Items Relating to J.N. Andrews

[Manuscript release requested by Ron Graybill for a paper titled “J.N. Andrews as a Family Man.”—D.E. Mansell.]9MR 313

At Home With the Andrews Family—Our home is in Paris, at Brother Andrews’ [home], within a few steps of the post office and printing office. We shall stay here some little time. This is a very kind family, yet quite poor. Everything here is free as far as they have.—Letter 28, 1850, p. 1. (To “The Church in Brother Hastings’ house,” November 7, 1850.)9MR 313.1

Best to Marry Angeline—I saw that you could do no better now than to marry Angeline; that after you had gone thus far it would be wronging Angeline to have it stop here. The best course you can take is to move on, get married, and do what you can in the cause of God. Annie's disappointment cost her her life. I saw that you [John] were injudicious in her [Annie's] case and it all grew out of a mistaken view you had of James. You thought he was harsh and impatient toward Paris friends, and you stepped right in between Annie and us; sympathized with her in everything. The interest manifested for her was undue and uncalled for, and showed that you had a great lack of confidence in us.—Letter 1, 1855, pp. 1, 2. (To J.N. Andrews, August 26, 1855.)9MR 313.2

Reproof Revives Dissatisfaction—When everything moves on smoothly, then past dissatisfactions and difficulties in Paris lie dormant, but when a reproof or rebuke is given, the same dissatisfaction arises. “Brother White was wrong back there; he was too severe and he is too severe now.” Then jealous, hard feelings arise. As he is in union with the visions given, as the visions and his testimony agree, the visions are doubted, and Satan is working secretly to affect and overthrow the work of God. (p. 4)9MR 314.1

They [the Andrews family] will not stand in the light until they wipe out the past by confessing their wrong course in opposing the testimonies given them of God, and are united with the body in acknowledging the work of God. Their own selfish feelings and views stand directly in their way. Either their feelings must be yielded, if it tears them all to pieces, or the visions must be given up. There will either be full union or a division. The crisis has come. The warfare that has been waged against James and the testimonies given of God must be given up.9MR 314.2

Those who fall into an agony, as you have, at the least censure or reproof do not realize that they are perfectly controlled by the enemy....You may call your feelings grief, but you have not realized them as they were. It has been anger, and you have been selfish. (pp. 6, 7)9MR 314.3

How much faith do you have in the visions? They do not bear a feather's weight on your mind.... (pp. 7-8)9MR 314.4

If an unconsecrated one is reproved by Brother White you sympathize with him, confide in him....This is the same feeling which you have brought down from Paris to Rochester, and from Rochester to Waukon, from Waukon here.... (pp. 8, 9)—Letter 7, 1860. (To Harriet Stevens Smith, June, 1860.)9MR 315.1

At times I have had but little courage to write to individuals what I had been shown in regard to them, for so many take the visions which have been written to them with feelings of the deepest anguish and in tears. They lay it aside, some with a feeling of indifference; others say, “I believe the visions, but Sister White has made a mistake in writing it. She has heard reports of these things and has got it mixed up with her visions and thinks she saw it all.” (p. 12)—Letter 7a, 1860.  (To Harriet Smith, June 1860.) 9MR 315.2

God Accepts Your Efforts—I saw that God has accepted your efforts. Your testimony in New York has been acceptable to him.... He has wrought for your wife and she has been learning to submit her will and way to God....There has been a work, a good work, with some in Waukon....—Letter 11, 1862, p. 1. (To J.N. Andrews, c. November 9, 1862.)9MR 315.3

Sympathy in Sorrow—We deeply sympathize with you in your great sorrow, but we sorrow not as those who have no hope....—Letter 71, 1878, p. 1. (To J.N. Andrews, December 5, 1878.)9MR 315.4

J.N. Andrews Not a Domestic Man—I was shown that you made a mistake in starting for Europe without a companion. If you had, before starting, selected you a godly woman who could have been a mother to your children, you would have done a wise thing, and your usefulness would have been tenfold to what it has been. You are not a domestic man.—Letter 1, 1883, p. 1. (To J.N. Andrews, March 29, 1883.)9MR 316.1

White Estate

Washington, D. C.,

December 6, 1979.