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The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

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    Ms 4, 1859

    [Circa July 1859],1

    This manuscript, although undated, contains some indications of its date. As Ellen White described the situation, Mary Cranson, having become a widow, moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, hoping for some “sympathy and care” from church members. The church in Battle Creek, however, had “not felt the obligations belonging to them,” and the main thrust of the manuscript is to impress upon the church that help should be extended to deserving widows. It is likely that the decision of the church in Battle Creek to support Mrs. Cranson with a weekly stipend, starting in August 1859 (see note 2 below), was in response to Ellen White's appeal in this manuscript, hence it is likely that this manuscript was written shortly before August 1859. Parallels with Lt 32, 1859 (July 9), further support assigning the date of “circa July 1859” (see Lt 32, 1859, note 1).

    n.p.1EGWLM 686.1

    The Case of Sister Cranson.1EGWLM 686.2

    Previously unpublished.1EGWLM 686.3

    Lack of sympathy and care by Battle Creek church for widow Mary Jane Cranson.1EGWLM 686.4

    I was shown the case of Sister Cranson [Mary Jane Cranson].2

    Samuel T. Cranson, a Sabbatarian preacher, died in 1855 at age 33, leaving his wife, Mary, with three children aged about 8, 6, and 4. In accordance with her husband's plans, Mary subsequently moved from Jackson County to Battle Creek, hoping for moral and perhaps material support from the congregation at the church's headquarters. Like her husband, Mary Cranson contracted tuberculosis and by August 1859 was so weakened that she was unable to look after her household and children. She was also impoverished. The Battle Creek church stepped in and voted to support her with $3 per week. The following summer, James White organized additional fund raising for the Cranson family through the Review. Mary Jane Cranson died August 27, 1860, aged 35.

    See: Obituary, “Samuel T. Cranson,” Review, May 1, 1855, p. 222; obituary: “Mary Jane Cranson,” Review, Sept. 18, 1860, p. 143; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Mary J. Cranson,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Battle Creek, p. 23; Harriet N. Smith et al., “Widow Cranson,” The Good Samaritan, February 1860, p. 12; Joseph Bates and S. B. Whitney, “Business Meeting,” Review, July 3, 1860, p. 56.

    I saw that she has not received that heartfelt sympathy that her case required. There are those who have not made her case their own.3

    Among those in Battle Creek who had been less than helpful to Mrs. Cranson were Cyrenius and Louisa Smith. Using the same words as found here, Ellen White challenged the Smiths in another letter: “I have seen that Sister Cranson has not received from you that heartfelt sympathy that her case required. You have not made her case your own.” As was often the case with other visions she received, Ellen White would write separate letters to individuals pointed out in the vision and then write a general description, without mentioning specific names, to the local church concerned.

    See: Ellen G. White, Lt 32, 1859 (July 9).

    Some have seen the wrongs in her children and have not been as tender and careful of her feelings in the matter as they should have been, while at the same time those who have been more favorably situated have not half realized, and corrected as they should, their own children's wrongs. Her widowed heart has had many solitary, desolate, agonizing hours that others have known nothing about. Many times she has cast herself away in her loneliness and been strongly tempted to make some hasty move which would have ruined her. Her loss is a living loss. But few have had any just sense of her discouragement and loneliness.1EGWLM 686.5

    I saw that there should be a difference made with the widow and others who are differently situated. It has troubled her, and lessened her confidence in her brethren, because those who have labored for her required so high wages. It looked heartless to her. She should not have laid out her means in building. The matter should have been overruled by strong counsel and advice. The means used in that addition should have been saved to supply her with life's necessities.1EGWLM 687.1

    Her husband wore out his life in trying to save souls, doing his Master's business. He was self-denying, self-sacrificing, beloved of God. He died at his post.4

    A former Methodist minister, Samuel T. Cranson, of Tompkins, Michigan, became a Sabbathkeeping Adventist in 1853 and began to preach for that movement within a few months. The Review carried notices of his preaching activities in Michigan for the next two years until his untimely death in 1855.

    He had perfect confidence that if his wife and children could live near the brethren their influence would be saving, and their sympathy and care would partly make up for the loss they would sustain. She made a sacrifice in getting to Battle Creek.5

    According to the 1860 census, Mary Cranson's family lived close to several prominent church members in Battle Creek, such as Uriah Smith, Cyrenius Smith, and Abram A. Dodge.

    See: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Mary J. Cranson,” Uriah Smith,” “Cyrenius Smith,” “A. A. Dodge,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Battle Creek, pp. 23, 24.

    It has been well that she came. It has been a blessing to her, kept her from a greater evil; but it has not been half the blessing it might have proved if all had that interest and care for her that they should have felt.1EGWLM 687.2

    I saw that God has His eye upon the widows and fatherless. The church has not felt the obligations belonging to them. Sister Cranson has often distrusted God. Her faith has been weak. She has had too much fear of dependence, too much pride. But if some others, who now see her lack, were placed in her condition they would not do half as well as she has done.1EGWLM 687.3

    I saw that widows should ever be cared for, especially those whose husbands have devoted their strength to God and have fallen while engaged in His work. They should be regarded in a different light than even other widows, and duty rests upon the church and upon each individual in this matter, and great care should be taken to help strengthen and comfort the widows in their affliction.1EGWLM 687.4

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