Lt 1, 1851

October 19, 1851, Saratoga Springs, New York1EGWLM 305.4

Letter to
Chandler B. Preston and Eliza Ann Preston.¹

Identity: The earliest issues of the Review, up to November 1852, mention only one Preston (apart from one “Jenet Preston”), viz., a Chandler B. Preston living in Camden, New York. The strongest indication that this is the same Preston family is the greeting sent toward the end of the letter “to you both and Jennetta and Gilbert.” Evidence from the 1850 U.S. Federal Census reveals a “Janett” and a “Gilbert” listed in Chandler Preston's household, aged 14 and 8, respectively. Despite the variation in spelling, this is telling evidence. Further confirmation is found in the fact that several of the names of persons Ellen White asks the Prestons to greet are found among Adventists in or around Camden at this time. This includes the names Prior (see Ms 2a, 1851 [June 23]), Abbey (Review, Dec. 9, 1851, p. 64), and Almira (“Almiry”) Preston (Ms 2, 1851 [June 23]).

See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Chandler B. Preston,” New York, Oneida County, Camden, p. 243; search term “Preston” in Words of the Pioneers.

1EGWLM 305.5

Portions of this letter are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, pp. 226, 227; vol. 8, pp. 223, 224.

Letter of personal encouragement to friends in Camden, New York.1EGWLM 305.6

Dear Brother and Sister Preston:

We received a letter a few days since from Brethren [Ira] Abbey²

Identity: Bracketed unbolded first names or surnames in this letter derive from later editorial insertions penciled on the original handwritten letter. Since the following names play only an ancillary role in the letter, no attempt has been made to establish or verify their full identities: Abbey, Hyatt, Wakefield, Curtis, Waters, Prior, Lucinda. Some of these names have been annotated elsewhere in this volume, but it should not be assumed that the same individuals are signified each time, since the same surname or first name will often be carried by several church members.

and [William] Hyatt.1EGWLM 305.7

The letter stated that the little band in your vicinity³

Presumably the Camden, New York, area (see note 1).

were rising; it also stated that Brother William Wakefield wanted the paper. We have sent the papers to him, all the while James has never erased his name from our list. If he has not received the papers it must be in the office now, [for] he has sent his paper regularly ever since last winter to McConnellsville, [near] Vienna, N.Y. Brn. should not be so heedless whom we send the papers to as to let them lie in the office.1EGWLM 306.1

Our meeting yesterday was interesting; especially in the evening the Spirit of God settled upon us like the dew upon the mown grass, and our hearts were made joyful in God. We feel the need of being fully prepared and fitted to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. We are doing up work for eternity, and may the Lord help us that we may have it done and well done, that we may receive the refreshing and latter rain that is soon to come from God upon all those who are zealous of good works.1EGWLM 306.2

It becomes us to search our hearts carefully and have every wrong purged away from us that we may be pure and holy and stand in the clear light of God where we can shed a holy influence. We love you as we ever have;⁴

The friendship of the Prestons and the Whites no doubt went back to the two visits the Whites made to Camden in 1850 and to the Camden conference in June of 1851, which was held in the Prestons’ house.

See: “The State of the Cause,” Present Truth, May 1850, p. 80; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 133, 134; “Conferences,” Review, May 19, 1851, p. 88.

should be pleased to hear from you but much more pleased to see you. I hope and pray that the enemy may make no more inroads. Strive hard to preserve union among you. Where there is union there is strength, and God will work among you, by you, and through you, if you will only strive to be wholly consecrated to God and be at peace among yourselves,5

James White reported in the May 1850 issue of Present Truth that the Camden band had “been scattered and torn by spiritualism, and other errors; but God is uniting and healing them. … Gospel order is being restored by the church in this vicinity.”

See: “The State of the Cause,” Present Truth, May 1850, p. 80.

and each one strive with all their might to keep the victory over self and over every besetment, every wrong word and action.1EGWLM 306.3

We do not think that we shall be able to attend the conference at Camden [New York],⁶

The Whites did in fact attend the conference in Camden, which started on December 25, 1851.

See: “Our Tour West,” Review, Feb. 3, 1852, p. 86.

or, I might say, it is impossible for us to attend it unless we give up the paper entirely. We shall start next Thursday for the east to be gone three weeks,7

The itinerary took the Whites to four conferences in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont (Oct. 23-Nov. 18).

See: “Our Tour East,” Review, Nov. 25, 1851, p. 52.

and the paper must be delayed. The flock of God need the paper and must have it. Aunt Rachel [Cushing]8

Identity: The title “Aunt” suggests that Rachel might be related to James or Ellen or perhaps to the Prestons, to whom the letter is written. An effort has been made to identify “Aunt Rachel,” but without success. The bracketed earlier editorial suggestion that her surname was “Cushing” has been investigated, but without finding any relationship to the Whites or the Prestons.

sends her love to you both and Jennetta and Gilbert [Preston]9

See: Note 1.

and Sister [Nelson] Curtis. Tell Sister Curtis for me to keep up good courage, to hope in God. He will not leave nor forsake her. Sister Clarissa [Clarissa M. Bonfoey] is better than she has been for months.10

Ellen White concludes the letter with news of the health of her family—James and her son Edson, aged 2. Probably living in the same house were Clarissa Bonfoey, who had assisted in the White household since 1849, and Ellen's sister Sarah, newly married to Stephen Belden.

Aunt Rachel's health is good; the spring water does her good. Sarah and Stephen [Stephen and Sarah Belden] enjoy health. The spring water agrees with us all but Clarissa. Edson [James Edson White] is smart11

In the sense of “vivacious.”

and well; he talks very plain. James's [James Springer White] health is quite good for him. We are striving for eternal life12

See: Lt 3, 1851 (Aug. 11), note 5.

and we know that heaven will be cheap enough if we have to go through suffering and afflictions to get there.1EGWLM 306.4

Much love to Sister Almiry Preston [Almira Preston] and Bro. and Sister Prior, Brother and Sister [Elmer] Waters, Brother Alonzo [Abbey] and wife, and Brother Ira and wife, and Brother Hyatt, and accept much yourselves. Love to your children. Tell them to be faithful and of good courage.1EGWLM 307.1

In love.1EGWLM 307.2

We have some good times; we love to have Aunt Rachel with us. She is of our company and we could not part with her anyway.1EGWLM 307.3

Much love to Lucinda [Abbey] and all the children.1EGWLM 307.4