In the Field by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 17, 1875

In the Field.

By James White

We had decided to visit as extensively as possible the American field, embracing all our camp-meetings, in company with Mrs. White, the present season. We left California the last of April, and reached Battle Creek, May 5. In consequence of the retirement of the other members of the General Conference Committee, Eld. 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 Sr. E. B. Lane might labor in Ohio with a tent the present season, and that if the Ohio Camp-meeting could be held July 29 to Aug. 3, we could attend it. Bro. and Sr. 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 suggested.

VISIT TO MISSOURI.

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, Eld. James White and his 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 quit 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 Eld. 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. White would preach at some hour on Sunday which would not interfere with the services at the other churches.”

“Elder Shick, pastor of the Christian church at this place, stated that, as 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 Shick’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 Shick’s sermon. The main question of difference between them was in regard to the Sabbath. Elder Shick claims that the ten commandments were repealed by the advent of Christ, while Elder White argues 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 in Gallatin, and three times in the tent, ten miles distant, besides traveling forty miles back and forth 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 wants and future prospects of the Kansas sufferers. Mrs. White spoke four times at the tent and once at Gallatin.

The prospects of this Conference in bringing men and women to the truth are good. We hope our young preachers there will not be induced to enter into discussions with men whose success depends upon their ability to deceive, abuse, and discourage the people of God. The Missouri and Kansas Conference can have a camp-meeting July 22-27. We now expect the publishing building at Oakland, Cal., will be pushed forward, and the house for worship at San Francisco will be built, so that, according to promise, we shall be obliged to attend the California Camp-meeting, assist in a strong effort with the tent in San Francisco immediately following the camp-meeting, to adjourn from that tent to the new church the last of November or the first of December.

To return to Missouri: We found Bro. J. N. Ayers a thorough Christian gentleman and a complete business man. Money sent to him has been laid out for provisions at the best wholesale rates, and distributions have been made by express and railroad free of charge. Though a cripple, with knee stiff and increased to an enormous size with white swelling, and discharging at several places, he has done his duty as distributing agent with vigilance as well as ability, having been out in all stages of the weather. This he has done cheerfully without pay, though himself in the destitute region. We became individually responsible for the sum of two hundred dollars to supply our people with seed to replant their fields, if thought best, and to give them immediate bread. It was thought possible that the hoppers would leave soon, and that corn (by replanting) and buckwheat could be raised the present season. Should the people not be able to do this, those who can leave with their families should leave for parts where the grasshopper scourge is not. And others should leave their women and little children and go immediately where they can earn means to send back to their families.

Bro. Ayers is a thorough health reformer, and says he has had a “blowing up” several times for refusing to supply families who use tea, coffee and tobacco. We handed this dear brother two silver half dollars which we took from California for his own use, and would have given him more if we had not been short of ready cash. We now call on our wealthy brethren to donate for the Kansas sufferers. And do not forget the crippled agent, Bro. J. N. Ayers, especially in your prayers. Such noble men are few. Donations may be sent to REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich., or to the Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal.

ILLINOIS MEETING.

This meeting was held at Lovington, Moultrie Co., Ill., June 1 and 2. The brethren have a commodious house of worship at this point which was well filled at half past ten the first day. We arrived at the depot near eleven, and went directly to the house of worship, where the people were waiting. Mrs. W. in a few moments was addressing the people. We spoke in the afternoon, and Mrs. W. addressed a house literally packed, and many in the door-ways and outside. The meetings the second day were larger, and the interest deeper. During the week then past we had spoken eight times, and Mrs. W. nine.

We were very happy to meet Elders Colcord and Bliss at this meeting, and to enjoy its several exercises with the brethren and sisters, the successful fruits of their untiring labors. Thursday morning we left for the

IOWA CAMP-MEETING.

This meeting commenced June 3d, according to appointment, at Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa. We did not reach the ground until Friday afternoon. In consequence of the backwardness of the season, and bad traveling with teams, the number in attendance was not fully equal to previous yearly gatherings. Most of our people come to camp-meeting with teams, and could the camp-meeting be held the first of September these gatherings would be twice their present size. The number of family tents at the late meeting was thirty, besides the large tent and covered wagons where many lodged.

We were very glad to meet Eld. U. Smith at this meeting, who rendered most acceptable and efficient aid. We congratulate the brethren of all our camp-meetings on the happy prospect of his labors at all their meetings. We were also very glad to greet many on the Newton Camp-ground newly come to the faith.

We were much gratified to find the treasury of the T. and M. Society in good condition, and a willingness on the part of those who pledged to the Health Institute and to the Pacific Mission at last camp-meeting to transfer most of these to the California Publishing Association in the form of stock shares, each $10 in gold, or $11.50 in U. S. currency. The S. D. A. Publishing Association is a strong institution, and needs no help. The Health Institute is free from debt, and with proper management can earn $16,000 before we commence to build next year. It may be necessary to put up a large building next year, if suitable physicians can be secured to run a large institution. In that case, means can be raised next year.

There is a debt of about $10,000 on our College at Battle Creek, which will be removed as fast as pledges are paid, and new subscriptions are sent in. If the question be asked, “Where are means most needed?” we reply (1.) On the school. (2.) The Pacific Publishing Association, and (3.) The Book Fund. We would say to the friends of the cause who have not paid their school pledges that the payment of these is their first duty. Then the California Publishing House should come next. At all our camp-meetings we shall call especial attention to the school and the Pacific Publishing House.

From May 26 to June 8, a period of twelve days, Mrs. W. has spoken fourteen times, and we have spoken twelve times, besides the labors of business sessions, and other matters of importance to the cause. And during this time we have also traveled more than thirteen hundred miles. We would not intimate that there is no labor in all this; but we do affirm that the work of the past two weeks has been less wearing than the three weeks previous that we were confined most of the time at Battle Creek. We have too long tried to carry the burden of the business interests of the cause in connection with preaching and editing. We have for the last time consented to accept of those offices which bring a crushing load of care, and which prevent us from doing the very work we should do.

We would be very glad of the pleasure of correspondence with our missionaries and their people, and with many others. But a constant rush of business positively forbids. No one can feel greater interest in Eld. Andrew’s mission to Europe than we do, and yet we have not found the time to write a single line to him in response to his many personal letters. This statement, penciled upon the jerking train, may explain why we do not respond to hundreds of letters from dear friends. With so much upon our hands, that which is done is poorly done. What remains of our term of office is brief. We shall do the best we can, and leave the case of those who would press us into office, under good promises, and then desert us, to One who knows how to deal with the erring.

At our next General Conference, which will convene in a few weeks, we shall hope to have a willing and honorable discharge from those positions which have worn us too fast, and which have kept us from the work of our choice, which we are confident is, in this respect, in harmony with the will of God. We are very joyful in the prospect of that happy rest which change to full devotion to the work of God will give. Nearing the place of the Illinois Camp-meeting. J. W.

June 10, 1875.