See: James White, “Eastern Tour,” Review, Nov. 1, 1853, p. 133; Dartmouth, Massachusetts, “Copy of Sheet From Dartmouth New Bedford Church Clerk's Record”; search terms “Ashley” and “Ashly” in Words of the Pioneers.

^,^{3
At this point the Whites were about four weeks into a three-month itinerary of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. For more details of this journey, see Ellen White's diary account (Ms 7, 1859, and Ms 8, 1859).} We are quite well. My health is good, for me.1EGWLM 705.4

I wrote my last letter from Charlestown, Mass.⁴

This might refer to the letter Ellen White “wrote home to … Jenny” on September 6, while staying in Somerville, Massachusetts (Ms 7, 1859). The fact that here she says it was written from Charlestown could be explained by the fact that Somerville and Charlestown adjoined each other and had been one town prior to 1842. Whatever the case, this letter to Jenny has not been preserved.

Thursday we rode on the [railroad] cars to Salem [Massachusetts], the place of our next meeting. Made our home at Brother Saxby's [William L. Saxby].^{5
Identity: A short note appearing two weeks earlier in the Review is helpful in identifying “Brother Saxby”: “W. L. Saxby: Bro. White will see you on his eastern tour, in regard to press.” The only W. L. Saxby mentioned in the Review is William L. Saxby who lived in Massachusetts during this period. It is most probable, therefore, that the Whites stayed with William L. Saxby and his wife, Euphemia, during their stay in Salem, Massachusetts. The only minor difficulty with this solution is that there is no record of W. L. Saxby living in Salem. Records place the Saxbys in Springfield, Massachusetts, until 1857, then in Worcester of the same state, and finally in Vermont by 1860. Nevertheless it is likely that the Saxbys lived in Salem before moving to Vermont in 1860.
See: “Business Notes,” Review, Aug. 25, 1859, p. 112; search term “Saxby” in Words of the Pioneers; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “William L. Saxby,” Vermont, Franklin County, Enosburgh, p. 43.} They were attentive to our wants. Brother and Sister Hutchins [Alfred S. and Esther M. Hutchins]^{6
Identity: From remarks made further down it is clear that “Brother Hutchins” took part in the preaching during the Salem meetings. Three weeks later itinerant preacher A. S. Hutchins reported in the Review how he and his wife had come to Salem and met the Whites. “We left Maine to meet Bro. and Sr. White in Salem, Mass., where we were happy to meet them again.”
See: A. S. Hutchins, “Report From Bro. Hutchins,” Review, Oct. 6, 1859, p. 157.} came Thursday. Brother Hutchins is quite well. Sister Hutchins is about as usual, but both have good appetites. This is favorable for them. They are in good spirits, enjoying the blessing of God. Brother Nichols [Otis Nichols]^{7
Identity: It seems most likely that either Otis Nichols or his son Henry O. Nichols had come from their home in Dorchester, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) distant, to attend the weekend meetings in Salem. No other male members with the surname “Nichols” living in the Boston area at this time are mentioned in the Review. Ellen White always addressed Otis Nichols as “Brother Nichols” and his son as “Henry,” so no doubt Otis Nichols is intended here. Earlier the same day Otis Nichols had driven the Whites to the train station in Boston for the trip to Dartmouth.
See: Search term “Nichols” in Words of the Pioneers; Ms 7, 1859 (Sept. 15 entry).} seems as good as ever. He attended our meeting at Salem. The meeting was much better than we had expected.1EGWLM 705.5

A large hall—Lyceum Hall—was hired for the meeting. It was rather an odd place for a meeting. It was a very large room. We went up a flight of stairs. The hall was entered by three doors, and from the entrance commenced to descend and continued to descend. Every row of seats was a step lower. We went down into the hall as you go down a pair of stairs. Then there was a platform and upon the platform a stand. This platform was broad.⁸

The Lyceum Hall in Salem, Massachusetts, had been built in 1831. It “could accommodate 700 patrons in amphitheater-style seating and was decorated with images of Cicero, Demosthenes, and other great orators of bygone days.” The hall received lasting fame in 1877 when Alexander Graham Bell used it for his first public demonstration of the telephone.

See: Salem Tales: Of Lectures and Lyceums, www.salemweb.com/tales/lyceum.shtml. Accessed Nov. 13, 2006.

1EGWLM 706.1

James and Brother Hutchins took their places in the center of the platform behind the stand, and moved the sofa to one end of the platform. From this platform the seats were ascending unto the entrance of the Hall.1EGWLM 706.2

Sabbath our meetings were interesting and profitable. James preached twice. Brother Hutchins talked quite freely. I bore my testimony with some freedom. Sunday, meetings commenced with a conference and prayer meeting. It was a good season. I talked—gave some little description of the sufferings of Christ. There were one hundred twenty-five present. James preached from this text: “Preach the Word.” 2 Tim 4:2. He was very clear and free. Those who heard him said they never heard the subject made so plain before. James divided his subject and finished in the afternoon. There were one hundred-fifty present. James was blessed of the Lord with liberty again. I had some freedom in exhorting at the close of the discourse.1EGWLM 706.3

James preached again in the eve. I had freedom, and was strengthened to follow with exhortation. Meetings closed up well. Monday morning we were about to separate, and James spent some little time before morning prayer talking to those present upon having a kind, courteous spirit, being pitiful, etc. We then had a free season of prayer.1EGWLM 707.1

And thus we parted. Brother Saxby took us in his easy carriole⁹

A light, covered horse-drawn carriage.

to Charlestown [Massachusetts]. His wife accompanied us. The next day we went into Boston [Massachusetts] and traded some. Bought some remnants—drilling, bed ticking, 27 yards [24 meters] factory cloth, two pieces, fine and course, woolen cloth for pants, cloth for my boys, remnants of merino shawls, etc. I have ticking enough for three feather ticks. I have done well by you this time in getting you the things you wanted.1EGWLM 707.2

Jenny, please get two crocks at Brother Kellogg's¹⁰

Among the Battle Creek members at this time, the only Kelloggs were John Preston and Ann Janette Kellogg and some of their children. This reference is probably to John Preston or, possibly, to his adult son, Albert Kellogg. His other older sons, Merritt Gardner Kellogg and Smith Moses Kellogg, were not living in Battle Creek at this time.

See: Search terms “Kellogg” and “Battle Creek” in Words of the Pioneers; Timothy Hopkins, The Kelloggs in the Old World and the New, vol. 1, p. 636; EGWEnc, s.v. “Battle Creek Congregation.”

and send one to Sister Godsmark's [Huldah Jane Godsmark], the other to Sister Byington's [Catherine Byington],^{11
Identities: The Godsmark and Byington families had farms within a few miles of Battle Creek (see respective biographical sketches).} to pack down with good butter.1EGWLM 707.3

Today we are at Sister Collins’ [Nancy Collins],¹²

Identity: In her diary account Ellen White adds the information that Sister Collins’ husband had died and that she had a son, Gilbert, who was healed in response to prayer at age 12 (Ms 7, 1859 [Sept. 16 entry]). These facts unmistakably indicate that Ellen White is referring to Nancy Collins, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, whose husband, Philip, had died just three months earlier. Her son had been dramatically healed in 1849. Ellen White relates the story in Spiritual Gifts. (Her account in Spiritual Gifts gives the son's age as “thirteen.”)

See: Obituary: “Philip Collins,” Review, June 23, 1859, p. 39; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 108, 109.

a good home for weary pilgrims. Last night it was very cold. A heavy frost cut off corn and tomatoes. James saw ice one-eighth of an inch [.3 centimeters] thick.1EGWLM 707.4

We are expecting to hear from you all at Topsham [Maine].¹³

“My Dear Children,” Ellen wrote five days later (Sept. 20), from Topsham, “We received your letters today” (An Appeal to the Youth, p. 47).

Hope to hear you are all well, prospering in the Lord. We have not time to write Henry from this place but will write him when we get to Topsham. Hope, dear Henry, you are a good boy and happy in doing right. Jenny, be careful of your strength. Trust in the Lord; forever trust.1EGWLM 707.5

We went last evening to visit Sister Russell,¹⁴

This could be Susan G. Russell, of the Dartmouth church, who died in 1864 of tuberculosis. Her obituary reported that “for the last five years under the power of disease she was somewhat despairing.” Susan Russell had been a Sabbathkeeper since 1850.

See: Obituary: Susan G. Russell, Review, Jan. 31, 1865, p. 79.

who is in despair. She will not try to think there is hope for her. She is wasted to a skeleton. We had a very free time praying for her. She rested well that night, which is unusual for her.1EGWLM 708.1

I pitied the poor soul, for she has ever tried to be a consistent Christian.1EGWLM 708.2

In love.1EGWLM 708.3

Lt 6, 1859

Published in AY