The Visit of Bro. and Sister White to Battle Creek.
By George I. Butler
As every event which concerns the progress of this work is of interest to the readers of the REVIEW, we deem it proper to refer to the visit of Bro. and sister White to this place recently. Never was their presence here more opportune. And never were there clearer evidences that their coming was in the order of Providence. It has certainly strengthened the hands of the loyal and true, and given a new impetus to the message of truth. It has raised a cloud of discouragement from the hearts of all the sincere friends of the cause in this vicinity. The work was moving forward to some extent before, and souls were seeking the Lord and trying to clear up the way for the truth to go forward. But their words of hope, courage, and faith, came in to quicken the work and give it greater strength. It is not surprising that at such an important post as this there should be perplexities and trials. We could not reasonably expect it would be otherwise. Neither are the readers of the REVIEW ignorant that such trials have existed in the past. But we are thankful to God these have been passing away during the past few weeks, and there has not been, since I have been acquainted with matters here during the last ten years, any time when I have felt that hope and courage at the prospect that I do now; and their visit has largely contributed to this result. Their labors have been arduous. It is astonishing, considering Bro. White’s health, how he has passed through these as well as he has, and been able to leave for California with so much strength. He has given us words of good cheer, words of love and encouragement. That despondency which has been upon his mind at times is giving place to hope that the power of disease will be fully broken, and he will be able to work with all the strength he ever possessed. We expect it. Possibly, some have hoped it would be otherwise. But if there are such, they will be disappointed. When we consider how much there is to be done, we greatly rejoice at this; for his help is needed everywhere. The cause of God is onward. The preaching brethren who have been here laboring are now soon to be out in the field. They go out in courage and hope. As an individual, I never felt greater hope, or greater determination to labor earnestly in the cause of present truth. We have the clear truth for the last days. We want to act as though the prosperity of the whole work rested upon us. Let us lift with all our might. Then our duty will be done. We wish to say to the friends of the cause everywhere, that the discouragements in Battle Creek are passing away. Trials are being cleared up, and courage is coming into many hearts. We do not expect that trials will not come again. No; we expect them till the Lord shall end this night of woe and sin. Nevertheless, we rejoice that old ones are clearing away. We sorrow, many of us, at parting with the servants of the Lord, as they go on their long journey westward. We feel like children whose parents have left them for a time alone. Our prayers go with them, and our hearts also. May God’s rich blessing keep them on the way, and make them a great blessing to the cause in California, and they, in due time, return again to this important post, strong in the blessing of the Lord. Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 19, 1873.