Unlike other years when the heavy round of camp meetings left James and Ellen White almost completely exhausted and debilitated, labor in the camp meetings they attended in 1879 seemed to energize them for a broadening outreach. This is seen in the comprehensive plans in which they had a part in formulating for the annual session of the General Conference to come in early November, together with its accompanying meetings of the various auxiliary organizations.
In James White's absence the regular General Conference session had been scheduled for a time other than the general camp meeting in Michigan, with its large attendance. The reason given for the change was that some felt that the conference business detracted from the spiritual meetings. White did not disguise his unhappiness at this. He saw the large attendance at collective meetings as vital to a vibrant thrust of the denomination. He explained:
As our people and our work are practical, all the friends of the cause should be encouraged to take a lively interest in all branches of the work discussed at our business meetings. Our general meetings should therefore be held at such places, and at such times, as will secure general attendance....
However much we may regret that the old plan, proved to be successful in the days of our prosperity, is exchanged this year by those who desire the benefits of a new experience, it is very probable that experience may convince them that changes are not always improvements.--Ibid., October 16, 1879
But he had another proposal, to serve somewhat as a remedy:
We have urged the necessity of a Biblical institute, to be held with the series of meetings on the occasion of the General Conference and the several society meetings, as the means of calling together at Battle Creek many of our ministers and those who have the ministry in view.--Ibid.
The Bible institute would open on October 22, the General Conference session on November 7. Meetings would be held in the Tabernacle.
The Solemn Vision of the Judgment
Wednesday evening, October 22, at the opening meeting of the Bible institute, James White spoke. He spoke again Thursday evening. The opening article of Testimony No. 29, published shortly thereafter, presents an account of what took place early Thursday morning:
On the morning of October 23, 1879, about two o'clock, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I beheld scenes in the coming judgment. Language fails me in which to give an adequate description of the things which passed before me and of the effect they had upon my mind.
The great day of the execution of God's judgment seemed to have come. Ten thousand times ten thousand were assembled before a large throne, upon which was seated a person of majestic appearance. Several books were before Him, and upon the covers of each was written in letters of gold, which seemed like a burning flame of fire: "Ledger of Heaven."
One of these books, containing the names of those who claim to believe the truth, was then opened. Immediately I lost sight of the countless millions about the throne, and only those who were professedly children of the light and of the truth engaged my attention. As these persons were named, one by one, and their good deeds mentioned, their countenances would light up with a holy joy that was reflected in every direction. But this did not seem to rest upon my mind with the greatest force.
Another book was opened, wherein were recorded the sins of those who profess the truth. Under the general heading of selfishness came every other sin. There were also headings over every column, and underneath these, opposite each name, were recorded, in their respective columns, the lesser sins.--Testimonies for the Church, 4:384, 385.
The account continues with a vivid portrayal of the reaction of those who stood before the throne, as their names were mentioned and they heard the solemn words of the Judge.
Little wonder that at the beginning of the Sabbath the next evening, as it is reported, "Sister White spoke ...to a full congregation, on the solemnities of the judgment." No mention is made in the Review of the vision, for it was still the policy of the journal to minimize reference to the visions and focus the attention of the readers on the Word of God. It is stated:
Our attention was called to the unerring records of those books which will be opened, from which everyone will be judged according to his works. With great power she urged upon all the importance of making the record on the side of devotion and consecration.--The Review and Herald, October 30, 1879.
In this setting the Bible institute got under way, and the General Conference session and other important meetings were launched a few days later. The counsels and warnings given by Ellen White through the next few weeks had their basis largely in this vision, and formed the content of a number of testimonies published shortly thereafter. These are now found in Testimonies for the Church, volume 4, commencing with page 384.
Encouraging View Involving James White
The account of the vision as it appears in Life Sketches of Ellen G. White brings to view James White, his fidelity and experience:
Upon one page of the ledger, under the head of "Fidelity," was the name of my husband. His life, character, and all the incidents of our experience, seemed to be brought vividly before my mind. A very few items which impressed me, I will mention.
I was shown that God had qualified my husband for a specific work.... Through the testimonies of His Spirit, He had imparted to him great light. He had cautioned, warned, reproved, and encouraged; and it was due to the power of His grace that we had been enabled to bear a part in the work from its very commencement. God had miraculously preserved his mental faculties, notwithstanding his physical powers had given out again and again.--Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 242, 243.
Then Ellen White enters into some phases of his experience and leadership that may have vexed some of his associates:
God should have the glory for the unbending integrity and noble courage to vindicate the right and condemn the wrong which my husband has had. Just such firmness and decision were necessary at the commencement of the work, and they have been needed all along, as it progressed step by step.
He has stood in defense of the truth without yielding a single principle to please the best friend. He has had an ardent temperament, bold and fearless in acting and speaking. This has often led him into difficulties which he might frequently have avoided. He has been obliged to stand more firmly, to be more decided, to speak more earnestly and boldly, because of the very different temperament of the men connected with him in his labor.
God has given him the power to form and execute plans with the needed firmness, because he did not refuse to exercise these qualities of the mind, and to venture in order to advance the work of God.
Self has at times been mingled with the work; but when the Holy Spirit has controlled his mind, he has been a most successful instrument in the hands of God for the upbuilding of His cause.
He has had elevated views of the Lord's claims upon all who profess His name--of their duty to stand in defense of the widow and the fatherless, to be kind to the poor, to help the needy. He would jealously guard the interests of his brethren, that no unjust advantage be taken of them.
The earnest efforts of my husband to build up the institutions in our midst I also saw registered in the Ledger of Heaven.--Ibid., 243, 244. No doubt the words of encouragement that came to James White as the result of this vision strengthened him as he stepped into the harness and pushed ahead in the great cause with which he was connected.
Eighteenth Annual General Conference Session
Friday morning, November 7, 1879, thirty-three delegates from sixteen conferences assembled in the Tabernacle for the opening of the eighteenth annual General Conference session. In a few days twenty conferences and two missions were represented by thirty-nine delegates. At the third meeting held the afternoon of November 10, the nominating committee presented its report:
For president, Elder James White. For secretary, Elder Uriah Smith. For treasurer, Mrs. M. J. Chapman. For executive committee: Elder James White, Elder S. N. Haskell, and Elder George I. Butler.
The report was adopted, with each name considered separately.
The program of the session was varied from day to day, with meetings of the associations and societies interspersed with the regular business sessions. The delegates considered the progress and welfare of the cause in America and overseas. An action calling for a Missionary Board seconded the initial steps taken in the special session in April, a committee of nine was elected, and W. C. White was chosen as the secretary. This board was to act under the advice of the General Conference Committee and to report annually.
Ellen White was an active participant in the activities of the session, and according to the minutes, when the members of the Missionary Board were elected Ellen White made "some very stirring remarks on the subject of missionary work" (The Review and Herald, December 4, 1879).
In all, eighteen meetings were held during the session between November 7 and December 1, with numerous far-reaching actions passed. One such action related to the responsibility of ministers in instructing new converts. It read:
Resolved, That it should not be considered that any minister has fully discharged his duty in any new field where a company of Sabbathkeepers has been raised up, until he has fully advocated, in public and in private, the subjects of health and temperance and spiritual gifts, and organized systematic benevolence; and a failure in this should be considered worthy of censure; and the Auditing Committee should take this into account when settling with him.--Ibid., November 20, 1879
Another action, this one involving James and Ellen White, was rather sweeping:
Resolved, That this conference cordially invite our beloved brother and sister, Elder James White and wife, so far as possible, and consistent with their many other duties, to attend one general meeting in each conference annually, that the benefit of their great experience and their verbal testimonies may be enjoyed in all parts of the great field.--Ibid.
As James White was in the chair at the time this action was passed, it seems clear that his devotion to the cause must have overpowered his good judgment.
At another meeting an action that would ease their work was presented and passed. With the preamble it reads:
The Committee on Resolutions were instructed to convey to Sister White the sympathy of the conference in her work, and also to consider by what means both Brother and Sister White can be provided with better facilities for accomplishing the work they have in hand.--Ibid., December 4, 1879
The session appointed a committee to consider the matter of a more extensive circulation of the writings of Mrs. E. G. White. On the morning of November 25 its report was presented and accepted:
Whereas, Our past experience has fully proved that our prosperity as a people is always in proportion to the degree of confidence we cherish in the work of the Spirit of Prophecy in our midst; and ...
Whereas, We have found that the most effectual way to meet and disarm this opposition is either to secure the personal labors of the one through whom we believe that the Lord has spoken, or to freely circulate her writings, and
Whereas, Great light has shone upon us through this channel, which not only our own people greatly need, but which would be a blessing to the world, remove prejudice, and break the force of the bitter attacks of the enemies of the truth, therefore
Resolved, That we urge upon our ministers and tract societies the importance of making earnest efforts to extend the circulation of the volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy and the Testimonies for the Church among our own people, till these shall be in every family of believers.
Resolved, That we recommend the [SDA] Publishing Association to issue in attractive form such of her writings as would be of general interest to the reading public who are not of our faith, to be placed in public libraries, reading rooms, on shipboard, et cetera, by canvassers and Tract and Missionary Society workers where they, as well as our other standard works, may be accessible to the people.--Ibid.
In connection with this sweeping set of resolutions was an action that called for "the publication of a small edition of her earliest writings, now out of print, to bring all her writings within reach of those anxious to obtain them." This action was met in the publication of Early Writings late in 1882.
The Ministerial Institute
Paralleling the General Conference and its auxiliary meetings was the ministerial institute, attended by 112 ministers and ministers-in-training. It was to have opened on October 22, but except for lectures given each evening, the work of the institute proper did not commence until mid-November. James White gave the opening lecture "on the great subject of prophecy, the place it occupies in the divine Word, and its use to the church" (Ibid.). The plans announced for the institute suggested that "one hour each day be devoted to penmanship, one hour to English grammar, and one hour to rhetoric" (Ibid., October 23, 1879). One lecture each day would be given by Dr. Kellogg on various phases of health reform, physiology, and hygiene. A class in elocution was also planned, to be taught by a Professor Hamill, of Chicago.
The institute continued until Wednesday, December 3. The Review and Herald reported that:
As a whole, it has been a pleasant and encouraging season. Light on many points has been brought out.... A large amount of instruction, especially to ministers, of the most vital importance, has been given. The Lord has greatly helped Brother and Sister White to speak, and has given them His word fruitfully.--Ibid., December 4, 1879
The Vision of November 23, 1879
While the institute was still in progress and the last meeting of the General Conference session had not yet been held, Ellen White was favored with another vision. Of this she wrote:
November 23, 1879, some things were shown me in reference to institutions among us and the duties and dangers of those who occupy a leading position in connection with them. I saw that these men have been raised up to do a special work as God's instruments, to be led, guided, and controlled by His Spirit.... This is a dangerous age for any man who has talents which can be of value in the work of God; for Satan is constantly plying his temptations upon such a person.--Testimonies for the Church, 4:537, 538.
The seventy or more pages that follow are filled with counsel, reproof, admonition, and encouragement, based largely upon this important vision. Coming as it did during the meetings, it formed the basis of several of the earnest discourses given by Ellen White to the ministers and institutional workers. This undoubtedly led to the expression of contrition and loyalty made at the close of the institute and also at the last meeting of the General Conference session:
Whereas, God has again most mercifully and graciously spoken to us as ministers, in words of admonition and reproof through the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy; and
Whereas, These instructions are just and timely, and of the utmost importance in their relation to our future labors and usefulness; therefore
Resolved, That we hereby express our sincere and devout thanksgiving to God that He has not left us in our blindness, as He might justly have done, but has given us another opportunity to overcome, by faithfully pointing out our sins and errors, and teaching us how we may please God and become useful in His cause.
Resolved, That while it is right and proper that we express our thankfulness to God and His servants in this manner, yet the best manner of expressing our gratitude is to faithfully heed the testimony that has been borne to us; and we hereby pledge ourselves to make a most earnest effort to reform on those points wherein we have been shown to be deficient, and to be obedient to the will of God thus graciously made known to us.--The Review and Herald, December 11, 1879.
A Call for the Publication of the Vision of the View of the Judgment
One of the actions taken at the annual session of the Tract and Missionary Society, at its meeting held November 11, related to the thrilling vision of the judgment given to Ellen White shortly before. The society recommended its early publication.
On December 18, the following notice appeared on the back page of the Review:
Testimony for the Church No. 29 will contain about two hundred pages of the most important matter for our people at this time, including the recent wonderful description of the judgment.
It was ready the first week of January, 1880.