p. 66 | Report from Bro. White by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 15, 1867

Report from Bro. White.

By James White

DEC. 19, we left home with our team, in company with Mrs. White and Bro. Rogers, for Northern Mich., designing to make Wright, Ottawa Co., the first point. The morning was stormy yet we drove forty-six miles that day, and were obliged to put up at a noisy rum-tavern, with poor accommodations, and paid one dollar each for our lodgings. The next morning we arose at five o'clock, and drove to Bro. Hardy's, a distance of fifteen miles, against a keen north wind before taking our breakfast. Here we felt to thank God for an Advent home, and simple, healthful fare. We then drove twenty-three miles to our old home at Bro. Root's, where we have remained until this date, enjoying their sympathy and hospitality.

Sabbath morning, the 22nd, the house of worship was filled with attentive hearers, although there had been no appointment publicly given. We opened the meeting and spoke twenty-five minutes from the words, “Will a man rob God?” We showed,

First, That the words were applicable to the people of God as they draw near the burning day.

Second, That, as the words declared that they had robbed God in tithes and offerings, the robbery consists in a gross violation of the principles of Systematic Benevolence.

Third, That those who give in their property at one-third or one-half its real value, thus robbing themselves and God too, were guilty of the most fearful robbery.

Fourth, We gave instances where the heavy curse of God had followed the covetousness of the wealthy, who had robbed God of one-tenth of their increase, and also, instances where he had opened the windows of heaven and poured out an overflowing blessing of spirituality, health, and increase of property upon those who had brought all their tithes and offerings into the treasury. These instances are most striking. While on the one hand, some have lost health, life, and from ten to fifteen thousand dollars of coveted property have been scattered, leaving their heirs penniless; on the other hand, spirituality, health, and a five-fold increase of property has been the reward of faithful stewards.

True faith in the third message calls upon the wealthy to sacrifice a portion of the principal and all their increase. But Systematic Benevolence does not touch the principal nor nine-tenths of the increase; yet, covetousness and the wealthy hold with an iron grasp the principal and nine-tenths of the increase, and often rob God of one-third or one-half of the tithe of their gain. These professed believers are insane; supposing the Lord should not come for one hundred years, why should they destroy themselves in hoarding wealth, to ruin their children? Many of them commenced in the world penniless, yet they have accumulated wealth sufficient to sink them. Should they have a thousand or two to give each of their heirs, for them to have what is called a good start in the world, their condition would be tenfold more fearful than their parents' now is. Where have the great and good men come from? Generally from poor parentage. Martin Luther is now honored by the Christian world as a great and good man. He once earned his daily bread by singing his simple songs in the streets of Germany. Relying upon his own energy instead of wealth, he retained his purity and rose to true greatness. All true believers love to honor Abraham Lincoln, as a worthy and great statesman. Had these men been so unfortunate as to have had their birth and education in the abodes of wealth, they would probably have been unknown to the world, only in the narrow sphere of luxury, avarice, pride, and ignorance.

We are happy to say, that the word spoken was generally received, and it is expected that all this church will come up to the work in the fear of God, which will increase their Systematic Benevolence from about six hundred dollars, to at least, one thousand.

This church in its infancy made a noble strike, and in a few weeks erected a house of worship, which is the only one in all this wealthy town, excepting one with a cross upon it occupied by the little horn. But seven years have elapsed, and the church has increased in numbers and wealth, and now the present condition of the cause requires a much larger and more comfortable house of worship. Here is a chance for them to use the other nine-tenths of their increase. With common prosperity this church, during the present year, could build a house of worship costing nine thousand dollars, without decreasing their property; yet a house costing five or six thousand would be sufficient to meet the wants of the church and community. It is a painful fact that some of our wealthy brethren build for themselves houses which cost three or four thousand dollars, but when the church of which they are members, all take hold to build a house for the great God, they build one so small, so coarse, and so cheap, as to cost only seven or eight hundred dollars. Is it not a disgrace for any church to build a house for God which costs less than the best private dwelling owned by any one of that church?

We were then followed by Mrs. W., who spoke more than one hour with freedom, upon the subject of health from a religious stand-point. The congregation were never more attentive, and prejudice melted away. Through wrong teaching and misunderstanding, some had become prejudiced and were ready to oppose almost anything that might be said on the subject. Their principal objections were on diet and dress; and, instead of receiving what had been written upon these subjects, they were disposed to take the position that there was not full harmony in Mrs. White's testimony, especially on dress; but, as she was present to speak for herself, she was able to show a perfect harmony in her testimonies, and the church seems to be thoroughly aroused and prepared to receive the whole truth.

In the afternoon Mrs. W. continued the subject of health with usual freedom, referring to instances in the Old Testament of what God required of his people in order that they might be healthful and holy, and his blessing for obedience, and his heavy curse for disobedience, and made a forcible application to the people of God at the present time. The congregation manifested still greater interest in each successive meeting.

On first-day we opened the meeting, and spoke twenty minutes upon the subject of health, especially upon dress and diet. We took the strong position that the wrongs in the present fashionable style of women's dress should not be attributed wholly to the pride and weakness of fallen human nature; for a style so uncomfortable, inconvenient, and unhealthful, must partake largely of the Satanic. See that girl of ten years passing in the street in a cold winter day; her dress may be right as to length, yet it is so distended with hoops that the limbs are completely chilled. She has on thin shoes and stockings to meet the eye of pride; common sense and religion say, Cover her limbs with warm, lined pants, or, call them what you please, put upon her feet comfortable boots, and let her be as warmly clad in every respect as her brother. She is the feebler of the two, and, being confined most of the time in doors, is less prepared to withstand the cold, but such a dress in the streets or in the school-room would be a matter of ridicule, simply because an addition of a suitable covering for the limbs and feet is added to it. We defy human wisdom to find a fault concerning it, for it is contrary to fashion and pride, which can be traced directly back to Satan.

See that professed Christian lady sweeping the filth of the streets with her long dress, or with it walking

in mud or snow. The lower part of her clothing is damp and wet, and, coming in contact with the sensitive ankles, chill back the life current from her limbs, impeding the circulation of the blood, causing her to take a violent cold which will result in consumption. Or, see her with the same dress ascending the stairs, holding a child with one hand and a light in the other, and at the same time endeavoring to hold up her long cumbersome dress. It is fashion that subjects her to all this inconvenience. With a suitable dress, she can go up and down stairs with ease, and her walks in the street would be invigorating and healthful. Let her dress then, be of convenient, modest length, reaching to the top of a ladies' gaiter boot, and let her feet and limbs be clad as warmly as her husband's, and let her be spared to bless her household with her cheerful and happy presence.

Our remarks were followed by Mrs. W., on the same subject, for about one hour and a half. In the afternoon she continued the same subject for about one hour.

During the meetings up to this date, Mrs. W. has taken the opportunity to explain and harmonize her testimonies on the dress question, showing the difference between the reform dress and the “American costume;” that while the first mentioned style of dress reaches to about the top of a ladies' boot, the “American costume” does not reach to the knee.

In feebleness we have come to this place, to bear our testimonies in the fear of God, to this dear people. Brethren, pray for us. More soon, Providence permitting.

JAMES WHITE.

Wright, Jan. 2, 1867.