Marriage and Subsequent Labors
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if my work was done, I might as well lie in the bottom of the ocean as
in any other place; but if my work was not done, all the waters of the
ocean could not drown me. My trust was in God; He would bring us
safe to land if it was for His glory.
At this time I prized the Christian’s hope. The scene before me
brought vividly to my mind the day of the Lord’s fierce anger, when
the storm of His wrath will come upon the poor sinner. Then there
will be bitter cries and tears, confession of sin, and pleading for mercy,
when it will be too late. “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have
stretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought
all My counsel, and would none of My reproof: I also will laugh at
your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”
Through the mercy of God we were all landed safe. But some
of the passengers who manifested much fear in the storm made no
reference to it, only to make light of their fears. One who had solemnly
promised that if she were preserved to see land she would be a Chris-
tian, mockingly cried out as she left the boat: “Glory to God, I am
glad to step on land again!” I asked her to go back a few hours, and
remember her vows to God. She turned from me with a sneer.
I was forcibly reminded of deathbed repentance. Some serve
themselves and Satan all their lives, and then as sickness subdues
them, and a fearful uncertainty is before them, they manifest some
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sorrow for sin, and perhaps say they are willing to die, and their friends
make themselves believe that they have been truly converted and fitted
for heaven. But if these should recover, they would be as rebellious as
ever. I am reminded of
Proverbs 1:27, 28
: “When your fear cometh as
desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress
and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but I
will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me.”
At Gorham, Maine, August 26, 1847, our eldest son, Henry Nichols
White, was born. In October, Brother and Sister Howland of Topsham
kindly offered us a part of their dwelling, which we gladly accepted,
and commenced housekeeping with borrowed furniture. We were
poor, and saw close times. We had resolved not to be dependent, but
to support ourselves, and have something with which to help others.
But we were not prospered. My husband worked very hard hauling
stone on the railroad, but could not get what was due him for his labor.
Brother and Sister H. freely divided with us whenever they could; but