Another Straightforward Letter

In a third letter, written Friday, July 10, the day after finishing the long letter quoted above, Ellen White again touched on their relationships:2BIO 437.5

Battle Creek, Michigan,

July 10, 1874.

Dear Husband,

It is one week ago today since I came to Battle Creek. I have not much that is interesting to write, for I have confined myself [because of the excessive heat] quite closely to my chamber....2BIO 437.6

If you could come east and let all the difficulties and perplexities of the past entirely alone, we might unite our efforts and great good might be done here and at the camp meetings. But I think if your mind is so constituted that it will dwell upon things that are unpleasant, it would be better for the cause and better for you to remain where you are. If your testimony could be borne upon the precious truth and the advancement of the cause and you could advise in regard to tracts and various matters in connection with the work, your efforts would be blessed of God. But if you are coming to discourage and weaken yourself and me by censure and suspicion and jealousy, I fear we should do great injury to the cause of God.2BIO 437.7

I long to see you and would be so glad to bury the past as I know God would have us, without making reference to it, and to take hold in faith and courage with you to do our duty and work to help the people of God; but I must be left free to follow the convictions of my own conscience. I will not blame or censure you, and I cannot have you take the life and soul out of me by your blaming and censuring me. May the Lord bless, heal, and lead you is my daily prayer. I must be free in God. He wants me to be free and not suffering under a load of depressing discouragements that unfit me for any position.—Letter 40a, 1874.2BIO 438.1