p. 78 | A Response by L. M. Gates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 6, 1866

A Response.

By L. M. Gates

BRO. ALDRICH : Responsive to your note in Review No. 7, I would say that it is my wish that the $10,000 which I sent Bro. White at Dansville, should be used expressly for the benefit of himself and family, and I decidedly object to having any different disposition made of it from that for which it was originally intended. I am well aware that the unjust cry of "speculation," which has been so cruelly raised against Bro. White, has had a tendency to make him over-sensitive on this point; but this is no good reason why he should do injustice to himself and his family. Doubtless some will raise the cry of extravagance in the present instance; but the disaffected will be forever finding fault about something, and just as long as Bro. and Sr. White continue to occupy the position they have heretofore filled—under God—just so long will they be signal marks for the vengeance of the enemy.

Bro. and sister White live in the hearts of the Advent people—when they are in affliction we consider it a pleasure to minister to them and thus to fulfill the injunction, "Bear ye one another's burdens." Most of us have been denied the privilege of ministering to Bro. White personally so far during his sickness. Did he object to receiving the kind ministrations of his brethren and sisters at Battle Creek? Then why does he deny those to whom he is equally dear, abroad, the satisfaction of ministering to him pecuniarily, since they cannot do it otherwise?

Why need he cripple his small means, when we would so gladly contribute a mite, each, of our abundance, which we should never feel? How often has Bro. White cramped himself, in years past, to help others? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Does Bro. White want all the blessing of giving? or must we get our blessing by giving to some other worthy object, but not to him?

Others may not have the audacity to speak as plainly as I have done; still I am confident that our people generally would much rather Bro. White should retain their respective donations, than bestow them otherwise.

I am not in the habit of dictating to those in authority and therefore hope for pardon for this one transgression.

Yours truly, L. M. GATES. Beaver Dam, Wis., Jan. 25, 1866.