VOL UME 5 SECOND QUARTER, 1995 N UMBER 2 ADVENTIST PIONEER LIBRARY

"We have nothing tofearfor the future, except as we shallforget the way the Lordhas led us, andHis teaching in our past history. " LS 196 eOCTOBER 22, 1844

fterthe disappointment ofOctober22, 1844,theAdventistswerereviledand mockedby unbelievers. Someabandoned the faith;somesetfuturedatesfor Christ's coming;othersstudiedthepropheciesfor morelightto discoverany errors ofinterpretation. rE Amidst all this uncertainty, a small group began studying the Heavenly Sanctuary, embraced the Third Angel's message, learned the importance of the seventh-day Sabbath, and adopted other basic Bible truths. God sent specialmessagesthat consoledthis group and guidedthem into fuller truththroughayoung,defenseless,ailinggirl,EllenGouldHarmon. Asshetraveled from placeto place sharingthese specialmessages,God inspiredher to selectElder JamesWhiteto accompanyher and her female companionswhiletraveling. (SeeA. L. White,Volume I ,Ellen G. White, The Early Years, p. 84.) This issueofLest We Forget, Volume 5, Number 2, features their friendship,marriage,familylife,trials, and sacrifices during the developmentofthe Seventh-dayAdventist Church. HowdidJamesfeelaboutEllenandher gift? HowdidEllenfeelaboutJamesand his leadership talents? Howdid Jamesand Ellenmeettheir parentalresponsibilities while, with other advent pioneers, founding the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Whattrials did they suffer, what sacrifices did they make for the "truth"? How did Ellen feel about leaving her childrenin the care ofother women? May James and Ellen White's specialexperiences inspire today's remnantwho lift up the torch entrustedto them by these valient pioneers.+

LEST WE FORGET, VOLUME 5, 1995, FEATURES JAMES SPRINGER WHITE & ELLEN GOULD HARMON WHITE­ THEIR FRIENDSHIP, MARRIAGE, FAMILY LIFE, TRIALS, AND SACRIFICES. PAGE 2 2nd Quarter, 1995 LEST WE FORGET A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP

ames S. White and them on many oftheir trips, ob­ Testament principles. Ellen Gould Har­ serving Ellen's fainting and ill­ As they met with believers, mon shared similar ness. He frequently joined other James would preach and Ellen backgrounds: sincere believers inpraying forherhealth. would encourage and guide. He CDChristianparents willing He also saw how critics and dis­ often spoke himselfhoarse. She to stand for their beliefsclimited believers caused problems. He was ill,andwould frequentlyfaint. education due to poor childhood believed that it was his duty to James would confront trouble­ health, conversion to the Millerite accompany her to "introduce her makers firmly, and said to one, message, and God's calling to and her mission to the people." "...the Lord does not want your share new truths with others who (LS,238.) James considered him­ testimony here. The Lord does were searching. Both were reluc­ selfa protectorfor Ellen who said not want you here to distract and tant to respond at first, Both were of herself, "[I had]...a lack of crush his people." (LS,271.) . later disfellowshipped from their confidence in myself, and a con­ The White's first home was churches because of their belief viction that it would be impos­ with Ellen's parents. Later they in Christ's soon coming. Sincere, sible to make anyone understand shared the home of the Holland willing to learn, and concerned my feelings, [that] prevented me family. Ellen wrote,"We entered about their lack of education, from seeking advice and aid from upon our work with few friends, James and Ellen formed a union my Christian friends," (IT, 75.) and broken in health... [James'] that strengthened the growing and "[was] ...naturally so timid health had been seriously injured body ofbelievers and helped set a and retiring that it was painful for by close application to study at firm base for future church me to meet strangers." (IT, 62.) school,and in lecturing.... With­ growth. James was twenty-five and out means, with very few who Before their first meeting, Ellen eighteen when they were sympathizedwith us in our views, James had taught school, but he married by a justice ofthe peace without a paper, and without began preaching about the sec­ on August 30, 1846. They dedi­ books, we entered upon our ond coming in 1842. At first he cated their lives to the great chal­ work."(lT,75.) thought Miller's teachings were lenge of strengthening and edu­ The Whites had four sons. in error, but after discussing them cating the believers. Henry Nichols was born August with his mother, who combined They performed a traveling 20,1847; James Edson, July 28, Bible study with down-to-earth ministry of encouragement and 1849; William Clarence, August logic, he commented, "she was teaching among the believers, 29,1854; and John Herbert, Sep­ ready to calmly and pleasantly working with small groups in tember 20,1860. Henry died at meetall my objections." (LS, 21.) homes and halls, and often had the age of 16, and John Herbert After she began receiving vi­ to meet the pressures of critics. lived for less than three months. sions, Ellen traveled with her sis­ Their common purpose was to Both deaths were terrible blows ter, Sarah, and sometimes with encourage the believers and or­ for the family. Sister Foss. James accompanied ganize churches based on New continued on page seven

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LEST WE FORGET 2nd Quarter, 1995 PAGE 3 Her Husband's Crown What did James S. White value in his wife?

.by d1J!a,[ene Steinwej 'J ameswasintenselyproudofhiswife- few days later, Ellen fell down in a vision while not only ofher spiritualdedication,but meetingwith a group offanatics who performed of her speaking and writing abilities. strangeacts,supposedlyunder the Spirit's power. OJ He promotedher, defendedher, praised ItwasJameswho cradledherhead. Anothertime, her....'" James WhitedescribedEllenas while in New Hampshire, James was inspiredto his "...crown ofrejoicing." Let's take a look at rebukeevilspiritsinthe believersthere,whowere someexperiencesthat may have led him to have groaning and shouting "Amen!" to disturb the such a high regard for his wife. meeting. Time and again God would lead by Jamesrememberedmeeting Ellen Harmonin providing funds for Ellen's travels, or directing her hometown of Portland, Maine, sometime in whatmovesto makein orderto overcomeSatan's 1843. He was impressed with her radiant Chris- attempts to keep her from sharing the messages tian experienceand effectivemissionary endeav- she received from God. ors. "Shewasthena Christianofthemostdevoted James observed how God used Ellen to bless type. And althoughbut sixteen,she wasa laborer the believers. She "moved out in the work of in the cause ofChrist in public and fromhouse to publicspeakingtimidly. Ifshe had confidence,it house. . .. Her experience was so rich and her wasgivenherbythe Holy Spirit. Ifshe spokewith testimony so powerful that ministersand leading freedom and power, it was given her of God."! menofdifferentchurchessought her laborsas an Later,sheimprovedso much as a speaker,thathe exhorter in their several congregations."? Did thought she excelled all others in her power to Ellen boldly go forth to answer these calls? No, move the people. Her voice "became [so] clear butratherwithmuchtrepidation. "Atthattimeshe and powerful, and her articulation...so distinct wasverytimid,and littlethoughtthatshewastobe that acres of people could hear her out-of-doors broughtbeforethe public to speakto thousands.'? ...as easily as ifseated in a church." It was more than a year later, in February of When did James and Ellen learnto love each 1845, that James again met Ellen in Orrington, other? "When we first met, we had no idea of Maine. She had traveled there with their mutual marriageat any future time.... [Laterit became friends, William Jordan and his sister, Sarah, to clearthat] God had a great work for both ofus to sharehervisionswiththebelievers. Jameswasled do...[and] we could greatly assist each other in to believethat"...her wonderful experienceand that work. . .. As she should come before the work was ofGod, and it was his duty to accom- public," James explained, "she needed a lawful panythem." He offered to accompany Ellenand protector.... Godhaving chosenher as a channel her companions,wherevershe neededto travel to oflight and truth to the people in a specialsense, share her messages with Advent believers. she could be ofgreat help to me."? James recog- Hisexperiences asatravelingcompanionwere nized that their marriage would help them mutu- inspiring and challenging. In Atkinson,Maine,a ally in the gospel ministry. continued on page six PAGE 4 2nd Quarter, 1995 LEST WE FORGET "The Best Man that ever trod Shoe Leather." What led Ellen White to say this'about her husband?

lIen White highly follow, and preach the truth. just as...he would carry them esteemed her hus­ God led in their lives, and they out,"!' He "felthe must see to band, James. She eventually married on Sunday, this and that, fearing it. . . CID believed God had August 30,1846. [would] be done wrong."? qualified him "...for a Ellen recognized many of One problem James had specific work, and. . .united James' characterstrengths. For was that he would overtaxhim­ them to carry forward this example, she told ofhis "head selfphysically. This would be work," and thathe was "...the to planand.. .life ofexperience a natural result of not letting best man that ever trod shoe to balancethe inexperienced;"! others do the work. "Even ifit leather."? How did Ellenarrive of his "firmness and decision was done wrong a few times," at these conclusions? ... ;"4 hi ts a bili ility t0 " ... stand Ellen thought, "[James]... In mid-February of 1845, in defense ofthe truth without should not perplex his mind theintensewinter following her Yleieldimg...pnnclp"1e... ;"s and andtake the burdenofoversee­ first vision, Ellen met the man his "unbending integrity and ing these things."!' who was to be her husband noble courage to vindicate the Perhaps James' unforgiv­ when William Jordan and his right and condemnthe wrong." ing spirit was a character flaw? sister Sarah urged Ellen to go He was "bold and fearless Ellen wrote in December of with them to Orrington,Maine, m•• acting... ;"7 couId"...speak 1865, that James' "greatest to share her visions. From then more earnestly;"! and"stand. wrong in the past. ..[was] an on, Elder James Springer more firmly;" than other men unforgivingspirittowardthose White, a youthful, Advent in similar circumstances. "God brethren who injured his influ­ preacher, traveled with Ellen, has given him," she declared, ence in the cause ofGod...."14 accompanying her and her "the power to form and ex­ Although these brethren heart­ companions fromplace to place ecute plans with the needed ily acknowledgedtheirwrongs to seek out Advent believers. firmness, because he did not and James forgave them and Did Ellen ever dream that refuse to exercise these quali­ even continued working with the friendship started in ties ofthe mind, and to venture them,he couldnot entirely for­ Orrington would lead to mar­ in orderto advance the workof get the incidents. He would at riage and a special work in the God."lO times rehashthe offenses in his development of a powerful, What character flaws did mind, bringing them to life, new religious movement? Not Ellen notice in her husband? and this brought him added I likely. But, as they traveled, Perhapshis temper? She wrote stress and sadness. she could observe James' char­ how his peace was destroyed James was able to learn I acter strengths and flaws, and and he was annoyed when oth­ from his mistakes, and later saw his deep desire to know, ers failed "to carry out things repented of his errors. God LEST WE FORGET 2nd Quarter, 1995 PAGE 5

". . .accepted his humiliation in every way to make my This is God's doing," she con­ ...the afflicting of his soul joumeyingsand labor pleasant cluded, "and His name shall before Him...the confessions and relieve it of'weariness.?" have all the glory."24 of his lack of consecration to InAugust,1876,whenGod OnAugust 6, 1881,James God, and his repentance for the again healed James and he died from a serious case of errors and mistakes in his could return to work, Ellen re­ malaria, thus ending nearly course which have caused him marked to Willie, "Yourfather thirty-five years of marriage. such sorrow and despondency does the work ofthree men at ThoughEllen felt"...deprived ofmind...."" all these meetings. I never saw of... [his] wisdom and abil­ When James suffered a se­ a man work so energetically, ity,"25 he lived another thirty­ ries ofstrokes, Ellen, who had so constantly as your father. four years remembering and relied so much on him, missed God does give him more than missing her husband, James, that ", . .strong, manly arm mortal energy. Ifthere is any "...the best man that ever trod [she] ever leaned upon. ;'.."16 place that is hard, your father shoe leather."26 + She vowed to continue work­ takes it.'?' Evidently she real­ ing for his healing, "as longas izedthey both might overdo it life is left him and me.... That again,andJamesmight become 'Ellen O. White, The Publishing brain, that noble masterly discouraged and ill. Sheprayed Ministry, RHPA, Hagerstown, mind," she declared, "shall not for "strength to do the work ~,1983,p.29. . be left in ruin. . .. Satan shall necessary to be done in these 2A. L. White, Ellen G. White, not exult over us. Youwill yet special occasions.t'" VoU, The Early Years, RHPA, see us standing side by side in James obtained a special Hagerstown.Ml), 1985,p. 84. the sacred desk, speaking the victory the next year, for which 3Ellen O. White,Manuscript Re­ words oftruth...."17 Ellen praised God in a letter to leases, Volume 6, EOW Estate, In July, 1874, after James Edson and Emma, on August SilverSpring,~, 1990,p. 304. had suffered another stroke, 31,1877. "Father says he will 4-,oLijeSketcheso!EllenG. White, Ellen wrote him, "I have the go forward in the name and PPPA, Mt. View, CA, 1915, p. highest estimate of your abil­ strength of our dear Saviour. 243. ity, and with the power ofGod He will go to the camp meet­ 1I.12.13E. O.White,ManuscriptRe­ to work with your efforts, you ings and will bear his testi­ leases;Volume 10, EOWEstate, can do a great and efficient mony, exalting Jesus and the Silver Spring,~, 1990,p. 23. work. God can mend the bro­ powerofHis grace. Oh! What 14.15E. O. White, Testimonies, ken and worn machinery and hath the Lord wrought! Father VolumeI, PPPA,Mt.View,CA, make it of essential use to do feels now that he must hide 1948,p. 613. His work still."18 She wrote behind Christ. He must exalt 16.176MR, pp. 300-30 I. these words when James was Jesus and humble himself. He 18.19A. L. White,Ellen G. White, very discouragedadmonishing wants to work in a different Volume 2,TheProgressive Years, him to "believe, ...be cheerful, manner than he has hitherto p. 439,RHPA,Hagerstown,~, ...be ofgood courage."!" He done, walking in greater hu­ 1986. must have accepted this coun­ milityand workingin Godcon­ 2°.22.2210MR, pp. 33, 34. sel by June of 1875, for Ellen tinually.'?' By the next week '23~410MR, p. 36. wrote her friend Lucinda Hall, God had blessed his health so 256MR, p. 307. "My husband is very cheerful much, that she reported he 26Ellen O.White,Manuscript Re­ and of good courage. He is "...went into the stand, sang leases, Volume 5, EOW Estate, very attentive to me, seeking and prayed like his own self. SilverSpring.Ml), 1972,p. 208. PAGE 6 2nd Quarter, 1995 LEST WE FORGET HER HUSBAND'S CROWN continuedfrom page three heir friendship advanced over the V"- a continual cross for me to be 00 far away from yo. i) nod of about a year, and "although and friends I love.... May God bless you, my (fJ their courtship lacked someofthe typi- husband, with His grace.... Your Ellen."14 calelements,providence ledthem on to WhenJameswas deeply depressed,Ellen would love and affection and fixed their eyes on encourage him to look up and let Christ take his marriage." Ellen recalled that James' proposal burdens, and believe he would be healed. "Let the was somewhatlike an ultimatum. "He told me...he disagreeablesgo," she urged him."Turn fromthese should have to go away and leave me to go with thingswhichcausesadnessand...disheartenyou.v" whomsoeverlwould,orwemustbemarried. Sowe In 1880, very near the end ofhis life and after were married.'" On August 26,1846, James hap- nearly 34 years ofmarriage, James was preparing pily informed his friend, Brother Collins, "Ellen an edition of Life Sketches. In this he stated, saysthatthewayhasbeenmade "Marriage marks an important plain. We are published, and From that hour to the present, era in the lives ofmen.t'" He we shall be married perhaps she has been my then quoted Solomon's words Monday."? They were actu- from Proverbs 18: 22, "Whoso ally married Sunday, August CROWN OF REJOICING. findeth a wife findeth a good 30, 1846andbegantheirthirty- thing, and obtaineth favor of fiveyears as man and wife. As the Lord," indicating he had James aptly commented; they had "linked life's been thus favored. "This expression," he added, destiny...."11 ~ "taken alone may be understood to convey the idea Although James and Ellen both had strong that all wives are from the Lord. But Solomon personalities, which was a potential source offric- qualifies the expression by other statements. 'A tion, by God's grace they were able to resolve their virtuous woman is a crown to her husband... .' differences. For example, James felt at times that Proverbs 12:4...." "[Ellen] has been my crown of Ellen was seeking to control him, and although she rejoicing," he concluded, since "we were married didn'tconscientiously do this, shetold him shewas ...and from that hour to the present. .. ."11+ sorry. She wrote him, '''Wherein my feelings have been permitted to arise in any instance, it was 'Graybill, Ron,"Married to theProphet," Insight, Octo­ wrong.' James apologized also, and felt he had ber2,1993, pp. 8-10. wronged Ellen."!2 2~White, James, Life Sketches (LSJW), SDA Steam The near-drowning incident of twenty-month Press, Battle Creek, MI, 1880, p. 126. old Williereveals the full support James gave Ellen "Ibid., p. 238. andthetrust he had inherjudgement. Ellen worked 'Ibid., p. 127. with Willie's cold, limp body, massaging it back 'Ibid., p. 326. and forth,bringing up the soapy, wash water he had "Ibid., p. 126. breathed into his tiny lungs after falling into a wash 'White,A. L., Ellen G. White (EGW), Volume 1, The tub. There seemed to be no hope, and an aghast Early Years, RHPA, Hagerstown, MD,1985, p. 11. neighbor urged that someone take the dead child 'Roy E. Graham, Ellen G. White, Co-founder of the from the distraught mother. '''No,' James replied, Seventh-day Adventist Church, PeterLang Publishing, 'No one shall take it away from her.'?" Twenty Inc.,1985,p. 28.(originally inManuscript Release 31 0, minuteslater, signs oflife indicated that her efforts EGW Estate Document, 701-b-l-a), had saved Willie's life, and James' confidence in IOEGW, Volume 1,p. 11. Ellen was rewarded. lILSJW, p. 125. When James' health failed, as it so often did, 12Insight, October 2, 1993,p.l0. Ellentriedtobe there to pray andhelp worktowards 13EGW, Volume 1,p. 337. his recovery. Her beliefin his leadership abilities 14White, Ellen G.,Volume 7, Manuscript Releases, pp. and value in the cause of God, and her unfailing 31-35, May, 1880, EGW Estate, Silver Spring, MD, efforts to restore him to health and service, were a 1990. constant inspiration to James. Ifshe had to travel, ISEGW,Volume2,TheProgressive Years, 1984,p.439. she would write him. Once she wrote, "It has been I'.I'LSJW, p. 125.

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was in Battle Creek, he objected vigorously to something she had writtentohim. "Yourheadwon'tfit my shoulders. Keep it where it belongs, and I will try to honor God in using my own," he declared, and added, "I shall be glad to hear from you, but don't waste your precious time and strength in lecturing meon mattersofmereopinions." (Graybill, Ron , "Married to the Prophet," In­ sight, October 2,1993, p. 9.) She was, apparently, frustrated by this, but then wrote this gracious reply, "Itgrieves methat Ihave said or written anything to grieve you. Forgive me, and I will be cautious and not start any subject to annoy and distress you. We are living in a most solemn time, and we cannot afford to have in our old age differ­ THE WHITES: ELLEN, WILLIE, JAMES, AND EDSON, 1865 encesto separateourfeelings. [Ellen was 40; James, 46, at the time.] I may not view all things as you do, but I do not think it would be my continuedfrom page two place or duty to make you see as I see and feel as Ifeel. WhereinIhave oung Henry traveled tiveworkforSouthemBlacks. Ellen done this, I am sorry. I want a hum­ much with his parents wrote faithfullyto her sons, encour- ble heart, a meek and quiet spirit." (Y) during the first year of aging them to remain steadfast and (Ibid., p. 10.) his life. He observed his make positive choices. She wisely James died in 1881. She wrote mother in illness and recov- counseled that "the youth should Willie about her sense ofloss soon ery. Ellen wrote that, "WhenI grew not feel that they are under an eye after losing James, saying, "My life better, my little Henry expressed that is watching them, ready to re- was so entwined or interwovenwith greatjoy. He would climb upon the proveandcondemn. Approvewhat- my husband's that it is about impos­ sofa, throw his little arms around ever you can; smile whenever you sible for me to be of any great ac­ my neck, and kiss me many times. can." (Letter 19, 1886.) count without him." (Ibid) God's Hewasthen oneyear old." (LS,244, James began his publishing and goodness, Willie's faithful support, 245.) Eventually he was left with writing leadership in 1861. He was and her own commitment to Christ, the Holland family while his par- never afraid to push himself hard, enabled her to provide guidance to ents traveled because "itwas for his burning the midnight oil and often God's church for 34 more years. goodtohaveagoodhomeand steady taking outdoor work to earn money James and Ellen White gave discipline."(I T,87.) Sheoncewrote topay for printing ofchurch papers. enthusiasm, love, challenge, and "...thegreatestsacrifice Iwas called He suffered a major stroke in 1865, outstanding leadershipto their fam­ tomakeinconnection withthe work compounding health problems that ily and the church. They sacrificed wasto leave my children in the care he had from his youth. Ellen cared all they had for the cause ofChrist. ofothers." (I T, 101.) for him as best she could. Dare we do any less? • Edson had to spend much time It appears that the toll of this in his early years away from his experience, combined with his ag- parents. Lacking a real home may gressivepersonality,mayhavemade References: LS is Life Sketches, have caused some ofhis erratic and thelateryearsoftheirmarriagemore 1880 edition by James White. ITis rebellious behavior. Later he re- strained. In 1867, when she was Testimonies, Volume l,byEllen G. turnedanddid apowerfuland effec- finishing writing in Oakland and he White. PAGE 8 2nd Quarter, 1995 LEST WE FORGET RIUMPH HROUGH RIAL

od has always tried His people in the with them in the work to be accomplished on the furnace ofaffliction. It is in the heat earth. Patriarchs andProphets. pp. 129,130. ofthe furnace that the dross is sepa­ The Lord permits trials in order that we may @G rated from the true gold ofthe Chris­ be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, tian character. Jesus watches the test; from harsh, unchristlike traits ofcharacter. He He knows what is needed to purify the suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over precious metal,thatit may reflectthe radiance of our souls...that we may know Him and Jesus His love. It is by close, Christ whom He has sent testingtrials thatGod disci­ "We shall come forth bearing the ...thatwe may have deep plines His servants. He sees impress of the Divine." heart longings to be that some have powers _lmmw cleansedfromdefilement, which may be used in the andmay come forth from advancement of His work, and He puts these the trial purer,holier,happier.... Ifpatientunder persons upon trial; in His providence He brings the crucialtest,we shallcomeforth reflectingthe them into positions that test their character and divine character. Christ's Object Lessons. p. reveal defects and weaknesses that have been 175. hidden from their own knowledge. He gives Trials oflife are God's workmento ...fit us them opportunity to correct these defects and to for the society ofpure,heavenly angels in glory. fit themselves for His service. He shows them But as we pass through these trials ... let the eye their own weakness, and teaches them to lean offaithfasten uponthe thingsunseen,the eternal upon Him... , their only help and safeguard. inheritance,the irnmortallife,the eternal weight Thus His object is attained. They are educated, of glory, and while we do this the fire will not trained, and disciplined, prepared to fulfill the consume us, but only remove the dross, and we grand purpose for which their powers were shall come forth seven times purified, bearing given them. When God calls them to action, the impress ofthe Divine. Testimonies, Vol. 1, they are ready, and heavenly angels can unite pp,706,707.•

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