Printed in the Review and Herald, January 23, 1936
During the middle of the last century, many of the sturdy farmers of New England were lured by the call of the West, with its rolling prairies and its rich virgin soil, to leave their hilly and of-times rocky acres, and help to push the frontiers of the nation farther inland. It was natural that among these should be some Sabbath-keeping Adventists. The Middle Western States had proved to be a fruitful field for the ministry of the word, and James White saw possibilities for successful missionary work by consecrated laymen among the pioneer settlers. In 1856 he made, through the columns of the Review, the following suggestion:
"It seems in harmony with the work of the last ripening message for many of those in the East who have borne their testimony to their neighbors and townsmen, and have faithfully lived out the truth before them, to move into the West, where there is hope of benefiting many, by a faithful testimony and holy life."--Review and Herald, Sept. 4, 1856.
That he was not unmindful of the strong temptations that would attend such a move, is evident from the words of counsel and caution that are found in the same article. He says:
"Beware, brethren, of settling down, and burying yourselves up in the cares of this life, of adding house to house and land to land. O, the deceitfulness of riches."
In Defense of the Truth
Among those who moved west from Sabbath-keeping communities in the East, were some who made their missionary aims first. Witness, for example, Josiah Hart, who settled in Round Grove, Illinois. For months he held Sunday services in district schoolhouses. When a preacher came six miles and challenged him to debate on the Sabbath question, the people of the community urged him to accept. Though he was opposed to discussions, yet he publicly championed the faith. In reporting this experience for the Review, he said:
"How good the Lord is to give us a truth that may be spoken by the unlearned so as to confound the wisdom of the world. May the Lord help us to so keep His commandments that we may be more than a match for all our enemies."--Review and Herald, Sept. 25, 1856.
Two families of pioneer Sabbath-keepers from Paris, Maine, were among those who had moved west. By invitation from a brother-in-law who offered to help in the securing of cheap and fertile land, Edward Andrews was persuaded, in the autumn of 1855, to leave his rocky farm in Maine, and move with his family to Waukon, Iowa. John N. Andrews, a son, and one who has been several times mentioned in these articles as a faithful worker in the cause and a profound Bible student, spent the winter as a clerk in his uncle's store at Waukon.
In the spring they secured 160 acres of fertile soil three miles south of the village, where they were joined by their former neighbors, the Stevens family. They bought farming tools and several yoke of oxen, and began to improve the land and to build log houses for themselves and barns for their horses and cattle.
Other Adventists from the East soon followed, until as the winter of 1856 set in, their company numbered about thirty. Among the group were several whose names, such as Andrews, Stevens, Butler, Lindsey, Mead, Loughborough, and Lamson, are familiar to readers of the Review, and whom God had chosen to act a leading part in the future work of the remnant church.
What was the meaning of the gathering at Waukon of several of those who had acted a part in the early development of the "little flock" that was to constitute the "remnant church"? We can best understand its significance as we study their experience in the light of the great conflict between the forces of light and darkness.
The early experience of the Andrews and the Stevens families in Paris, Maine, before, during, and after the months when the Present Truth was published there, had given them an understanding of the character of the work of the "remnant" such as few others possessed, and had fitted them to be pillars and builders in the church which was to proclaim the last message of mercy to the world, thus fulfilling the command, "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Rev. 10:11.
Difficulties Encountered
Elder J. N. Loughborough had labored diligently and self-sacrificingly in the cause, but he had been poorly supported. Now, as he faced a severe winter, he was led to join the company at Waukon, where he might earn means as a carpenter, at least for a time, and thus provide support for his family.
Among the other families that had moved west from various places in New England and New York, were a number who, some years later, were to act a prominent part in the development of the cause of truth.
We can readily see that the prince of darkness, who had striven mightily to hinder and destroy the work of publishing the message by afflicting those who were leading out in its endeavors, was on the watch to divert from the cause of present truth those who might be useful in sounding the message regarding the coming of the Saviour and the restoration of the Bible Sabbath.
Not that these pioneer workers intended to become negligent in their efforts in behalf of the cause, but they were handicapped through uncertain financial support. Glowing pictures of Western land agents led them to believe that they might quickly secure their humble homes and property, which would aid in their support, and then use a part of their time in spreading the message. But they encountered unexpected difficulties that taxed their strength and consumed their time. They saw great possibilities of comfort and wealth if, by unremitting toil, they could subdue the prairie soil and provide buildings to shelter themselves and their cattle.
In this struggle, it is not strange that they gradually lost courage regarding their ability to carry out their original purpose of acting as messengers of truth. Hardships brought discouragement; discouragement led to murmuring. As with Israel of old, they did not venture to place the responsibility for their misfortune upon God, but they did find occasion to criticize those who had been their leaders in the cause of present truth.
Questioned Laodicean Message
Was it consistent, some of them argued, for the editors of the Review and its principal writers to apply the message of Revelation three to the Laodiceans, with its dark picture of spiritual wretchedness and misery and blindness and nakedness, to those who had come out from the world, embraced the Sabbath, and who were looking for the coming of the Saviour? Were they not endeavoring to live faithful, consistent lives? Were not the men who wrote these articles, manifesting a spirit of personal superiority and ambition in charging humbler brethren with being lukewarm in the cause of present truth? And did it not seem that the "Testimonies" which were being published and sent abroad regarding the Laodicean condition of the remnant church, were influenced by the associates of the one through whom the messages were sent?
They questioned further if the removal of the Review office from Rochester to Battle Creek had not been a mistake. Why was it necessary for those connected with the publishing work to break their ties of friendship in Rochester and go to a new place where all were strangers? Besides all this, when the traveling messengers were so poorly supported, as had been the ease with some in their own company, was it right that the benevolence and attention of our people should be so largely drawn upon to build up the work in Michigan and in establishing the publishing work on a new basis?
Such questions as these seemed natural to those who were suffering under the grinding conditions of settlement in a new country. And as time went on, the dissatisfaction and murmuring increased, until, as later stated by one of their number, the company gathered at Waukon was not at all anxious to see Elder and Mrs. White and their fellow travelers, when they heard they were coming to labor among them.
Surely it seemed that a great victory was assured to the enemy of the work of the third angel, and especially of the publishing work. The prospect seemed to indicate that John Andrews, instead of becoming one of the leading theologians in the church and its first foreign missionary, would be content to spend his days on an Iowa farm; that J. N. Loughborough would be persuaded that the hardships of ministry in the cause were too great, and that it would be proper for him to devote his energies for a time to the building of houses in this new community; and that the cares of the world would absorb the attention of a number of others who had abilities that were needed in the future development of the work.
Threatened Daggers Revealed in Vision
But this strategic move on the part of the enemy was not unmarked by the Lord of the harvest, and through the prophetic gift his evil plans were revealed to Mrs. White. It was on December 9, 1856, that she was shown in vision that among those who had gone from the East to the West, were Sabbath-keepers who had "become drunk with the spirit of the world." Among them there was a loss of brotherly love, and in its place there had crept in a close, selfish spirit. So engrossed were they becoming in business that they were encroaching upon the hours of the Sabbath with their own work. They were neglecting the study of God's word, and by their eager grasping for worldly riches, were failing to show to their neighbors that they were seeking a better country.
The company at Waukon, Iowa, were especially shown to Mrs. White as being in a low spiritual condition, and filled with a spirit of dissatisfaction, bordering on rebellion. This view caused her deep distress. She felt burdened to visit them and bring them spiritual help.
At this time, she and her husband were at Round Grove, Illinois, where they had attended a general meeting appointed for December 6 and 7. The journey to Waukon, if it were made, would involve a drive of two hundred miles in an open sleigh in the middle of a severe winter, yet she felt constrained to ask Brethren Hart and Everts to take them to Waukon. These brethren could not refuse to share the hardships with her if she were determined to go, though they pointed out the difficulties and hardships of the long journey.
The Trip to Iowa
As preparations were made for the trip, it began to rain, and continued for twenty-four hours. By night the snow was fast disappearing, and it seemed that it would be impossible to drive with the sleigh. Before retiring for the night they discussed the matter, and at length James White declared that they must abandon their plan. Then, as Mrs. White tells the story:
"Brother Hart said to me, 'Sister White, what about Waukon?'
"Said I, 'We shall go.'
" 'Yes,' he replied, 'if the Lord works a miracle.'
"Many times that night I was at the window watching the weather, and about daybreak there was a change, and it commenced snowing. The next evening about five o'clock, we started on our way."-- "Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White," p. 330.
As they traveled northward in Illinois, it continued snowing. The evening of the second day, they arrived at Green Vale, where they tarried for the night with a family of believers. But in the morning they found the roads were blocked with snowdrifts. Day after day they waited, hoping in vain for a change in the weather. It was nearly a week before they were able to proceed, and then they could make but slow progress. Often they had to stop and dig their way through deep drifts.
Thursday evening they put up for the night at a hotel a few miles from the Mississippi River, near East Dubuque, Illinois. About four o'clock in the morning they were awakened with the unwelcome sound of rain upon the roof. There was no bridge across the great river, and they were dependent upon the firmness of the ice for their safety in driving across. They dared not wait, so as soon as possible they pushed forward through the rain in their open sleigh. There was a crust of ice on the snow and the horses broke through at nearly every step.
They inquired frequently of those they met regarding the possibility of their driving across the Mississippi River, but received no encouragement. The treacherous ice was covered with a foot of water. Mrs. White thus briefly describes the dramatic moment when they reached the river bank:
"Brother Hart arose in the sleigh and said, 'Is it Iowa, or back to Illinois? We have come to the Red Sea; shall we cross?
"We answered, 'Go forward, trusting in Israel's God.'
"We ventured upon the ice, praying as we went, and were carried safely across. As we ascended the bank on the Iowa side of the river, we united in praising the Lord."--"Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White," pp. 330, 331.
They were now only about half way to their destination. That day they went six miles beyond Dubuque, and put up at a hotel to rest over the Sabbath. In the evening they sang hymns, and after the other guests had gathered to listen, Brother Everts hung up his chart and gave a short lecture.
Sunday they resumed the journey. The thermometer had dropped again, and it was bitterly cold. They watched each other for frozen faces and would frequently rub with snow some frost-bitten portion of nose or ears. Of the difficulties encountered the next two days, Mrs. White wrote to her children from Volney, Iowa, December 24, 1856, the last day of the journey:
"Here we are fourteen miles this side of Waukon. We are all quite well. Have had rather a tedious time getting thus far. Yesterday for miles there was no track. Our horses had to plough through snow, very deep, but on we came.
"O such fare as we have had on this journey. Last Monday, we could get no decent food, and tasted not a morsel with the exception of a small apple from mom until night. We have most of the time kept very comfortable, but it is the bitterest cold weather we ever experienced.
"We introduce our faith at every hotel we enter, and have some two or three invitations to hold meetings on our return. ... There seems to be interest awakened at every place we stop. We think we shall have some meetings in this place next first day. ...
"O how thankful shall I be to see home, sweet home, again and my dear little boys, Henry, Edson, and Willie. ... Children, be thankful for your comfortable home. We often suffer with cold, and cannot keep warm sitting before the stove, even. Their houses are so cold and your mother suffers with cold in her head and teeth all the time. ...
"Last night we slept in an unfinished chamber where there was an opening for the stovepipe, running through the top of the house,--a large space, big enough for a couple of cats to jump out of.
"Pray for us. We are near the scene of conflict. I say pray for us, for God to open the way for our return, or we may be blocked in and remain all winter. Pray for the Lord to give us success."
An Unexpected Meeting
The brethren at Waukon had read in the Review of the appointment for Elder and Mrs. White at Round Grove, Illinois, but no appointment had been made for Waukon, and they did not consider even the possibility of their venturing to visit them through the deep snow and the cold of that December. They were greatly surprised at seeing their visitors. Of Elder Loughborough's experience, he has written:
"As Brother Hosea Mead and I were working on a store building in Waukon, a man looking up saw me, and inquired, 'Do you know a carpenter around here by the name of Hosea Mead?'
"I replied, 'Yes, sir, he is up here working with me.'
"Brother Mead said, 'That is Elon Everts' voice.'
"Then he came and looked down, and Brother Everts said, 'Come down; Brother and Sister White and Brother Hart are out here in the sleigh.'
"As I reached the sleigh, Sister White greeted me with the question, 'What doest thou here, Elijah?'
"Astonished at such a question, I replied, 'I am working with Brother Mead at carpenter work.'
"The second time she repeated, 'What doest thou here, Elijah?'
"Now I was so embarrassed at such a question, and the connecting of my case with Elijah, that I did not know what to say. It was evident that there was something back of all this which I should hear more about.
"The third time she repeated the question, 'What doest thou here, Elijah!'
"I was brought by these bare questions to very seriously consider the case of Elijah, away from the direct work of the Lord, hid in a cave. ... The salutation most thoroughly convinced me that there was going to come a change, and a 'go-back' from the labor in which I was then engaged."--Pacific Union Recorder, Aug. 4, 1910.
Meetings were appointed to be held in a large room in the home of Brother Edward Andrews. Not all were ready at once to accept the view that the message to the Laodieeans should be applied to the Sabbath-keeping Adventists. At the Sabbath meetings, the question was freely discussed in a candid, Christian manner, and all became united in accepting the new light.
On Monday, a meeting was called for the discussion of matters that had led to misunderstanding and alienation of the sympathy of the group in Waukon from the brethren in Battle Creek. When facts were stated and motives explained, it was seen that there was no just occasion for loss of confidence in the leading brethren.
The way was now open for confession and forgiveness. At the evening meeting, an unusual spirit of prayer rested upon several of the brethren, and the Spirit of the Lord wrought powerfully with them. Mrs. White was taken off in vision, during which she repeated very solemnly the words, "Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord." These words brought consolation and hope to some who were desponding because of their past mistakes.
Among others who were powerfully affected during this experience was Mrs. Loughborough. She had been left so often alone for long periods while her husband had been away from home preaching, that she had been tempted to murmur at her hard lot. Now she confessed her bitterness of spirit, and urged her husband to return to his ministry.
The meeting lasted till midnight, and was resumed at ten o'clock the next forenoon, lasting without intermission till five o'clock in the afternoon. John Andrews renewed his consecration to God and to His service, and the spirit of confession continued till every cause for alienation was removed, and those present rejoiced in their acceptance with God.
Influence on Future Workers
While considering the marked influence of these meetings upon future workers in the cause of God, it is worthy of mention that George I. Butler, one of the sons of E. P. Butler, formerly of Vermont, though not present at these meetings, was just about this time converted from skepticism in a very remarkable manner. While traveling on a steamer along the Mississippi River, he was waiting at Rock Island, Illinois. Here, as he was meditating upon a verse of Scripture, he seemed to hear an audible voice bidding him to believe the Bible as the word of God, to which he responded, "Yes, Lord, I will." Returning to the ship, he bowed on his knees in the cabin, and gave himself to the Lord.
Shortly after, he went to Waukon and engaged in farming, until a few years later he was called from the farm to the ministry. The zeal of the church, fresh from this revival, and this knowledge of their thrilling experience, made a deep impression upon his mind, and helped to fit him for his many years of service as General Conference president, to which he was later called.
In concluding his report to the Review of this truly epochal experience at Waukon, James White said:
"Should we undertake to give a full description of the triumphant meetings at Waukon, we should fall far short of doing justice to the subject. We close our remarks by adding that these meetings were the most powerful we had witnessed for years, and in many respects the most wonderful we ever witnessed.
"We parted with our dear friends in tears, feeling the sweetest union with them, and grateful to the Lord for His merciful dealings to His erring children. We felt that the increase of light and evidence that we were living in the last of the seven periods of the church of Christ was tenfold, and that we were already many times paid for facing the prairie winds and storms on our long and tedious journey to northern Iowa."--Review and Herald, Jan. 15, 1857.