Untitled article by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 18, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 10

REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.

By James White

FEBRUARY 1 and 2, Bro. Andrews, Mrs. W. and self held meetings with the Orleans church. The attendance and interest were good. At this meeting we introduced the case of Sr. Hannah More, now sojourning with friends in north-western Michigan who do not observe the Bible Sabbath. We stated that this servant of Christ embraced the Sabbath while performing missionary labors in Central Africa. When this was known, her services in that direction were no longer wanted. She returned to America, to seek a home and employment with those of like faith. We judge, from her present location, that in this she has been disappointed. No one in particular may be worthy of blame in her case; but it appears to us that there is either a lack of suitable provisions connected with our system of organization for the encouragement of such persons, and to assist them to a field of useful labor, or those brethren and sisters who have had the pleasure of seeing Sr. More have not done their duty. A unanimous vote was then given to invite her to find a home with the brethren in this vicinity until General Conference, when her case should be presented to our people. Bro. Andrews being present, fully indorsed the action of the brethren.

On returning from this meeting, Mrs. W. was taken very sick. She suffered from frequent fainting, and great depression of spirits. Bro. Andrews decided to fill the appointments in Gratiot Co. alone. While all were at meeting fourth-day evening, she fainted, and we supported her for one hour in a breathless condition half of the time. We felt an unusual spirit of prayer, for her. Bro. Andrews on returning prayed earnestly. She then enjoyed sweet sleep in which she had most encouraging dreams, and the next morning arose much refreshed. Our captivity was turned, and we decided to accompany Bro. Andrews to the appointments.

Sabbath, Feb. 8, we found a large hall at Alma, Mich., well filled. Mrs. W. and self occupied the forenoon, and Bro. Andrews the afternoon. Mrs. W. spoke in the evening. The attention was good. But there is evidently a great want of consecration and vital godliness among the brethren in this county. Bro. Nelson, the elder of the church, was on a visiting tour, and suitable arrangements for the meeting were not made. Eighteen of our brethren from another county sought entertainment at public houses. They did not complain of this, neither was any one in particular deserving blame in the matter. It was unfortunate for the meeting that elder Nelson should be absent at this time. The people were to have the labors of Eld. Andrews, and no pains nor means should have been spared to have all the Sabbath-keepers in the vicinity present. There are many calls for our united labors, and we do not feel it our duty to visit those places where there is not sufficient interest to make our labors the means of good, to the neglect of those places which fully warrant the expectation of great good.

On first-day we spoke to a large congregation who gave the very best attention. Mrs. W. spoke on health and dress reforms in the afternoon, and Bro. Andrews gave a most solemn and searching discourse, in the evening, on the Christian life, the reward of the just, and the righteous judgment of God on the wicked. We then decided to discontinue our meetings at Alma and give the brethren time to make provisions for a large gathering at some future time.

Learning that our much-esteemed sister Jeffrey, of Ithaca, was sick, second-day we called to see her. She was some better, but confined to her bed. We had a good visit and a free praying season, and left for this place. She handed us $10 for book fund, $5 for Bro. Fuller, and handed Mrs. W. $5, which it is a pleasure for her to give to this afflicted minister of Christ. We are all, this morning, in usual health, resting at Bro. Sevy's. Our appointment for next Sabbath and first-day is at Tittabawassee. Brethren, pray for us. Address us at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.

JAMES WHITE.

Greenbush, Feb. 11, 1868.