Lt 10, 1859

[Late September, 1859],¹

The similarity in language and tone to other letters from Ellen White to 5-year-old Willie in 1859 (Lt 6 [Sept. 15] and Lt 9, 1859 [Sept. 6]) suggest that it is from the same year, or possibly from 1858 or 1860. An 1860 date can be excluded, however, because the letter was written on a journey that lasted more than eight weeks (see first line), and no such trip was undertaken by her that year. In 1858 the Whites traveled on a lengthy autumn itinerary, but it appears that Willie accompanied them (see note 4 in Lt 9, 1859), so no letters were called for. The autumn journey to the East in 1859 remains the best option. The approximate date “late September” is obtained by counting backwards eight weeks from November 21, the date the Whites returned to Battle Creek.

See: J. W. [James White], “At Home,” Review, Dec. 8, 1859, p. 20.

n.p.1EGWLM 727.1

Letter to
William Clarence White.1EGWLM 727.2

Portions of this letter are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscripts Releases, vol. 3, pp. 121, 122.

A letter to her son Willie, age 5.1EGWLM 727.3

Dear little Willie:

We want to see you very much but it is eight weeks yet before we shall return home—a long time to be away from my children. In the last box we sent to Battle Creek were some little trinkets for you and a little box of candy. You must eat it only when Jenny [Jane Fraser]²

Identity: See note 9 in Lt 9, 1859 (Sept. 6).

thinks it is best. Eat a very little at a time.1EGWLM 727.4

We hope you are a good boy. We believe you are, and that you will make Jenny happy, for you know she will be so lonely when we are to be gone so long. Jenny loves you very much and you must please her. You must not get angry, but remember the Lord could not love you if you should be naughty.³

Some commentators see a contradiction between statements such as this and later statements such as “Do not teach your children that God does not love them when they do wrong” (Signs of the Times, Feb. 15, 1892). However, they can be harmonized. In the second example Ellen White seems to be speaking about God's love in the sense of His unconditional benevolence. Another standard dictionary definition of “love” is “to be pleased with” something or somebody. Clearly, God does not take pleasure in children or older persons when they engage in evil behavior. This seems the more natural interpretation of “love” when Ellen White urges Willie to remember that “the Lord could not love you if you should be naughty.” For a more comprehensive discussion of this issue, together with bibliographical references, see Ms 1, 1854 (Feb. 12), note 19.

Jenny says you are a good boy and this made us feel very glad. I suppose you visit Grandpa and Grandma4

John and Betsey White. (See note 8 in Lt 9, 1859 [Sept. 6].)

every day, and have a good time talking to them.1EGWLM 727.5

I must tell you something I saw in the [railroad] cars. A wealthy gentleman took a little box from his pocket and wound it up like a watch. At the top of the box was a glass door, and open flew this little door and a little, tiny bit of a bird, with fine downy feathers popped up, and then forth from the box came a most beautiful song such as canaries sing. And the little feathers would move on the little bird, and it would twirl its pretty little head this way and that, flop its little wings, move its tail and fly about and act just as pretty as though the noise came from its tiny little throat. After the song was sung, down popped the little bird into the box, and down went the cover, and the man put the box into his pocket again. This little bird was artificial, made to look just like a little bird. We asked the man what it cost. He said $200.00 [?]. A great price!1EGWLM 728.1

Willie, good-by. Be a good little boy and I will write again soon.1EGWLM 728.2

In love. From your mother.1EGWLM 728.3