To the Churches in Iowa.
By J. H. Waggoner
It having been reported in this State that I kept Bro. and sister White "posted" in regard to E. W. Shortridge last summer, by which means she knew before the things contained in her testimony to him, I wish to make the following statement: When I found at Oskaloosa, that his course was likely to prove an injury to the cause, I wrote to Bro. White stating the facts and my convictions. He briefly answered that he feared S. would prove only a curse to the cause, and added, "I fear these things will kill my wife." I immediately replied that I would no more burden their minds with the matter, but would do the best I could to effect a reform in him. From this time I entirely ceased to correspond with Bro. White, writing to the Office on business, and for the Review, but no private letters. When I went to Michigan it was some time before I saw sister White, and then not to exceed five minutes, and most of that time conversed on other matters. So far from the report2above referred to being true, it seemed as though Providence had hedged up the way to prevent the possibility of such a report having any foundation. I never saw her testimony to him till a short time before I came to Iowa this spring, and E. W. S. said there were things in it which were true which I did not know and could not have known. These facts should put that matter beyond all doubt. It having also been extensively circulated by Mr. Shortridge that he received only $18.50 for his last season's labor, and that I received $400, I wish to make a statement of the facts in regard to that matter, believing it is due both to myself and the churches. I have examined the Treasurer's book, and also my expense book, and find the following to be the facts: During the season embraced in tent labor he received $64.50, and I $44—$20.50 less than he. From July 10 to Aug. 8, he was at home with his family, during which time I visited Vernon, Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, Oskaloosa, and Knoxville, making my traveling expenses larger than his, while only receiving two-thirds as much. His whole time of tent service was one month and twenty-five days. I left home on the 13th of May, and returned home the 1st of November. The whole amount that I received from the treasury was $232.48; my whole expenses were $78.27, exclusive of my expense going home, which was about $10 more. This would leave, for nearly six months' hard labor, $144.21. But this I could not have received had I not consented to take property; so the brethren, especially Bro. Whitney, made an effort to get up a team for me to drive home. After turning in the tent pledges as far as possible at that time, Brn. Whitney, Hodges, and Conrey, made a private donation in the horses and wagon of about $90, making in all $234. But E. W. S. made no account of private donations, and the facts are now before us that he received far more than I during the same length of time, though doing nothing at all, but much worse than nothing for the cause. My old wagon I still have on hand. My team I had to keep through the winter, and then sold it for $190, only half of which I have received and used; the remainder is not yet due. Thus it will be seen that I was not so very extravagantly paid as E. W. S. would make you believe, nor have I been extravagant in the use of the means bestowed. Though I labored long and hard in Iowa, I always considered that I was liberally paid. A less sum in available means would have been of more benefit to me, as I needed means that winter, but I got enough this spring to pay up my debts, and supply the immediate wants of my family, and have some in reserve, and I have abundant reason to be thankful that I am thus free from care and anxiety about temporal matters. May the Lord help me to be "more abundant" in my labors for his precious cause. Marengo, Iowa, Aug. 4, 1868.