Remarkable Experiences and Labors—Loss of the First-Born

«In 1855 I was shown that those brethren who moved from the East to the West were in danger of becoming worldly-minded; and warnings were given me for them. I saw that it was right that some of them should move to the West; that the brethren in those rugged New England States had had more experience, and were more inured to trials and hardships than those in the West; that it was in the order of God that some should move; but that there were those who had it in mind to make such a move for the sake of gain. This should not be their object. The object should be to glorify God, and to advance his cause. And to accomplish this they must live out their faith, and show a regard for present truth above everything else. I saw that it would be in the order of God for brethren in the East to associate with those in the West; and if they were standing in the counsel of God, they could be of great benefit to the western brethren by their example and experience.

«I saw that those who moved to the West should be like men waiting for their Lord. ‘Be a living example,’ said the angel, ‘to those in the West. Let your works show that you are God’s peculiar people, and that you have a peculiar work—the last message of mercy to the world. Let your works show to those around you that this world is not your home.’ I saw that those who have entangled themselves should break the snare of the enemy and go free; that they should not lay up treasures upon earth, but show by their lives that they are laying up treasure in heaven If God had called them to the West, he had a work for them to do—an exalted work—to let faith and experience help those who had not a living experience. The attraction should not be to this poor, dark world, but upward to God, to glory, and to Heaven. They should not let the care and perplexity of farms here engross the mind, but contemplate Abraham’s farm. We are heirs to that immortal inheritance, and should wean the affections from earth, and dwell upon heavenly things.

«If those moving from the East to the West had regarded the warnings, and had stood in the counsel of God, he would have wrought through them to the salvation of many souls. But many of them have set an example of covetousness and love for this world; and their works have shown that their object was gain, and not to save souls. The special frown of God has rested upon those who have taken this course, especially upon some whom the Lord had called into the gospel field.

«Soon after we had embraced the view that the testimony of the Revelation to the Laodicean church applies to our time, we visited Round Grove, Illinois. Here we labored some weeks, and the Lord blessed our efforts. In a vision given me there, I was shown the state of some brethren who had moved to Waukon, Iowa. Nearly all of them were in darkness, opposed to the work of God. Their sympathy had been withdrawn from the Review Office, and from the church of God generally. Satan had planted the seeds of dissatisfaction, and the fruit was ripening.

«I saw that they needed help, that Satan’s snare must be broken, and those precious souls rescued. I did not see that it was our duty to go to them, but as I had been shown their condition, I felt anxious to go. It was a great distance, and in the winter. It was an exceedingly difficult and somewhat dangerous journey, yet I felt urged to go. My mind could not be at ease until we had decided to go, trusting in the Lord. It was then good sleighing, and preparations were made to go with two horses and a sleigh; but, as it rained for twenty-four hours, and the snow was fast disappearing, my husband thought the journey must be given up. Yet my mind could not rest; it was agitated concerning Waukon. Bro. H. said to me, ‘Sister White, what about Waukon?’ Said I, ‘We shall go.’ ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘if the Lord works a miracle.’

«Many times that night I was at the window watching the weather, and about day-break there was a change, and it commenced snowing. The next evening, about five o’clock, we started on our way to Waukon—brethren E. and H., my husband, and myself. Arriving at Green Vale, Illinois, we held meetings with the brethren there, and were delayed nearly a week by a severe snowstorm. At length we ventured to pursue our journey, and, weary, cold, and hungry, we stopped at a hotel a few miles from the Mississippi River. The next morning, about four o’clock, it commenced raining. We felt urged to go on, and rode through the rain, while the horses broke through the crusted snow at almost every step. We made many inquiries about crossing the river, but no one gave us encouragement that we could cross it. The ice was mostly composed of snow, and there lay upon the top of it about a foot of water. When we came to the river, Bro. H. arose in the sleigh and said, ‘Is it Iowa, or back to Illinois? We have come to the Red Sea; shall we cross?’ We answered, ‘Go forward, trusting in Israel’s God.’ We ventured upon the ice, praying as we went, and were carried safely across. As we ascended the bank on the Iowa side of the river, we united in praising the Lord.

«A number of persons told us, after we had crossed, that no amount of money would have tempted them to venture upon the ice, and that several teams had broken through, the drivers barely escaping with their lives. We rode on six miles from Dubuque that afternoon, and put up at a hotel to rest over the Sabbath. In the evening we united in singing some of our best hymns. The boarders collected to listen, and Bro. E. hung up the chart and gave a short lecture. They invited us to call on our return, saying they would warrant us a house and a good congregation.

«Sunday we continued our journey, and I never witnessed such cold weather. The brethren would watch each other to see if they were freezing; and we would often hear, ‘Brother, your face is freezing, you had better rub the frost out as soon as possible;’ ‘Your ear is freezing;’ or, ‘Your nose is freezing.’

«We reached Waukon Wednesday night, and found nearly all of the Sabbath-keepers sorry that we had come. Much prejudice existed against us, for much had been said concerning us calculated to injure our influence. We knew that the Lord had sent us, and that he would there take the work into his own hands. Satan had put his hand in among the company at Waukon, to mould their minds to suit himself. Our earnest prayers went up to God for him to reveal his power, and we felt like patiently waiting his salvation.

«At an evening meeting I was taken off in vision, and the power of God fell upon the company. Every one was constrained to acknowledge that it was of God. I related what the Lord had given me for that people, which was, Return unto me, and I will return unto thee, and heal all thy backslidings. Tear down the rubbish from the door of thy heart, and open the door, and I will come in and sup with thee and thou with me.

«I saw that if they would clear the way, and confess their wrongs, Jesus would walk through our midst in power. Sister L. began to confess in a clear, decided manner, and said she thought they had got away where we could not find them; but she was glad that we had come. As she made confession, the flood-gates of heaven seemed suddenly opened, and I was prostrated by the power of God. Sister H. N. S. fell from her chair helpless. It seemed to be an awful yet glorious place. I had no strength for two hours, but seemed to be wrapped in the glory of God. The meeting held till past midnight, and a great work was accomplished.

The next day the meeting commenced where it left off the night before. All who had been blessed at the previous meeting retained the blessing. They had not slept much, for the Spirit of God rested upon them through the night, and they came with it to the meeting. Confessions were made of their disunion of feeling with us, and their backslidden state. Others were prostrated by the power of God that day, among them Bro. A., who lay helpless for some time. He said he felt thankful that we had come, and believed that God had sent us. The meeting continued without intermission from ten o’clock in the forenoon till five in the evening.

«That evening the burden left us who had come to the place, and was rolled upon the brethren and sisters of Waukon, and they labored for each other with zeal and with the power of God upon them. Countenances that looked sad when we came to the place, now shone with the heavenly anointing. It seemed that angels from Heaven were passing from one to the other in the room, to finish the good work which had been commenced. Bro. L., who had in discouragement left the work to which God had called him, and had begun to work at his trade, cried out that he had laid up his hammer, and had driven the last nail. He was again at liberty to labor in the gospel field. We soon bade farewell to the brethren in Waukon, and started on our homeward journey.

«In the spring of 1857, I accompanied my husband on a tour East. His principal business was to purchase a power press. We held conferences on our way to Boston, and also on our return. This was a discouraging tour. The testimony to the Laodicean church had been generally received, but some in the East were making bad use of it. Instead of applying it to their own hearts, so as to be benefited by it themselves, they were using the testimony to oppress others. A few taught that the brethren must sell all before they could be free, while some others dwelt much upon dress, carrying the subject to an extreme. With a few others there was a narrowing up of the work of the third message, and following of impressions, and casting fear upon the conscientious. These things had a blighting influence, and caused us to lay down our testimony on the subject almost entirely.

«The design of the message to the Laodiceans was to rid the church of just such fanatical influences; but the effort of Satan has been to corrupt the message and to prevent its proper effect. He would be better pleased to have fanatical persons embrace the testimony and use it in his cause, than to have them remain in a lukewarm state. I have seen that it was not the design of the message to lead any one to sit in judgment upon his brother, to tell him what to do and just how far to go; but for each individual to search his own heart, and attend to his own individual work. It is the work of the angels to watch the development of character, and weigh moral worth.» [The testimony to the Laodiceans here referred to may be found in «Testimony for the Church» No. 5, to which the reader’s attention is specially called.]

«In the spring of 1858, we visited Ohio, and attended conferences at Green Springs, Gilboa, and Lovett’s Grove. At Lovett’s Grove the Lord met with us, and his blessing rested upon us. First-day afternoon there was a funeral service at the school-house where our meetings were held. My husband was invited to give a discourse on the occasion. The people could not all get into the house. My husband was blessed with freedom, and the power of truth seemed to affect the hearers.

«When he had closed his remarks, I felt urged by the Spirit of the Lord to bear my testimony. As I was led to speak upon the coming of Christ and the resurrection, and the cheering hope of the Christian, my soul triumphed in God; I drank in rich draughts of salvation. Heaven, sweet Heaven, was the magnet to draw my soul upward, and I was wrapped in a vision of God’s glory. Many important things were there revealed to me for the church.

«I saw that those who profess the truth should hold the standard high, and induce others to come up to it. I saw that some would have to walk the straight path alone. Their companions and children will not walk the self-denying pathway with them. Patience and forbearance should ever characterize the lives of those lone pilgrims, following the example of their blessed Master. They will have many trials to endure, but they have that hope that makes the soul strong, bears them up above the trials of earth, and elevates them above scorn, derision, and reproach. Those who possess a hope like this should never indulge a harsh, unkind spirit. This will only injure their souls, and drive their friends farther from the truth. Treat them tenderly; give them no occasion to reproach the cause of Christ; but never yield the truth to please any one. Be decided, be fixed, be established, be not of a doubtful mind.

«But if your companions and children will not come, if you cannot win them to yield to the claims of truth, make their lives here as pleasant as possible; for all they ever will enjoy will be this poor world. But let not your duty to them interfere with your duty to God. Pursue a straightforward course. Let nothing they may do or say provoke an angry word from you. You have a hope that will yield you consolation amid the disappointments and trials of life. Your companions and children who will not be induced to tread the narrow, cross-bearing pathway with you, have not this divine consolation. They should have your pity, for this world is all the heaven they will have.

«I was shown that all who profess the present truth will be tested and tried. Their love for Jesus’ coming will be proved, and manifested to others, whether it be genuine. I saw, that not all will stand the test. Some love this world so much that it swallows up their love for the truth. As their treasures here increase, their interest in the heavenly treasure decreases. The more they possess of this world, the more closely do they embrace it, as if fearful that their coveted treasure would be taken from them. The more they possess, the less they have to bestow upon others, for the more they have the poorer they feel. Oh, the deceitfulness of riches! They will not see and feel the wants of the cause of God.

«I saw that God could rain means from Heaven to carry on his work, but he never will do this; it is contrary to his plan. He has entrusted men on earth with sufficient means to carry forward his work, and if all do their duty, there will be no lack. But some will not heed the call for their means. They are willing to see the work of God go forward; they are anxious to see the cause prosper; provided they can keep their riches and make no sacrifice, only to bestow a trifle now and then, which should cause them shame for its being so little and so grudgingly bestowed. Said the angel, ‘God loveth a cheerful giver.’ Individuals who have means are convinced of the truthfulness of our position. They embrace it. They are tested. Opportunities are presented for them to help the cause of God with the unrighteous mammon (this world’s riches), and make friends, that when they shall fail here they may be received into everlasting habitations.

«But some love this world so well that they will not, even for the immortal inheritance, sacrifice their treasure here. They harden their hearts, and will not do their part as God has prospered them. They are fully tested; the world lives in their hearts, and the truth dies out. They lose the crowns laid up in Heaven for them, and God raises up others who come up and fill their places, and take their crowns. Men are raised up who consider it a privilege to sacrifice something for Jesus, who sacrificed so much for them. I was shown individuals who, although they have heard the solemn truths for these last days, and the coming of Christ is brought nigh them by the fulfillment of prophecy, have no thoughts of loosening their grasp of this world. They have no idea of sacrificing their treasure here.

«O that these covetous ones could get a view of Heaven,—of its purity, its loveliness,—and behold the holy angels engaged in working for the salvation of man! All Heaven astir! Angels are going forth on their mission, descending to watch over the tempted children of God, and to shield them from the power of the evil angels. And while these angels are descending, others are ascending to bear their tidings. Angels are constantly passing and repassing each other in their upward and downward flight, fulfilling their mission of love. I would that all could get sight of this; I think that they would catch a little of the zeal and fervor of these devoted angels, which they manifest for the salvation of man. It would inspire them with that interest which would call forth effort, and they would cheerfully sacrifice for the salvation of their fellow-men. In addition to this, all the happiness derived from earth, and from a selfish hoarding of earth’s treasure, would appear so meager, compared with the beauty and unsurpassed glory of Heaven, that earth’s treasures would be eclipsed, and would appear but dross could they win the heavenly treasure.

«How strange it looked to me, as I saw that all Heaven was interested in our salvation, and then saw the little interest manifested by man for his fellow-men. They throw their arms about their treasure here as though it were their Saviour, and could impart unto them eternal life. I was ashamed, distressed, agonized, that such should ever bear the name of disciples, or profess the name of Christ. I saw that they should cheerfully say, ‘Here, Lord, is the little of earth’s treasures thou hast lent me; take any portion of it; take it all; it is thine. Let me do my part in saving my fellow-men, and let me be raised up with the redeemed to dwell with thee forever.’ Tremblingly will such disciples lean upon the strong promises of God. Earth fades before their vision; Heaven is magnified, and no sacrifice is too dear for them to make for the ‘far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.’

«In the vision at Lovett’s Grove, most of the matter of ‘The Great Controversy,’ which I had seen ten years before, was repeated, and it was shown that I must write it out. It was shown, too, that I should have to contend with the powers of darkness, for Satan would make strong efforts to hinder me; but that I must put my trust in God, and angels would not leave me in the conflict.

«After I came out of vision, the afflicted friends and a portion of the congregation bore the body to its resting-place, and great solemnity rested upon those who remained. Two days after this occurrence, we took the cars at Fremont for Jackson, Mich. While on the cars we arranged our plans for writing and publishing the book called ‘The Great Controversy’ immediately on our return home. I was then as well as usual. On the arrival of the train at Jackson, we went to Bro. Palmer’s. We had been in the house but a short time, when, as I was conversing with Sister Palmer, my tongue refused to utter what I wished to say, and seemed large and numb. A strange, cold sensation struck my heart, passed over my head, and down my right side. For a time I was insensible, but was aroused by the voice of earnest prayer. I tried to use my left limbs, but they were perfectly useless. For a short time I did not expect to live. It was my third shock of paralysis, and although within fifty miles of home, I did not expect to see my children again. I called to mind the triumphant season I had enjoyed at Lovett’s Grove, and thought it was my last testimony, and felt reconciled to die.

«Still the earnest prayers of my friends were ascending to Heaven for me, and soon a prickling sensation was felt in my limbs, and I praised the Lord that I could use them a little. The Lord heard and answered the faithful prayers of his children, and the power of Satan was broken. That night I suffered much, but the next day I was sufficiently strengthened to return home. For several weeks I could not feel the pressure of the hand, nor the coldest water poured upon my head. In rising to walk I often staggered, and sometimes fell to the floor. In this condition I commenced to write ‘The Great Controversy.’ At first I could write but one page a day, and then rest three days; but as I progressed, my strength increased. The numbness in my head did not seem to becloud my mind, and before I closed that work [Volume I] the effect of the shock had entirely left me.

«At the time of the Conference at Battle Creek, in June, 1858, Sister Hutchins, who now sleeps in Jesus, was sorely afflicted with sickness, and we all felt that she would go down to the grave unless the Lord should raise her up. While praying for her, the power of God rested upon us all, and as it came upon me, I was taken off in vision. In that vision it was shown that in the sudden attack at Jackson, Satan intended to take my life, in order to hinder the work I was about to write; but angels of God were sent to my rescue. I also saw, among other things, that I should be blest with better health than before the attack at Jackson.

«In August, 1858, we attended a Conference at Crane’s Grove, Illinois. At the close of the meetings I was taken very sick. Remedies were used, but I obtained no relief. Then I called for the brethren and sisters to pray for me. They complied with my request, and I found relief, and was immediately taken off in vision.

«I saw that Jesus did not come to abolish his father’s law. The ten commandments were to stand fast forever. Adam and Eve broke God’s law and fell, and the family of Adam must perish. God could not alter or abolish his law to save lost man, who had by his transgression fallen so low that God could not accept any effort he might make to keep that holy, just, and good law.

«Jesus saw the degradation of man, and pitied his hopeless condition. All Heaven knew that God could not change or abolish his law to save man. Jesus pitied the fallen race, and offered to take upon himself the wrath of God that was due to man, and to suffer in his stead. Said an angel, ‘Did Jesus come to make void the law of God, and by his death abolish it? No, no. If God’s law could have been changed; if it could have been abolished, God would not have given his Son to die a cruel, shameful death!’ But the fact that Jesus gave his life for man shows the immutability of God’s law. Jesus gave his life to save lost man from the curse or penalty he merited by transgression. He by humbling himself exalted man. He became the stepping-stone to elevate man, that he might lay hold of the virtue of his blood, keep God’s law, and be brought back to eat of the fruit of the tree of life to which Adam and Eve forfeited all right.

«Said the angel: ‘Poor, foolish man knows not what he is doing. He has lifted his puny arm against Omnipotence; he has defied God’s law.’ The law of God is a golden link to unite finite man to the infinite God. It links earth to Heaven, and man to God. The transgressor is about to meet the great Lawgiver over his broken law. The wrath of God has long slumbered, but soon, with terrible justice and crushing weight, will his wrath fall upon the transgressor. And that arm that has been stretched forth in rebellion against God’s law and would sever the golden link binding earth to Heaven and man to God, will wither while the transgressor shall stand upon his feet. That tongue that has boastingly and proudly spoken against God’s law, and made the fourth commandment of none effect, will consume in his mouth while he stands upon his feet. Terrible will be the fate of those who transgress God’s law, and lead others in the same Heaven-daring path of rebellion.

«I was then pointed to the flattering things taught by some of these transgressors of God’s law. I was shown also a bright light, given by God to guide all who would walk in the way of salvation, and also to serve as a warning to the sinner to flee from the wrath of God, and yield a willing obedience to his claims. While this light should continue, there would be hope; but there would be a time when it would cease,—when he that is holy will remain holy forever, and when he that is filthy will remain filthy forever. When Jesus stands up, when his work is finished in the most holy, then not another ray of light will be imparted to the sinner.

«But Satan flatters some, through his chosen servants, as he flattered Eve in Eden, ‘Thou shalt not surely die;’ and tells them there will be a season for repentance, a time of probation when the filthy can be made pure. The co-workers with Satan and his angels carry the light into the future age, teaching probation after the advent of Christ, which deludes the sinner, and leads the cold-hearted professor to carnal security. They become careless and indifferent, and walk stumblingly over the hours of their probation. The light is made to reach far ahead, where all is total darkness. Michael stands up. Instead of mercy, the deluded sinner feels wrath unmixed with mercy, having awakened too late to the fatal deception. This plan was studied by Satan, and is carried out by ministers who turn the truth of God into a lie.» —

DEATH OF HENRY N. WHITE. SISTER ADELIA P. PATTEN, WHO HAD BEEN A FAITHFUL AND DEVOTED MEMBER OF THE FAMILY FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, WROTE A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LIFE, EXPERIENCE, AND LAST SICKNESS OF THIS MUCH-LOVED AND MUCH-LAMENTED SON, FROM WHICH THE FOLLOWING IS TAKEN:—

«HENRY NICHOLS WHITE WAS BORN IN GORHAM, MAINE, AUGUST 26, 1847. IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING, HIS PARENTS REMOVED TO TOPSHAM, IN THE SAME STATE, AND OCCUPIED PART OF THE HOUSE OWNED BY THEIR MUCH-ESTEEMED FRIEND AND BROTHER IN CHRIST, STOCK-BRIDGE HOWLAND.

«IN DECEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR, HENRY WAS TAKEN SICK WITH INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS, AND ALL WHO SAW HIM THOUGHT HIS RECOVERY DOUBTFUL. ONE EVENING HE APPEARED TO BE FAST FAILING, AND IT SEEMED THAT HE MUST DIE. IT WAS THEN, WHEN ALL EARTHLY MEANS FAILED, THAT HIS PARENTS PRESENTED HIS CASE BEFORE THE GREAT PHYSICIAN, TRUSTING IN HIS POWER AND WILLINGNESS TO SAVE THEIR BELOVED CHILD. THEY SPENT MUCH OF THE NIGHT IN PRAYER, AND WHILE PLEADING WITH GOD TO SPARE HIS LIFE, HE FELL INTO A SWEET SLEEP, AND FROM THAT HOUR BEGAN TO RECOVER.

«HIS PARENTS FELT IT TO BE THEIR DUTY TO GIVE THEMSELVES UNRESERVEDLY TO LABOR IN THE CAUSE OF GOD; AND WHEN HENRY WAS BUT ONE YEAR OLD, THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE HIM IN THE CARE OF BROTHER HOWLAND’S ELDEST DAUGHTER, FRANCES, WHO CHEERFULLY ACCEPTED THE CHARGE. HE REMAINED WITH THIS KIND FAMILY, AND THEY HAD THE ENTIRE CARE OF HIM, FOR FIVE YEARS. AS HE GREW OLDER, HIS SWEET DISPOSITION AND THE AFFECTION HE HAD EVER MANIFESTED FOR HIS FRIENDS ENDEARED HIM TO ALL WHO KNEW HIM.

«WHEN SIX YEARS OLD, HE HAD AN ATTACK OF FEVER; AND WHEN HE HAD PARTIALLY RECOVERED FROM IT, HIS PARENTS, WHO THEN RESIDED IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, THOUGHT THAT A CHANGE OF CLIMATE MIGHT BENEFIT HIS HEALTH, AND TOOK HIM UNDER THEIR OWN CARE. HENRY ALWAYS MANIFESTED A CHEERFUL OBEDIENCE TO HIS MOTHER’S WISHES, AND A TENDER REGARD FOR HER FEELINGS. HIS PROSPECTS IN LIFE WERE FAIR; HE WAS ASPIRING, AND SEEMED DETERMINED TO EXCEL IN SCHOLARSHIP. SO FAR AS THE PARENTS SAW THAT HIS MIND WAS GOVERNED BY RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES, THEY WERE WILLING TO INDULGE HIM IN HIS PERSEVERING EFFORTS IN STUDY. HE POSSESSED AN UNCOMMON LOVE FOR MUSIC, AND DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS OF HIS LIFE HE APPLIED HIMSELF VERY CLOSELY TO ITS STUDY AND PRACTICE. HE LOVED THE SOCIETY OF THE EDUCATED AND REFINED, AND IN RETURN SHARED THEIR HIGHEST REGARDS FOR HIS INTELLIGENCE AND MANLINESS.

«DURING THE WINTER OF 1862-3, THE CHURCH AT BATTLE CREEK ENJOYED A SEASON OF REVIVAL, AND THIRTEEN YOUTHFUL MEMBERS WERE ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER. HENRY AND HIS BROTHER, JAMES EDSON, WERE AMONG THE LITTLE BELIEVING COMPANY WHO FOLLOWED THEIR LORD IN BAPTISM.

«IN THE SUMMER OF 1863, THE PARENTS MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOURNEY TO NEW ENGLAND. FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILDREN, WHO HAD ATTENDED THREE TERMS OF SCHOOL IN SUCCESSION, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE HEALTH OF THE TWO YOUNGEST, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THEY SHOULD ACCOMPANY THEIR PARENTS. ACCORDINGLY THEY ALL LEFT HOME, AUGUST 19. THE PRINCIPAL OBJECT FOR WHICH ELDER WHITE WENT EAST AT THIS TIME WAS THE PUBLICATION OF THE CHARTS OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND THE PROPHECIES.

«FROM NEW YORK THEY PROCEEDED TO BOSTON, WHERE THE WORK WAS EXECUTED. FROM BOSTON THE FAMILY WENT TO TOPSHAM, MAINE. HERE, AT HIS OLD HOME, HENRY WAS AFFECTIONATELY AND JOYFULLY WELCOMED BY THOSE WHO HAD FORMERLY CARED FOR HIM.

«AFTER A SHORT VISIT, THE PARENTS LEFT THEIR THREE SONS AT TOPSHAM WHILE THEY WENT TO HOLD MEETINGS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, AND NEW YORK.

«THE SPECIAL BLESSING OF THE LORD ATTENDED THEM ON THIS MISSION. BUT WHILE IN BROOKFIELD, NEW YORK, ELDER WHITE RECEIVED IMPRESSIONS FROM A DREAM WHICH LED HIM TO FEEL THAT ALL WAS NOT WELL WITH THE CHILDREN, AND THAT THEY MUST RETURN TO MAINE WITHOUT DELAY. EACH DAY THEY ANXIOUSLY AWAITED THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAIL, BUT THE NEWS FROM TOPSHAM REPORTED ‘ALL WELL.’ HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT SATISFY THEIR MINDS, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR CONVICTIONS OF DUTY, WHEN THEY HAD FILLED THEIR APPOINTMENTS, THEY IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THEIR CHILDREN.

«THE DAY BEFORE THEY REACHED TOPSHAM, HENRY CAME IN FROM HIS WORK IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THREW HIMSELF UPON THE SOFA, SAYING THAT HE NEVER HAD FELT SUCH A GLOOM RESTING UPON HIS MIND IN ALL HIS LIFE. HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT ANYTHING HE HAD DONE WHICH CAUSED SUCH FEELINGS, BUT IT SEEMED TO HIM THAT SOMETHING DREADFUL WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. WHEN THE PARENTS ARRIVED, THE NEXT DAY, THEY FOUND THEIR THREE SONS WAITING FOR THEM AT THE DEPOT. WHEN THE CARS STOPPED, HENRY BOUNDED THROUGH THE CROWD WITH MORE THAN USUAL ACTIVITY, AND EMBRACED HIS MOTHER MOST AFFECTIONATELY, WHILE IN HER HEART SHE THANKED GOD FOR SUCH A SON. THEY WENT DIRECTLY TO BROTHER HOWLAND’S HOUSE, AND WHEN THE SALUTATIONS WERE OVER, HENRY PLAYED AND SANG ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PIECES, ‘HOME AGAIN,’ SO APPROPRIATE FOR THE OCCASION.

«IN FOUR DAYS FROM THIS TIME, WHICH WAS DECEMBER 1ST, HE WAS TAKEN SICK WITH LUNG FEVER, AND RAPIDLY FAILED. FROM HIS ROOM IN THE CHAMBER HE WAS CARRIED INTO ONE OF THE LOWER ROOMS—THE VERY ONE WHERE, SIXTEEN YEARS BEFORE, WHEN BUT AN INFANT, HE WAS APPARENTLY BROUGHT TO THE POINT OF DEATH.

«ON THE MORNING OF THE 2D, HIS MOTHER SAID TO HIM THAT LIFE WAS UNCERTAIN, AND THAT PERSONS VIOLENTLY ATTACKED AS HE HAD BEEN WERE FREQUENTLY DEPRIVED OF THEIR REASON, AND IF HE HAD ANYTHING TO SAY, HE HAD BETTER IMPROVE THE PRESENT OPPORTUNITY. HE SAID THAT HE FELT UNPREPARED TO DIE, AND REQUESTED HIS PARENTS TO PRAY FOR HIM. AFTER THEY HAD PRAYED FOR HIM, HE CALLED HIS BROTHERS TO HIM, EMBRACED THEM, AND TOLD THEM HE HAD NOT ALWAYS TREATED THEM AS A BROTHER SHOULD HAVE DONE, AND WEPT AS HE ASKED THEIR FORGIVENESS.

«IN THE EVENING HE REQUESTED THAT ALL THE FAMILY SHOULD HAVE A PRAYING SEASON IN HIS ROOM. THIS WAS A MOST SOLEMN AND AFFECTING TIME. HE FEARED THAT ON ACCOUNT OF HIS UNFAITHFULNESS AS A PROFESSED CHRISTIAN, GOD WOULD NOT LOOK UPON HIM WITH APPROBATION. HE WAS POINTED TO THE SINNER’S FRIEND, AND WAS TOLD THAT CHRIST CAME TO SAVE JUST SUCH SINNERS AS HE WAS; THAT IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, AND THAT HE MUST RELY WHOLLY UPON THE MERITS OF CHRIST. THEN HE SAID, ‘O LORD, FORGIVE MY SINS, AND ACCEPT ME AS THINE.’ WITH DEEP FEELING HE REPEATED THESE LINES SEVERAL TIMES,— ‘HERE, LORD, I GIVE MYSELF AWAY, ‘TIS ALL THAT I CAN DO.’

«HE ENTREATED THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD THAT HE HAD NOT FORMED A BETTER CHRISTIAN CHARACTER, AND SET A BETTER EXAMPLE BEFORE THE WORLD. HE THEN EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO RECOVER, THAT HE MIGHT SHOW HIS GRATITUDE TO HIS FAITHFUL PARENTS, AND LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE. HE SAID THAT HIS GREAT FAILURE HAD BEEN IN THE NEGLECT OF SECRET PRAYER; AND HE THOUGHT THAT IF HIS LIFE COULD BE SPARED, HE MIGHT BE A BLESSING TO THE YOUNG. WHILE THUS ENGAGED IN CONVERSATION AND PRAYER, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD RESTED UPON HIM AND UPON ALL IN THE ROOM, AND HE FELT THAT HIS CONFESSIONS WERE ACCEPTED OF GOD, AND HE PRAISED THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS.

«ON THE MORNING OF THE 3D, HIS FRIENDS WERE ALARMED BY THE DISCHARGE OF BLOOD FROM HIS NOSE AND MOUTH. FROM THIS TIME FORWARD HE EXPRESSED BUT LITTLE DESIRE TO GET WELL. HE SAID TO HIS MOTHER, AS SHE WAS ATTENDING HIM, ‘PROMISE ME, MOTHER, THAT IF I DIE, I MAY BE TAKEN TO BATTLE CREEK, AND LAID BY THE SIDE OF MY LITTLE BROTHER, JOHN HERBERT, THAT WE MAY COME UP TOGETHER IN THE MORNING OF THE RESURRECTION.’ HE WAS ASSURED THAT HIS WISHES SHOULD BE GRATIFIED. HE ALSO TOLD HIS MOTHER THAT HE HAD SOMETIMES FELT THAT TOO MUCH RESTRAINT HAD BEEN PLACED UPON HIM. ‘BUT,’ HE ADDED, ‘YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ANY TOO STRICT. I NOW REALIZE THAT I WAS IN DANGER, AND AM GLAD YOU SAID AS MUCH AS YOU DID. I WISH I HAD HEEDED YOUR ADVICE MORE FAITHFULLY.’

«ON THE 4TH, HE CAREFULLY REVIEWED THE EVENTS OF HIS LIFE, MOURNING OVER HIS IMPERFECTIONS, STILL PLEADING WITH GOD FOR PARDON AND ACCEPTANCE. FROM THIS TIME HE SEEMED TO ENJOY PEACE OF MIND AND THE BLESSING OF GOD. HE OFTEN REQUESTED HIS PARENTS TO PRAY FOR HIM, NOT THAT HE MIGHT GET WELL, BUT THAT HE MIGHT FEEL HIS ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD EVERY MOMENT. HE GREW WEAKER, AND COULD NOT SPEAK ABOVE A WHISPER.

«ON THE 5TH, BURDENED WITH GRIEF, HIS FATHER RETIRED TO A PLACE OF PRAYER, AND AFTERWARD RETURNED TO THE SICK-ROOM FEELING THE ASSURANCE THAT GOD WOULD DO ALL THINGS WELL, AND THUS EXPRESSED HIMSELF TO HIS SUFFERING SON. AT THIS HIS COUNTENANCE SEEMED TO LIGHT UP WITH A HEAVENLY SMILE, AND HE NODDED HIS ASSENT AND WHISPERED, ‘YES, HE WILL.’ HE SUFFERED MUCH THROUGH THE NIGHT, BUT SEEMED TO BEAR ALL WITH PATIENCE.

«ON THE MORNING OF THE 6TH, HE SAID THAT HE HAD ENJOYED MORE OF THE BLESSING OF GOD DURING THE PAST TWO DAYS THAN EVER BEFORE IN ALL HIS LIFE. HE REALIZED THAT MANY WERE THE DANGERS OF THE YOUNG, AND SEEMED TO HAVE NO DESIRE TO LIVE. AS HE EXPECTED TO DIE, HE SAID THAT THOUGH FOR SOME TIME HE WOULD LIE UNCONSCIOUS IN THE GRAVE, YET IT WOULD SEEM TO HIM BUT A MOMENT, AND WOULD BE THE SAME TO HIM AS THOUGH HE WENT TO HEAVEN IMMEDIATELY. HE FELT THAT HE COULD NOT LIVE LONG, AND WISHED TO LEAVE A FEW SENTIMENTS FOR THE YOUNG, WHICH HE DICTATED AS FOLLOWS:—

«‘I CONSIDER IT A PRIVILEGE BEFORE I SLEEP TO SAY A FEW WORDS TO MY YOUNG FRIENDS. MY AGE IS SIXTEEN YEARS. I WAS BAPTIZED, AND UNITED WITH THE CHURCH LAST WINTER. I MOURN OVER MY UNFAITHFULNESS AND LACK OF DEVOTION IN THE GOOD CAUSE. I BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS LAID THE HAND OF AFFLICTION UPON ME TO SAVE ME, AND IF I GO DOWN TO THE GRAVE NOW, I HAVE A GOOD HOPE OF COMING UP WITH THE SAINTS IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION. I WOULD APPEAL TO ALL MY YOUNG FRIENDS, NOT TO LET THE PLEASURES OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE WORLD ECLIPSE THE LOVELINESS OF THE SAVIOUR. REMEMBER THAT THE DEATH-BED IS A POOR PLACE TO PREPARE FOR AN INHERITANCE IN THE SECOND LIFE. SPEND THE BEST OF YOUR DAYS IN SERVING THE LORD. FAREWELL.’

«AFTER THIS HE WISHED TO SAY ESPECIALLY TO HIS YOUNG FRIENDS IN BATTLE CREEK: ‘DON’T TAKE MY LIFE FOR AN EXAMPLE; GIVE UP THE WORLD AND BE CHRISTIANS.’ IN THE EVENING, AS ONE OF HIS SINKING SPELLS WAS COMING ON, ALL THOUGHT THAT IN A FEW MINUTES HIS HEAVING BOSOM WOULD BE AT REST. HE BADE EACH ONE AN AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL, AS THEY LISTENED TO CATCH EACH WHISPER.

«HE INQUIRED FOR HIS BROTHERS, AND AS THEY CAME TO HIS SIDE HE SAID, ‘EDDIE, I SHALL NOT BE A BROTHER TO YOU ANY MORE; NEVER GIVE UP TRYING TO DO RIGHT; A DEATH-BED IS A POOR PLACE FOR REPENTANCE.’ TO HIS YOUNGER BROTHER HE SAID, ‘WILLIE, BE A GOOD BOY; OBEY YOUR PARENTS, AND MEET ME IN HEAVEN. DON’T MOURN AFTER I AM DEAD.’ WHILE IN CALMNESS AND COMPOSURE OF MIND HE WAS TAKING HIS FAREWELL, HIS FATHER SAID, ‘GOD CAN MAKE A SICK-ROOM ONE OF THE HAPPIEST PLACES ON EARTH;’ AND THE CHEERFUL SUFFERER REPLIED, ‘YES, I KNOW THAT FROM EXPERIENCE.’

«HE FELT ANXIOUS LEST SOME ONE MIGHT BE AWAY WEEPING, AND INQUIRED FOR HIS MOTHER, SAYING, ‘O MY DEAR MOTHER, MAY GOD COMFORT HER.’ AFTER THIS HE INQUIRED IF THE PHYSICIAN WAS COMING SOON, AND SAID THERE WAS NOT MUCH NEED OF A PHYSICIAN THEN. HIS MOTHER ASKED HIM IF HE SUFFERED PAIN, AND HE REPLIED THAT HE DID NOT. HE CALLED HIS FATHER, AND SAID, ‘FATHER, YOU ARE LOSING YOUR SON. YOU WILL MISS ME, BUT DON’T MOURN. IT IS BETTER FOR ME. I SHALL ESCAPE BEING DRAFTED, AND SHALL NOT WITNESS THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. TO DIE SO HAPPY IS A PRIVILEGE.’ HE SAID THAT MUSIC HAD BEEN HIS GREATEST EARTHLY PLEASURE, AND ASKED EDSON TO PLAY ‘MOUNT VERNON’ FOR HIM ON THE MELODEON. EDSON WENT INTO THE PARLOR AND COMPLIED WITH HIS REQUEST, AND ON HIS RETURN HENRY SAID, ‘MUSIC IN HEAVEN WILL BE SWEETER THAN THAT.’

«ON THE MORNING OF THE 7TH, HE EXPRESSED A WISH TO DIE, FEARING THAT IF HE LIVED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE MANY DANGERS TO WHICH THE YOUNG ARE EXPOSED. HIS FATHER TOLD HIM HE MUST BE SUBMISSIVE TO THE WILL OF GOD; THAT IT WOULD BE BLESSED TO LIVE TO DO GOOD IN HIS SERVICE, AND BLESSED TO DIE IN THE LORD. TO THIS HE SUBMISSIVELY ASSENTED. DURING THE DAY AND THE NIGHT FOLLOWING, HIS SUFFERINGS WERE GREAT. FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES HIS MIND SEEMED TO BE WANDERING. HIS FATHER SAT NEAR HIM AND SUPPORTED HIM IN HIS ARMS, PRAYING FOR HIM, AND TRYING TO SOOTHE AND COMFORT HIM, AND HE WAS SOON RESTORED TO HIS FORMER CLEAR AND PEACEFUL STATE OF MIND. HE SEEMED MOST HAPPY THUS SUPPORTED IN HIS FATHER’S ARMS, SEEMING UNWILLING FOR HIS FATHER TO LEAVE HIM FOR A MOMENT.

«DECEMBER 8TH, A SHORT TIME BEFORE HIS DEATH, HE SAID TO HIS MOTHER, ‘MOTHER, I SHALL MEET YOU IN HEAVEN IN THE MORNING OF THE RESURRECTION, FOR I KNOW YOU WILL BE THERE.’ HE THEN BECKONED TO HIS BROTHERS, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS, AND GAVE THEM ALL A PARTING KISS, AFTER WHICH HE POINTED UPWARD AND WHISPERED, ‘HEAVEN IS SWEET.’ THESE WERE HIS LAST WORDS. AND WHEN HE COULD NOT WHISPER HE EXPRESSED THE POWER OF THAT GRACE WHICH SUSTAINED HIM IN A DYING HOUR, BY WAVING HIS HAND UPWARD, WHILE A HEAVENLY SMILE BEAMED UPON HIS COUNTENANCE. HIS BREATH GREW SHORTER, AND, WITHOUT A STRUGGLE, HE SANK IN DEATH AT HALF-PAST ONE O’CLOCK, P. M.

«HIS SUFFERINGS WERE OVER. AT AN EARLY HOUR HIS WORK ON EARTH HAD ENDED. IT WAS INDEED A TRYING DAY FOR THE AFFLICTED FAMILY, YET THEY WERE SUSTAINED BY THE THOUGHT THAT THEIR DEAR SON AND BROTHER WAS ENABLED TO CALMLY RESIGN HIMSELF INTO THE HANDS OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER; THAT THE PRESENCE OF THE SAVIOUR CHEERED HIM AS HE ENTERED THE DARK VALLEY, AND THAT HENCEFORTH THERE WAS LAID UP FOR HIM A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

«IN COMPLIANCE WITH HIS REQUEST, HENRY WAS BROUGHT TO BATTLE CREEK IN A METALLIC BURIAL CASKET, AND, AGREEABLY TO THE WISHES OF MANY FRIENDS, APPROPRIATE FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD, AND A LARGE CONGREGATION WAS ADDRESSED BY ELDER U. SMITH. ONE INTERESTING FEATURE OF THE OCCASION WAS THE ORDER IN WHICH THE STUDENTS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL, ACCOMPANIED BY THE TEACHERS, CAME TO PAY THEIR LAST TOKEN OF REGARD FOR ONE OF THEIR NUMBER WHOM THEY LOVED. AS THE SPEAKER PROCEEDED WITH HIS REMARKS, MANY IN THE CONGREGATION WERE MOVED TO TEARS. ONE IN THE BRIGHT MORNING OF YOUTH, WHOSE COURSE OF LIFE HAD WON THEIR HIGHEST REGARD, HAD CLOSED HIS EYES IN DEATH, CHEERED BY THOSE SACRED HOPES AND PROMISES WHOSE ATTRACTIVE LIGHT EVER TAKES FROM THE JOYS OF EARTH THEIR DELUSIVE BRIGHTNESS. THE EXERCISES WERE CLOSED WITH SINGING, BY THE SCHOOL,— ‘ONE SWEET FLOWER HAS DROOPED AND FADED, ONE SWEET YOUTHFUL VOICE HAS FLED, ONE FAIR BROW THE GRAVE HAS SHADED, ONE DEAR SCHOOLMATE NOW IS DEAD.’

«AFTER THE LAST LOOK HAD BEEN TAKEN, A LARGE PROCESSION OF SYMPATHIZING FRIENDS FOLLOWED THE REMAINS TO OAK HILL CEMETERY, WHERE THE LIFELESS FORM OF NOBLE HENRY WAS LAID BY THE SIDE OF HIS LITTLE BROTHER, THERE TO REST TILL THE LIFEGIVER RETURNS TO BRING THEM FROM THE LAND OF THE ENEMY.»