LIFE INCIDENTS by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 25, 1868

LIFE INCIDENTS.

By James White

BY ELDER JAMES WHITE.

CHAPTER THREE.

Advent Camp-meeting at Exeter, Me.—Prepared Lectures and left Home on horseback.—One week at Burnham.—A Reformation followed.—Invitation to visit Brunswick.—Labors at Augusta.—Lectures at Sidney.—The Presiding Elder.—Universalists and Methodists.—Impressed to call at a House.—Found a Believer reading the Signs of the Times.—Conversation.—Make Myself known.—Give Lectures in the Reed Meeting-house.

On returning from the meeting in Exeter, Me., where I heard with deepest interest such men as Miller, Himes and Preble, I found myself happy in the faith that Christ would come in the year 1843. I had given up all to teach the doctrine to others, and to prepare myself to do this was the great object before me. I had purchased the chart illustrating the prophecies of Daniel and John, used by lecturers at that time, and had a good assortment of publications upon the manner, object, and time of the second advent. And with this chart hung before me, and these books and the Bible in my hand, I spent several weeks in close study, which gave me a clearer view of the subject.

In October, 1842, an Advent camp-meeting was held in Exeter, Me., which I attended. The meeting was large, tents numerous, preaching clear and powerful, and the singing of second advent melodies, possessed such a power as I never witnessed. My second advent experience was greatly deepened at this meeting, and at its close I felt that I must immediately go out into the great harvest-field, and do what I could in sounding the warning. I therefore prepared three lectures, one to remove such objections as the time of the advent not to be known, the temporal millennium, &c., one on the signs of the times, and one on the prophecy of Daniel.

I had neither horse, saddle, bridle, nor money, yet felt that I must go. I had used my past winter's earnings in necessary clothing, in attending meetings, and in the purchase of books and the chart. But my father offered me the use of a horse for the winter, and Elder Polly gave me a saddle with both pads torn off, and several pieces of an old bridle. I gladly accepted these, and cheerfully placed the saddle on a beach log and nailed on the pads, fastened the pieces of the bridle together with malleable nails, folded my chart, with a few pamphlets on the subject of the advent, over my breast, snugly buttoned up in my coat, and left my father's house on horseback. I gave from three to six lectures in four different towns around Palmyra.

Speaking, with the blessing of God, gave me freedom and confidence, and as the subject opened to me by study, reflection, and in speaking, I found it necessary to divide subjects, so that I added one discourse at least to the little series at each place. I had a good hearing at all these places, but saw no special results.

A schoolmate of mine, Samuel Lang, now a Methodist minister in Wisconsin, had engaged a school in the town of Burnham; but by accident had lost an eye, and was told by his physician that he should rest at least one week before teaching. Mr. Lang urged me to teach for him one week. I consented, and the first day of school gave an appointment for evening lectures. The school-house was crowded. I gave seven lectures. Sixty arose for prayers. I sent for my brother who had been in the ministry five years before me, and was favorable to the advent doctrine. He came and labored six weeks, baptized, and organized a large church, for which they paid him sixty dollars. I paid, at the close of my week's teaching and lecturing, one dollar for horse-keeping, and left for the Kennebec. My brother afterward told me that every one he baptized dated their experience from my lectures.

At one of the places where I had given lectures, I met a gentleman who seemed very much interested in the soon coming of the Lord, who gave me an urgent invitation to visit Brunswick, Me. He stated that there had been no preaching on the subject in that part of the State, and that the Freewill Baptists, who were very numerous on the west side of the Kennebec river, from Augusta to Brunswick, would willingly give me a hearing. From that moment I felt inclined to make my course toward Brunswick. So in January, 1843, I left on horseback, thinly clad, and without money, to go more than a hundred miles among strangers.

Night came on as I drew near Augusta, the capital of the State, and I inquired at a humble cottage for entertainment, stating that I was a penniless preacher, and wished to find rest with some Christian who would willingly care for me and my tired horse without charge. “I am a member of the Christian church of this place,” said he, “please stop with me.” I gladly accepted the cordial invitation.

During the evening my friend stated that Elder Pearl, a Christian minister, was to preach on the next Sunday, and invited me to stop and give evening lectures in the school-house, and spend the Sunday with my old friend and acquaintance, Elder Pearl. I did so, and had a good hearing, and was kindly received by Elder Pearl, who loved the doctrine of Christ's soon coming. I was also invited to speak in the school district east of that, near the Kennebec river. The house was filled, and many stood outside at the open windows. A Universalist opposed, and finding that he could prevail nothing, brought a Mr. W., the editor of the Augusta Age, a noted Universalist, to oppose me, and, at the close of my lecture, introduced him to the people, and invited them to stop and hear what he had to say. I was too hoarse to reply, and stated that I had no further claims on the congregation. A dozen voices cried, “Clear the way, and let us pass out.” Only about twenty-five, and those of the baser sort, remained to hear Mr. W. They were, of course, ready to receive what the speaker chose to say, who, being grieved and angry with me for leaving, and with the people for following me, was in a state of mind to excite in them a mob spirit.

I will not blame the reader for thinking me rash, in depriving the editor of the Age of a hearing. But I was an inexperienced youth, and feared a battle, and took this course to avoid it. But a battle came the next evening of a different kind. Mr. W.'s hearers decided before leaving the school-house to get all to join them who would, and on the next evening break up the meeting.

As I was about to go to the house the next evening, several of my friends came to me and stated that a mob of at least three hundred was around the school-house, and they warned me, as I regarded my life, to remain away from the meeting. I went before the Lord with the matter, then told my friends that I should go to the school-house trusting in God to defend me.

As I drew near the house I heard the shouting of the mob, and was again warned by the friends who accompanied me to take their advice, and go no farther lest I lose my life. I stated to them that I believed the Lord would in some way defend me, and pressed forward. They had resolved that if I went to the place of meeting they would go with me, and stand by me to the last. We found the school-house filled with women, all the windows taken out, and the house surrounded by men enough to fill three such houses. I pressed through the crowd and made my way to the desk. The greatest fear prevailed within the house, while unearthly yells seemed to be the delight of the mob without.

The Universalist, who had taken the trouble to get Mr. W. to the place to oppose me, stood close to the desk, and, as I entered it, said to me, “This, sir, is the result of your conduct last evening in refusing to hear Mr. W. Your meetings will be broken up.” I replied, Very well, sir, if it is the will of God, let it be so. I then called the meeting to order, and prayed, standing upon my feet. This I did for two reasons. First, want of room to kneel, and, second, it was safer for me to stand with my eyes open and watch this infuriated Universalist who seemed to have all he could do to keep from striking me.

While praying, a snowball whistled by my head and struck on the ceiling behind me. I read my text from Peter, relative to the burning day of God, and commenced commenting upon it, but could be heard by only a few near me, in consequence of the shouting of the mob. Many snow-balls were thrown at me through the open windows, but none hit me. I raised my voice above the noise of the mob, but while turning for my proof-texts they seemed to gain advantage over me. And there was too much excitement and fear for my proofs to tell on any mind. My clothing and also my Bible were wet from the melting fragments of a hundred snow-balls which had broken upon the ceiling behind me, and had sputtered over me and it. That was no time nor place for logic, so I closed my Bible, and entered into a description of the terrors of the day of God, and the awful end of the ungodly. These opened before me wonderfully. Language and power of voice seemed to be given me for the occasion. I was nearly lost to all around me, while the naked glare of the fires of the day of God seemed to light up the field of slaughter of the ungodly men before me. I cried, Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, or you will drink of the wrath of God. Repent, and call on God for mercy and pardon. Turn to Christ and get ready for his coming, or in a little from him, on rocks and mountains you will call in vain. You scoff now, but you will pray then.

The mob seemed more quiet. The night before, a spike was thrown at me and hit me on the forehead, and fell into my Bible, and I put it into my pocket. Inexpressible pity and love for the crowd came over me, and as I was expressing it with tears, I held up the spike, saying, “Some poor sinner cast this spike at me last evening, God pity him. The worst wish I have for him is that he was this moment as happy as I am. Why should I resent his insult when my Master had them driven through his hands,” and at the moment raising my arms and placing my hands upon the ceiling behind me in the position of Christ on the cross.

The Spirit of God accompanied the words and the gesture to the hearts of the crowd. Some shrieked, and a general groan was heard. “Hark! hark!” cried a score of voices. In a moment all was silent. In tears I was calling on sinners to turn and live. I spoke of the love of God, the sacrifice of Christ, his undying pity for vile sinners. I then spoke of his coming in glory to save all who would seek him now. More than a hundred were in tears. Do you want to see a happy man, said I, please look at me. Many were weeping aloud, and I was getting so hoarse that I could hardly be heard for the penitent cries and sobs around me. Who are willing to seek Christ, said I, and with me suffer persecution, and be ready for his coming? Who in this crowd wish me to pray for them that this may be their happy portion? As many as do, please rise up. Nearly one hundred arose. It was nine in the evening and I was hoarse and weary. I closed with benediction, took my chart and Bible, and made my way out through the subdued crowd. Some one locked arms with me to assist and guard me. His countenance seemed impressively familiar, yet I did not know him. When I had passed the crowd, I missed him, and, from that evening, who he was, or how he left me, and where he went, have been mysterious. Was it an angel of God, sent to stand by me in the perils of that evening? Who can say it was not?

My lectures continued in this place three or four evenings without the least opposition, and a general reformation followed. In about eight weeks I returned to the place again, and as I entered the door of an especial friend, near the old scene of battle, I recognized my Universalist friend. He had been driving some exciting conversation with the lady of the house about me. Both appeared greatly agitated as I entered. The lady greeted me cordially, but with expressions of astonishment that I was in her house again. The Universalist made for the door, and left in a most abrupt manner. The lady then stated that this man had been talking of me to her in a most abusive manner, and that the last statement he made as I came to her door was as follows: “White is a rascal. He has been overtaken in crime, and is safe in jail. One of my neighbors told me that he saw him yesterday in Augusta jail.”

This man was overtaken in his guilty folly in a manner he little expected. He had certainly succeeded poorly in his war against me. I did not see him, nor hear of him, after his hasty retreat homeward, showing as much shame as the face of a guilty man is capable. But let the reader go back with me over these eight weeks to the time I closed my labors in this place.

An invitation came for me to visit Sidney, and lecture in the Methodist meeting-house. Cheerfully I accepted, and found a large house filled with attentive hearers. The first evening, I spoke on the millennium with freedom. And as I entered the house the second evening, I was told that Elder Nicherson, the presiding elder, would be present that evening. I felt my youth, my lack of general knowledge of the Scriptures, and my brief experience in the things of God. I trembled for the result of that meeting, as I learned that he was opposed to the doctrine I was teaching. I was on Methodist ground. This led me to pray most earnestly to God for help. My confidence that the Lord would be with me grew firm as I entered the pulpit.

I learn, said I, that Elder Nicherson is in the congregation; will he please take a seat with me, and join in the services of the evening. He cheerfully came forward, and I gave him an advent hymn from the Methodist book to read, and found him willing to pray. I then sung an advent melody, and took this text, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only. Matt. xxiv, 36. I stated first, that the subject was the Second Advent. Second, that God had not revealed the day nor the hour of that event. Third, that Christ did say in this connection that when his people should see the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, that they should know that his coming was near, even at the doors, as truly as men know that summer is near when they see the trees of the field send forth their buds and unfold their leaves. Fourth, that as it was in the days of Noah, so should it be at the coming of the Son of man. The work of warning the people of the coming flood was given to righteous Noah. And in order for him to know when to build the ark, and when to raise his warning voice, the year of the flood was given to him. So shall it be at the coming of the Son of man. The world is to be warned of its approaching doom. And to this end the prophecies of Daniel and John especially point to this time. The signs in the heavens, on earth, in the church, and a wicked world, all show that Christ and the day of vengeance are at hand.

The people of that place were divided between Methodism and Universalism, and it appeared to me a favorable time to show up from Matt. xxiv, the view held by Universalists that Christ came at the destruction of Jerusalem. In this I had had some experience, and succeeded in pleasing Eld. Nicherson, who made a few general remarks, not directly opposing me, for fear, as I supposed, of pleasing the Universalists, who evidently felt stirred at my discourse. The meeting closed with good feelings between us. But as I left the house, I received an urgent request by several gentlemen to call at the hotel the next morning at nine, to answer some questions relative to what I had said of Universalism. At the hour appointed, I found myself surrounded by several Universalists who were evidently in an unfriendly mood, and as many Methodists, who had come to see that the young stripling should be well treated. This was kind in my Methodist friends. The interview lasted till the clock struck twelve. My Methodist friends expressed themselves satisfied with my answers. The landlord, who was the leading spirit among those professing Universalism then arose and said to me, “Mr. White, please walk out to dinner. This afternoon I wish to show you that there is no connection between the Old and New Testaments.” I was surprised to find that this professed champion of Universalism was really an infidel. I declined dining with him, stating that my mission was to those who receive the sacred Scriptures of both Testaments as a harmonious revelation from God. This closed our interview.

My Methodist friends charged me to be on my guard lest the Universalists take advantage of some unguarded expression, and hurt my influence. This was indeed kind in them, and for which I have ever felt to respect them. I gave a few more lectures, and parted with the Christian people of that place, with their thanks for my labors among them, and their expressions of joy that Universalism had been fearlessly exposed without giving its adherents chance to hurt me.

My mind was still on the field of labor farther down the river toward Brunswick. My labors thus far in Augusta and Sidney seemed more accidental, or providential, than in accordance with my design when I left home. And now, with the peace of God ruling in my heart, I journeyed on. As I passed a neat cottage in the town of Richmond, the impression came upon me powerfully, as distinctly as if a voice said to me, “Call into this house.” I obeyed, and asked for a drink of water. A middle-aged lady laid down the paper she was reading, and upon it placed her glasses, and gravely said to me, “Please be seated.” As she stepped to another room to wait upon me, I took up her paper, and, to my joyful surprise, saw that it was the “Signs of the Times, Published by J. V. Himes, No. 14 Devonshire Street, Boston.” As I took the water, the following conversation, in substance, commenced.

I see you have the Signs of the Times, which teaches the peculiar sentiments of one Wm. Miller. Are you a subscriber for it?

I am, and think it an excellent periodical. Would you like to read it?

I took the paper from her hand, and enjoyed reading several stirring articles from able pens, then passed it to her, and, with an air of indifference, asked, What do you do with the long-cherished opinion of nearly all great and good men of all the sects, that the temporal millennium, in which the conversion of the whole world and the complete triumph of the church is to take place prior to the second advent?

I reject the doctrine. You are mistaken, sir, as to the millennium being a long-cherished sentiment. It is an unscriptural fable of recent date. It has not been the faith of the church until the last century. The parable of the wheat and tares, as explained by our Lord, and his declaration that as it was in the days of Noah so should it be at the coming of the Son of man, forbids the idea. In fact, the prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New, describe the last days as dark, gloomy and perilous, with the church fallen, and far from God, and the world filled with crime and violence.

Admitting that you are right on this point, is it not very wrong to set the time, as Mr. Miller has done?

Bro. Miller, in searching the Scriptures, has found by the prophetic periods, as he thinks, the time of the end, and, as an honest man, has taken the cross to teach it to the world. He also sees by the signs of the times that Christ's coming is near, even at the doors, and takes the safe side of the question to be ready, and to warn others to get ready. And all those texts usually quoted to show that men are to know nothing of the period of the second advent do not prove what they are said to prove.

I saw that she was mistress of the subject, and as she proceeded to give the proofs in support of definite time, I interrupted her, stating that I would no longer conceal from her my faith and mission. I am a full believer in the second advent of Christ, as taught by Wm. Miller, and have left all to proclaim it.

Thank the Lord, she exclaimed, my prayer is answered in sending you here. My husband is a Free-will Baptist minister, and will be glad to have you speak to the people of his charge here upon the coming of Christ. Let me have your coat and hat. I will send for some one to care for your horse, and will send an appointment to the school for you to lecture this evening.

What is your husband's name? I inquired. Andrew Rollins, was the reply. Is he a believer in the advent doctrine? He does not oppose, and is favorable.

Soon Elder Rollins came in, and his wife introduced me to him as a second advent lecturer. He asked me a few questions in a grave manner, and looked me over closely, as much as to say, You are a young stripling to go abroad to lecture upon the prophecies. I saw that he was a strong man, watching all my words, therefore thought it best for me to be guarded.

The appointment flew through that portion of the town, and, at the time appointed, what has ever been called the Reed meeting-house, was filled with both the pious and the curious. And as I sung an advent melody, all listened with solemn silence, and some wept. Elder Rollins then prayed in a most solemn and fervent manner for the blessing of God to rest upon the youthful stranger who was about to speak to the people. This prayer drew me nearer to him, and I began to feel that in this minister I had found a true friend. And so it proved.

At the close of my lectures there was a general interest, and deep conviction upon all minds. The school children committed to memory all my texts, and almost everywhere you might hear them repeating this one from Dan. viii: “Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”

As I was about to leave, Andrew Rollins said to me, “In two weeks our Quarterly Meeting, embracing about thirty churches in this locality, will hold its session at Richmond village. I would like to have you give some lectures before the preachers, delegates, and brethren who will be present. I will call the matter up in a business session, and they will probably vote you room, if you will decide to be present and speak to us.” Certainly I shall be glad of the opportunity to speak what I regard important truth to the heads of your denomination in this part of the State, and will, Providence permitting, be at the meeting in season. This said, I rode off on horseback to fill appointments in Gardner and Bowdoinham: