White, W. C.; White, Mary
Grimsby, England
July 20, 1887
Portions of this letter are published in 3Bio 372.
Dear Children:
I send you this letter and want you to have it copied and send me a copy at once to read to Mrs. Green. Do with it as your judgment shall dictate. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 1
I have seen a letter which has been put in my hands by Mrs. Green. She is all stirred up, and I think she has offered or will offer to pay his expenses to Battle Creek. She thinks it awful that he should be severed from the office and turned adrift, for he will certainly go to ruin. Poor soul, he cannot see how much has been done for “My dear Henry.” You must do your best to save him. He has many erroneous ideas of dignity and will ruin his soul by the help of his sympathizers, I fear. God can work; for this I pray. I would have Sister Ings copy this, but do not think it is well to delay it. It must go at once. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 2
I am glad you have taken hold of these evils at Basel. May the Lord help you to deal faithfully and wisely with the poor, erring mortals who know not what is for their best good. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 3
Henry writes to Mrs. Green that they are the only friends he has left. If they forsake him it will be more than he can bear. He speaks of going to Battle Creek; that they will be glad enough to have his help in Battle Creek. It is evident he has had counselors, I think, in Albert Ditcher. All I have said in regard to the Ditcher family is true, and you will find it so. The root of the evil is the devil, the agents are found in the Ditcher family, and yet this family will need to be treated with great wisdom or the evils will not be cured, but be aggravated. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 4
I am in good health, appetite good, strength good. We have the very best kind of living, and I am gaining my strength. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 5
I am not laying out piles of money, but I have purchased flannel, all wool, for twenty-three cents per yard; can get red flannel for that price. I have cut out Mary two undersuits of this kind of flannel, far superior to the red. I think we could get but enough yards of the red for two undersuits for Sarah. I had to pay about nineteen cents for it. I have two suits cut out for Mary of this cotton and wool, two of this all wool. Now I want Ella’s pattern and baby’s to cut out some from the little remnants that are left. Send at once. We can get Sister Mason to make my velvet cloak, and it will cost me more than anything else, but it is only about seven dollars, at the outside. If you think best to have me get red flannel or other colors to make into sheets, I can do so, but I want to know at once about the matter. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 6
Shall I pack all these dresses sent with the fruit to Sands Lane in a box and send to Liverpool? What shall I do with these things? Do tell me. I can get white blankets, all wool, for three dollars a pair, colored ones less. Shall I get any or not? I do not want to get them if it is not best. I await your answer. Send Ella’s undersuit pattern at once. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 7
I am thankful I am as well as I am. I received a letter from Willie bemoaning Elder Haskell’s not coming to Basel, but I know before night he would be twice disappointed. I felt like praising God that Mary and the occupants of the carriage were preserved by an angel of God. It is just like the good hand of the Lord to thus preserve you from sorrow and lifelong affliction. Let us praise His holy name. Brother Ings left yesterday for London by way of Walling Corner where Brethren Durland and John are laboring. With much love to you all, I remain, 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 8
Your affectionate mother. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 9
Tell Sarah her two suits are in the hands of the makers. Will not Ella need nightdresses? I can get that all-wool, pink flannel from twenty-two to twenty-four cents per yard, but have some samples here sent which I will make up. 5LtMs, Lt 90, 1887, par. 10