p. 24 | To the Brethren by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 5, 1860

To the Brethren.

By James White

We wish to say to the brethren who extended to us an invitation to meet them in Conference at Gilboa, O., Hillsdale, Mich., Roosevelt, N. Y., and also in Vermont, that we were sorry not to be able to comply with their wishes. And perhaps it might be well to mention some of our difficulties.

1. Many cares and perplexities connected with the cause, which seemed to make it necessary to remain in Battle Creek.

2. Being occupied with matters of a business character, we have been deprived the privilege of study, and reading much in the word, and being much in prayer, and we have felt unfit to meet the brethren in Conferences.

3. Many of our cares have been of a perplexing and distressing character. The manifest willingness on the part of some to throw greater burdens on us, those, too, that we have labored to befriend and assist, has had a discouraging influence, and we have given up preaching for the present, till we can get free from those cares which have long kept us in an unfit state of mind for preaching, and have a little time to breathe. Then we expect to devote our time exclusively to preaching. Then we shall be happy to meet the brethren in State conferences as Providence may dictate. J . .W