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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
you into my family at all. I did this to help you, but I cannot let it be
represented to others that we consider you a man worthy to engage
in the sacred work which the Lord has given me. I cannot have this
matter appear thus, for it places me in a wrong light.
I cannot appear to justify your course of action in your married life.
Leaving your wife and family is an offense to God, and I must present
this matter as it is, before the president of your conference, Elder
Williams. I had hoped that when you saw your delusion you would
feel that repentance for your course of action that needeth not to be
repented of. But my experience at Armadale, and the burden brought
upon me there, made me a great sufferer; and matters in regard to your
past life have been more fully opened before me....You have thought
that you would receive the credentials of a minister of the gospel, but
had these been given you, reproach would have been brought upon the
cause of God. You have represented yourself as being a wronged man,
but it is your wife who has been most wronged. She should never have
been treated as you have treated her. You pursued such a course toward
your little ones that your wife could not but be estranged from you.
Her heart was wounded, bruised, and she was almost distracted by
your overbearing, masterly government in discipline of your children.
After giving up Fannie you placed your affections upon another.
[214]
This shows just what you would do if opportunities presented them-
selves. You show young girls attention and thus win their love, for if
you choose, your manner can be very gracious and attractive. As these
things have passed before me, I have felt indignant. I cannot, will not,
keep silent on these matters. I determined that you should be unveiled
as an unprincipled man. Your ideas of what a Christian should be are
so much unlike the principles laid down in the Word of God that no
responsibility in connection with the cause of God should be given
you.—
Letter 18, 1896
.
To Elder I. N. Williams, President of the Pennsylvania Con-
ference [W.F.C.’s home conference], April 12, 1896—We have had
great trouble of mind in regard to Brother W.F.C., who expects to
return to America by this month’s boat. He has shown a fondness
for the society of young girls, and has been full of gaiety, conducting
himself like a boy. About a year ago, at the suggestion of my son, W.
C. White, I employed him to run the typewriter for Fannie Y, as she
read the manuscript to him. But soon I became burdened. Warnings