The next Sabbath we met with the Orleans
church, where my husband introduced the case of our much-lamented
sister, Hannah More. When Brother Amadon visited us last summer,
he stated that Sister More had been at Battle Creek, and not
finding employment there, had gone to Leelenaw County to find
a home with an old friend who had been a fellow laborer in missionary
fields in Central Africa. My husband and myself felt grieved
that this dear servant of Christ found it necessary to deprive
herself of the society of those of like faith, and we decided
to send for her to come and find a home with us. We wrote inviting
her to meet us at our appointment at Wright, and come home with
us. She did not meet us at Wright. I here give her response to
our letter, dated August 29, 1867, which we received at Battle
Creek:
"BROTHER WHITE: YOUR KIND COMMUNICATION
REACHED ME BY THIS WEEK'S MAIL. AS THE MAIL COMES HERE ONLY ONCE
A WEEK, AND IS TO LEAVE TOMORROW, I HASTEN TO REPLY. WE ARE HERE
IN THE BUSH, AS IT WERE, AND AN
INDIAN CARRIES THE MAIL FRIDAYS ON FOOT, AND RETURNS TUESDAYS.
I HAVE CONSULTED BROTHER THOMPSON AS TO THE ROUTE, AND HE SAYS
MY BEST AND SUREST WAY WILL BE TO TAKE A BOAT FROM HERE AND GO
TO MILWAUKEE, AND THENCE TO GRAND HAVEN.
"AS I SPENT ALL MY MONEY IN COMING
HERE, AND WAS INVITED TO HAVE A HOME IN BROTHER THOMPSON'S FAMILY,
I HAVE BEEN ASSISTING SISTER THOMPSON IN HER DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
AND SEWING, AT ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS PER WEEK OF FIVE DAYS
EACH, AS THEY DO NOT WISH ME TO WORK FOR THEM ON SUNDAY, AND
I DO NOT WORK ON THE SABBATH OF THE LORD, THE ONLY ONE THE BIBLE
RECOGNIZES. THEY ARE NOT AT ALL ANXIOUS TO HAVE ME LEAVE THEM,
NOTWITHSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCE OF BELIEF; AND HE SAYS I MAY HAVE
A HOME WITH THEM, ONLY I MUST NOT MAKE MY BELIEF PROMINENT AMONG
HIS PEOPLE. HE HAS EVEN INVITED ME TO FILL HIS APPOINTMENTS WHEN
ON HIS PREACHING TOUR, AND I HAVE DONE SO. SISTER THOMPSON NEEDS
A GOVERNESS FOR HER CHILDREN, AS THE INFLUENCES ARE SO VERY PERNICIOUS
OUTSIDE, AND THE SCHOOLS SO VICIOUS THAT SHE IS NOT WILLING TO
SEND HER DEAR ONES AMONG THEM UNTIL THEY ARE CHRISTIANS, AS SHE
SAYS. THEIR ELDEST SON, TODAY SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE, IS A PIOUS
AND DEVOTED YOUNG MAN. THEY HAVE PARTIALLY ADOPTED THE HEALTH
REFORM, AND I THINK WILL FULLY COME INTO IT ERELONG, AND LIKE
IT. HE HAS ORDERED THE HEALTH REFORMER. I SHOWED HIM SOME COPIES
WHICH I BROUGHT.
"I HOPE AND PRAY THAT HE MAY YET EMBRACE
THE HOLY SABBATH. SISTER THOMPSON DOES BELIEVE IN IT ALREADY.
HE IS WONDERFULLY SET IN HIS OWN WAYS, AND OF COURSE THINKS HE
IS RIGHT. COULD I ONLY GET HIM TO READ THE BOOKS I BROUGHT, THE
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH, ETC., BUT HE LOOKS AT THEM AND CALLS
THEM INFIDEL, AND SAYS THEY SEEM TO HIM TO CARRY ERROR IN THEIR
FRONT, WHEN, IF THEY WOULD ONLY READ CAREFULLY EACH SENTIMENT
OF OUR TENETS, I CAN BUT THINK THEY WOULD EMBRACE THEM AS BIBLE
TRUTHS AND SEE THEIR BEAUTY AND CONSISTENCY. I DOUBT NOT BUT
THAT SISTER T. WOULD BE GLAD TO IMMEDIATELY BECOME A SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST WERE IT NOT THAT HER HUSBAND IS
SO BITTERLY OPPOSED TO ANY SUCH THING. IT WAS IMPRESSED UPON
MY MIND THAT I HAD A WORK TO DO HERE BEFORE I CAME HERE; BUT
THE TRUTH IS PRESENT IN THE FAMILY, AND IF I CAN CARRY IT NO
FARTHER, IT WOULD SEEM THAT MY WORK IS DONE, OR NEARLY SO. I
DO NOT FEEL LIKE BEING ASHAMED OF CHRIST, OR HIS, IN THIS WICKED
GENERATION, AND WOULD MUCH RATHER CAST IN MY LOT WITH SABBATHKEEPERS
AND GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE.
"I SHALL NEED TEN DOLLARS AT LEAST
TO GET TO GREENVILLE. THAT, WITH THE LITTLE I HAVE EARNED, MIGHT
BE SUFFICIENT. BUT NOW I WILL WAIT FOR YOU TO WRITE ME, AND DO
WHAT YOU THINK BEST ABOUT FORWARDING ME THE MONEY. IN THE SPRING
I WOULD HAVE ENOUGH TO GO, MYSELF, AND THINK I SHOULD LIKE TO
DO SO. MAY THE LORD GUIDE AND BLESS US IN OUR EVERY UNDERTAKING,
IS THE ARDENT DESIRE OF MY HEART. AND MAY I FILL THAT VERY POSITION
MY GOD ALLOTS FOR ME IN HIS MORAL VINEYARD, PERFORMING WITH ALACRITY
EVERY DUTY, HOWEVER ONEROUS IT MAY SEEM, ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD
PLEASURE, IS MY SINCERE DESIRE AND HEARTFELT PRAYER.
"HANNAH MORE."
On receiving this letter, we decided to
send the needed sum to Sister More as soon as we could find time.
But before we found the spare moments we decided to go to Maine,
to return in a few weeks, when we could send for her before navigation
should close. And when we decided to stay and labor in Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, we wrote to a brother in
this county to see leading brethren in the vicinity and consult
with them concerning sending for Sister More and making her a
home until we should return. But the matter was neglected until
navigation closed, and we returned and found that no one had
taken interest to help Sister More to this vicinity, where she
could come to us when we should reach our home. We felt grieved
and distressed, and at a meeting at Orleans the second Sabbath
after we came home, my husband introduced her case to the brethren.
A brief report of what was said
and done in relation to Sister More was given by my husband in
the Review for February 18, 1868, as follows:
"AT THIS MEETING WE INTRODUCED THE
CASE OF SISTER HANNAH MORE, NOW SOJOURNING IN NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN
WITH FRIENDS WHO DO NOT OBSERVE THE BIBLE SABBATH. WE STATED
THAT THIS SERVANT OF CHRIST EMBRACED THE SABBATH WHILE PERFORMING
MISSIONARY LABOR IN CENTRAL AFRICA. WHEN THIS WAS KNOWN, HER
SERVICES IN THAT DIRECTION WERE NO LONGER WANTED, AND SHE RETURNED
TO AMERICA TO SEEK A HOME AND EMPLOYMENT WITH THOSE OF LIKE FAITH.
WE JUDGE, FROM HER PRESENT LOCATION, THAT IN THIS SHE HAS BEEN
DISAPPOINTED. NO ONE IN PARTICULAR MAY BE WORTHY OF BLAME IN
HER CASE; BUT IT APPEARS TO US THAT THERE IS EITHER A LACK OF
SUITABLE PROVISIONS CONNECTED WITH OUR SYSTEM OF ORGANIZATION,
FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SUCH PERSONS AND TO ASSIST THEM TO A
FIELD OF USEFUL LABOR, OR THAT THOSE BRETHREN AND SISTERS WHO
HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING SISTER MORE HAVE NOT DONE THEIR
DUTY. A UNANIMOUS VOTE WAS THEN GIVEN TO INVITE HER TO FIND A
HOME WITH THE BRETHREN IN THIS VICINITY UNTIL GENERAL CONFERENCE,
WHEN HER CASE SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO OUR PEOPLE. BROTHER ANDREWS,
BEING PRESENT, FULLY ENDORSED THE ACTION OF THE BRETHREN."
From what we have since learned of the
cold, indifferent treatment which Sister More met with at Battle
Creek, it is evident that in stating that no one in particular
was worthy of censure in her case, my husband took altogether
a too charitable view of the matter. When all the facts are known,
no Christian could but blame all members of that church who knew
her circumstances and did not individually interest themselves
in her behalf. It certainly was the duty of the officers to do
this and report to the church, if others did not take up the
matter before them. But individual members of that or any other
church should not feel excused from taking an interest in such
persons. After what has been said in the Review of this self-sacrificing servant of Christ,
every reader of the Review in Battle Creek, on learning that
she had come to the city, would have been excused for giving
her a personal call and inquiring into her wants.
Sister Strong, the wife of Elder P. Strong,
Jr., was in Battle Creek at the same time as Sister More. They
both reached that city the same day, and left at the same time.
Sister Strong, who is by my side, says that Sister More wished
her to intercede for her, that she might get employment, so as
to remain with Sabbathkeepers. Sister More said she was willing
to do anything, but teaching was her choice. She also requested
Elder A. S. Hutchins to introduce her case to leading brethren
at the Review office and try to get a school for her. This, Brother
Hutchins cheerfully did. But no encouragement was given, as there
appeared to be no opening. She also stated to Sister Strong that
she was destitute of means and must go to Leelenaw County unless
she could get employment at Battle Creek. She frequently spoke
in words of touching lamentation that she was obliged to leave
the brethren.
Sister More wrote to Mr. Thompson relative
to accepting his offer to make it her home with his family, and
she wished to wait until she should hear from him. Sister Strong
went with her to find a place for her to stay until she should
hear from Mr. T. At one place she was told that she could stay
from Wednesday until Friday morning, when they were to leave
home. This sister made Sister More's case known to her natural
sister, living near, who was also a Sabbathkeeper. When she returned
she told Sister More that she could stay with her until Friday
morning; that her sister said it was not convenient to take her.
Sister Strong has since learned that the real excuse was that
she was not acquainted with Sister More. She could have taken
her, but did not want her.
Sister More then asked Sister Strong what
she should do. Sister Strong was almost a stranger in Battle
Creek, but thought she could get
her in with the family of a poor brother of her acquaintance
who had recently moved from Montcalm County. Here she succeeded.
Sister More remained until Tuesday, when she left for Leelenaw
County by the way of Chicago. There she borrowed money to complete
her journey. Her wants were known to some, at least, in Battle
Creek, for as the result of their being made known, she was charged
nothing for her brief stay at the Institute.
Immediately after our return from the East,
my husband, learning that nothing had been done, as we had requested,
to get Sister More where she could at once come to us on our
return, wrote to her to come to us as soon as possible, to which
she responded as follows:
"LELAND, LEELENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
FEBRUARY 20, 1868.
"MY DEAR BROTHER WHITE: YOURS OF FEBRUARY
3 IS RECEIVED. IT FOUND ME IN POOR HEALTH, NOT BEING ACCUSTOMED
TO THESE COLD NORTHERN WINTERS, WITH THE SNOW THREE OR FOUR FEET
DEEP ON A LEVEL. OUR MAILS ARE BROUGHT ON SNOWSHOES.
"IT DOES NOT SEEM POSSIBLE FOR ME
TO GET TO YOU TILL SPRING OPENS. THE ROADS ARE BAD ENOUGH WITHOUT
SNOW. THEY TELL ME MY BEST WAY IS TO WAIT TILL NAVIGATION OPENS,
THEN GO TO MILWAUKEE, AND THENCE TO GRAND HAVEN, TO TAKE THE
RAILROAD TO THE POINT NEAREST YOUR PLACE. I HAD HOPED TO GET
AMONG OUR DEAR PEOPLE LAST FALL, BUT WAS NOT PERMITTED THE PRIVILEGE.
"THE TRUTHS WHICH WE BELIEVE SEEM
MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT, AND OUR WORK OF MAKING READY A PEOPLE
PREPARED FOR THE LORD'S COMING IS NOT TO BE DELAYED. WE MUST
NOT ONLY HAVE ON THE WEDDING GARMENT OURSELVES, BUT BE FAITHFUL
IN RECOMMENDING THE PREPARATION TO OTHERS. I WISH I COULD GET
TO YOU, BUT IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, OR AT LEAST IMPRACTICABLE, IN
MY DELICATE STATE OF HEALTH TO SET OUT ALONE ON SUCH A JOURNEY
IN THE DEPTH OF WINTER. WHEN IS THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO
WHICH YOU ALLUDE? AND WHERE? I SUPPOSE THE
REVIEW WILL EVENTUALLY INFORM ME.
"I THINK MY HEALTH HAS SUFFERED FROM
KEEPING THE SABBATH ALONE IN MY CHAMBER, IN THE COLD; BUT I DID
NOT THINK I COULD KEEP IT WHERE ALL MANNER OF WORK AND WORLDLY
CONVERSATION WAS THE ORDER OF THE DAY, AS WITH SUNDAYKEEPERS.
I THINK IT IS THE MOST LABORIOUS WORKING DAY WITH THOSE WHO KEEP
FIRST DAY. INDEED, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO ME THAT THE BEST OF SUNDAYKEEPERS
OBSERVE ANY DAY AS THEY SHOULD. OH, HOW I LONG TO BE AGAIN WITH
SABBATHKEEPERS! SISTER WHITE WILL WANT TO SEE ME IN THE REFORM
DRESS. WILL SHE BE SO KIND AS TO SEND ME A PATTERN, AND I WILL
PAY HER WHEN I GET THERE. I SUPPOSE I SHALL NEED TO BE FITTED
OUT WHEN I GET AMONG YOU. I LIKE IT MUCH. SISTER THOMPSON THINKS
SHE WOULD LIKE TO WEAR THE REFORM DRESS.
"I HAVE HAD A DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING,
SO THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP FOR MORE THAN A WEEK, OCCASIONED,
I SUPPOSE, BY THE STOVEPIPE'S PARTING AND COMPLETELY FILLING
MY ROOM WITH SMOKE AND GAS AT BEDTIME, AND MY SLEEPING THERE
WITHOUT PROPER VENTILATION. I DID NOT, AT THE TIME, SUPPOSE SMOKE
WAS SO UNWHOLESOME, NOR CONSIDER THAT THE IMPURE GAS WHICH GENERATED
FROM THE WOOD AND COAL WAS MINGLED WITH IT. I AWOKE WITH SUCH
A SENSE OF SUFFOCATION THAT I COULD NOT BREATHE LYING DOWN, AND
SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE NIGHT SITTING UP. I NEVER BEFORE KNEW
THE DREADFUL FEELING OF STIFLING SENSATIONS. I BEGAN TO FEAR
I SHOULD NEVER SLEEP AGAIN. I THEREFORE RESIGNED MYSELF INTO
THE HANDS OF GOD FOR LIFE OR DEATH, ENTREATING HIM TO SPARE ME
IF HE HAD ANY FURTHER NEED OF ME IN HIS VINEYARD; OTHERWISE I
HAD NO WISH TO LIVE. I FELT ENTIRELY RECONCILED TO THE HAND OF
GOD UPON ME. BUT I ALSO FELT THAT SATANIC INFLUENCES MUST BE
RESISTED. I THEREFORE BADE SATAN GET BEHIND ME AND AWAY FROM
ME, AND TOLD THE LORD THAT I WOULD NOT TURN MY HAND OVER TO CHOOSE
EITHER LIFE OR DEATH, BUT THAT I WOULD REFER IT IMPLICITLY TO
HIM WHO KNEW ME ALTOGETHER. MY FUTURE WAS UNKNOWN TO MYSELF,
THEREFORE SAID I, THY WILL
IS BEST. LIFE IS OF NO ACCOUNT TO ME, SO FAR AS ITS PLEASURES
ARE CONCERNED. ALL ITS RICHES, ITS HONORS, ARE NOTHING COMPARED
WITH USEFULNESS. I DO NOT CRAVE THEM; THEY CANNOT SATISFY OR
FILL THE ACHING VOID WHICH UNPERFORMED DUTY LEAVES TO ME. I WOULD
NOT LIVE USELESSLY, TO BE A MERE BLOT OR BLANK IN LIFE. AND THOUGH
IT SEEMS A MARTYR'S DEATH TO DIE THUS, I AM RESIGNED, IF THAT
IS GOD'S WILL.
"I HAD SAID TO SISTER THOMPSON THE
DAY PREVIOUS, 'WERE I AT BROTHER WHITE'S, I MIGHT BE PRAYED FOR,
AND HEALED.' SHE INQUIRED IF WE COULD SEND FOR YOU AND BROTHER
ANDREWS; BUT THAT SEEMED IMPRACTICABLE, AS I COULD NOT, IN ALL
PROBABILITY, LIVE TILL YOU ARRIVED. I KNEW THAT THE LORD BY HIS
MIGHTY POWER AND WITH HIS POTENT ARM COULD HEAL ME HERE, WERE
IT BEST. TO HIM I FELT SAFE IN REFERRING IT. I KNEW HE COULD
SEND AN ANGEL TO RESIST HIM THAT HATH THE POWER OF DEATH, THAT
IS, THE DEVIL, AND FELT SURE HE WOULD, IF BEST. I KNEW, ALSO,
THAT HE COULD SUGGEST MEASURES, WERE THEY NECESSARY, FOR MY RECOVERY,
AND I FELT SURE HE WOULD. I SOON WAS BETTER, AND ABLE TO SLEEP
SOME.
"THUS YOU SEE I AM STILL A SPARED
MONUMENT OF GOD'S MERCY AND FAITHFULNESS IN AFFLICTING HIS CHILDREN.
HE DOTH NOT WILLINGLY AFFLICT NOR GRIEVE THE CHILDREN OF MEN;
BUT SOMETIMES TRIALS ARE NEEDED AS A DISCIPLINE, TO WEAN US FROM
EARTH--
AND BID US SEEK SUBSTANTIAL BLISS
BEYOND A FLEETING WORLD LIKE THIS.
"NOW I CAN SAY WITH THE POET:
LORD, IT BELONGS NOT TO MY CARE,
WHETHER I DIE OR LIVE.
IF LIFE BE LONG, I WILL BE GLAD
THAT I MAY LONG OBEY;
IF SHORT, YET WHY SHOULD I BE SAD?
THIS WORLD MUST PASS AWAY.
CHRIST LEADS ME THROUGH NO DARKER ROOMS,
THAN HE WENT THROUGH BEFORE.
WHOE'ER INTO HIS KINGDOM COMES,
MUST ENTER BY HIS DOOR.
COME, LORD, WHEN GRACE HAS MADE ME MEET
THY BLESSED FACE TO SEE;
FOR, IF THY WORK ON EARTH BE SWEET,
WHAT MUST THY GLORY BE?
I'LL GLADLY END MY SAD COMPLAINTS,
AND WEARY, SINFUL DAYS,
TO JOIN WITH THE TRIUMPHANT SAINTS
THAT SING JEHOVAH'S PRAISE.
MY KNOWLEDGE OF THAT STATE IS SMALL,
MY EYE OF FAITH IS DIM;
BUT 'TIS ENOUGH THAT CHRIST KNOWS ALL,
AND I SHALL BE WITH HIM.
--BAXTER.
"I HAD ANOTHER WAKEFUL SEASON LAST
NIGHT, AND FEEL POORLY TODAY. PRAY THAT WHATEVER IS GOD'S WILL
MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED IN AND THROUGH ME, WHETHER IT BE BY MY LIFE
OR DEATH.
"YOURS IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE,
"HANNAH MORE.
"IF YOU KNOW OF ANY WAY BY WHICH I
CAN REACH YOU SOONER, PLEASE INFORM ME.
H. M."
She being dead yet speaketh. Her letters,
which I have given, will be read with deep interest by those
who have read her obituary in a recent number of the Review.
She might have been a blessing to any Sabbathkeeping family who
could appreciate her worth, but she sleeps. Our brethren at Battle
Creek and in this vicinity could have made more than a welcome
home for Jesus, in the person of this godly woman. But that opportunity
is past. It was not convenient. They were not acquainted with
her. She was advanced in years and might be a burden. Feelings
of this kind barred her from the homes of the professed friends
of Jesus, who are looking for His near advent, and drove her
away from those she loved, to those who opposed her faith, to
northern Michigan, in the cold of winter, to be chilled to death.
She died a martyr to the selfishness and covetousness of professed
commandment keepers.
Providence has administered, in this case,
a terrible rebuke for the conduct
of those who did not take this stranger in. She was not really
a stranger. By reputation she was known, and yet she was not
taken in. Many will feel sad as they think of Sister More as
she stood in Battle Creek, begging a home there with the people
of her choice. And as they, in imagination, follow her to Chicago,
to borrow money to meet the expenses of the journey to her final
resting place,--and when they think of that grave in Leelenaw
County, where rests this precious outcast,--God pity those who
are guilty in her case.
Poor Sister More! She sleeps, but we did
what we could. When we were at Battle Creek, the last of August,
we received the first of the two letters I have given, but we
had no money to send her. My husband sent to Wisconsin and Iowa
for means, and received seventy dollars to bear our expenses
to those western convocations, held last September. We hoped
to have means to send to her immediately on our return from the
West, to pay her expenses to our new home in Montcalm County.
The liberal friends West had given us the
needed means; but when we decided to accompany Brother Andrews
to Maine, the matter was deferred until we should return. We
did not expect to be in the East more than four weeks, which
would have given ample time to send for Sister More after our
return, and to get her to our house before navigation should
close. And when we decided to remain in the East several weeks
longer than we first designed, we lost no time in addressing
several brethren in this vicinity, recommending that they send
for Sister More and give her a home till we should return. I
say: We did what we could.
But why should we feel interested in this
sister, more than others? What did we want of this worn-out missionary?
She could not do our housework, and we had but one child at home
for her to teach. And, certainly, much could not be expected
of one worn as she was, who had nearly reached three-score years.
We had no use for her, in particular, only to bring
the blessing of God into our house. There
are many reasons why our brethren should have taken greater interest
in the case of Sister More than we. We had never seen her, and
had no other means of knowing her history, her devotion to the
cause of Christ and humanity, than all the readers of the Review.
Our brethren at Battle Creek had seen this noble woman, and some
of them knew more or less of her wishes and wants. We had no
money with which to help her; they had. We were already overburdened
with care and needed those persons in our house who possessed
the strength and buoyancy of youth. We needed to be helped, instead
of helping others. But most of our brethren in Battle Creek are
so situated that Sister More would not have been the least care
and burden. They have time, strength, and comparative freedom
from care.
Yet no one took the interest in her case
that we did. I even spoke to the large congregation before we
went East last fall, of their neglect of Sister More. I spoke
of the duty of giving honor to whom it is due; it appeared to
me that wisdom had so far departed from the prudent that they
were not capable of appreciating moral worth. I told that church
that there were many among them who could find time to meet,
and sing, and play their instruments of music; they could give
their money to the artist to multiply their likenesses, or could
spend it to attend public amusements; but they had nothing to
give to a worn-out missionary who had heartily embraced the present
truth and had come to live with those of like precious faith.
I advised them to stop and consider what we were doing, and proposed
that they shut up their instruments of music for three months
and take time to humble themselves before God in self-examination,
repentance, and prayer until they learned the claims which the
Lord had upon them as His professed children. My soul was stirred
with a sense of the wrong that had been done Jesus, in the person
of Sister More, and I talked personally with several about it.
This thing was not done in a corner. And
yet, notwithstanding the matter was made public, followed by
the great and good work in the church at Battle Creek, no effort
was made by that church to redeem the past by bringing Sister
More back. And one, a wife of one of our ministers, stated afterward:
"I do not see the need of Brother and Sister White's making
such a fuss about Sister More. I think they do not understand
the case." True, we did not understand the case. It is much
worse than we then supposed. If we had understood it, we would
never have left Battle Creek till we had fully set before that
church the sin of suffering her to leave them as she did, and
measures had been taken to call her back.
A member of that church in conversation
about Sister More's leaving as she did, has since said in substance:
"No one feels like taking the responsibility of such cases
now. Brother White always took the charge of them." Yes,
he did. He would take them to his own house till every chair
and bed was full, then he would go to his brethren and have them
take those whom he could not. If they needed means, he would
give to them and invite others to follow his example. There must
be men in Battle Creek to do as he has done, or the curse of
God will follow that church. Not one man only, there are fifty
there who can do, more or less, as he has done.
We are told that we must come back to Battle
Creek. This we are not ready to do. Probably this will never
be our duty. We stood under heavy burdens there till we could
stand no longer. God will have strong men and women there to
divide these burdens among them. Those who move to Battle Creek,
who accept positions there, who are not ready to put their hands
to this kind of work, would a thousand times better be somewhere
else. There are those who can see and feel, and gladly do good
to Jesus in the person of His saints. Let them have room to work.
Let those who cannot do this go where they will not stand in
the way of the work of God.
Especially is this applicable to those
who stand at the head of the work. If they go wrong, all is wrong.
The greater the responsibility, the greater the ruin in the case
of unfaithfulness. If leading brethren do not faithfully perform
their duty, those who are led will not do theirs. Those at the
head of the work at Battle Creek must be ensamples to the flock
everywhere. If they do this, they will have a great reward. If
they fail to do this, and yet accept such positions, they will
have a fearful account to give.
We did what we could. If we could have
had means at our command last summer and fall, Sister More would
now be with us. When we learned our real circumstances, as set
forth in Testimony No. 13, we both took the matter joyfully and
said we did not want the responsibility of means. This was wrong.
God wants that we should have means that we may, as in time past,
help where help is needed. Satan wants to tie our hands in this
respect and lead others to be careless, unfeeling, and covetous,
that such cruel work may go on as in the case of Sister More.
We see outcasts, widows, orphans, worthy
poor, and ministers in want, and many chances to use means to
the glory of God, the advancement of His cause, and the relief
of suffering saints, and I want means to use for God. The experience
of nearly a quarter of a century in extensive traveling, feeling
the condition of those who need help, qualifies us to make a
judicious use of our Lord's money. I have bought my own stationery,
paid my own postage, and spent much of my life writing for the
good of others, and all I have received for this work, which
has wearied and worn me terribly, would not pay a tithe of my
postage. When means has been pressed upon me, I have refused
it, or appropriated it to such charitable objects as the Publishing
Association. I shall do so no more. I shall do my duty in labor
as ever, but my fears of receiving means to use for the
Lord are gone. This case of Sister More
has fully aroused me to see the work of Satan in depriving us
of means.
Poor Sister More! When we heard that she
was dead, my husband felt terrible. We both felt as though a
dear mother, for whose society our very hearts yearned, was no
more. Some may say, If we had stood in the place of those who
knew something of this sister's wishes and wants, we would not
have done as they did. I hope you will never have to suffer the
stings of conscience which some must feel who were so interested
in their own affairs as to be unwilling to bear any responsibility
in her case. May God pity those who are so afraid of deception
as to neglect a worthy, self-sacrificing servant of Christ. The
remark was made as an excuse for this neglect: We have been bitten
so many times that we are afraid of strangers. Did our Lord and
His disciples instruct us to be very cautious and not entertain
strangers, lest we should possibly make some mistake and get
bitten by having the trouble of caring for an unworthy person?
Paul exhorts the Hebrews: "Let brotherly
love continue." Do not flatter yourselves that there is
a time when this exhortation will not be needed; when brotherly
love may cease. He continues: "Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Please read Matthew 25:31 and onward. Read it, brethren, the
next time you take the Bible at your morning or evening family
devotions. The good works performed by those who are to be welcomed
to the kingdom were done to Christ in the person of His suffering
people. Those who had done these good works did not see that
they had done anything for Christ. They had done no more than
their duty to suffering humanity. Those on the left hand could
not see that they had abused Christ in neglecting the wants of
His people. But they had neglected to do for Jesus in the person
of His saints, and for this neglect they were to go away into
everlasting punishment. And one definite point of their neglect is thus stated: "I was
a stranger, and ye took Me not in."
These things do not belong alone to Battle
Creek. I am grieved at the selfishness among professed Sabbathkeepers
everywhere. Christ has gone to prepare eternal mansions for us,
and shall we refuse Him a home for only a few days, in the person
of His saints who are cast out? He left His home in glory, His
majesty and high command, to save lost man. He became poor that
we through His poverty might become rich. He submitted to insult,
that man might be exalted, and provided a home that would be
matchless for loveliness, and enduring as the throne of God.
Those who finally overcome and sit down with Christ upon His
throne will follow the example of Jesus, and from a willing,
happy choice will sacrifice for Him in the person of His saints.
Those who cannot do this from choice will go away into everlasting
punishment.