Western Tour by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1865

Western Tour.

By James White

FROM the Princeville, Ill., meeting, we went to the Iowa Conference, which was holden at Pilot Grove, Washington Co., July 1–5. This was far the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers ever assembled in that State. There were at least three hundred brethren and sisters present.

The church at Pilot Grove has a fine house of worship, of very liberal dimensions for a new country, situated in the midst of a beautiful oak grove. Sabbath the house was more than full. On first-day, seats were prepared in the grove, where fifteen hundred persons assembled to hear the word. It seemed to us from the marked attention given to the speakers, that every man, woman, and child, present, came for no other purpose than to hear. The word was preached with liberty, and Mrs. White followed each discourse with freedom. The social meetings were very excellent.

But there were some things connected with this meeting of which we cannot speak with pleasure. These are alluded to by Elders Snook and Brinkerhoff in this number. As they have voluntarily and from choice spoken quite fully in reference to their sad mistakes in their treatment of their best friends, we are saved the painful task. May their recent misfortunes teach them and others a timely lesson.

The meeting at Pilot Grove terminated gloriously, giving us a fresh evidence that the Lord has a special care for the cause in which we are engaged.

The church at Battle Creek has been deeply wounded, but speaks for itself in resolutions found upon another page of this number. Mrs. White and self have for years in the past learned to forgive from the heart all who repent of their unchristian treatment of us, and pray that God would enable them to fully recover themselves from the snare of the Devil.

The meeting at Lisbon, Iowa, was nearly a failure by reason of severe storm. Sabbath and first-day, July 15 and 16, we enjoyed good meetings with the brethren at Marion, Iowa. The place of worship could not hold the people on first-day.

We labored three weeks within the boundaries of the Illinois and Wisconsin Conference, and received $84,88, for time and traveling expenses. Within the Iowa Conference we also labored three weeks, and received $95,68. This covered traveling expenses for Mrs. W. and self, and $9 per week for time. Mrs. W. received from her friends in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, $12,50.

On the morning of the 17th, Bro. T. Hare conveyed us to Cedar Rapids, where we took the cars at 7:30 A. M. for Chicago. We were kindly entertained for the night by Bro. Place and family, at 40 Griswold-st., and reached home at 12:30 P. M., the 18th.

We left home six weeks since, for one week only; but circumstances seemed to demand that we should remain West six weeks. We have necessarily had to neglect many correspondents, and leave undone many things which we desired to do. Elder Loughborough will labor with the churches in Iowa for two or three months, and we cannot alone fill half the calls from Michigan, Ohio, and New York, to say nothing of New England. Eld. Loughborough was to take half of this work. But in consequence of recent misfortunes in Iowa, he is confined to that field, and we also have been detained several weeks. But we shall do all we can. Mrs. W. is much worn. She cannot longer travel away from the railroads unless comfortable carriage is provided. After having been in the field twenty years, suffering hardships, reproaches, neglect, and abuses, much of the time laboring to counteract the miserable influence of unconsecrated ministers, she is not disposed to leave home only under a full sense of duty. She must have several weeks for rest, and to prepare suitable clothing for traveling, and get ready Testimony No. 11 for the press. If we can visit but few places in Michigan, and none in New York and New England, our friends must excuse us, and charge the failure to the account of those who have recently made us and Elder Loughborough work in the West. Eld. Loughborough or self will hold meetings in Ohio, and attend the New York State Conference.

Sabbath, the 22d, was a good day with our beloved people in this city. We spoke twice with our usual good liberty with this people. This morning, the 23d, brain weary, and with trembling nerve, we again seize unfinished business which has been accumulating in our absence. J. W.