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In the Field

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1875

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 32.

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In the Field.

We had decided to visit as extensively as possible the American field, embracing all our camp-meetings, in company with Mrs. W., the present season. We left California the last of April, and reached Battle Creek, Mich., May 5. In consequence of the retirement of the other members of the General Conference Committee, Elder Butler to labor in Missouri, and Eld. Haskell from ill health, we were left alone with the camp-meetings and our institutions located at Battle Creek, upon our hands, besides the usual amount of preaching at that point and in other places.
The first Sabbath after our return to Michigan, Mrs W. spoke to the large congregation in Battle Creek, and we spoke at the quarterly meeting at Potterville. Mrs. W. joined us on First-day, and spoke to the people with freedom and power. Here we met several of our brethren in the ministry, besides many old friends in the truth. The meeting was an excellent one.
Sabbath, May 15, we both spoke to the church at Battle Creek. The 22d we were with the church at Bowling Green, Ohio, where we felt greatly encouraged of the Lord in encouraging the brethren. We suggested that Bro. and sister Lane might labor in Ohio with a tent the present season, and that if the Ohio Camp-meeting could be held from July 29 to August 3, we could attend it. Bro. and sister Lane, however, on account of health chose the climate of New England where they have gone to labor. The matter of the Ohio Camp-meeting is not in the least affected by this decision, and we hope it may be held at the time above suggested.
May 29 and 30 we were with the brethren in Missouri. Of our visit and labors there The North Missourian published at Gallatin, Daviess Co., says:—
“Last Friday morning Elder James White and wife, of Battle Creek, Michigan, arrived here. They expected to go to Jefferson township, but as it was raining so, they announced that they would speak at the Christian Church in the evening. After it had stopped raining Mrs. White went out to the tent and preached in the evening.
The trustees of the Christian Church cheerfully threw open the doors of their church, and Elder White explained to a crowded house many of the leading doctrines held by the Adventists. At the close of his discourse he announced that Mrs. W. would preach at some hour on Sunday which would not interfere with the services at the other churches.
“Elder Shiek, pastor of the Christian Church at this place, stated that there was a positive command in the Bible against women teaching, she could not have the use of their church. He also announced that on the next evening he would review Elder White’s discourse. We did not hear Elder Shiek’s review.
“On Sunday afternoon Mrs. White addressed a large audience in the Court House. The Court Room was crowded. She delivered a very interesting and instructive discourse concerning the duties of parents in the proper training of their children, both physically and morally. No one could object to the sentiment she proclaimed, and we doubt not many will be benefited by having heard her. She is a pleasant, forcible speaker, and the audience after having listened attentively an hour were not weary.
“In the evening the Court Room was again crowded, and Elder White reviewed Elder Shiek’s sermon. The main question of difference between them was in regard to the Sabbath. Elder Shiek claims that the ten commandments were repealed by the advent of Christ, while Elder White claims that they are still binding and the seventh day should be kept sacred.”
We reached Gallatin, Friday, the 28th, and left for the Illinois meeting, Monday, the 31st. During our short stay in Missouri, we spoke twice at Gallatin and three times at the tent ten miles distant, besides traveling forty miles by private conveyance. We also conferred several hours with the Conference Committee relative to the cause and future labors in the Missouri and Kansas Conference, and with Bro. J. N. Ayers on the subject of the wants and future