Chapter 44—Writing and Speaking
“From Washington Territory and from the East,” wrote Mrs. White
from her Healdsburg, Cal., home March 26, 1883, “come urgent re-
quests that I attend the camp meetings.... I am now engaged in im-
portant writing that I have for six years been trying to accomplish.
Year after year I have broken away from this work to attend camp
meetings....
“The last two summers I was brought very near to the gates of
death, and as I felt that it might please the Lord to let me rest in the
grave, I had most painful regrets that my writings were not completed.
In the providence of God my life is spared, and my health once more
restored. I thank the Lord for His mercy and loving-kindness to me.
I have felt ready to go east or west, if my duty were made plain; but
in answer to my prayer, ‘Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?’ the
answer comes to me, ‘Rest in peace until the Lord bids you go.’
“I have not been idle. Since the Lord raised me up at the camp meet-
ing in Healdsburg, I have visited Santa Rosa, Oakland, San Francisco,
Petaluma, Forestville, and Ukiah, and have labored in Healdsburg,
frequently speaking on the Sabbath and on Sunday evening. In four
weeks I gave ten discourses, traveled two hundred miles, and wrote
two hundred pages....
“My brethren who urge me to attend camp meeting and to visit
them are anxiously inquiring, ‘When shall we have Volume 4, “Spirit
of Prophecy?”’ I can now answer them. In a few weeks my work
on this book will be completed. But there are other important works
that require attention as soon as this shall be finished.... While I have
[268]
physical and mental ability, I will do the work which is most needed
by our people.... I have, when traveling, labored at great disadvantage.
I have written in the depot, on the cars, under my tent at camp meeting,
often speaking until exhausted, and then rising at three o’clock in the
morning and writing from six to fifteen pages before breakfast....
“It would give me great pleasure to meet my dear brethren and
sisters in camp meeting. I feel the love of Jesus burning in my soul.
216