Untitled article by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, July 16, 1867

REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.

By James White

On the fourth of July we were disappointed of the proposed meeting at our new home in consequence of the masons who did not get out of our way in time, so on that day we left for Wright at five in the morning. We drove eight miles, to a beautiful grove, where in the shade of two large oaks we took our morning meal and fed the faithful horses.

I wander for a moment to introduce an item of interest touching small fruit. May 28, we returned from Battle Creek with strawberry plants for our new garden. July 4, by the wayside, we enjoyed ripe fruit from the plants. Our Western people need not go without fruit when the transplanted strawberry will gather from the soil that which is most delicious in the short space of thirty-six days. Every Western farmer should have one fourth of an acre of berries to twenty-five acres of wheat or corn. Then dry and can them and have fruit the year around. Spend one fourth you used to for pork, beef, mutton and poultry, and you may have strawberries and raspberries the whole year.

At 2 P. M. we reached Bro. Buck’s, thirty-five miles from home. The heat was terrible. In the cool of the evening we drove to Bro. Root’s, our old home and resting place. Next morning was glad to receive from the express office fifty copies of that excellent work, entitled, “Thoughts on the Revelation.”

These thoughts are not the fruit of one brain. In the time of the end the Revelation was to be unsealed and opened. And from the open book, light has been shining. Wm. Miller saw much. Others since have seen more. And as this open book contains more which bears directly upon the present truth than any other book of the Bible, its clearest light is reserved for believers in the time of the third message.

The book is rightly named—“Thoughts on the Revelation.” Thoughts are expressed by words, but words do not always express thoughts. The world is full of books whose thoughts are with difficulty seen, like mile-posts. This, however, is a book of thoughts, clothed in the author’s happy style, plain, yet critical and practical, coming down to the spiritual wants of the common people, yet elevated and dignified. This standard work should be in the library of every believer. It is, in its weight of thought, its beauty of typographical execution upon its white pages, and in its neat binding, a fitting companion for the “History of the Sabbath.” And we are glad to see that the Association is able to offer the first edition of this book of 328 pp. of “Thoughts” for the small sum of $1 00.

Sabbath morning the house of prayer was well filled with the numerous members of the church. The morning was cool. We spoke one hour and a half. In the afternoon spoke one hour and Mrs. W. spoke for more than an hour. Two, who were especially interested in the meetings we held with this church last winter, offered themselves for baptism, and on first-day morning, a little after sunrise, they were baptized. They had never seen any one immersed and were anxious to be instructed, especially as to the part they were to act in the matter. Their intelligence and regard for propriety led them to this. After being suitably instructed and prepared, we moved down into the clear stream, slowly and calmly. They gave themselves into my hands without an apparent anxious feeling. They were very slowly lowered till the back of the head touched the water, then quickly lowered into the stream and as quickly raised. In this way they were saved from catching the breath. And instead of hurrying to the bank in a strangled condition, a heavenly smile was on the countenance as they calmly moved to the shore. These suggestions may benefit young administrators and candidates.

At nine o’clock I met with the church in business session, and at ten joined them in washing the saint’s feet and in the Lord’s supper. These meetings were excellent. A good work has been done in this church. In the evening we returned to Bro. Buck’s and at half past four this morning we were pursuing the pleasant journey of forty miles. For the information of those who design to pass to and fro to Monthly Meeting I would say that the road is superior to any of that distance we ever rode over in the State.

Mrs. W.’s health is excellent, and I am still making up lost time in sleeping, which is relieving my head. With my present labor, mental and physical, in the heat of midsummer, and loss of teeth and of blood when they were extracted, I think I fully hold my own. With God’s blessing I hope to gain faster in the future. The field of usefulness is open before us and we hope to have strength to stand side by side in the good work.

I would suggest that there be a general gathering of the brethren in Northern Michigan at Fairplaine immediately after harvest, and another at Wright the first of September, and another in Gratiot Co., the first of October.

In my toothless condition which may continue some months, I choose not to go among strangers. Wherever I go brethren must not expect too much of me. I will, in the strength of the Lord, do what I can. Brethren pray for us.

JAMES WHITE.

Greenville, July 8, 1867.