TO THE FRIENDS OF THE CAUSE.
By S. N. Haskell
From a letter received from Bro. White, dated Healdsburg, Cal., April 30, we present the following extract relating to his health, knowing that it will be of interest to all the friends of the cause. “In many respects I am better. 1. I sleep as well as ever I did. 2. My stomach and bowels appear to be well, so that I eat heartily and my food seems to do me good. 3. I am eighteen pounds heavier than when I left Battle Creek. When I have gained seven pounds more I shall weigh one hundred and eighty-five pounds, which is my usual weight in best state of health. “That which gave Willie the idea that I was much worse is my inability to be active on account of an unnatural heat in my hands and feet. This has increased as the weather has grown warmer. We are now writing, sitting in our carriage beneath a California oak, at the coolest and most windy point in this locality, and the mercury stands at 80°. “I am now receiving treatment at the hands of Andrew Brorsen, which has the effect to produce sweating. When this shall be fully established, I expect to find still greater relief. I hope to spend the hotter months in cool Colorado and to attend the General Conference in Michigan, and see my old fellow-laborers once more. Thank God that you, and a thousand others, are praying for me. The brethren here and at Battle Creek unite in special seasons of prayer for me at the going down of the sun at the commencement of the Sabbath, at this latitude. Will you and others join us in petitions for perfect restoration? I long to be in the field again. I would be glad to attend all the camp-meetings.” Nothing is more fitting than for the church of God to unite in prayer for his worn servants. The apostle writes to the Corinthians, “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.” 2 Cor. 1: 11. When he wrote to the Ephesians, and exhorted them to pray always, with all prayer, he adds, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” Eph. 6: 18, 19. He also especially requested the Colossian church to pray for him, in the following language: “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance.” Col. 4: 3. To the Romans he makes a very earnest appeal: “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.” Rom. 15:30-32. Also in Philippians 1: 19 and Philemon 22, he clearly shows how much he valued the prayers of his brethren. The hearts of God’s people thus become more fully united with his worn servants, also to the work of present truth to which their lives are devoted. Perhaps this point has not been fully appreciated by our brethren and sisters. We therefore suggest that wherever there are believers in the cause of present truth who read these lines, that they, each Sabbath, as suggested in the above letter, unite with the church at Battle Creek, in praying that God may speedily restore his servant to soundness of health; that his voice may be heard from State to State, as formerly; and that the cause of God may receive the benefit of his labors, which it so much needs.