Chapter 4—Letters Received

Mother receives many letters. Some of these are reports of progress; some tell the story of the Lord’s merciful dealings with His people. Some letters cheer her heart and do her lots of good. Others are sad and discouraging. Some are from strangers, asking many questions that she cannot answer, because the subjects upon which the Lord gives her light are seldom the subjects of her own choosing.ITC 7.4

There are letters which come from men bearing heavy burdens, asking counsel regarding perplexing matters. Some have adopted the practice of sending their perplexing letters to me, asking that if it is reasonable and right, I bring the matter to Mother’s attention, but if she is feeble, or pressed with other burdens to let the letters wait. Often these communications come to me when her mind is absorbed with some difficult subject, and I put them into a pigeon hole, to await a favorable time. It often happens that in the course of a week or two, I find her mind traveling over the subjects presented in some of these letters. She says, What is going on with reference to this matter? Then I tell her that I have several letters in the office on that subject, and, at her request, I bring them to her. At such times these letters do not burden her mind. When the Lord has directed her mind to any subject, it is not a burden for her to study into it deeply.ITC 7.5