In Memoriam [White]

WORDS OF SYMPATHY

Elder J. H. Waggoner, in the Signs of the Times for Aug. 11, 1881, thus speaks of the death of Elder White:—* IMJW 57.3

The news of this event filled our hearts and our houses with gloom. For us, who had stood so long associated with him in the work of the third angel’s message, it was impossible to bring ourselves to the belief that he would die in this sickness; and now it is hard to realize that he is no longer one of our number. Twenty-nine years ago we began to correspond with him in the Review and twenty-six years ago we became associated with him as Corresponding Editor of that paper.. Almost the full period of an active life we have stood together in this work. IMJW 57.4

Last winter, while in his room at Battle Creek, we called his attention to the fact that very few whose names appeared in the early volumes of the Review were yet remaining with us. One by one they have fallen. We both felt that it was an admonition to us, but we did not then imagine that he would be the next to pass away. IMJW 58.1

He sleeps in peace. Our words of sorrow cannot reach his ears; his eyes cannot perceive our tears. If it shall be our happy lot to meet him at our Redeemer’s side, we believe our association in this work will not be forgotten by us, even amid the joys and glories of the kingdom of God. IMJW 58.2

But it is not possible for us to express our feelings at this time in a mere obituary. His memory does not need our words. His memorial is engraven on faithful hearts all the way from Maine to California. Our prayer is that God will sustain the stricken family, and especially our dear sister, E. G. White, upon whom this visitation falls so heavily. We feel assured that He who has guided and upheld her in so many trials in life, will not desert her in this hour of her heart’s affliction. IMJW 58.3

In the Review for Aug.23, 1881, Elder Haskell writes:— IMJW 58.4

There has no event transpired in connection with the cause of present truth which has caused such a shock to S. D. Adventists as the death of our much esteemed Bro. White. Having been the man, who, in the providence of God, was called to lead out in this work, one who always acted an important part, one, also, who had so often been healed from dangerous illness in answer to prayer,, we had almost come to believe that he would live to witness the second coming of Christ. His sickness and death came in the midst of health, and with the fullest expectation on his part, and that of others, that his public labors were still to continue. Under these circumstances, the news of his death has created a sensation which cannot be described. IMJW 58.5

Since January, 1872, with the exception of one year, I have been a member of the General Conference Committee, of which he has most of the time been president. This has given me an opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with him in his business relations pertaining to the cause of God. When I consider his sound judgment in almost every emergency, his tenderness of heart, his magnanimous spirit toward the erring, and his love for what he believed to be right, I can truly say, A father in Israel has fallen. And while he rests, the cause, as well as many individuals, will realize the want of his foresight and fatherly counsel. IMJW 59.1

I never realized how strong was my attachment to Bro. White until since his death. God can carry forward his work without him; but it is certain he has ever filled a place which, as yet, no other man has given evidence of his call to fill. Although he is seen no more among us, his memory will ever be cherished in the hearts of those who have been associated with him in this cause. Worthington, Ohio, Home, Aug. 20, 1881. IMJW 59.2

DEAR SISTERS, NEPHEWS AND NIECES,— IMJW 59.3

I return from my brother’s funeral a wiser, broader, and less selfish man. The visible has faded,, and the invisible appears. I see in earthly ambitions, only madness; in wealth, only a care and burden; in position, only a brief prominence and fearful responsibility; and in fame, only a bubble blown by the breath of the unreasoning mass, who can flatter and huzzah to-day, and hiss and forget to-morrow. IMJW 59.4

I have no wealth worth possessing but that I have treasured in Heaven through the church, and widows and orphans. I have no place but in their hearts, and no fame but in their blessings. I have no glory but in the cross of Christ; that I have tried to preach for forty-seven years. Take this from my life record, and you leave it without flower or fruit. To do this conscientiously, willingly, and for Christ’s sake, elevates one to the highest, grandest position of earth. IMJW 60.1

As a rule I have been wont to regard show as in bad taste at burials. But I have seen it in all the display that friendship could plan and money could procure, but am not offended. It seemed but a spontaneous tribute to departed worth. When I think of his early consecration to a cause, backed by a life of toil, care, and heroic struggles; when I see the monuments which his genius has planned, and his power has built up, as he has leaned on God and been strong in his faith, true as the needle to the pole, his manly and vigorous patience which could afford to wait, I say, It is all right. Let the Tabernacle be crowded; let one of eloquent lips, who has found in the departed a father, speak words of eulogy. Let sympathetic citizens fill ninety-five carriages and follow him to his grave. Let one hundred and ten persons, his companions and friends, draped in mourning, lead the procession. Let the path be paved and arched as were the bottom and sides of his grave, with evergreens. Let loving hands weave rare and costly flowers into an anchor for its foot, and for the head a cross; and let him literally go down to his last rest amid the emblems of eternal life and immortal beauty. And why? He lived and labored not for self, but for God and humanity. To the people of Battle Creek I am grateful for this tribute of respect to my brother. It will linger in my memory as a sweet perfume, clinging to the fragments of a crushed vase. IMJW 60.2

Much of the best of me sleeps in your beautiful cemetery. “If a man die, shall he live again?” inquired the patriarch. Oh, what interest this question assumed as I stood amid the graves of my loved ones! And how glad I was that I stood not there simply as a scientist, philosopher, or artist; for in all the sciences I have studied, the philosophies I have perused, or the arts that I have cultivated, I have never found a satisfactory answer to this question of Job. They exhibit no principle which shall make these hearts beat, or these feet walk. Unitedly they have done their best when they have made this record concerning man: “Born, grew, acted, declined, and died;” but beyond this all is so dark that they cannot see, so mysterious that they cannot speak. But when these failed, I turned to Him who has “brought life and immortality to light,” and I heard him cry above the rent sepulcher of Joseph, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and my faith and hope went on beyond these graves to a glorious reunion to come. IMJW 61.1

Truly, JOHN W. WHITE.

Bale, Suisse, Aug. 13, 1881. IMJW 62.1

DEAR AFFLICTED SISTER WHITE,—

We have learned of your terrible bereavement this morning by letter from Bro. Loughborough. You have the deepest sympathy of our hearts; and we know what sorrow means. We are with you and your children in the scenes of the funeral to-day. May God help you in the hour of final separation. We thought certainly Bro. White would be spared to the work till the end. But God’s judgments are a great deep. He buries his workmen, but he carries on his work. Be still, and know that he is God. IMJW 62.2

In deep affliction, yours in Christ,
J. N. ANDREWS.
C. M. ANDREWS.
Southampton, England, Aug. 9, 1881.
DEAR SISTER WHITE,—
Words fail us to express the feelings of our hearts, as we this morning read the telegram from Dr. Kellogg, stating that “Eld. White is dead.” He rests from his labors, and his works will follow him. Such an example of unselfish toil will speak, although he be dead.

We shall all miss him, — miss his counsel, miss his admonitions, and his words of good cheer. On none will this blow fall more heavily than on yourself, as you realize that the protector and helper whom God in his special providence granted you, has been laid away in “Oak Hill” to rest until the Lifegiver shall come. IMJW 62.3

We know that you rely upon God for consolation and support in this great bereavement. We do not write to advise one who has been sustained in the “six troubles” that God will be with you “in the seventh,” but to assure you, in fond remembrance, that you have our sympathy and prayers in this great affliction. May God give us his grace, and enable us so to trust in him, so to live, so to labor, so to fulfill our mission, that we may each have a share in that reunion of the broken family links, in the soon-coming resurrection morning, is the desire and ardent prayer of IMJW 62.4

Yours in the Lord,
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
A. M. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Gospel Tent, Elmira, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1881. IMJW 63.1