January 1, 1859, [Battle Creek, Michigan]1 See Jan. 1 entry, Ms 5, 1859.
Diary.2 The Ellen G. White Estate has in its archives the small, bound, commercial diary for 1859 that Ellen White used during that year. The record for January 1 in that diary (see Ms 5, 1859) is a condensed version of what appears below. The question arises, Why did Ellen White write two versions of the January 1 entry? One possible answer is that on January 1, 1859, she had not yet bought the diary and so wrote that day's record elsewhere. Subsequently, wanting to transfer the material into her diary, but finding it too voluminous for the small space allotted, she was forced to condense it.
Portions of this manuscript are published in Ellen G. White Estate, “I'd Like to Ask Sister White … ,” p. 26.
Diary entry for Sabbath, January 1, 1859: baptism and Communion service. 1EGWLM 579.3
January 1. The commencement of another year. My husband went down into the water and buried seven with Christ in baptism; two of them were but children.3 On the identity of the two children, see Jan. 1 entry, Ms 5, 1859.
In the eve the church followed the example of their divine Lord. Said Jesus on the night that He was betrayed, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. … If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” [John 13:14-17.] 1EGWLM 579.5
I was greatly blessed while engaged in washing the feet of my dear mother. It seemed to me to be the last time I should have the privilege.4 Ellen White expressed the same worry some weeks later: “Cut and made some caps for Mother. It may be the last time I shall have the privilege of making caps for her head” (Ms 5, 1859 [Feb. 8 entry]). In fact, Eunice Harmon lived another five years. See: Obituary: “Eunice Harmon,” Review, Jan. 26, 1864, p. 71.
A holy solemnity pervaded the congregation. The place seemed awful and solemn on account of the presence of the Lord. After we had followed the example of our Lord in washing feet, we partook of the communion. It was an impressive scene as we called to mind the sufferings of our dear Saviour for our sins. Our hearts were deeply melted, and overflowed with gratitude and love to Him who had paid such a dear price to ransom us from the power of Satan and hopeless misery. 1EGWLM 580.1
Picture: Ellen White's earliest known diary, 1859. Original dimensions: 5 x 3.25 in. (13 x 8 cm.). 1EGWLM 580
