The Case of Hannah More

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The next Sabbath we met with the Orleans church, where my husband introduced the case of our much-lamented sister, Hannah More. When Brother Amadon visited us last summer, he stated that Sister More had been at Battle Creek, and not finding employment there, had gone to Leelenaw County to find a home with an old friend who had been a fellow laborer in missionary fields in Central Africa. My husband and myself felt grieved that this dear servant of Christ found it necessary to deprive herself of the society of those of like faith, and we decided to send for her to come and find a home with us. We wrote inviting her to meet us at our appointment at Wright, and come home with us. She did not meet us at Wright. I here give her response to our letter, dated August 29, 1867, which we received at Battle Creek:

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«BROTHER WHITE: YOUR KIND COMMUNICATION REACHED ME BY THIS WEEK’S MAIL. AS THE MAIL COMES HERE ONLY ONCE A WEEK, AND IS TO LEAVE TOMORROW, I HASTEN TO REPLY. WE ARE HERE IN THE BUSH, AS IT WERE, AND AN INDIAN CARRIES THE MAIL FRIDAYS ON FOOT, AND RETURNS TUESDAYS. I HAVE CONSULTED BROTHER THOMPSON AS TO THE ROUTE, AND HE SAYS MY BEST AND SUREST WAY WILL BE TO TAKE A BOAT FROM HERE AND GO TO MILWAUKEE, AND THENCE TO GRAND HAVEN.

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«AS I SPENT ALL MY MONEY IN COMING HERE, AND WAS INVITED TO HAVE A HOME IN BROTHER THOMPSON’S FAMILY, I HAVE BEEN ASSISTING SISTER THOMPSON IN HER DOMESTIC AFFAIRS AND SEWING, AT ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS PER WEEK OF FIVE DAYS EACH, AS THEY DO NOT WISH ME TO WORK FOR THEM ON SUNDAY, AND I DO NOT WORK ON THE SABBATH OF THE LORD, THE ONLY ONE THE BIBLE RECOGNIZES. THEY ARE NOT AT ALL ANXIOUS TO HAVE ME LEAVE THEM, NOTWITHSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCE OF BELIEF; AND HE SAYS I MAY HAVE A HOME WITH THEM, ONLY I MUST NOT MAKE MY BELIEF PROMINENT AMONG HIS PEOPLE. HE HAS EVEN INVITED ME TO FILL HIS APPOINTMENTS WHEN ON HIS PREACHING TOUR, AND I HAVE DONE SO. SISTER THOMPSON NEEDS A GOVERNESS FOR HER CHILDREN, AS THE INFLUENCES ARE SO VERY PERNICIOUS OUTSIDE, AND THE SCHOOLS SO VICIOUS THAT SHE IS NOT WILLING TO SEND HER DEAR ONES AMONG THEM UNTIL THEY ARE CHRISTIANS, AS SHE SAYS. THEIR ELDEST SON, TODAY SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE, IS A PIOUS AND DEVOTED YOUNG MAN. THEY HAVE PARTIALLY ADOPTED THE HEALTH REFORM, AND I THINK WILL FULLY COME INTO IT ERELONG, AND LIKE IT. HE HAS ORDERED THE HEALTH REFORMER . I SHOWED HIM SOME COPIES WHICH I BROUGHT.

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«I HOPE AND PRAY THAT HE MAY YET EMBRACE THE HOLY SABBATH. SISTER THOMPSON DOES BELIEVE IN IT ALREADY. HE IS WONDERFULLY SET IN HIS OWN WAYS, AND OF COURSE THINKS HE IS RIGHT. COULD I ONLY GET HIM TO READ THE BOOKS I BROUGHT, THE HISTORY OF THE SABBATH, ETC., BUT HE LOOKS AT THEM AND CALLS THEM INFIDEL, AND SAYS THEY SEEM TO HIM TO CARRY ERROR IN THEIR FRONT, WHEN, IF THEY WOULD ONLY READ CAREFULLY EACH SENTIMENT OF OUR TENETS, I CAN BUT THINK THEY WOULD EMBRACE THEM AS BIBLE TRUTHS AND SEE THEIR BEAUTY AND CONSISTENCY. I DOUBT NOT BUT THAT SISTER T. WOULD BE GLAD TO IMMEDIATELY BECOME A SEVENTH-DAY 668 ADVENTIST WERE IT NOT THAT HER HUSBAND IS SO BITTERLY OPPOSED TO ANY SUCH THING. IT WAS IMPRESSED UPON MY MIND THAT I HAD A WORK TO DO HERE BEFORE I CAME HERE; BUT THE TRUTH IS PRESENT IN THE FAMILY, AND IF I CAN CARRY IT NO FARTHER, IT WOULD SEEM THAT MY WORK IS DONE, OR NEARLY SO. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE BEING ASHAMED OF CHRIST, OR HIS, IN THIS WICKED GENERATION, AND WOULD MUCH RATHER CAST IN MY LOT WITH SABBATHKEEPERS AND GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE.

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«I SHALL NEED TEN DOLLARS AT LEAST TO GET TO GREENVILLE. THAT, WITH THE LITTLE I HAVE EARNED, MIGHT BE SUFFICIENT. BUT NOW I WILL WAIT FOR YOU TO WRITE ME, AND DO WHAT YOU THINK BEST ABOUT FORWARDING ME THE MONEY. IN THE SPRING I WOULD HAVE ENOUGH TO GO, MYSELF, AND THINK I SHOULD LIKE TO DO SO. MAY THE LORD GUIDE AND BLESS US IN OUR EVERY UNDERTAKING, IS THE ARDENT DESIRE OF MY HEART. AND MAY I FILL THAT VERY POSITION MY GOD ALLOTS FOR ME IN HIS MORAL VINEYARD, PERFORMING WITH ALACRITY EVERY DUTY, HOWEVER ONEROUS IT MAY SEEM, ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE, IS MY SINCERE DESIRE AND HEARTFELT PRAYER. «HANNAH MORE.»

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On receiving this letter, we decided to send the needed sum to Sister More as soon as we could find time. But before we found the spare moments we decided to go to Maine, to return in a few weeks, when we could send for her before navigation should close. And when we decided to stay and labor in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, we wrote to a brother in this county to see leading brethren in the vicinity and consult with them concerning sending for Sister More and making her a home until we should return. But the matter was neglected until navigation closed, and we returned and found that no one had taken interest to help Sister More to this vicinity, where she could come to us when we should reach our home. We felt grieved and distressed, and at a meeting at Orleans the second Sabbath after we came home, my husband introduced her case to the brethren. A brief report of what was said and done in relation to Sister More was given by my husband in the Review for February 18, 1868, as follows:

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«AT THIS MEETING WE INTRODUCED THE CASE OF SISTER HANNAH MORE, NOW SOJOURNING IN NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN WITH FRIENDS WHO DO NOT OBSERVE THE BIBLE SABBATH. WE STATED THAT THIS SERVANT OF CHRIST EMBRACED THE SABBATH WHILE PERFORMING MISSIONARY LABOR IN CENTRAL AFRICA. WHEN THIS WAS KNOWN, HER SERVICES IN THAT DIRECTION WERE NO LONGER WANTED, AND SHE RETURNED TO AMERICA TO SEEK A HOME AND EMPLOYMENT WITH THOSE OF LIKE FAITH. WE JUDGE, FROM HER PRESENT LOCATION, THAT IN THIS SHE HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTED. NO ONE IN PARTICULAR MAY BE WORTHY OF BLAME IN HER CASE; BUT IT APPEARS TO US THAT THERE IS EITHER A LACK OF SUITABLE PROVISIONS CONNECTED WITH OUR SYSTEM OF ORGANIZATION, FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SUCH PERSONS AND TO ASSIST THEM TO A FIELD OF USEFUL LABOR, OR THAT THOSE BRETHREN AND SISTERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING SISTER MORE HAVE NOT DONE THEIR DUTY. A UNANIMOUS VOTE WAS THEN GIVEN TO INVITE HER TO FIND A HOME WITH THE BRETHREN IN THIS VICINITY UNTIL GENERAL CONFERENCE, WHEN HER CASE SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO OUR PEOPLE. BROTHER ANDREWS, BEING PRESENT, FULLY ENDORSED THE ACTION OF THE BRETHREN.»

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From what we have since learned of the cold, indifferent treatment which Sister More met with at Battle Creek, it is evident that in stating that no one in particular was worthy of censure in her case, my husband took altogether a too charitable view of the matter. When all the facts are known, no Christian could but blame all members of that church who knew her circumstances and did not individually interest themselves in her behalf. It certainly was the duty of the officers to do this and report to the church, if others did not take up the matter before them. But individual members of that or any other church should not feel excused from taking an interest in such persons. After what has been said in the Review of this self-sacrificing servant of Christ, every reader of the Review in Battle Creek, on learning that she had come to the city, would have been excused for giving her a personal call and inquiring into her wants.

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Sister Strong, the wife of Elder P. Strong, Jr., was in Battle Creek at the same time as Sister More. They both reached that city the same day, and left at the same time. Sister Strong, who is by my side, says that Sister More wished her to intercede for her, that she might get employment, so as to remain with Sabbathkeepers. Sister More said she was willing to do anything, but teaching was her choice. She also requested Elder A. S. Hutchins to introduce her case to leading brethren at the Review office and try to get a school for her. This, Brother Hutchins cheerfully did. But no encouragement was given, as there appeared to be no opening. She also stated to Sister Strong that she was destitute of means and must go to Leelenaw County unless she could get employment at Battle Creek. She frequently spoke in words of touching lamentation that she was obliged to leave the brethren.

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Sister More wrote to Mr. Thompson relative to accepting his offer to make it her home with his family, and she wished to wait until she should hear from him. Sister Strong went with her to find a place for her to stay until she should hear from Mr. T. At one place she was told that she could stay from Wednesday until Friday morning, when they were to leave home. This sister made Sister More’s case known to her natural sister, living near, who was also a Sabbathkeeper. When she returned she told Sister More that she could stay with her until Friday morning; that her sister said it was not convenient to take her. Sister Strong has since learned that the real excuse was that she was not acquainted with Sister More. She could have taken her, but did not want her.

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Sister More then asked Sister Strong what she should do. Sister Strong was almost a stranger in Battle Creek, but thought she could get her in with the family of a poor brother of her acquaintance who had recently moved from Montcalm County. Here she succeeded. Sister More remained until Tuesday, when she left for Leelenaw County by the way of Chicago. There she borrowed money to complete her journey. Her wants were known to some, at least, in Battle Creek, for as the result of their being made known, she was charged nothing for her brief stay at the Institute.

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Immediately after our return from the East, my husband, learning that nothing had been done, as we had requested, to get Sister More where she could at once come to us on our return, wrote to her to come to us as soon as possible, to which she responded as follows:

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«LELAND, LEELENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN, FEBRUARY 20, 1868.

«MY DEAR BROTHER WHITE: YOURS OF FEBRUARY 3 IS RECEIVED. IT FOUND ME IN POOR HEALTH, NOT BEING ACCUSTOMED TO THESE COLD NORTHERN WINTERS, WITH THE SNOW THREE OR FOUR FEET DEEP ON A LEVEL. OUR MAILS ARE BROUGHT ON SNOWSHOES.

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«IT DOES NOT SEEM POSSIBLE FOR ME TO GET TO YOU TILL SPRING OPENS. THE ROADS ARE BAD ENOUGH WITHOUT SNOW. THEY TELL ME MY BEST WAY IS TO WAIT TILL NAVIGATION OPENS, THEN GO TO MILWAUKEE, AND THENCE TO GRAND HAVEN, TO TAKE THE RAILROAD TO THE POINT NEAREST YOUR PLACE. I HAD HOPED TO GET AMONG OUR DEAR PEOPLE LAST FALL, BUT WAS NOT PERMITTED THE PRIVILEGE.

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«THE TRUTHS WHICH WE BELIEVE SEEM MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT, AND OUR WORK OF MAKING READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD’S COMING IS NOT TO BE DELAYED. WE MUST NOT ONLY HAVE ON THE WEDDING GARMENT OURSELVES, BUT BE FAITHFUL IN RECOMMENDING THE PREPARATION TO OTHERS. I WISH I COULD GET TO YOU, BUT IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, OR AT LEAST IMPRACTICABLE, IN MY DELICATE STATE OF HEALTH TO SET OUT ALONE ON SUCH A JOURNEY IN THE DEPTH OF WINTER. WHEN IS THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO 672 WHICH YOU ALLUDE? AND WHERE? I SUPPOSE THE REVIEW WILL EVENTUALLY INFORM ME.

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«I THINK MY HEALTH HAS SUFFERED FROM KEEPING THE SABBATH ALONE IN MY CHAMBER, IN THE COLD; BUT I DID NOT THINK I COULD KEEP IT WHERE ALL MANNER OF WORK AND WORLDLY CONVERSATION WAS THE ORDER OF THE DAY, AS WITH SUNDAYKEEPERS. I THINK IT IS THE MOST LABORIOUS WORKING DAY WITH THOSE WHO KEEP FIRST DAY. INDEED, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO ME THAT THE BEST OF SUNDAYKEEPERS OBSERVE ANY DAY AS THEY SHOULD. OH, HOW I LONG TO BE AGAIN WITH SABBATHKEEPERS! SISTER WHITE WILL WANT TO SEE ME IN THE REFORM DRESS. WILL SHE BE SO KIND AS TO SEND ME A PATTERN, AND I WILL PAY HER WHEN I GET THERE. I SUPPOSE I SHALL NEED TO BE FITTED OUT WHEN I GET AMONG YOU. I LIKE IT MUCH. SISTER THOMPSON THINKS SHE WOULD LIKE TO WEAR THE REFORM DRESS.

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«I HAVE HAD A DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING, SO THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP FOR MORE THAN A WEEK, OCCASIONED, I SUPPOSE, BY THE STOVEPIPE’S PARTING AND COMPLETELY FILLING MY ROOM WITH SMOKE AND GAS AT BEDTIME, AND MY SLEEPING THERE WITHOUT PROPER VENTILATION. I DID NOT, AT THE TIME, SUPPOSE SMOKE WAS SO UNWHOLESOME, NOR CONSIDER THAT THE IMPURE GAS WHICH GENERATED FROM THE WOOD AND COAL WAS MINGLED WITH IT. I AWOKE WITH SUCH A SENSE OF SUFFOCATION THAT I COULD NOT BREATHE LYING DOWN, AND SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE NIGHT SITTING UP. I NEVER BEFORE KNEW THE DREADFUL FEELING OF STIFLING SENSATIONS. I BEGAN TO FEAR I SHOULD NEVER SLEEP AGAIN. I THEREFORE RESIGNED MYSELF INTO THE HANDS OF GOD FOR LIFE OR DEATH, ENTREATING HIM TO SPARE ME IF HE HAD ANY FURTHER NEED OF ME IN HIS VINEYARD; OTHERWISE I HAD NO WISH TO LIVE. I FELT ENTIRELY RECONCILED TO THE HAND OF GOD UPON ME. BUT I ALSO FELT THAT SATANIC INFLUENCES MUST BE RESISTED. I THEREFORE BADE SATAN GET BEHIND ME AND AWAY FROM ME, AND TOLD THE LORD THAT I WOULD NOT TURN MY HAND OVER TO CHOOSE EITHER LIFE OR DEATH, BUT THAT I WOULD REFER IT IMPLICITLY TO HIM WHO KNEW ME ALTOGETHER. MY FUTURE WAS UNKNOWN TO MYSELF, THEREFORE SAID I, THY WILL IS BEST. LIFE IS OF NO ACCOUNT TO ME, SO FAR AS ITS PLEASURES ARE CONCERNED. ALL ITS RICHES, ITS HONORS, ARE NOTHING COMPARED WITH USEFULNESS. I DO NOT CRAVE THEM; THEY CANNOT SATISFY OR FILL THE ACHING VOID WHICH UNPERFORMED DUTY LEAVES TO ME. I WOULD NOT LIVE USELESSLY, TO BE A MERE BLOT OR BLANK IN LIFE. AND THOUGH IT SEEMS A MARTYR’S DEATH TO DIE THUS, I AM RESIGNED, IF THAT IS GOD’S WILL.

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«I HAD SAID TO SISTER THOMPSON THE DAY PREVIOUS, ‘WERE I AT BROTHER WHITE’S, I MIGHT BE PRAYED FOR, AND HEALED.’ SHE INQUIRED IF WE COULD SEND FOR YOU AND BROTHER ANDREWS; BUT THAT SEEMED IMPRACTICABLE, AS I COULD NOT, IN ALL PROBABILITY, LIVE TILL YOU ARRIVED. I KNEW THAT THE LORD BY HIS MIGHTY POWER AND WITH HIS POTENT ARM COULD HEAL ME HERE, WERE IT BEST. TO HIM I FELT SAFE IN REFERRING IT. I KNEW HE COULD SEND AN ANGEL TO RESIST HIM THAT HATH THE POWER OF DEATH, THAT IS, THE DEVIL, AND FELT SURE HE WOULD, IF BEST. I KNEW, ALSO, THAT HE COULD SUGGEST MEASURES, WERE THEY NECESSARY, FOR MY RECOVERY, AND I FELT SURE HE WOULD. I SOON WAS BETTER, AND ABLE TO SLEEP SOME.

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«THUS YOU SEE I AM STILL A SPARED MONUMENT OF GOD’S MERCY AND FAITHFULNESS IN AFFLICTING HIS CHILDREN. HE DOTH NOT WILLINGLY AFFLICT NOR GRIEVE THE CHILDREN OF MEN; BUT SOMETIMES TRIALS ARE NEEDED AS A DISCIPLINE, TO WEAN US FROM EARTH—