Untitled article by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 17, 1867

REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.

By James White

MONDAY, Sept. 2, in company with brother and sister Amadon we drove from Wright to Bro. Hilliard’s in Otsego, the distance of sixty miles without wearying ourselves or our team. The next day we parted with brother and sister Amadon, they returning to Battle Creek, while we went to our friends in Allegan and Monterey. Our good, long visit with those, who have in the past been members of our family, was pleasant, and we trust profitable.

At Monterey we made our home with Bro. John Day and family who gave us a retired room for writing, and copying for Testimony No. 12, and they and the brethren were anxious to do all that could add to our comfort.

Here we met Bro. Longborough who had been laboring with the church and people. And although he seemed somewhat bowed down with care and toil, and his bereavement, yet we found him the same good man, ardently desiring to know and do the will of God. He spoke to the people several evenings, and Mrs. W. and self occupied the time Sabbath and first-day. The attendance was good both days, and the meetings we trust profitable. Bro. Bates was also with us in good health and spirits. We enjoyed several interviews with him at his home.

First-day evening we took Bro. Longborough in our carriage and came to Bro. Hilliard’s where we tarried for the night. Next morning we learned that our faithful sister Leighton who has for many years suffered with cancerous humors and swellings, was dying. In a few moments the word came, “She sleeps.” “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,” was the response of every believing one, who knew her. In a few moments we were on our way to Battle Creek. We enjoyed the visit with Bro. Longborough as we rode and conversed. Our head-quarters are at Bro. Amadon’s, and our time has been occupied reading proof-sheet for No. 12, visiting, writing letters, and mailing books. Last night at 12, we were wakened by Bro. Maynard, Fargo and Olmstead, who are to join us in our trip to Wisconsin and Iowa.

By invitation from Bro. Dr. Lay, I spoke this morning to the patients and many others at the Health Institute, giving my own experience. I spoke mainly upon the evil results of inactivity during the first part of my sickness, and of the beneficial results of active life as experienced by myself.

FIRST-DAY MORNING.—

Our meetings here have been profitable. Sabbath evening I met the brethren and spoke to them nearly an hour, the first evening meeting I have attended for twenty months. The house was filled next morning with Sabbath-keepers. Our testimony was very pointed, yet well received. Many excellent testimonies were given by those at the head of the work, and by others. The melting, weeping spirit was all through the congregation. With trembling we came to the place to bear our testimony. But we find that plain preaching has the same good results in this church as in our younger churches. How precious the season yesterday afternoon as we wept and rejoiced together. An elder of a church in Tuscola county arose and stated that he had come two hundred miles to hear brother and sister White. The brethren from the nearest churches were present and manifested increasing interest. The testimonies of Elders Longborough, Byington, Hutchins and Steward were all in favor of faithful testimony, and a speedy return to that humility and consecration which characterized us as a people in former days. We speak to-day at 9 A. M., and at 7 this evening. May the Lord help.

JAMES WHITE.

Battle Creek, Sept. 15, 1867.