Untitled article by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 27, 1867

REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.

By James White

The General Gathering convened at Greenville, August 10 and 11, was a large and exceedingly interesting meeting. Brethren were present from Wright, Orleans, Vergennes, Orange, Greenbush and Bushnell. Bro. Strong was also with us.

We were all exceedingly gratified to see Bro. Amadon from Battle Creek, at this meeting, a part of which he enjoyed much. On arriving at this place Bro. A. became suddenly very sick. By remaining so long at the Office he had become bilious, and the change from shade to the sun, from soft to hard water, from the printer's life to that of a traveler, from mental to physical labor, caused a complete rebellion in his system, and during the night he was in much distress. Soon, however, his stomach cast off the undigested food he had the day before eaten, and through the pores of the skin and other channels, matter nearly as yellow as saffron, was cast off. The application of baths helped nature do her work well. He became exceedingly weak, yet ate no food for nearly two days, and then but a taste of the simplest. Soon his appetite came. He took food, and was strengthened. And this morning, only the fifth day from his sickness, he left us at 4 o'clock as well as ever, on his way to meet his wife at the depot to join us at the Orange grove meeting.

Sabbath morning I spoke to the people one hour and a half. In the afternoon spoke an hour, Mrs. W. spoke an hour, then we continued in conference meeting two hours more, in which most present took part. Bro. Strong spoke the following evening, much to the edification of the audience.

We all felt greatly disappointed in not hearing Bro. Amadon's testimony on the Sabbath. Bro. Strong, Root and McPherson were with him through most of the hours of the entire Sabbath, and to their intelligent hygienic nursing, he owes his speedy recovery.

First-day morning we assembled at the house of prayer for social meeting, Bro. Amadon with us. The season was refreshing. At half past ten I spoke to the people till twelve, upon the second advent. Mrs. W. spoke half an hour. In the afternoon spoke upon the resurrection and saints' inheritance, for one hour. Then Mrs. W. spoke for one hour. This was the freest day we have both seen for months. Speaking of Mrs. W.'s testimony, Bro. Amadon said, “It seemed to have the good old ring in it of former days.” Many of our good neighbors were in, and showed by their tears, and kind expressions that they were deeply affected.

One feature only in the meeting seemed saddening, and that was the lightness of some of the young people who took this occasion to enjoy each other's society in a rude way. And these were church members. Parents, keep all such children at home unless they come to seek the company of the good, and grow better. We protest against all such conduct, however near its actors may be to our own family. And when it comes to this that we cannot have a general meeting without the young people taking the advantage of it to have a holiday, we shall hold no more. It is proper here to state that most of those in the wrong were merely drawn in and were comparatively innocent.

Singing is an important part of worship. And when the young can pray in the Spirit and the understanding also, talk in the Spirit, and sing with the Spirit of God, then let them sing. But it is not proper to submit hymns to be sung by careless, rebellious, rude young men and women, though they may be members of the church. I have no objections to the tones of the organ, or of the softer notes of the melodeon, when employed to make sacred melody. But when rude professors choose popular songs, and become crazed with the spirit of such music, gather around the instrument, filling up the intervals with the careless joke or flattering compliment, and shallow laugh, they please the Devil and grieve the Spirit of God. Such music grates upon my ear, my nerves and my very soul. Through one channel, innocent if kept within proper bounds, has instrumental music been brought to our doors, brethren, and now bids fair, unless restricted properly, to prove the greatest evil that ever visited us. Oh! how we long to see the return of former days, when at our General Conferences the brethren assembled at Battle Creek to worship God in singing as well as other exercises. Everybody said the preaching was good, that the social meetings were better; but such singing they never heard before. But God no longer owns our songs of praise as then. He is grieved that in young circles the Devil takes the lead. Our songs are powerless. Let ministers speak out upon this subject, and let us return to that spiritual singing enjoyed by us when there was not an instrument in any of our houses. I do not say we should put these instruments from our houses; but let them rest for awhile till we can recognize the spirit of worship in our singing, and our young people give evidences of returning sanity.

The meeting had a most cheering, refreshing influence upon me, and decided the matter of visiting the West. Bro. Amadon is to go with us to Orange, Greenbush, Ithaca, Wright, Monterey and Battle Creek. This we prize exceedingly. Last evening I went to Greenville for my teeth, and was glad to find that I could immediately speak with nearly my former distinctness.

And now we wish to say to our brethren, we are both worn, and must labor under the most favorable circumstances. We cannot ride in a springless open wagon. We cannot be up to late evening meetings. We cannot sleep on hard beds, or sit on hard seats. We cannot when weary from preaching, converse upon different subjects of little or no interest all the time we are out of meeting. Most of the brethren know how it is with me. Some do not know that I am but a shadow of what I once was.

The preachers in Wis. and Iowa know how I am. I must have a well-ventilated sleeping room, and air when I speak. I say these things that brethren may know what to expect. I do not go to see the country or to please the people, but to declare the truth faithfully. Pray for us. If the Lord be with us, I can be a fraction of a laborer, and Mrs. W. one and the remaining fraction. Will brethren write to us at Battle Creek, stating the best connections of through trains. Again we say, Pray for us. JAMES WHITE.

Since the foregoing was put in type, we have received another report from Bro. White, from which we give the following particulars concerning the meeting in Orange.

Sabbath, Aug. 17, according to appointment, we met in a beautiful grove at Orange, with brethren from Windsor, Oneida, Portland, Matherton, Orleans and Greenville. Bro. and sister Amadon from Battle Creek were with us, heart and hand, ready to work. A good social meeting was held in the morning.

At half past ten I spoke to the young, from Ps. cxix, 9: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” The discourse was considered timely for those present of all ages, especially to the dear youth, nine of whom rose for prayers, and one spoke for the first time. Parents and children wept together, and some who were far upon the back ground were much aroused. In the afternoon I continued the same subject for nearly an hour, and Mrs. W. spoke for an hour or more. Her testimony was most pointed, especially to some who were still addicted to the use of tobacco, and who by the influence of this meeting, and the faithful exhortations of their brethren, were enabled to resolve in the strength of the Lord never again to indulge in the injurious habit.

Bro. and sister Howe, who have been almost discouraged about the cause in that place, felt that they had something still to live for in Orange. May they never be disappointed on this point. Two united with the church. Our congregation on first-day was about two hundred, the largest Advent meeting ever held in the town.

In view of Mrs. W.'s poor health, I decided that we could not go West unless we had company on the journey. This we stated to faithful brethren around us, and we now expect to have the company of several brethren and sisters from this State, at our western meetings.

Second-day, in company with Bro. Amadon, we came to this place. To-morrow we hold meeting here, then go to Ithaca to hold meetings Sabbath and first-day. We then return home, where Bro. and sister Amadon will join us for Wright, Monterey, and Battle Creek. May the Lord go with us.

JAMES WHITE. Greenbush, August 21, 1867.