See: Search term “Dodge” in Words of the Pioneers; James White to “Brethren in Jackson,” Aug. 4, 1851; “Our Tour to This State,” Review Extra, July 21, 1851, pp. [3, 4].
1EGWLM 292.6

This letter is published in entirety in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, pp. 99-101.

Plans for publishing in Saratoga Springs, New York, and for the publication of Ellen White's first book.1EGWLM 292.7

Dear Brother and Sister Dodge:

I now sit down to address you a few lines. The reason I have not written before is [that] my time has been improved. I have been writing out the visions for publication and expected them to be out sooner and then you could have them in print;²

Ellen White's first book, a pamphlet of 64 pages containing an account of major visions together with a brief autobiographical account, was published the following month, August 1851. This is the “pamphlet” mentioned in the fourth paragraph.

See: Ellen G. White, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White.

but as the first paper is delayed^{3
The first issue of the Review to be published in Saratoga Springs, New York, was the Extra, printed on July 21, 1851, the same day Ellen White wrote this letter. In the Extra James White outlined plans for moving publication of the paper from Paris, Maine, to Saratoga Springs.
See: “The Review and Herald,” Review Extra, July 21, 1851, p. [3].} and you will be anxious to learn something of our calculations, I will wait no longer.1EGWLM 292.8

After you left us we began to enquire of the Lord what He would have us to do, or where we should publish, and it was shown me in vision that James [James Springer White] must lay his hand to the work and strive to open the way, and if the way should bend before him, he must remain; but if it was shut up and did not open, we must go elsewhere.⁴

By this time it had become clear to the Whites that they would not return to Paris, Maine, to continue publishing there. On August 11 Ellen White wrote, “The Lord showed me about four or five weeks ago that we must not go to Paris again, that they had not appreciated our labors there.”

See: Ellen G. White, Lt 3, 1851 (Aug. 11). For an account of the troubled relationship between the Whites and the company in Paris, see Gerald Wheeler, James White, pp. 62, 63, 101-109.

James has been doing as God showed me he must do, and the way has opened before him so that the first paper will be off today, and will be folded and in the office tomorrow morning. He does his publishing at Saratoga, nine miles [14 kilometers] from here. We have not yet got a house. We shall get one as soon as possible near the Springs where it will be only a few miles from the printing office. We expect our friends this week from Maine,^{5
The identity of “our friends … from Maine” is given in the parallel Spiritual Gifts account: “We then rented a house [in Saratoga Springs], and sent for Bro. and Sr. Belden, and Sr. Bonfoey who was then in Maine taking care of little Edson.” “Sr. Belden” was at the time of writing still Sarah B. Harmon, Ellen White's sister. She was married to Stephen Belden two weeks later, on August 5. Stephen Belden subsequently worked for 11 years as a printer and in the business office of the Review. Clarissa Bonfoey brought the Whites’ son, Edson, now almost 2, but their older son Henry, soon to turn 4, stayed with the Howlands in Maine for another two years, until the autumn of 1853.
See: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 152; Gerald Wheeler, James White, p. 66; John Nevins Andrews et al., Defense of Elder James White and Wife, p. 34.} and in about three weeks shall be entirely settled, if not before.1EGWLM 293.1

After we parted with you and came to Brother Thompson's [Jesse Thompson],⁶

Identity: Several sources mention a Jesse Thompson living two miles (three kilometers) from Ballston Spa, New York, where this letter is written. See, for example, Jesse Thompson, “Smiting,” Review, Aug. 5, 1851, p. 8.

we felt a great interest for this family, especially the children; and Tuesday morning we felt agony of soul for them. We felt that God must work for them, and our earnest, united prayers ascended within the second veil;^{7
The imagery used here refers to the veil separating the two apartments of the sanctuary. As Ellen White explains elsewhere, “the priest in the holy place, directing his prayer by faith to the mercy-seat [“within the second veil”], … represents the people of God directing their prayers to Christ before the mercy-seat in the heavenly sanctuary.”
See: Ellen G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 274; Siegfried H. Horn, ed., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Veil.”} we claimed the promises for them, and for the first time their voices were heard in prayer. They had a good time that morn, and now they generally pray morning and evening. God is at work for them; praise His holy name.^{8
Ellen G. White's letter written one week later, July 27, 1851 (Lt 7, 1851), provides further details of the experience of Jesse Thompson's children.}1EGWLM 294.1

There is a stir all around here since the conference reports are being carried. (Evil, of course.) Some are anxious to hear for themselves and will come to the meetings. The visions trouble many. They [know] not what to make of them. We shall have the visions published in pamphlet form and if all the particulars are not published in the pamphlet, that I saw at Brother Cushman's, [Horace Cushman]⁹

Almost certainly Ellen White is referring to either Horace Cushman, of Milton, New York; or George P. Cushman, of Tunbridge, Vermont, since these are the only two Cushmans (together with Horace Cushman's family) mentioned in the Review during this period. The choice between the two is helped by the information given in this letter that Ellen White had a vision at “Brother Cushman's.” While there is no mention of the Whites ever visiting George Cushman in Vermont, they had met Horace Cushman just three weeks earlier at the West Milton, New York, conference that was “held at the house of Bro. Horace Cushman.” It is, therefore, almost certain that Horace Cushman is referred to here.

See: Search term “Cushman” in Words of the Pioneers; [Notice re conference at West Milton], Review, Sept. 16, 1851, p. 32; “Our Tour to This State,” Review, July 21, 1851, pp. [3, 4].

and if you desire it, I can write it off for you. As it was coming out so soon in the pamphlet, I thought that you would not wish me to write them all off for you. We now think that you can have the book in about four weeks. You must write us upon the reception of this. Do not delay. We want much to hear from you. My health has been quite poor for a short time; the heat affects me, and I have had a very distressing turn of losing my breath. I am weak still, but better than I have been. James's health is the same as when you saw him. We are longing to be delivered from this body of suffering, and put on a glorious immortality.1EGWLM 294.2

Be strong in the Lord, dear friends. Hold fast whereunto you have attained. Much love to those dear friends I saw at Camden [New York], and all the saints that I have not seen. Tell them to exercise strong and living faith in God, and be united strongly with each other, and not be easily tried. Where there is union, there is strength. Be firm and valiant for God and His cause. I should love to see you all, and perhaps we may before Jesus comes. The truth is triumphing, and will still triumph, more and more. Be sure and write us, all of you, and we will try to answer your letters.1EGWLM 295.1

Your sister in much love and great haste.1EGWLM 295.2

Unauthenticated

Published in RH