REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.
By James White
Since our return, in January, from the eastern tour, to Battle Creek, our labors have been confined most of the time with the church and interests of the cause located in that city. Our work has been hard, and sometimes discouraging. We were very much worn in January, and should have had rest. But this we cannot find in Battle Creek. We toiled on, until Mrs. W. could labor no longer, and I was becoming gloomy. We had designed accomplishing much writing at Battle Creek, but in this we have been sorely disappointed. We have been kept from it, either from laboring for those who needed help, some of whom felt no need of it, from discouragements, or from sickness. It has even been impossible to notice a large portion of our correspondence. For several weeks before leaving Battle Creek, Mrs. W. was becoming more feeble. We decided at one time to seek relief, by a journey to New York and New England; but her unfavorable condition at so unfavorable a season, discouraged us in this. Then we decided to try a short tour among some of our strongest churches, in hope of finding them in a condition to help us, instead of perpetually drawing upon us for help. April 13, Mrs. W. was in a fainting condition much of the day. In answer to prayer she was relieved, and the 14th was better. The 15th we rode twenty-eight miles to Bro. Owens in Hastings, and enjoyed a good degree of freedom on the way, and good rest for the night. The 16th we rode fifty miles to Bro. Root's in Wright. The last fifteen miles was in a violent storm, which did not harm us. We enjoyed two excellent meetings with the church on the Sabbath, the 17th. We both enjoyed a good degree of freedom. Here we visited the camp-ground, with Bro. Root, and enjoyed a good season of prayer where God so signally blessed his people assembled last September. And it did seem to me that God would graciously bless his people should they there assemble in his name again. That is an excellent place, and that church is willing, and, I think, worthy of such a blessing in their midst, as they had last September. First-day, the 18th, we came to Greenville. The last few miles of this journey was in a violent storm. We found rest at Bro. Maynard's, and found ourselves next morning unharmed by the journey and storm. Yesterday and to-day we have been keeping house at our old place, and are quite comfortable with the few remaining things not removed to Battle Creek, and some borrowed at Bro. Maynard's. This seems like home. Mrs. W. is very much improved in health, and we enjoy the light labor among the strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and grapes. Here the Lord has blessed us in our afflictions more than in any other place. Here we can accomplish more than in Battle Creek, especially in writing. When returning from a long, wearying tour, we could rest; but, not in Battle Creek, until a great change takes place with that people. We erred in complying with the request of the Battle Creek church to move our head-quarters to that city. Things there were not ready for us. Great mistakes had been made in the management of matters pertaining to the interests of the cause there, in our absence, without our counsel, and, in some things, against our entreaties. When those who had made the mistakes should correct them, as far as possible, and when the church should get into a place to help us in our labors, then, and not till then, could it be our duty to settle in their midst. We are not in the least responsible for the mistakes referred to above. I greatly erred in accepting responsibilities at our last General Conference. When those who had embarrassed the cause, should do all they could to relieve it, instead of leaving the burden to those who had taken no part in these mistakes, then it would be soon enough for us to take responsibilities in these matters. We had nearly fallen under the burdens of the past few months. We design that this sad lesson shall lead us to seek more carefully and earnestly to walk in the path of duty. Greenville, April 20, 1869.