Passion, Purpose & Power

32. Ames and Ellen White

Travel challenges PPP 154.1

For lack of means, we took the cheapest private conveyance, second- class cars, ¹⁰¹ and lower-deck passage on steamships. Private conveyance was the most comfortable for Mrs. White, who was feeble. I could then endure hardships, labors and privations to almost any extent for the sake of the truth of God and his precious, scattered people. When in second- class cars we were usually enveloped in tobacco smoke. This I could endure, but Mrs. White would frequently faint. When on steamers, on the lower deck, we suffered the same from the smoke of tobacco, besides the swearing and vulgar conversation of the ship hands and the baser portion of the traveling public. Sleeping conveniences are summed up as follows: We lay down on the hard floor, dry-goods boxes, or sacks of grain, with carpetbags for pillows, without covering except overcoats or shawls. If suffering from the winter cold, we would walk the deck to keep warm. If suffering from the heat of summer, we would go on the upper deck to get the cool night air. This was fatiguing to Mrs. White, especially with an infant in her arms.—Review and Herald, August 2, 1923, p. 6. PPP 154.2

Preparation for a rainy day PPP 155.1

James White was troubled as he walked slowly up the path, climbed the stairs and entered his Rochester home. ¹⁰² He found Ellen busily sewing in the bedroom. Wearily he sank onto a chair. Ellen could see that something was troubling him. “What is it, James? What is wrong?” PPP 155.2

“It’s time to bring out another issue of the Review, but we have hardly any paper and no money with which to pay for the shipment that has come.” PPP 155.3

“How much money do you need?” she asked. PPP 155.4

“Sixty-four dollars,” he replied, “but it might as well be $10,000.” PPP 155.5

Ellen rose and walked to the closet. She opened the door, reached in, grasped a black stocking hanging from a nail, brought it out and placed it in her husband’s hands. PPP 155.6

“What is this?” he asked, although he could feel coins inside the stocking. He tipped it up and a cascade of half dollars, quarters, dimes, and nickels¹⁰³ poured out. PPP 155.7

“Wherever did you get all this?” he asked in amazement. PPP 155.8

“I’ve always believed a person should save something for a rainy day,” Ellen answered. “For months I have been saving as much as I could. I hope it’s enough.” PPP 155.9

James counted the coins. It was enough! Through his wife’s foresight a crisis was averted, and he was able to take delivery of the necessary paper.—Virgil Robinson, James White, p. 105. PPP 155.10

Everything belonged to God PPP 155.11

In 1861, James White gave the newly incorporated Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association all the assets that he had developed for the publishing work since its founding. PPP 155.12

Elder [James] White . . . stated . . . : “When, in 1861, the publishing association was instituted at Battle Creek, Mich., we gave our list of subscribers and the right to publish all our works (since decided to have been worth $10,000) to the association.” Of this act Sister White, in Volume III of the “Testimonies,” page 87, thus speaks, “After he had spent years of his life in privation and unceasing toil to establish the publishing interests upon a sure basis, he gave away to the people of God that which was his own.” —J. N. Loughborough, “Second Advent Experience-No. 7,” Review and Herald, July 26, 1923, p. 5. PPP 155.13

In 1875, James White supported, from his own funds, the founding of the Pacific Press Publishing Company in Oakland, California. PPP 156.1

In February, 1875, James and Ellen White, accompanied by J. H. Waggoner, . . . returned to the state [of California]. On the twelfth of that month a special session of the California Conference was called in Oakland to consider a building site for the new enterprise; ¹⁰⁴ and after prayerful consideration they selected a lot 80 x 100 feet¹⁰⁵ on Castro Street between Eleventh and Twelfth. PPP 156.2

On April 1, 1875, the Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was organized; and O. B. Jones of Battle Creek, Michigan, builder of the Review and Herald offices, began the construction of the new plant. It was in the form of a Greek cross, 66 x 26¹⁰⁶ east and west, by 46 x 26¹⁰⁷ north and south. James White was soon on his way to New York to purchase equipment. He also disposed of some personal property in the East in order to aid in financing the venture, for at that time not all the pledges had been paid. At a personal expense of $650 he brought five trained young people from the East to work with him. He had already contributed in the amount of $1,000 to the publishing fund.—Harold O. McCumber, Pioneering the Message in the Golden West, 1968 ed., pp. 103, 104. PPP 156.3

Between the eastern and western camp meetings, the Whites stayed with friends in Battle Creek. When word came that the new building in Oakland was nearing completion, James traveled to New York to purchase equipment for it. Since some of the pledges made at Yountville¹⁰⁸ had not been redeemed, he found it necessary to sell both his properties in Battle Creek in order to raise funds to buy a press. The equipment he purchased cost about $10,000. PPP 156.4

Sacrifices by the Whites such as they made on this occasion were not uncommon. Many times in the past they had felt compelled to act similarly.—Virgil Robinson, James White, p. 255. PPP 157.1

Living to bless others PPP 157.2

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers” (Heb. 13:2). All their lives, James and Ellen White would practice that injunction. No one was ever turned hungry from their door. Whatever they had they gladly shared. Both were generous-hearted, far beyond the average. PPP 157.3

While Elder White was living in Greenville [Michigan] he heard that a woman named Hannah More had recently come to Battle Creek from New England in search of employment. Sister More had spent many years as a missionary in Central Africa working for another denomination. Someone had placed in her hands a copy of J. N. Andrews’ book The History of the Sabbath while she was on furlough. She read it, and after her return to Central Africa began to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. As a result, she was dismissed by her mission society and returned to the United States. PPP 157.4

She lived in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, for a time, then went to Battle Creek, hoping to find employment there. She was not successful, and finding no door open to receive her, accepted the invitation of a non-Adventist friend, a Mr. Thompson, who had also been a missionary, to go to his home in northern Michigan and teach his children. PPP 157.5

When James heard of the cool, indifferent way the church members in Battle Creek had treated Miss More, he felt ashamed of them. He promptly wrote, inviting her to return and make her home with him and Ellen in Greenville. Miss More replied that she had spent all her money making the trip to her present residence. She would come when she had earned the fare, for she was eager to meet the Whites. PPP 157.6

James replied that he and Ellen were leaving for New England to hold meetings, but when they returned in two months they would certainly send money so she could come and live with them. Unfortunately, their trip lasted nearly four months, and by the time they returned to Michigan, winter had its grip on the land, and Miss More could not travel. PPP 157.7

Before the next spring came, Hannah More died and was buried in northern Michigan. James and Ellen grieved deeply. They were convinced that her life might have been saved if some interest had been taken in her when she passed through Battle Creek. [Testimonies, vol. PPP 158.1

1, pp. 666-680.] PPP 158.2

At the time of general meetings in Battle Creek, many old friends were entertained at the White home. On one occasion as many as thirty-five persons sat down to eat at their table, all at the expense of the generous host and hostess. There were no entertainment allowances in the 1860s. PPP 158.3

One habit James White practiced was that of donating his own clothing to help others. The first time we read of this was in Vermont, where the Whites had gone to attend a conference. James met a brother identified simply as N. A. H. James learned that this man was extremely poor and from his own meager purse he took twenty dollars, which he handed to this brother. But he went still further. He took off his own overcoat, the only one he had, and handed it to N. A. H. The act is even more impressive when we learn that this same brother had aroused an attitude of jealousy in others toward Elder White. [Life Sketches (1880), p. 279.] PPP 158.4

J. O. Corliss was one of a number of young preachers whom James and Ellen White took into their home to help train for work in the cause of God. This young man lived with them for two years. Concerning James White’s generosity to the poor, Corliss reported: PPP 158.5

“Elder White was very tender-hearted toward cases of need. I have seen him give no less than three overcoats in a single winter to poor preachers needing such garments. More than that, when he thought some hard-working messenger was being scantily dealt with by an auditing committee, he was not slow to appear before that board of award, to champion the misused one’s cause, and always to good effect.” [J. O. Corliss, in Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Aug. 23, 1923.] PPP 158.6

It should be noted that James, who had scant sympathy for drones, did this on behalf of the “hard-working messenger.” PPP 158.7

Young workers who received such generous treatment at the hands of Elder White never forgot his kindness. Ten years after the death of his benefactor, L. R. Conradi wrote to Ellen White: PPP 159.1

“It was my privilege to make you[r] and your dear husband’s acquaintance shortly after embracing the truth {1878} and I shall never forget his kindness, as he bought me a coat in which I graduated and gave me the charts when I began to preach.” [L. R. Conradi letter to Ellen G. White, Aug. 16, 1891.] PPP 159.2

That there might be money on hand when some worker faced an emergency or a church member needed immediate help, Elder White suggested the setting up of a fund for this purpose. Money was collected, and the first Benevolent Society was established, an organization that flourished for many years. Many worthy individuals had cause to bless Elder White for his part in the establishment of this society. PPP 159.3

In those days there were many calls for the support of new enterprises. There was a book fund used for translating Adventist publications into foreign languages. The Health Reform Institute and the Review and Herald Publishing Association always needed more capital, and after 1874 there was the overseas European Mission needing help, as well as Battle Creek College. PPP 159.4

The back of the Review carried many lists of persons who were contributing to these and other worthy causes. In those columns, Elder White called for “fifty-dollar men” and “hundred-dollar men,” and before he died, he was asking for a number of “thousand-dollar men.” The names of James and Ellen White headed nearly every list. This fact was acknowledged by the General Conference Committee: PPP 159.5

“Elder White . . . sold his property in Michigan and Iowa at a sacrifice in 1875, and is prepared to show that he has donated more than $5,000 to the cause during the past two years. . . . PPP 159.6

“These very grumblers do little or nothing for the cause themselves, while Elder White at the same time is giving a hundred here, and a thousand there. He pledges himself to give to the cause during the year 1876 more than all these murmurers put together from the Atlantic to the Pacific.” [Administrative Pamphlets: Danger and Duties of Our Time, General Conference Committee, pp. 42, 46, 47.] PPP 159.7

James White, like Job of old, sought out the cases of the poor and the needy. In 1874 drought and grasshoppers devastated Kansas, reducing many farmers to penury. Wages of Adventist workers in that State were so reduced that they could not live on what they received. Hearing of this, Elder White protested that men could not feed their families on the low wages they were receiving. He promptly launched a fund for the relief of the Kansas workers. His and Ellen’s generous donation of $100 headed the list. Workers in Kansas were deeply grateful. [Review and Herald, Nov. 4, 1875.] PPP 160.1

On several occasions James paid interest on money he borrowed from the bank to lend, interest free, to workers so they could purchase homes for their families. Among others helped in this way were Elders Loughborough, Mead, Waggoner, and Hull. [Defense of Eld. James White and Wife, (Battle Creek, Michigan, 1870), pp. 19, 20.] PPP 160.2

When the cause of God prospered, James White rejoiced. When he saw excellent results obtained by Adventist preachers with gospel tents, James urged one conference after another to invest in them. For his own beloved Michigan, he purchased a tent costing more than five hundred dollars. This tent he was willing to lend to any minister who could use it for evangelistic meetings. [James White, in Review and Herald, June 8, 1869.] PPP 160.3

In 1878 a heavy debt hung over the church in Oakland, California, and there was real danger that through bankruptcy it might be taken from the believers. Edson White, in California at the time, wrote to his parents, asking, “Shall the church be sold to the ‘Campbellites’” (who wanted to buy the building). Mrs. White said No, and James White said No. Sooner than allow that to happen, James indicated that he would sell his house in Oakland. [Ibid.]¹⁰⁹ PPP 160.4

Ellen’s plan was somewhat different: “Let there be a Christmas tree in every church in California, to be covered all over with fruit in the form of cash, in sums all the way from a dime to one hundred dollars.” [Ibid.]¹¹⁰ PPP 160.5

At the same time she asked Edson to place $100 on the tree from James and the same amount from herself. She wrote to her other son, Willie, who was in Battle Creek, instructing him to place similar sums on a Christmas tree to be set up in the “Dime Tabernacle.” PPP 160.6

At the time of the death of White, in 1881, George I. Butler, General Conference president, referred to the generosity of the fallen leader: PPP 161.1

“There was a tender place in his heart toward the distressed and those whom he thought were wronged, which made him one of the most generous of men. How many there are among us who have been helped and encouraged by his means, his words, and his acts. How many times he has hurried away from busy cares to pray with the sick and sorrowing. Not every one who knew him was aware of the peculiar tenderness of heart which he really possessed, or gave him credit for this trait of character; but his most intimate friends know that I state the truth. I never knew a man who could more generously forgive a wrong when he thought it was truly repented of than he.” [George I. Butler in Review and Herald, Aug. 16, 1881.] PPP 161.2

During the years, James White enjoyed the blessing promised to the openhanded, proving the truthfulness of the statement, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Prov. 11:25). PPP 161.3

Uriah Smith, reporting in the Review, stated, on Elder White’s funeral, “Memory brushes the dimness, accumulating through the lapse of time, from numberless deeds of kindness received at his hand.” [Uriah Smith, in Review and Herald, Aug. 16, 1881.]—Virgil Robinson, James White, pp. 214-218. PPP 161.4

Receiving to give PPP 161.5

This is how we got our means; as God saw the use we made of the means He gave us, He intrusted us with more. My husband was a financier. I made the statement last night that we had invested $30,000 in the cause, and this is the way we have done it—when we saw a place where the cause needed means, we would hand it out. PPP 161.6

When we went over to the Pacific Coast, many were raised up to obey God, and then we wanted means to build a meetinghouse; but the people were poor, so we sent over to Michigan, telling them to sell all that we had, and there we invested our means, and a meetinghouse was built in San Francisco and Oakland. Often when returning from a long journey we would look to see if our house had burned down in our absence. And my husband would say, “Never mind if the house does burn, we have a treasure laid up in heaven.” PPP 161.7

Now I cannot afford to use my means for my own glory, I want it invested to God’s glory. When the mission started in Basel, the word came, We must have means. I had received from a sister a silk dress; This I sold, and sent $50.00 to help the mission. And when my good sisters knew what I had done, they followed my example, and the sum was made up. Instead of putting my means on my own body, I would rather it would go to the widow and fatherless to clothe them. And now the reason we have been able to deposit this in God’s treasury is because of the benevolence of God; and yet we have some little property left. And since I have seen the missions in such great need, my letters have gone to Healdsburg, California, telling them to sell my house and furniture and send the means over that I can dispose of it to help these missions. PPP 162.1

This is the way we have been working ever since we have had a part in this work. I want you to understand that because God has given us means, . . . we have tried to use it to His glory. I do not feel that anything I have is my own, and when I go to the store to buy anything, I question, Cannot I do without this and put the money into the cause? I repeat it again and again to myself, “Jesus for my sake became poor. He had not where to lay His head; and then shall I who am the subject of His grace have a better time than He?” —Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, pp. 137, 138. PPP 162.2

We have tried to the best of our ability to save means in every way possible, that the work of God might go forward. I had about the time of Bro. Ertzenberger’s visit to America a present of a nice silk dress, which cost forty-five dollars. Brother Andrews had just sent word that there was a great need of money to carry forward the work. I thought it was my privilege to so use the gift I had received that those who generously presented it to me would receive a reward and lay up treasure in heaven. I went to a merchant and told him to sell it for me for all he could get. He sold it for fifty dollars, and I sent the money to this mission. When others knew what I had done, they donated much larger sums. Thus the act of my doing this little, brought in means from other individuals, so that Brother Andrews wrote us that the very sum needed came at the right time, and he expressed gratitude to God for this timely response. . . . PPP 162.3

We are establishing missions and building churches all through America. Already we have $23,000 laid up in the bank of heaven. As I could not sell property that I wished to sell, I have hired money and, paying eight percent interest, invested it in the cause. Our foreign mission treasury is now empty. In many places in America they have been having very close times. A night before last, I dreamed that I was pleading with God and presenting to Him our empty treasury. I awoke myself, pleading that He would send means to advance His work. Now I propose that we have living faith to ask God to supply our needs. The Lord has money that He has entrusted to His stewards for to do this needed work. Are these men, are these women where God can impress them with His Spirit? PPP 163.1

A short time ago we wanted so much to build a boarding house in Healdsburg, California, to be connected with the school there. But we had no means to do it with. I said to my son, All we can do is to pray. We did pray. Our supplication went up to heaven with many tears for the Lord (to) send us means. In about three hours’ time, I heard a knock at my door. Upon opening it, I found a sister there. Said she, I do not wish to disturb you while writing, but I have some money that I want to invest in the cause. Can you tell me where this money is most needed? Where shall it be placed? My heart was filled with gratitude to God. Yes, indeed, we had a place for it. She gave us (to the college) $5,000, enough to supply our present needs, and said she felt thankful that she could help the cause of God in any way. And the tears ran down her face to think that she had now found a safe deposit for what had so long been only a source of care and anxiety. There are others who should see and feel the needs of God’s cause and do likewise. Why cannot we carry these things to God in prayer? We depend too much upon one another and too little upon God.—Manuscript 19,1885 ( Ellen G. White manuscript written in Basel, Switzerland, Sept. 21, 1885). PPP 163.2

The 60 Pounds¹¹¹ that went to Sister Caro to help bear the load she was carrying, I meant to invest in the meeting-house in Melbourne; but there seems to be more than six ways to expend every shilling¹¹² in the work that needs to be done. It seems very hard to arouse our brethren to understand the wants of the cause of God in this new field. I have made my decision that no money from me will any more be expended in sending persons to Battle Creek, or supporting their tuition in Battle Creek. Those who can have a few months’ advantages of school here shall have it. PPP 164.1

Already I have paid above one thousand dollars, and nearly all of this is engaged in missionary work. I paid three hundred dollars to send a poor afflicted brother to St. Helena for treatment. He had contracted rheumatism on board the Pitcairn, and in laboring in damp districts received no help, and returned a great sufferer. I paid the expenses of Sister Miller to Oakland, that her husband might go into the office in Oakland, and become more efficient in some branches of the work here in the Echo Office. PPP 164.2

Thus I have tried to work, investing in two meetinghouses, one hundred dollars in one, and one hundred and fifty in another; in four other meetinghouses, five pounds¹¹³ each. Meetinghouses must be erected in the places where churches are raised up. A hall has been secured in Ashfield. All the opposition of five ministers has been set in operation to stop the work, and the last thing before leaving Granville, Brother McCullagh read a notice that they could not rent the hall any longer to Seventh-day Adventists. In two weeks’ time the hall must be vacated by them. No other hall can be secured. We have purchased a new tent, to be erected in Canterbury, a new location, to lift the standard of truth. Five pounds I donated to this enterprise. But I shall continue to invest as long as I can command any means, that the cause of God shall not languish.—Letter 46, 1895 (Ellen G. White letter to Dr. J. H. Kellogg written April 15, 1895). PPP 164.3

I do not profess to be the owner of any money that comes into my hands.—Letter 46a, 1894 (Ellen G. White letter to Dr. J. H. Kellogg written October 25, 1894). PPP 165.1

Sometimes it has been reported that I am trying to get rich. Some have written to us, inquiring, “Is not Mrs. White worth millions of dollars?” I am glad that I can say, “No.” I do not own in this world any place that is free from debt. Why?—Because I see so much missionary work to be done. Under such circumstances, could I hoard money?—No, indeed, I receive royalties from the sale of my books; but nearly all is spent in missionary work. PPP 165.2

The head of one of our publishing houses in a distant foreign land, upon hearing from others recently that I was in need of means, sent me a bill of exchange for five hundred dollars; and in the letter accompanying the money, he said that in return for the thousands upon thousands of dollars royalty that I had turned over to their mission field for the translation and distribution of new books and for the support of new missionary enterprises, they regarded the enclosed five hundred dollars as a very small token of their appreciation. They sent this because of their desire to help me in my time of special need; but heretofore I have given, for the support of the Lord’s cause in foreign lands, all the royalties that come from the sale of my foreign books in Europe; and I intend to return this five hundred dollars as soon as I can free myself from debt.—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, bk 1, 1958, p. 103. PPP 165.3

Request for assistance impossible to ignore PPP 165.4

When she began to write, her royalties, of course, were quite small. Gradually they increased, but they were used up as fast as they came in, and faster. Sometimes she had to mortgage them into the future to meet the expenses of translating and illustrating. Often our young publishing houses were unable to meet this expense. She realized how greatly the books were needed. PPP 165.5

There were other places where Ellen G. White felt urgent need for her money. Thousands of dollars went into the education of young people. Other thousands were contributed towards the erection of church buildings, and schools, and sanitariums. At times she even borrowed money and paid interest on it in order to take advantage of unusual opportunities to obtain valuable properties that were needed for the advancement of the cause. PPP 165.6

It was unthinkable for Grandma to refuse any appeal for means if it were possible for her to give it. I¹¹⁴ well remember a conversation through a half-open door of her writing room. Elder S. N. Haskell was appealing to her for five hundred dollars to assist in the erection of a church building in an unprosperous locality. She listened to his plea and then sent for Miss Sara Peck, who was acting temporarily as bookkeeper. “Sara,” she said, “I want you to go carefully over my account and see if you can find any of my book royalties that haven’t been mortgaged into the future. If so, let Elder Haskell have his five hundred dollars.” . . . It must have been so, judging from the smile on his face when he came to our house to say good-bye. PPP 166.1

One remark that I heard Grandmother make during this conversation with Elder Haskell, I still remember. Even after sixty years I can hear the pathos in her voice as she said, “Oh, Elder Haskell, if there’s anything I can do to help poor sinners find their way to Christ, that is what I want to do.” PPP 166.2

Throughout her life, Grandma did much to help the poor and unfortunate. I remember in Australia while going with her to woolen mills. She would purchase good, woolen material at wholesale prices, bring it home, and lay it away in a drawer in her room. While speaking on the Sabbath she might see a poorly dressed sister in the audience. She would make it a point to speak to her after the services, and invite her to her home during the week. While in conversation, Grandma might say something like this, “I was fortunate in coming into possession of a nice piece of material that I think would be very becoming to you.” She would then bring out the pieces for this sister. “If you have no objections I should like to have my seamstress to make it up for you.” PPP 166.3

Grandma’s liberality demanded the strictest personal economy. One day Mrs. George B. Starr was visiting at Sunnyside; ¹¹⁵ it happened to be wash day. Sister Starr, noticing an unusually patched piece of underwear hanging on the line, exclaimed, “Oh, Sister White, you ought not to have to wear such things. Put it in the Dorcas barrel, and I’ll get you some new ones.” “No,” replied Grandma, “I never give my old things to poor folks. It might discourage them. Poor people often have poor ways and let things go to pieces. But I know how to mend and patch.” And she did. PPP 166.4

If she saw Mabel¹¹⁶ or me with a tear in the dress we had on, she would ask us to stand beside her, and watch as she mended it so we could do it ourselves the next time. And when she finished, you would have thought a tailor had done the mending, so carefully were the stitches taken. PPP 167.1

No rag carpets in heaven PPP 167.2

Especially in her early days did she have to put economy to a stretch. She encouraged her friends to bring their [old] clothes to her. She’d look them over carefully and select the least worn parts. These she would cut into strips and wind into balls and then braid them. Out of them she made her rugs and carpets. One day as she was working among the carpet rags, her husband, James, entered the room. Seeing the litter strewn all over the floor, he began singing, PPP 167.3

“There’ll be no rag carpets in heaven;
In that land of love,
In the heaven above,
There’ll be no rag carpets in heaven.” PPP 167.4

Grandma had to put her carpet rags away, out of sight. She probably got out her knitting. Every moment was precious. PPP 167.5

“Save the cork!” PPP 167.6

Many stories are told about her economy in the early days of poverty. One time while traveling on the train, they had, as usual, finished eating out of their lunch basket. James picked up an empty bottle, opened the car window, and was about to throw it out. “Don’t throw that bottle away; it’s useful,” said Grandma. “Ellen, how can we lug such things around with us wherever we go?” Out went the bottle. His wife looked woefully after it and said in a mournful tone, “Oh, James, you might have saved the cork!”—Ella M. (White) Robinson, oral history interview conducted by James R. Nix, July 25, 1967, transcript pp. 16-19. PPP 167.7