpublished, containing admonition to the churches on different issues.} You have encouraged them by listening to this one and that one's report. You have not had tender pity, have been too severe.^{6
Although S. W. Rhodes was an effective, hardworking traveling minister, he struggled with a harsh, overbearing temperament. A series of letters from Ellen White to Rhodes stretching over many years appealed to him on this issue, warning him of the dire influence of his severity on others. Rhodes, to his credit, several times confessed his weaknesses in the pages of the Review.
See: Note 2 above; S. W. Rhodes, “Letter From Bro. Rhodes,” Review, Aug. 11, 1853, p. 55; “From Bro. Rhodes,” Review, Jan. 8, 1857, p. 78; “Resignation,” Review, Dec. 18, 1860, p. 40; “From Bro. Rhodes,” Review, Jan. 22, 1861, p. 78; “From Bro. Rhodes,” Review, Apr. 9, 1861, p. 167; “From Bro. Rhodes,” Review, May 6, 1862, p. 182; “Communication From Br. Rhodes,” Review, Dec. 3, 1867, p. 395.} I saw that your temperament was a hurried one, and the Lord would not lay it on you generally to settle church trials (thank God). You have too strong feelings, are not patient enough. God has a kind care for you but you have erred in having so many church trials.^{7
Amanda Westcott, in a letter to a friend, gives a somewhat unflattering description of Rhodes's management of a church trial in Roosevelt: “Last Friday they met at Bro. Chapel's for trial, Bro. Rhodes being chief man among them. They staid [sic] there all day talking, but doing little or no good.”
See: Amanda Westcott to Mrs. Crawford, July 16, 1856.} I saw that the Lord had given Brother Edson good judgment in regard to matters in the church.^{8
See: Note 13 below.} He has not filled his place.1EGWLM 523.5

I saw that you move too strongly, make up your mind that things are so, and then move hurriedly, not studying the effect of these things afterward. Upon those things you must reform. You can comfort and strengthen the church with the gift God has given you, but you must move more patiently, throw off so much perplexity that you have. Your anxiety to see the church where they ought to be, has led you to try too hard to get them there. It has had the wrong effect in many cases. You have failed often.1EGWLM 524.1

You have manifested selfish feelings in connection with Brother Treadwell [William Treadwell]⁹

Identity: That “Brother Treadwell” is William Treadwell is inferred from the fact that no other Treadwell is mentioned in the Review throughout this period. In addition, his address is given (in 1858) as “Gilbert's Mills, N.Y.,” which is just a few miles from Roosevelt, a town that is the focus of events in this letter.

See: Search term “Treadwell” in Words of the Pioneers; Wm. Treadwell, “From Bro. Treadwell,” Review, Apr. 1, 1858, p. 158.

against another. That brother is not right, but more had been laid to his charge than belongs there, and this is the way with many of the church trials. It gives the jealous, the selfish, opportunity to carry out these evil propensities.^{10
Little is known of the details of the church trials in which Treadwell, Finch, and Chapel were involved.} All these evils must be corrected.1EGWLM 524.2

Nearly every one I saw in Roosevelt [New York] has been wrong. Brother T. Finch [Truman P. Finch]¹¹

Identity: The only “T. Finch” appearing in the Review during this period is Truman P. Finch, living in Roosevelt until sometime in 1857, when he moved to Michigan. This corresponds well with Ellen White's locating of Finch in Roosevelt and with her words “when he left…”

See: Search term “Finch” in Words of the Pioneers; “Business Items,” Review, Apr. 16, 1857, p. 192.

was not right. When he left he had the same faultfinding spirit. Brother Chapel [Levi R. Chapel]^{12
Identity: Although there are several Chapels in the Review during this period, L. R. Chapel is the likely person referred to here, since he lived in Palermo, New York, a town near Roosevelt.
See: Search term “Chapel” in Words of the Pioneers.} has not been free from it. I saw that there needed to be a thorough reformation all through that section. The professed people of God have disgraced themselves in the eyes of the world by these trials^{13
The problems of infighting and excessive church trials among members at Roosevelt continued despite Ellen White's appeals in July 1857. Two years later she noted that the same problems continued to “cleave to some like the leprosy” in that church. There seems to have been some improvement, however, at least in the eyes of James White, who reported from a conference held in Roosevelt in 1859 that “the brethren are recovering from their low state. … A rash, hasty, fitful spirit has had a blighting influence in Central New York, but it is being removed under the judicious labors of Brn. Wheeler and Edson.” It appears that the “good judgment” of Hiram Edson, mentioned earlier in this letter to Rhodes, may have played a part by 1859 towards restoring better relationships among the members.
See: Ellen G. White, Lt 17, 1859 (Oct. 28); J. W. [James White], “Roosevelt, N. Y., Conference,” Review, Sept. 15, 1859, p. 132.} that they never would have had if their hearts had been right in the sight of God. Hatred has caused many of these trials, but the poor souls knew it not.1EGWLM 525.1

In love.1EGWLM 525.2

Lt 14, 1857

Ms 2, 1857