Lt 33, 1906

White, J. E.

St. Helena, California

January 19, 1906

Previously unpublished.

My dear son Edson:

Your estrangement from your brother has been and still is a grievous matter. It is doing great injury to your own soul and is leaving a wrong impression on the minds of others regarding W. C. White. As your mother, I have been free to tell you that your feelings in this matter are not right. The Lord’s reproof is upon you for these feelings of variance which you have carried nearly all your life. When I was with you last I was grieved that I saw no special manifestation on your part of affection for your brother, nor any effort to correct the past.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 1

I fear that I can never again urge that you and your brother be closely associated in work; for unless the Lord changes your heart decidedly, you could not work in harmony with your brother, whom the Lord has used as His servant to do His work.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 2

The Lord has given to W. C. White excellent judgment. When he makes mistakes he is free to acknowledge them. He is not one whose soul is lifted up unto vanity. He has not put himself forward in any boasting manner.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 3

I have endeavored to make no difference in my treatment of my two sons. Your brother has conceded to every wish I have expressed to help you.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 4

Some things that you said at Battle Creek since I saw you last were unjust, unreasonable, and left a wrong impression upon the minds of those who heard them. Dr. Kellogg and Frank Belden, A. T. Jones, Elder Tenney, and others, who are out of harmony with the people of God, have exultingly received your statements and will use them to justify themselves in their course of opposition to the work that the Lord has given me to do. The greatest burden I have borne for years is the knowledge that you, my own son, have at times united with those who are endeavoring to unsettle confidence in the testimonies of God’s Spirit. Thus you have sown seeds that will yield a harvest, with the results of which you will not be pleased.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 5

Your brother I know to be one of your best and truest friends. You have greatly misunderstood his motives, and have misinterpreted his actions, till the enemy of your soul has falsely led you to regard him as opposed to your best interests. These feelings on your part, and your words and actions, will be made use of by those who oppose my work.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 6

It is a serious matter that your influence should be cast against the work that the Lord has given me to do and that which he has plainly indicated should be done by your brother. I bear my testimony in public of the necessity of unity and love, but right in my own family is a working counter to my message.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 7

The position that some have taken that W. C. White is the originator of portions of the testimonies, and that he manipulates my writings to suit his wishes, is contrary to the truth and is against the work that the Lord has given me to do. Ever since I have returned to this country I have been engaged in controversy with elements that have cost me much suffering of mind. I have borne such heavy burdens since I came to America that I long once more to go where I can have rest of spirit.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 8

Yet I have been wonderfully sustained. Notwithstanding my wearing labor, I do not remember of ever having better health than I now enjoy. Sudden attacks of sickness are not so frequent as in former years.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 9

The burdens I have borne here make me feel homesick for Australia. As I see that my old home there is offered for sale, it makes me desire to purchase it and spend the remainder of my life there. If I could get clear light that such was my duty, I would gladly sell everything I have here and leave this country.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 10

I have written repeatedly to Frank Belden, hoping, if possible, to save him from ruining his soul. I am glad that he has consented to take his case against the Review and Herald out of the courts. I have had for a long time the burden of caring for Frank’s father. I make it a rule to write to his father frequently and to send him books and papers. I have made arrangements for a regular remittance to be sent him every month from Sydney. Yet his son has not even written to him for over a year. If Frank Belden were a real Christian, would he thus neglect his own father?21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 11

When I was last in Nashville, I appreciated the rest I obtained on the boat. I had every convenience I could wish at your home. But I did not see in you that for which I most longed.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 12

W. C. White knows nothing of what I am writing to you. He has been gone from home for weeks.21LtMs, Lt 33, 1906, par. 13