Letter to close friends, the Hastings family, containing news of a dramatic healing and of personal trials and difficulties. Includes words of spiritual encouragement to all members of the family.1EGWLM 171.3

Dear Brother and Sister Hastings:

We received your kind and sweet letter in due time.²

This letter is not in the White Estate archives.

James [James Springer White] was in New York when it came and my health was very poor at that time or I should have written you before his return. He came home last Tuesday, had a good time in western N. Y. feeding the hungry sheep. We have been in a very tried state of late while we see the wrongs in Connecticut. My soul has carried the burden and distress for two weeks past.1EGWLM 171.4

Last Sabbath was a trying day to me. As soon as meeting commenced my burden grew heavier. My heart ached almost to bursting. I was obliged to leave the room and not come in again until meeting closed. I cried aloud for a long time, but tears would not relieve me. I thought I must leave Ct. and made up my mind to go to western N. Y.1EGWLM 171.5

Last Sunday we were at Bro. Ralph's [Richard Ralph]³

Identity: The only Ralph identified in the Review during the 1850s as coming from Connecticut is “R. Ralph,” of Berlin, Connecticut. That this is the Ralph Ellen White is speaking of is quite certain, inasmuch as Berlin is only eight miles (13 kilometers) or so from Rocky Hill and she reported that they had visited Berlin “last Sunday.” The full first name of “Richard” is obtained from the 1850 census records.

See: Search term “Ralph” in Words of the Pioneers; obituary: “The Companion of Bro. R. Ralph,” Review, Oct. 17, 1854, p. 79; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Richard Ralph,” Connecticut, Hartford County, Berlin, p. 128; obituary: “Richard Ralph,” Review, Oct. 5, 1897, p. 639.

and we engaged in prayer for the special teachings of God how to move, whether to go to N. Y. or stay in Ct.^{4
Exactly what “the wrongs in Connecticut” (par. 1) were that caused Ellen White to consider moving to New York State are not known, but this section illustrates the intensity with which the Whites sought divine guidance in their moves and travels. Two months earlier they had experienced “much perplexity and trial,” not knowing whether to spend the summer in New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, before they felt impressed that they should go to Connecticut.
See: James White to Leonard and Elivira Hastings, Feb. 25, 1849; James White to “Beloved Brother and Sister,” Mar. 22, 1849, Ellen G. White, Lt 5, 1849 (Apr. 21).} The Spirit came and we had a powerful season. Brother and Sister Ralph were both laid prostrate and remained helpless for some time.^{5
See: Appendix article “Ellen White and Religious Enthusiasm in Early Adventist Experience”; EGWEnc, s.v. “Ecstatic Experiences.”} I was taken off in vision and saw concerning the state of some here, and also saw there would be a conference at your place and that it was duty of my husband to attend^{6
Some weeks earlier James White had written to Leonard and Elvira Hastings, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, asking them of the advisability of holding a conference “in N. H. as soon as June” at which James White and Joseph Bates would lead out. A reference in Spiritual Gifts to a journey by James White to New Hampshire and Maine about June 1849 seems to confirm that the conference took place. Ellen White, only a few weeks away from giving birth to Edson (July 28), did not accompany her husband.
See: James White to “Beloved Friends,” postscript to Lt 5, 1849 (Apr. 21); Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 113.} and that a conference should be holden in Paris, Maine, and souls would be strengthened and comforted there.^{7
Whereas James White had planned for a conference in Paris, Maine, in June 1849, it appears to have been postponed till September. Ellen White recalled in her memoirs that the Paris group “had not had a meeting for one year and a half” at the time when the conference opened on September 14. The prediction that “souls would be strengthened and comforted there” was strikingly fulfilled, as related in Spiritual Gifts. In particular the conference marked the emergence of 20-year-old J. N. Andrews to a lifetime of ministry and scholarship for the young movement.
See: James White to “Beloved Friends,” postscript to Lt 5, 1849 (Apr. 21); Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 116, 117; John N. Andrews, “Dear Brethren and Sisters,” Present Truth, December 1849 (no. 5), p. 38.} I then saw it was not duty to go to N. Y. but that we must tarry and abide where we were,^{8
The Whites stayed in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, over the summer of 1849. During this period Edson was born on July 28 and James White started the publication of The Present Truth. However, by September, when Edson was 6 weeks old, their travels started again, first to conferences in Vermont and Maine, and later in the autumn to western New York. By December 1849 they had settled in Oswego, New York. For an overview of the travels and work of the Whites during 1849, see Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 158-170.} so our minds are made up what to do, and may God give me strength to endure the trials I shall have to pass through here.1EGWLM 172.1

This morning we had a good time; my soul was taken into a sacred nearness to God. I could hold sweet communion with Him, my peace was as a river and my poor heart burned with love to God. Praise His holy name. My soul doth magnify the Lord for His tender kindness unto me.1EGWLM 173.1

I was rejoiced to hear of the good time you had at your house with Sister Gorham [Elizabeth Gorham]⁹

Identity: See Lt 5, 1849 (Apr. 21), note 25.

and Eastman.^{10
This person has not been identified.} I should have loved to [have] been one of your company. I have not forgotten the good seasons we had together,^{11
The Whites had first visited the Hastings family in person some two months earlier, in March 1849.
See: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 112.} neither have I forgotten your kindness to us. May the Lord reward you for your labors of love unto us. We have had sweet union together.^{12
In her autobiography Ellen White wrote of the Hastings family, “Our hearts were knit together, especially was the heart of sister Hastings knit with mine, as were David's and Jonathan's. Our union was not marred while she lived.”
See: Ibid., p. 111.} Oh, may it last until Jesus comes. Let nothing cast you down but be encouraged and remember Jesus hath the watchful care over you. Time is very short, deliverance is coming and Satan knows it and is working in great power. I can see the restraint is being taken off from the wicked, and very soon when Jesus steps out from between the Father and man it will be entirely gone. Now is the time we must watch on every hand, against the wiles of Satan and have steady, abiding faith in God, faith that will stand the trial, such faith as Elijah had when he prayed for rain. He prayed once and sent his servant to see if there was any sign of his prayer being answered, and although there was none, outward appearance was against him, yet he did not give up in discouragement but bid his servant to go again yet seven times. Elijah had faith that holds on and that would stand the trials seven times. At last the cloud appeared and the heavens gave rain.1EGWLM 173.2

Bless God the prayer of faith will bring the dew of heaven and our souls will be watered by it. Hold on to faith, let your feelings be what they will. Oh, how my soul feels for the flock of God. I long to be out among them. I often awake myself crying to God's people to get ready, get ready that the cloak of Almighty God may be thrown around them and they be hid in the time of trouble. I shall be deprived [of] the privilege of meeting with you in conference. I feel the privation but the will of the Lord be done.¹³

This could be a reference to the New Hampshire conference planned for June 1849. See note 6 above.

My heart and mind will be there, and my prayers shall be for you that God would work among you.1EGWLM 173.3

How are the children? Do they feel their acceptance with God? Dear children, do not rest a moment if you do not. God loves to hear the prayers of the young. Call upon Him and make your peace with Him that you may stand in the day of slaughter.¹⁴

Apocalyptic imagery taken from Ezekiel 9, where Ezekiel sees six men with slaughter weapons charged to smite all except those marked on the forehead.

I do love you, children, and I want you to be saved in the kingdom and enjoy the beauty of the earth made new. Get ready, get ready, love not this world, love not the wicked, but God and those who have His image. Tell Sister Gorham to be of good courage; tell her although she may be in the heated furnace the Lord will not leave her. Tell her to hold fast the truth whatever opposition she may have. It's better to serve God than man, His strength is sufficient for her.1EGWLM 174.1

Love to Sister Eastman and Brother Gardner.¹⁵

This person has not been identified.

Should love to see you all. Pray for me. I have trials that none but God knows of, but I have started for eternal life and I cannot stop this side. I must see the inside of glory, stagger not at the promises but believe. Faith, simple faith is what we want, a firm reliance and trust in God. Faith will drive back the powers of darkness; only have faith and you will have a clear, sweet atmosphere to live and breathe in.1EGWLM 174.2

Kiss the little morsel¹⁶

No doubt a reference to John Frederick Hastings, born just a few months earlier.

See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “John Hastings,” New Hampshire, Hillsborough County, New Ipswich, p. 272; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 110.

for me and do write us [as] often as you can. This is a hasty line. Pray for me.1EGWLM 174.3

E. G. White

June 1, Friday

Dear Brother and Sister:

It has been stormy here for some days. Last Wednesday about six o'clock P. M. a brother came from Portland [Connecticut], eleven miles [18 kilometers] from here and wanted we should go and pray for his wife for she was just alive, and that was all. She was taken so violent that they called in a physician. He tried to help her, but could do her no good, and said she must die. Another physician was consulted who said he could do nothing. The last was the most celebrated physician in Middletown, Ct. Sr. Penfield¹⁷

This person has not been identified.

told her husband to go for God's people; she sent for us. It was rather of a trial for me to start. It was rainy and I had been very weak all day, but I concluded to go. James felt he must go too. Brother and Sister Ralph also went according to her request. We prayed for her [at] ten o'clock that night and the Spirit began to settle. She had been in very great agony but we anointed her with oil in the name of the Lord and then our earnest cries went up to God for healing power.1EGWLM 174.4

God began to work, the pain ceased, but we did not get the full victory we wanted that night. She rested well that night, was free from pain. In the morn we united in prayer for her again. The power came down like a mighty, rushing wind, the room was filled with the glory of God, and I was swallowed up in the glory and was taken off in vision.1EGWLM 175.1

I saw the willingness of God to heal the afflicted and distressed. I also saw that God was displeased when we trusted in or called on earthly physicians.¹⁸

Ellen White did not understand the affirmation of faith healing found here to exclude the use of simple remedies. For example, the previous summer, when the Whites feared that their infant son, Henry, “would die with consumption,” they “used simple herbs,” and other medicines, “but they had no effect.” It was after these failed that the Whites anointed Henry, who subsequently recovered. This relationship between the use of remedies and prayer for healing was confirmed by vision in 1853: “I saw that it was right to use herbs that are beneficial to the use of man” (Lt 11, 1853 [Dec. 3]).

If the use of remedies per se is not the issue, the question remains why “earthly physicians” should not be consulted. Even though the vision is not explicit on this point, it seems natural to suggest that the problem lay in the dangerous nature of many of the “remedies” so common in mid-nineteenth-century medical practice. In the light of her other counsels, including those in regard to Christian physicians, this statement may also be understood as a warning not to put one's whole trust for healing in human instrumentalities, but to keep God in the equation.

See: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 104-106; idem, Lt 11, 1853 (Dec. 3); EGWEnc, s.v. “Prayer for the Sick.” For accounts of the state of nineteenth-century American medicine, see Mervyn G. Hardinge, A Physician Explains Ellen White's Counsel on Drugs, Herbs, and Natural Remedies, pp. 19-58; Albert E. Hirst, “Ellen White's Criticism of Nineteenth Century Medicine [part 1],” Review, June 30, 1983, pp. 9, 10. An in-depth analysis of alternative medical thought and practice in nineteenth-century America is provided in John S. Haller, Medical Protestants: The Eclectics in American Medicine, 1825-1939. The analysis offered above is challenged by Ronald Numbers in Prophetess of Health, pp. 76-81. See response to Numbers on this issue in A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health, pp. 42-44.

I saw the beauty, the glory and majesty of Jesus. The sun could not shine in His presence any more than a star at noonday when the sun shone in its splendor. O how rich the inheritance of the saints looked to me. How glorious! Tongue cannot describe it. On every side and all around was glory, glory, glory, that cannot be expressed. My soul was enchanted with the sight. I longed to see more and more. It seemed that I could plunge in the glory, that I could swim in it. Praise the name of the Lord. Oh, shall we not go on with perseverance? Shall we sink down now? No, no, we shall soon see Jesus and reign with Him in glory. Hold fast, hold fast, hold fast.1EGWLM 175.2

The work of healing was done up well. She grew stronger in body and mind, and while I was in vision the doctor came, he heard the shouting in vision and would not come in. Brother Penfield wanted he should come in, said he would not come in any case, seemed to be afraid and rode off and carried the news that we were making a great noise over that sick woman and he thought if she was kept still she would get well, when he had not seen her since he said she would die. The neighbors, when we left yesterday, were all stirred up and mad at us because we had prayed for Sister Penfield and she had been healed. Sister P. is strong. Praise the Lord.1EGWLM 176.1

Love to all, in haste.1EGWLM 176.2

Lt 5, 1849

Ms 6, 1849