Kellogg, J. H.
Avondale, Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
August 29, 1895
Portions of this letter are published in FBS 39.
Dear Brother:
I am in need of editors to prepare manuscript for the press. Persons to run the typewriter I can obtain, but these do not reach the demand. It is very trying for me to be situated as I am. Sister Bolton corrects manuscript when she is able, but she is troubled so much with headache that often she cannot use her brain. This has become more and more marked, and is a very great hindrance to me in my work. I cannot do the things I would do. It is sufficiently taxing to do the writing, but when I have done that, there is the burden of having the matter prepared. If I had one to edit the matter, I should feel so grateful. Since completing the little book that is now in press, Sister Davis is working again on The Life of Christ, and until that is finished cannot give much attention to anything else. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 1
We have no helpers to spare, but we want more, and those who are healthy. Two would not be too many. Can you refer me to any worker who in your judgment can do this work for me that I need to have done in getting out my books? You know me, you know the character of my work. I cannot accept a cold, lifeless worker, who cannot enter into the spirit of the work, and do it intelligently, grasping the ideas. A cold, stiff style I do not want. But I do want helpers very much. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 2
Professor Prescott and Willie made a short visit to Cooranbong, remaining less than two days. I had a talk with Professor Prescott while riding out. He was surprised that many things of grave importance which had been communicated to him and Elder Olsen, were unknown to Willie. And why? Willie was sent here to labor with me, but he has a special line of work and responsibility, and is called off to Melbourne, to New Zealand, and elsewhere, and I do not see him for three and four months at a time. His work is that which must be done. My work goes on just the same, but at great disadvantage. When I do see him coming, he is in need of rest. He has such a pile of work, I know many things trouble his mind, and I keep silent. He does not know a tithe of what I write. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 3
Elder Starr and wife were to be with me, and help me in my work and meetings, but we were separated soon after we came here. For eleven months I suffered from rheumatism, which followed malarial fever. A resolution was passed that W. C. White should help his mother, but that is not possible so long as there is so much work in his line calling for attention. I smiled when I read the resolution, knowing that he had not even a helper with him, and he was loaded down with responsibilities. We cannot get a chance to read with him that matter on Christian temperance. Before we came up here, he heard a few chapters on The Life of Christ, then the school business called him to give all his time to planning in that line. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 4
He would appoint to meet us on our own grounds, to help us plan for our building, plant an orchard, etc.; he would say, “Let Caldwell bring you over with May and the children, and I will lunch with you at one o’clock sharp,” but he generally came three hours after the time appointed. Important decisions were to be made in their councils so that he could not leave. One important item was the setting of prices on the allotments of land; then building sites were to be selected, and buildings planned, so that our land received little attention. This is a sample of how things go, and it seems impossible to have it otherwise. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 5
Sarah McEnterfer would be company for me, because she knows me. May Lacey White and I are very dear friends. We love each other. She is of a kind, loving, easy temperament, but very determined to accomplish that which she enters upon. She has a mind of her own. She will be a precious help to Willie, but she knows so little of my work that I could not communicate with her in many things. I seem to be as one alone. Fannie and I can do no more than she can do in editing. Marian cannot be overtaxed, so we must make haste slowly. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 6
Emily was a faithful helper, but it pained her exceedingly if I expressed any care or worriment, and she expressed it so much that I kept silent. But Emily is now gone; for her parents’ sake I did not bid her stay; her father and mother longed to see her. I miss her much. She has carried a severe burden; everything that hurt and disturbed me hurt her just as much, and we seemed to be blended in mind and soul. She was a great helper to me, but felt too deeply over everything that hurt me, and the result was that she began to fail. Her arm and side pained her, and I knew she ought to have a change. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 7
You see how I am situated. If there were a man and his wife who could come and live with me, and not burden me, I would thank the Lord and take courage. Willie thinks that I should not keep house by myself, but live with him. I love Willie, and I love his wife May. Everyone who knows her loves her; but I shall get little help from Willie. He will be away much of the time as he has been in the past. Now, if you have a moment’s time, I want you to think of this matter, and if you can give me any advice, just write one page to me. I long for counsel from some one who knows the character of my work. I do not want anyone who would be too officious, but a Godfearing, simple, humble Christian woman, or a wife and her husband. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 8
I cannot get along without Sister Bolton and Sister Davis; I need both, but I need others as well. I have begged for Sister Burnham without success. She is wedded to the Echo, and cannot be divorced from it. I need not enter into details, for I could write chapters on this matter. But if you know of any help, send it along. I would be so glad if I thought Sister Hall could come to be with me to manage things; then with a girl as cook, and a boy to take charge of my horse and cow, I should be fixed. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 9
I am getting along in years, and what I do must be done quickly. The Lord is my helper, and I will put my trust in him. I seem to think Sister Hall would fill Emily’s place, and while she could do nothing at typewriting, she could devise and plan for me far ahead of Emily, for she has had more experience. Then that burden would be removed. I dread to have strangers come in connection with me. 10LtMs, Lt 44, 1895, par. 10