At Home | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 18, 1871

At Home.

We reached our home at Battle Creek late in the evening of July 6, and learned that our aged father peacefully fell asleep in Jesus just twenty-four hours before our arrival. We have the satisfaction of knowing that in our absence, to the very last, he had all that care and attention that human aid could afford; yet, had it been the will of God, it would have been our choice to have been with him in his last hours. The funeral was to be on Sabbath, the 8th.

In the afternoon of the 7th we were very happy to see at our door our oldest brother, J. W. White, of Columbus, Ohio, presiding elder of the M. E. Church, and his son, Prof. John White, of Willoughby College. These had come to join us in burying our father. In a time of bereavement like this, when the tenderest and finest feelings of the human soul are moved, the presence and sympathy of a generous and faithful brother are highly prized. We enjoyed very much the good visit of our brother and nephew, and parted with them, they to go to their posts of duty in Ohio, the 10th.

We are happy to find on our return that prosperity attends the work at the publishing house, and at the Health Institute. And, by the grace of God, we can report improvement in health and spirits. Mrs. W. is in excellent spirits, and designs to complete her second volume of the Spirit of Prophecy before the eastern camp-meetings. This she will do in Battle Creek, if friends will not interrupt her with their personal matters. If they do, she will go to Greenville where she can be retired. We design to attend the eastern camp-meetings, if the way is opened for us. In order for this, two things will be necessary: first, that contributors to our periodicals give our papers especial attention; and, second, that we be not overburdened with matters and things which are no part of our work, and which others can do quite as well.

It is in our hearts to accept the kind invitation of brethren in California to visit them this autumn, and spend the winter with them. This we can do, after attending camp-meetings in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, if the brethren will not load us down with cares and labors which do not belong to us. But if fellow-laborers dodge responsibilities, neglect our periodicals, and leave work for us to do which they should do themselves, we shall submit to remain in Battle Creek, and do the best we can. Brethren, we are at your service. But remember, while you urge responsibilities upon us at Battle Creek, our first work is here.