Watching the pioneers of the church as they struggled to bring permanency to the cause is somewhat like watching parents teaching a child to walk, except that the former process was long and drawn out. James White, with insights--in spite of faltering health--that seemed to outdistance those of his brethren, labored constantly to inspire his associates to shoulder their tasks with the devotion, energy, and skill that had marked his own labors through the previous twenty or more years. When they dallied, he sometimes grew impatient and wrote and spoke in severe terms. Disregarding his limited physical condition, he would throw himself without reserve into meeting the current needs. Up to the beginning of 1873, he had suffered three strokes of paralysis, the first one very severe (Ibid., July 8, 1873).
The president of the General Conference, George I. Butler greatly admired James White's dedication, vision, and administrative skills. He felt that for the cause to advance, it must have White's contributions. He recognized that White's powers were waning, but he was pleased when White engaged in the activities of the denomination, especially in launching and managing new enterprises. Butler demonstrated a continuing sense of the need of the light the Lord gave through Ellen White in teaching, guiding, and guarding the church. All this is reflected in the note attached to the call for the General Conference session to open in Battle Creek on March 11, which James and Ellen White in California would read, urging "in the strongest terms, their attendance at this session" (Ibid., February 11, 1873). This they could not ignore.
After a five-day train trip from Oakland, the Whites were met by Ira Abbey at the station in Battle Creek, at ten-thirty Wednesday night. He took them with his sleigh to their own home for a short night's rest. Thursday and Friday they were deluged with callers and with fellow-workers who came in for consultations. Ellen spoke Sabbath morning and James in the afternoon in the meetinghouse. In the evening George Butler and S. N. Haskell came to the home, giving Ellen an opportunity to read to them a statement she had written, and to engage in a profitable conversation (Manuscript 5, 1873). Sunday and Monday she spent writing; James was much at the Review office, consulting with the leading men coming in for the General Conference session. On Tuesday morning, March 11, at nine o'clock, they were at the church for the opening meeting.
The Eleventh Annual Meeting of the General Conference
Tuesday morning was devoted to the usual formalities connected with such a conference. In the afternoon James White gave the opening address, setting the tone for the meeting. He started with organization and its value:
I would first say that organization, with Seventh-day Adventists, was not entered into as a matter of choice; but it had become a necessity. And now, with our organization, however complete, we need wisdom to use it properly. I regard organization more like a fort, to use military terms, in which we may entrench ourselves for protection and self-defense, rather than as a weapon for aggressive warfare.
To speak more definitely, organization should be regarded by us as the means of uniting our forces, and fortifying ourselves against outside influences; and we should be careful never to use it in a manner to oppress, to rule, and to govern the consciences of honest men.
Our system of organization we regard as very simple, and yet as very efficient; and although we entered upon it in our feebleness, as a people, some twelve years since, not patterning after others, but seeking for that which would answer our purpose, yet in reviewing it and reexamining it, we find that it seems to be just what we want; and we have found but very little reason to change it in any particular.--Ibid., May 20, 1873
Going into more detail, he reviewed the relationship of the members to conference organizations, and dealt with the method of support under which the denomination operates:
The General Conference is the highest earthly authority that we acknowledge, designed to take the general oversight of the entire work connected with the message which we have to give to the world. Our State conferences take the oversight of the work in the several States; and they are amenable to the General Conference. Our simple church organizations, for the benefit of local assemblies, are amenable to the State conferences.
Our system of supporting the cause by means of Systematic Benevolence appears to be the best that could be devised. It bears very lightly upon the poor man, drawing only about 1 percent annually of the little which he possesses. And when this system is applied to the wealthy--when we consider that they profess to believe that the end of all things is at hand; and that they have but a little time to use their means, and when we consider that the system calls for only about one tenth of their increase--they should be the very last to complain of the system.
I know not where we can better it. We have tried it, and it works well.... Here we may see the result of the system of equality that oppresses no one, but yet gives all the privilege of doing something.
I think that Seventh-day Adventists are not half as grateful to God as they should be, not only for the simple organization which is so efficient, but for the special blessing and help of God in carrying out the work to which He has called us.--Ibid.
With this as a foundation, White launched into a presentation of the church's position in fulfilling prophecy, and then the responsibilities that devolve on the church in advocating a message far beyond the limitations of the English language. This called for publishing in other languages, and also for a school in which, among other things, to train ministers to work in the languages of Europe.
The Dire Need of a School
Having introduced the matter of a school, James declared:
Probably there is no branch of this work that suffers so much at the present time as the proper education of men and women to proclaim the third angel's message.... Now, I say, we want a school. We want a denominational school, if you please....
We want a school in which the languages, especially the spoken and written languages of the present day, can be taught, and learned by young men and women to prepare them to become printers, editors, and teachers; and if we can do no more, where our young men that are about entering the ministry, and women, too, who are to be laborers in this great work, can be instructed thoroughly in the common branches, where their minds can be disciplined to study, where, if it is not for more than three months, our young men may have the best instruction, and may, during that time, at least, learn how to study.--Ibid.
He had no misgivings about the ability of Seventh-day Adventists to provide the money for a school enterprise, noting the liberality shown in erecting the second Review and Herald building, which he declared oversubscribed.
The Conference at Work
Little wonder that when the conference got down to business one of the first actions read:
Resolved, That we regard it as the imperative duty of S. D. Adventists to take immediate steps for the formation of an educational society, and the establishment of a denominational school.--Ibid., March 18, 1873
And there were actions to get the enterprise under way. In the same meeting the conference took an action in regard to the health work:
Resolved, That we regard the health reform as an important part of our work, and that we learn with great pleasure of the prosperity of the Health Institute, which we believe is designed of Providence to exert a great influence, not only in healing the sick, but in imparting light and knowledge on the subject of our responsibility to regard the laws of our being.--Ibid.
Early in the session a matter close to James White's heart was brought in. The minutes read:
The question of brethren moving to Battle Creek was introduced. Brother White stated that the thing was working slowly but well. Brother Andrews spoke; Brother Butler followed. The question was referred to a committee of three, appointed by the chair.--Ibid.
Several days were devoted to the routine business of the conference, with special attention given to the Tract and Missionary Society work, the developing embryo of what was to become the personal ministries work of the church. S. N. Haskell, the father of this work, was commissioned to visit the conferences in promoting it. One of the concluding actions of the session read:
Resolved, That we express our thanks for the labors of Brother and Sister White during this conference, and that we renew our expressions of confidence in the Bible doctrine of spiritual gifts, and of our appreciation, in some degree, of the kindness and mercy of God in favoring this people with the testimonies of His Spirit to the church.--Ibid., March 25, 1873
Testimony No. 22, with its many lines of practical instruction, including education and health reform, had come from the press in late December, 1872, and was fresh in the minds of those at the conference.
The nominating committee brought in a report recommending that George I. Butler continue as General Conference president and Uriah Smith as secretary, and introduced a new name for treasurer, E. B. Gaskill, fruitage of the program to bring in businessmen of experience to assist in the work. But when it came to the SDA Publishing Association, the story was quite different. James White was unanimously elected president of the association. He declined to serve, and over the next two weeks, several meetings were held to fill the offices of leadership. Finally, on Friday, March 21, White felt he could not further stave off the matter. Ellen White reports on the meeting in her diary:
Husband seems depressed. Called another meeting at the house of prayer in the afternoon. Officers were elected, also editors. A controversy arose as to who should serve as president. The ministers seek to press my husband in, but he refuses to accept the office. I sustain him. His health has failed under the burden. He must have rest or sink under the pressure of care. Some difference in understanding the testimonies. Some think my husband cannot be free from the burdens. May God guide in wisdom.--Manuscript 5, 1873.
The published report of this meeting, which White asked George I. Butler to chair, indicates that James White, J. N. Andrews, and Uriah Smith were elected editors of the Review and Herald. The report is silent on the matter of the presidency, but James finally gave in and agreed to continue as president of the Publishing Association (Ibid., July 8, 1873).
The Whites Remain in Battle Creek
With James White dividing his time between the interests of the Publishing Association and the initial steps in getting a denominational school going, he was held close to Battle Creek. Ellen, as usual, was deeply involved in writing testimonies and, when she could get to it, the life of Christ for Spirit of Prophecy, volume 2. Her diary for 1873 reveals that she also kept close to developments in Battle Creek. One matter in particular gave both of them considerable concern, the very clearly felt alienation of Uriah Smith, resident editor of the Review and Herald. Reporting an interview at the Smith home on March 20, Ellen White noted in her diary: "We had an interview at Brother Smith's. He is dissatisfied with some things in my husband's letters; some expressions he thinks too severe."--Manuscript 5, 1873.
The next day, Sabbath, she reported that James "spoke with great freedom and power." The diary entries for the week that followed are enlightening as to her life and activities in Battle Creek:
Sunday, March 23, 1873.
Spent some time in the office preparing matter for Reformer. Spoke in the evening to a full house with some freedom. Took dinner at Brother [Harmon] Lindsay's.
Monday, March 24, 1873.
Spent the day at the office, preparing matter for the Reformer. We took dinner at Brother Ings's. We advised them to remain at Battle Creek. They thought of returning to Iowa if they could not be a help in Battle Creek. We do not wish to lose their influence here. Returned to office again to continue to prepare matter for Reformer.
Tuesday, March 25, 1873.
Was at the office most of the day, preparing matter for the Reformer.
Wednesday, March 26, 1873.
It is a very stormy day. I arranged my writings. My husband sent for me to take dinner at Brother Kellogg's. It was very cold and stormy. It looked imprudent to go out, yet I ventured. We had a pleasant visit with Brother Kellogg's family. Had a good hygienic dinner. Borrowed a book to select piece for Reformer. In the afternoon was at the office, selecting pieces for my department in Reformer. Returned home. In evening had an earnest praying season for Sister Abbey.
Thursday, March 27, 1873.
I designed to spend the day in writing. Just as I was about to engage in my writing, Sister Comings came. I visited with her quite a while, then went to the institute with Emma for treatment. My husband came for me to ride and I did not take treatment. Rode down to the city.... Took dinner with Brother and Sister Van Horn. Had a pleasant visit with them. Returned home. Stopped at the institute a short time and returned home and engaged in writing.
Dr. Russell called in evening, before leaving for an urgent call to Wisconsin from Brother Sanborn. We had a pleasant interview with Dr. Russell. Elders Andrews and Haskell spent the evening with us. Tarried overnight.
Friday, March 28, 1873.
It is raining. My husband spent the day at the office. He brought me two letters, one from Elder Loughborough, with two letters copied that he had received from Brethren Stipp and Stockton. My husband came home with Sister Lampson. We had a pleasant visit. Sister Lampson dined with us. I have forty-eight pages completed for the Health Institute. My head is weary. Received a good letter from Will Walling. He urges us to come and stay with him in the summer and I think we shall do so.
Sabbath, March 29, 1873.
It is a blustering day. My husband attended meeting. I did not. I wished to speak to the brethren and sisters of San Francisco. I wrote sixteen pages--to Elder Loughborough, six pages; to Brother Diggins, ten pages; also wrote Brother Stockton two pages.
My husband spoke to the people with freedom. In the afternoon [I spoke]. Brethren came in after meeting. Sister Butler came to visit us. Brethren Andrews and Haskell called. I read to them the letter written to Brother Diggins. We had a season of prayer of considerable interest.--Ibid.
A Place to Write at the Publishing House
And so it was from day to day. On Monday, April 7, she had an interview with the physicians at the Health Institute and noted in her diary:
I read forty-eight pages of manuscript, testimony for the physicians and helpers. This was a severe task to me, a work I did not love.--Manuscript 6, 1873.
The Health Institute and its interests were close to Ellen White's heart. This stemmed back particularly to a time of crisis in the history of the institution mentioned in August by James White:
About four years since [i.e., ago], by bad management, the Health Institute and the Reformer were brought into most discouraging circumstances; so much so, that we at one time decided in our own mind that the property must be sold, and after paying heavy debts, a small percent be refunded to stockholders. The prospect was most gloomy. Mrs. White had made important statements, upon high authority, relative to the institute and its work, the fulfillment of which seemed doubtful.
But at the very time when the prospect looked the most doubtful, when we were bowed at the family altar, the Spirit of the Lord came upon us, faith revived, and with a clear presentiment of the future prosperity of the institute, we gave this testimony in the hearing of our family, while still bowed on our knees, "God will yet vindicate all that His Spirit has testified of the prosperity and usefulness of our Health Institute."--An Earnest Appeal, pp. 42, 43.
After mentioning specific measures taken to save the institution, including upgrading the Health Reformer, which would help to draw guests to fill its rooms, he stated:
We also united our efforts at the Health Institute as counselors, and often spoke to the patients in the parlor as we could steal a half hour from other pressing duties.--Ibid., 43, 44.
This describes well a phase of their activities in Battle Creek following the General Conference session, but Ellen White concluded that if she were to get much writing done she must have a place of seclusion away from their home. A room was found at the Review office that she could use, and this was soon carpeted and fitted up nicely for her work. On Friday, April 11, Willie White--who had just completed his six months' course of studies at Dr. Trall's Hygeo-Therapeutic College at Florence Heights, New Jersey, with his brother Edson--returned home. They brought with them diplomas inscribed on sheepskin, conferring the "Degree of Doctor of Medicine," with the "rights, privileges, and immunities pertaining to the legalized practice of medicine" (DF790, W. C. White historical papers). Their parents, who had sent the two young men to the medical school, advised them that this was a good start, one that Dr. M. G. Kellogg had taken, but they should not venture into the practice of medicine without further training. They did not disregard this counsel.
James and Ellen did not intend to remain long in Battle Creek. At the time they owned two houses there, one close to the institute, mentioned as the old one on the corner, which they thought they had sold when they moved to Greenville in 1867, and the newer one built for them right after the Wright camp meeting when they were persuaded to return to Battle Creek and make their home there. On April 1, 1873, they sold their home on the corner to C. W. Comings, one of the "picked" businessmen who had moved his family to Battle Creek to assist in the work at headquarters.
On Monday, April 21, as the Comingses moved in, they arranged to let the Whites temporarily have a bed in the parlor. But that evening, after attending a meeting of the literary society and a meeting of the directors of the Health Institute, the Whites decided to occupy a room in the institute. The next morning, April 22, the ground was covered with four and a half inches of snow. James and Ellen White had breakfast at the Abbey home and then walked to the office. They were to have dinner at the Ginleys.
The Fourth James White Stroke of Paralysis
Ellen described what transpired:
My husband was expected to be there, but when I arrived at Brother Ginley's I was surprised to find my husband not there. Brother Ginley went to the Health Institute, expecting to find him there, but no. He went to Brother Abbey's to see if he was there. Word was returned that he was too faint to come to dinner. I then sat down with Brother Ginley's family.
I had taken about half my dinner when a messenger came with the word my husband had another shock of paralysis. I hastened to the house and found my husband's right arm partially paralyzed. We anointed with oil and then engaged in prayer for his recovery. The Lord came near by His Holy Spirit. My husband was greatly blessed. His arm was strengthened. We felt assured that by the blessing of the Lord he would recover. We moved to the institute. My husband feels cheerful and happy. He now is settled in regard to his duty to drop everything like burdens at Battle Creek and spend the summer in the Colorado Mountains.--Manuscript 6, 1873.
The stroke, while more severe than the previous two, was not as crippling as the first one he suffered in August, 1865. The next day, although it was chilly, they rode out, and there was evidence that James was exercising his mind. He was soon able to engage in various activities, but with impaired strength, and at times with considerable suffering. It was clear now to everyone that he was working on too narrow a margin to remain in Battle Creek. James and Ellen fixed their eyes on Colorado, but it was too early in the year to go to the mountains, and there were matters in Battle Creek that they needed to care for. So they stayed on, Ellen continuing with her writing and James spending some time at the office and in committees, and both of them speaking occasionally in the church.
Things would perhaps have been much simpler had the president of the General Conference, George I. Butler, resided in Battle Creek. But his home was in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and he visited Battle Creek only occasionally. The negative attitudes of Uriah Smith, which were to continue until mid-September and even led to his being dropped from his Review responsibilities (Manuscript 7, 1873), cast a dark shadow over the local Adventist community.
Planning for the School and the Institute
Tuesday, May 6, 1873, was a day of special interest. Butler was in town. Ellen White described the activities of the day:
We have a beautiful morning. We had prayers and then set about the duties of the day. The directors and trustees [of the Health Institute] ride out to the lake to consult and pray over matters. We conversed over important matters and came to good conclusions. After talking a while, we spread out our food upon the tablecloths upon the ground. We placed upon the cloth our good hygienic food and we enjoyed our food much.
We had much conversation after dinner in regard to the success of the work and the extended efforts we should make. We had a free, profitable talk and then we bowed before God and had a season of prayer.
I spent the time from morning until eleven o'clock writing. We returned from the lake. Selected cloth at Salisburys' for James--a coat. Brother Butler is here and went to the lake with us. He has come in a good time.
We have many important matters to settle in regard to the location for school buildings, and the location of the institute. We are contemplating the ground. It is a most desirable place for buildings for school and institute.-- Ibid.
Sunday, May 11, James was not at all well. Ellen could see that they must both have rest and concluded that every hour they remained in Battle Creek was a positive danger to his life. They decided to drive over to Potterville and camp there for a time. Ellen declared their 19-year-old horses to be as true as steel. The journey seemed to bring relief, and at noon they stopped beside the road and built a fire for their dinner. On Tuesday James suffered another light stroke, but they were able to pitch their tent in Brother Sawyer's orchard on a plank floor that he laid for them. The Sawyers did everything they could for the Whites' comfort, bringing carpet, stove, bedstead, washstand, looking glass, and chairs (Ibid.). But they could not get their minds off Battle Creek and the problems there, and on Friday they drove back and both were soon involved in their several tasks there.
Among the accomplishments were the laying of plans for the operation of the school until permanent plans could be worked out. The Review and Herald would soon be in need of a third building to take care of its operations, so it was decided to erect a third building at once between the two in use, connecting them together in one combined unit. The erection of this building in the summer of 1873 opened the way for the school to continue in September with increased enrollment.
There were good days and days not so good for James White through the spring months. Thursday morning, June 5, they reached the point where they knew they must make some decisions. In her diary she wrote:
My husband had an ill turn. We had a season of prayer in our chamber. We called the brethren together and had a season of prayer for more clear understanding of duty. I felt that it was my duty to go to the Iowa camp meeting. We had two praying seasons. We finally decided to go on the morning train. We had to make hasty preparations. We had ample time to get to the cars. We waited three quarters of an hour for the western train. My husband improved in health and spirits as he journeyed.--Manuscript 8, 1873.
The Iowa camp meeting was being held close to Washington, Iowa, where they had their hideaway home. Getting away from Battle Creek brought relief. By Friday noon they were on the campground. James White spoke in the large tent Friday night, and Ellen White on Sabbath afternoon and again in the evening. In all, James preached four times and Ellen five times (Ibid., June 24, 1873). Tuesday morning, seemingly quite refreshed, James and Ellen
White were on the campground early. She wrote of the meeting:
My husband addressed the people and gave important testimony in favor of the Health Institute and [Publishing] Association. I then bade them farewell with these words of warning, to watch as they returned home and not leave Jesus behind as did Joseph and Mary when they returned from Jerusalem. There was much tenderness of feeling in the congregation. We then bade them all farewell and returned to our home to rest.--Manuscript 8, 1873.
A Few Weeks in Their Washington Home
They soon discovered they were much worn for their camp meeting labors. Earlier it had been announced through the Review that they hoped to attend the four western camp meetings (Ibid., May 6, 1873). What should they do? "We walked out in the orchard," wrote Ellen White, "and had a season of prayer." She added:
We feel very anxious to know our duty. We do not want to make any wrong move. We need sanctified judgment and heavenly wisdom to move in the counsel of God. We cry unto God for light and grace. We must have help from God or we perish. Our earnest cry is for the direction of God's Holy Spirit. We dare not move in any direction without clear light.--Manuscript 8, 1873.
Ellen pressed on with writing for the Health Reformer and Youth's Instructor, and got some work done on the life of Christ. Some of the chapters for this were now appearing as articles in the Review. James busied himself around the little farm and did some writing. Willie was with them and gave his father massage treatments. After a couple of weeks in Washington, they felt the time had come to start for Colorado. Lucinda Hall joined them, and Sunday she and Willie did most of the packing for the summer in the mountains. Monday afternoon, June 23, they took the train for Denver, Colorado.