Lt 2, 1853

May 26, 1853, Plymouth, Michigan1EGWLM 349.1

Letter to
Anna White.¹

Identity: The context of the letter, especially the last paragraph (“remember us to each member of the family”), suggests that Anna is a member of, or very close to, the White family. Ellen White recounted that during this period “the Office hands boarded with us, and our family numbered from fifteen to twenty.” The only “Anna” among this group was Anna White, sister of James White, who had come to live with the Whites in Rochester some months earlier, in November 1852; hence it is likely that this is the person addressed.

See: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 191; [James White], A Brief Account of the Last Sickness and Death of Nathaniel White, p. 3.

1EGWLM 349.2

Portions of this letter are published in Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, p. 274.

News of Ellen and James White's first journey to Michigan.1EGWLM 349.3

Dear Sister Anna:

I now sit down to fulfill my promise to you and write a few lines, knowing you will feel anxious to hear how we bear our journey.²

The Whites had left Rochester, New York, for their first visit to Michigan a few days earlier, on May 20.

See: James White, “Western Tour,” Review, June 9, 1853, p. 12.

1EGWLM 349.4

At Mill Grove [New York] James and self were in a very poor state of health. Tuesday we were undecided whether to return to Rochester [New York] or continue our journey. James was hardly able to sit up, his throat troubled him much, and his food distressed him. I was afraid some, how it would turn with him, but we prayed for him and the Lord gave us to feel that we must start and trust in Him.³

Additional details on the crisis facing the Whites in Mill Grove are given in Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 179-181.

1EGWLM 349.5

We took the [railroad] cars about four o'clock P.M. for Buffalo [New York]. The boat did not start until half past nine in the evening from Buffalo. We waited in the boat from five till half past nine. It was a very nice boat, the air was sweet and there was every convenience on the boat. We took a stateroom where instead of finding narrow berths we found a nice large bed for both of us, made up clean, and a neat looking glass in the room, a large Testament like Sarah's [Sarah B. Belden]⁴

Identity: Given the family setting of this letter, this is no doubt a reference to Ellen White's sister Sarah, whose husband, Stephen Belden, had worked at the Review office since 1851.

with the Psalms in the back. There was a washbowl, soap, towel, and by turning a faucet we could bring water in the bowl. We felt almost at home. We prayed together before retiring and committed ourselves to the watchful care of Him who never slumbers or sleeps, and we felt assured that He would keep us from all accident and harm.1EGWLM 349.6

Some through fear sat up through the night. We paid nothing extra for our meals which we took on board the boat, or for our stateroom.1EGWLM 350.1

We slept sweetly through the night. James felt much better than he expected to. He began to feel better directly after leaving Mill Grove, and he has been growing better ever since.1EGWLM 350.2

Wednesday morn it was pleasant but the wind blew and the boat rocked considerable; some were seasick but we went into our room and lay down. We slept sweetly for one hour and a half; we did not get up until about noon.1EGWLM 350.3

They had plenty on the table that we could eat and not hurt us, which was quite fortunate for us; we thanked the Lord in our heart for the food although we did not do it vocally. There were a great number of crying children on the boat; they were cross and ill-tempered. I thought of my little Edson [James Edson White] and felt thankful he was not like them. We tried to keep our hearts uplifted to God for strength, especially that James might be strengthened.1EGWLM 350.4

The boat landed us at Detroit [Michigan] about half past three o'clock P.M. There were six hundred on board. We were obliged to wait in Detroit until six P.M. We then took the cars for Wayne [Michigan]—distance 18 miles [29 kilometers]. We arrived at Wayne about seven, and found Brother Lyon [Henry Lyon]⁵

Identity: The address line at the top of the letter together with travel information given in the text locates “Brother Lyon” in Plymouth, Michigan. The only “Brother Lyon” living in Plymouth, Michigan, mentioned in the Review during this period is Henry Lyon.

See: Search term “Lyon” in Words of the Pioneers.

waiting for us at the depot with a good team. We had been some troubled about the distance we were to ride in the night air, but Brother Lyon came prepared with nice buffalo robes and we did not feel chilly at all. We rode 12 miles [19 kilometers] and arrived at Brother Lyon's about ten o'clock. Brother and Sister Cornell [Merritt E. and Angeline M. A. Cornell]6

Identity: The only Cornells mentioned in the Review as living in Plymouth, Michigan, during this period were the traveling preacher Merritt E. Cornell and his wife, Angeline M. A. Cornell.

See: Search term “Cornell” in Words of the Pioneers.

are here; they are solid and good.1EGWLM 350.5

This is a most beautiful place surrounded with fruit trees. I should love to have you here today, but should not know what to do with you tomorrow. We shall have to ride 30 miles [48 kilometers] and part of the way it is a very rough road.1EGWLM 350.6

I am of good courage but not very well in body. We believe the Lord will give us strength. The enemy made a powerful effort to keep us from Michigan,⁷

Referring, no doubt, to the serious health problems described at the beginning of the letter.

but he has not succeeded as yet. Oh, that God would give us strength from the sanctuary. We shall plead for it until it comes, it must come, we cannot labor without it. It will come from God, we believe, and [we] mean to walk out by faith. The promise will not fail us, it will be verified.8

In a letter written to her parents shortly after returning from the Michigan journey Ellen White noted that “my husband in the strength of God endured the journey and his labor well. His strength did not entirely fail him but once. He was unable to preach at Bedford.”

See: Ellen G. White letter of June 23, 1853, to parents in Gorham, Maine, as in Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 182.

1EGWLM 350.7

You must pray for us. I never saw the necessity of living near to God as now. We must keep our mind stayed upon Him and feel our entire dependence, and watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. We must exercise faith continually and act it out. We can have full and free salvation. You know what it is, dear Anna; don't settle down short of this. The storehouse is full and free, don't let us go hungry here, when there is enough and to spare.1EGWLM 351.1

Anna, have faith, have faith in God. It seems to me that the faith of the family is rather weak; they must come up. Remember us to each member of the family. I shall write them before long. How are Sarah and Clara [Clarissa M. Bonfoey]?⁹

Identity: Again, given the fact that this is a letter to family members at home, this is no doubt a reference to Clarissa Bonfoey, who had assisted in the White household for several years. Ellen White occasionally referred to her as “Clara” (see Lt 1, 1856 [July 15], and Lt 6, 1856 [c. 1856]).

Is their health good for them? We want to hear from you all. James sends much love to Anna and the rest of the family.1EGWLM 351.2

In much love.1EGWLM 351.3