January 24, 1856, Battle Creek, Michigan 1EGWLM 478.1
Letter to Identity: There is very little factual information in this letter bearing on the identity of “Brother and Sister Loveland,” so it is probably best to leave that issue open. It is true that Ellen White wrote three letters to Reuben and Belinda Loveland in 1850 and 1851, but that will not in itself carry the inference that she is now addressing the same couple. The Review from this period lists about 10 persons with the Loveland surname. See: Ellen G. White, Lt 26, 1850 (Nov. 1); Lt 30, 1850 (Dec. 13); Lt 6, 1851 (Apr. 1); search term “Loveland” in Words of the Pioneers.
Brother and Sister Loveland.1
Portions of this letter are published in Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 335, 336; Ellen G. White, Reflecting Christ, p. 351; idem, Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, p. 21.
Letter of encouragement to a couple who are distressed, probably because of the strident opposition of the breakaway Messenger Party in the mid-1850s. 1EGWLM 478.3
Dear Brother and Sister Loveland:
We received a letter from Sister Loveland. It was a sad letter, and we felt bad about things in your place.2 The letter from Sister Loveland is not in the White Estate archives, hence there can be no certainty as to the cause of her sadness and discouragement. Ellen White's response, however, contains significant clues. Interestingly, most of the paragraph beginning “Dear Sister, our enemies may triumph,” and the last three paragraphs are also found in Chapter 28 of Spiritual Gifts, volume 2, in the context of the challenges in dealing with the opposition Messenger Party. Key expressions such as “a corrupt people” who have “separated from the people of God” appear in both places. There is a likelihood, therefore, that much of Sister Loveland's concern relates to the activities of the Messenger Party, possibly in her own locality. Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 195, 196, 200-202; EGWEnc, s.v. “Messenger Party.”
But, dear sister, you must not sink down discouraged. The faint-hearted will be made strong; the desponding will be made to hope. God has a tender care for His people. His ear is open unto their cry. I have no fears for God's cause. He will take care of His own cause. Our duty is to fill our lot and place, live low, humble at the foot of the cross, and live faithful, holy lives before Him. While we do this we shall not be ashamed, but our souls will confide in God with holy boldness. 1EGWLM 478.5
God has released us from burdens; He has set us free. Ever since the conference3 Ellen White is evidently writing of the general conference held at Battle Creek, Michigan, just two months earlier in late November 1855. The buoyant language used in this letter to describe that conference is very similar to that found in her letter published in the Review on January 10, 1856. Two significant actions taken at the November conference had a direct and personal bearing on the Whites. First, James White was relieved of sole fiscal and editorial responsibility for the publishing work by the establishment of a publishing committee, and by the appointment of Uriah Smith as resident editor for the Review. Second, action was taken expressing regret for past neglect of the visions of Ellen White and a determination expressed to give them their rightful place in the mission of the church. See: E. G. White, “Communication From Sister White,” Review, Jan. 10, 1856, p. 118. For general account of the November 1855 Battle Creek conference, see Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 319-330.
God has wrought for us in a remarkable manner since the conference. My husband has been much afflicted. Incessant labor has nearly carried him to the grave.4 For more details on James White's afflictions during this period, see Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 194-199.
Dear Sister, it would be impossible for me to go into a recital of the sufferings I have passed through, the anxiety, and the dread thought that I should be left a widow, my dear children without a father's care. The scene has changed. God's hand has mercifully been reached down to our rescue. My husband enjoys good health, and my children are rugged. They never enjoyed so good health before. Little Willie [William Clarence White] is healthy and very pleasant. 1EGWLM 479.2
I never took so much comfort with my family as now. Our family has always been so large. But now we only number eight5 While still in Rochester, New York, prior to the move to Battle Creek in 1855, “the Office hands boarded with us, and our family numbered from fifteen to twenty.” With the move to Battle Creek the Whites no longer had to run a boardinghouse. Apart from James, Ellen, and their three children, the “family” of eight mentioned here would include Jane Fraser and/or Clarissa M. Bonfoey, who helped in the White household, and possibly Ellen's parents. The remainder of this letter parallels extracts from a letter Ellen White wrote to Louisa Howland, published in Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 199-202. The original letter is not extant. See: Ibid., p. 191. For information on the composition of the White household as of January 1, 1856, see Lt 9, 1856 (Jan. 1) and Lt 4, 1856 (Dec. 24), note 1.
Dear Sister, our enemies may triumph. They may speak lying words, and their slandering tongue frame slander, deceit, guile; yet will we not be moved. We know in whom we believe. We have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. Jesus knows us, dear sister. A reckoning day is coming and all will be judged according to the deeds that are done in the body. My eye is fixed upon the mark of the prize, and in the strength of God I will make my way straight through here. 1EGWLM 480.1
It is true the world is dark. Opposition may wax strong. The trifler and scorner may grow bolder and harder in his iniquity. Yet, for all this, we will not be moved. We have not run as uncertain. No, no. My heart is fixed, trusting in God. We have a whole Saviour. We can rejoice in His rich fulness. I long to be more devoted to God, more consecrated to Him. This world is too dark for me. Jesus said He would go away and prepare mansions for us, that where He is we may be also. Praise God for this. My heart leaps with joy at the cheering prospect. 1EGWLM 480.2
Religion is made to dwell too much in an iron case. Pure religion and undefiled leads us to a childlike simplicity. We want to pray and talk with humility, having a single eye to the glory of God.6 Cf. Matt. 6:22.
Why do we so seldom visit the fountain when it is full and free? Our souls often need to drink at the fountain in order to be refreshed and flourish in the Lord. Salvation we must have. Without vital godliness our religion is vain. A form will be of no advantage to us. We must have the deep workings of the Spirit of God. My whole soul is interested in this last message of mercy to be given to the world. We are to be purified and refined under this message. 1EGWLM 480.4
Dear sister, do not be discouraged. God is sifting His people. He will have a clean and holy people. We cannot read the heart of man. God has not placed in man a window, that we can look into his heart and see what is there, but He has opened ways to keep the church pure and clean. A people has arisen, a corrupt people that could not live with the people of God. All their evil passions must be gratified. They had a suitable time to repent if they would, and overcome their wrongs, but no. Self was too dear to die. They nourished it and it grew strong, and they separated from the peculiar, self-denying people of God.7 See: Note 2 above.
I thank God for this way that has been opened to save the church from the frown and wrath of God that must have come upon them if these corrupt individuals had remained with them. Every honest one that may be deceived by this people will have the light in regard to them if every angel has to leave glory to visit them and enlighten their minds. We have nothing to fear in this matter. As we near the judgment, all will manifest their true character and it will be made plain to what company they belong. 1EGWLM 481.1
The sieve is going, and let us not say, Stay Thy hand, O God. We know not the heart of man. If God causes the feelings of the heart to be manifested and gives you sight of what is in the heart by the words of the mouth (by the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh), let it not afflict your soul too much, although your hopes may be cruelly disappointed. But the church must be purged, and will be. “Fret not thyself because of evildoers.” [Ps. 37:1.] God reigns; let the people tremble. 1EGWLM 481.2