Lt 2, 1849

[Circa March 6,¹

The arrival of Bates and Gurney on Sunday, February 25 (note 5), is said in the second paragraph to be “last week,” so the date of the letter would not be before Sunday, March 4. Since it appears that that Sunday (March 4) is spoken of in the past tense (paragraph 3), the letter probably was not written before Monday, March 5. Presumably, then, the letter was written on March 5 or 6 or shortly thereafter, since the letter is in part a request for Mr. Hastings to meet the Whites at the train station on Friday, March 9.

1849, Fairhaven, Massachusetts]1EGWLM 154.1

Letter to
Elvira Hastings.²

Identity: In the first paragraph Ellen White informs “Sister Hastings” of her intention to visit her, arriving on Friday (March 9, 1849). A few days later, on March 11, Ellen White writes of a vision received “at the house of Brother Leonard Hastings of New Ipswich,” whose wife was Elvira.

See: Ellen G. White, Ms 7, 1849 (Mar. 11).

1EGWLM 154.2

Previously unpublished.1EGWLM 154.3

Letter to a friend, Elvira Hastings, in which Ellen White gives details of her impending visit together with news of progress of the movement in Connecticut and Massachusetts.1EGWLM 154.4

Dear Sister Hastings:

We feel it to be duty to visit you before we return to Maine.³

At this point the Whites were about four weeks into a six-week itinerary that had taken them from Topsham, Maine, in early February to several places in Massachusetts. Ellen and James White had been corresponding with the Hastingses for about two years but had not yet met them in person. For an account of this journey, see: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 108-113; Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 158, 159.

We shall take the first train of cars Friday for Townsend [Massachusetts].4

The railroad station at Townsend, Massachusetts, was probably the closest station to New Ipswich, New Hampshire, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) distant.

Your husband, if he pleases, will meet us at the depot.1EGWLM 154.5

Brother Bates [Joseph Bates] and Brother Gurney [Heman S. Gurney] returned from Connecticut last week.⁵

James White wrote on February 25, 1849: “Bros. Bates and Gurney have been some three weeks in Ct. We expect them home today.” “Home” for Bates and Gurney was Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where the Whites had been based for more than two weeks.

See: James White to Leonard and Elvira Hastings, Feb. 25, 1849.

Their testimony is that the work of God is going forward there. The saints are setting their hearts in order for the coming of the Lord, and moving forward in union and love as they have not for years. Praise the name of the Lord! My prayer is, Lord, carry on Thy work among Thy people until all discord shall be removed and the hearts of Thy people shall be knit together by high and holy ties.1EGWLM 154.6

We have had some powerful seasons here of late. Sabbath and Sunday God moved in mighty power and there was a breaking down before God. There had been wrongs and hard feelings between some of the little company here.⁶

The context suggests that Ellen White is referring to the “little company” in Fairhaven. A year later the Whites visited Fairhaven again and mentioned continuing problems: “At Fairhaven we found the brethren in a tried state. … Some, who have wounded the precious cause … , have been ‘purged out from among them’ as ‘rebels’; but God has raised up others to glorify his name.”

See: W. [James White], “Our Tour East,” Advent Review, August 1850, p. 14.

God in His mercy gave me a vision of the state of things and showed me that there must be a tearing down and building up. They felt the power of the message and those that were wrong confessed their wrong, were forgiven, and we had a melting time. God's people are preparing and getting ready for the seal of the living God. Brethren Bates and Gurney are strong in God and the power of His might.1EGWLM 155.1

I must close and get this in the office to go out in today's mail. Keep up good courage. Lean wholly upon God. He will not leave or forsake us. Love to your husband.1EGWLM 155.2

Your sister in haste.1EGWLM 155.3