Home Again by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 15, 1870

Home Again.

By James White

By the grace of God, we reached our home the 7th inst., after an absence of five weeks in Indiana, Kansas and Missouri. At one time we decided that our camp-meeting labors should close with the Ohio camp-meeting. It is true that we had been called out in feelings of interest for the scattered ones in the great West, and suggested camp-meetings in Indiana and Kansas. But the apparent lack of general interest for the cause at our great camp-meeting at Charlotte, Mich., on the part of brethren of experience and wealth, and our worn condition, led us to give up this enterprise which would require much means, long, wearisome journeys, and a great amount of labor. But as we gave up the enterprise, depression and discouragement pressed upon us, and we felt sad.

But on the Ohio camp-ground a burden for the West came upon us, and we could find no rest in spirit till we decided to hold a camp-meeting in Kansas. It would take three weeks to give notice to our scattered brethren in Kansas and Missouri. We therefore decided to spend one Sabbath at Battle Creek, and one in Indiana. Bro. E. B. Lane lost no time in giving notice of a camp-meeting at Tipton, Ind., which we have briefly reported. This camp-meeting was a success. Several at this meeting, who had been prejudiced against Mrs. W. by the Snook influence, lost their prejudice, and the last evening of that meeting we enjoyed a very pleasant and happy season with them.

And now we look back upon our labors in Indiana, Kansas, and Missouri, with the greatest pleasure. Our burden for the West on the Ohio camp-ground is explained, and our brethren in Ohio, and elsewhere, who help on this mission with their means, will feel happy to know that it has been a success.

And to the praise of God we would say that the power of the Holy Spirit that has rested upon us has made the tedious journeys, the exhausting labors, and the storms and mud of the West, a pleasant sense of recreation. We return with fresh courage, freedom of spirit, renewed strength, and better health than we have enjoyed since our first camp-meeting in Iowa, last May. This is especially true of Mrs. W.

Again we meet our aged parents at our home, where they will probably remain till the close of life. Father has been very sick in our absence, but with care is fast recovering. Our dear mother is helpless, prostrated by paralysis. It is indeed a pleasure to care for these dear, aged, God-trusting parents, now at the ages of eighty-five and eighty-two. As we witness, almost daily, evidences that the springs of life are moving feebler, it is equally apparent that all their hopes are being hung on Christ.

Bro. Smith and Gage are from the Office on account of sickness, and our hands are full of business that has been waiting for our return, and editing our periodicals. We will do all we can, and hope our friends will not expect too much, especially in the line of business matters. JAMES WHITE.