Vindication of the Business Career of Elder James White

“TESTIMONIALS

From Eld. J. N. Andrews.
BRO. SMITH: Having been intimately acquainted with Bro. James White for almost nineteen years, and having had opportunity to fully understand his management of financial matters much of the time since the first publication of the Advent Review, it gives me sincere pleasure to testify that I have entire confidence in his honesty, integrity, and uprightness. And I may add that I believe him to be especially called of God to the place which he has so long filled. VBCJW 9.2

I would also say that Bro. White has ever acted toward me a noble, generous, and unselfish part. And that he has repeatedly and largely donated from his own means to sustain me in this work. It has been my privilege to a considerable extent to know his course toward others who have been connected with the cause of truth. The same unselfish spirit has governed his conduct toward them as toward myself. VBCJW 9.3

J. N. ANDREWS.
Adams’ Center, N. Y., April 13, 1863.

From Eld. Moses Hull.
BRO. SMITH: In obedience to the call for those who have had business dealings with Eld. White, to testify in what light they regard his dealings, I esteem it a privilege to say a word. I have dealt with Bro. White to the amount of several hundred dollars, and have found him strictly honest in every particular. VBCJW 10.1

But I must be permitted to transcend the limits of the call of the Conference, and say that I have, during a six years’ acquaintance, found him the most liberal man with whom I was ever acquainted. To record the cases of pure, disinterested benevolence of Eld. White toward myself and family, would be to commence with the V he handed me the first time I ever saw him, and write my history from that time to this. VBCJW 10.2

Suffice it to say that when I first saw Bro. White, I had nothing in this world that I could call my own. Now I own a house and lot worth $500, besides having plenty in and around my house to render self and family comfortable. To the purse and influence of Bro. White I owe it all.
MOSES HULL VBCJW 10.3

From Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
BRO. SMITH: The proceedings of the meetings of the church in Battle Creek are received, and as I heartily agree with the object and action of the meeting, I cheerfully comply with the request of the fourth resolution. VBCJW 10.4

I embraced the present truth in 1852, and commenced correspondence with Bro. White that same year; and from that time to the present have transacted business with him on my own account, and much more for others. I can safely say there are hundreds in various States, for whom I have forwarded money to Bro. White; and I have not known of a single instance of his misapplying means, or of diverting them from their specified object; nor has any complaint arisen from those for whom I have so acted. Were I the only one that could thus testify, I should still look upon this as extraordinary good and careful management, considering our liability to mistake, the unfavorable circumstances in which the office of publication has often been placed in past years, and especially that Bro. White was filling the various offices of editor, publisher, and traveling preacher. The wonder with me is, how he has so well succeeded in all his duties, without giving occasion for complaint. VBCJW 11.1

In all my intercourse with believers and professed believers in the present truth, for over ten years, I have not found one individual who would assert that he knew that Bro. White had ever done any wrong in his business transactions. In this remark I include the “Messenger party,” with the leaders of which party I was well acquainted. They would throw out suspicious and insinuations, but not one of them would attempt to point out an actual wrong on the part of Bro. White, to even the least amount, notwithstanding their efforts were unceasing to criminate him and do him injury. VBCJW 11.2

Another fact, well worthy of notice, has come under my observation. There are careful, faithful friends of this cause, whose study it has been, and is, to advance the truth with their means, who have at different times entrusted money in Bro. White’s hands as the Office needed; these, I have noticed, are willing to trust him to any amount. The confidence of such is unmistakable testimony to his prudence and integrity. VBCJW 11.3

Concerning the insinuations against Bro. White, of his having a desire to take advantage of individuals for his own personal interest or benefit, I can speak from positive knowledge and experience. More than once have I been partaker of his liberality in time of need, where he could have no earthly hope of a return or equivalent for such favors. It was through his instrumentality that a home was procured for my family, toward which he not only donated, but advanced money in my absence without interest, on which I learned he was paying interest of the cause his own, but also the interest of those laboring to advance the cause; and this so uniformly and to such extent as to satisfy me that all charges or insinuations against him in regard to business dealings, have their origin in the selfishness or malice of those who make them. Those who circulate these slanders, and those who profess to believe them, are not entitled to the plea of ignorance, for such facts as I have stated above are abundant, and always in the reach of those who wish to be informed. VBCJW 12.1

Yours for truth and justice.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Leipsie, Ohio, April 6, 1863.

From Eld. J. N. Loughborough. VBCJW 12.2

BRO. SMITH: I wish to say to the committee on the case of Bro. White, that I have been intimately acquainted with him for the last eleven years; and for about nine years of that time have lived near neighbor to him, during which time I have had deal with him, while acting as agent for Review, etc. to the amount of $6000. I have never discovered in his deal with me, or with others, anything but the strictest uprightness. VBCJW 12.3

As I have traveled with him, from place to place, he has ever manifested a tender regard for those in distress and want, and has often in my presence refused means from such, telling them that their duty was to their families and not to him. I can say from what I have seen and known of his manner of managing temporal matters, that stories of his dishonesty, wronging widows, etc. are only slanderous and infamous falsehoods. I would say still farther, that during the last ten years Bro. and Sister White have given me in cash from their own purse about one hundred dollars, besides many valuable donations in the line of clothing to myself and wife. VBCJW 13.1

When it was thought best for me to buy a home at Battle Creek, Bro. White freely offered, and loaned me $300 in gold for two years without interest, while at the same time he was paying ten per cent interest on $500. I also used his horses and carriage for the most of one year, he making no charge for the same. I never say in him a disposition to overreach anybody in trade: but have frequently seen him pay poor brethren more than they asked for their work, or for articles they were selling to him. VBCJW 13.2

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Allegan, April 14, 1863.

From Eld. Stephen Pierce.
BRO. SMITH: Agreeably to the resolutions of the Battle Creek church and your own request, published in review No. 18; I do hereby depose and say: That for more than ten years past, I have had, from time to time in various ways, more or less dealings with Elder James White; and I can cheerfully say I have no grounds of any complaint in the least particular, as it respects the uprightness or justice of his deal: unless it be that in some instances he has been unjust with himself. And here I will mention an instance which occurred when the Review was published at Rochester N. Y. I had previously written a series of questions requesting Bro. and Sr. White to answer them, and Sr. White in order to answer them satisfactorily, wrote somewhat densely over several sheets of large foolscap paper, for which I sent to the address of Bro. White, five dollars as a compensation for Sr. White’s services; but instead of applying it thus, he credited it to me for the REVIEW. VBCJW 13.3

I do not say “It was not appropriated as directed” but it was not applied as directed, but if I had imputed any wrong or unjust motive to Bro. White in applying that money as he did, I should expect to meet the doom of the slanderer, whom God says he will cut off. Psalm 101:5. VBCJW 14.1

And further I would say on one of his recent tours to the East, I gave him two dollars as my share in defraying his traveling expenses, which he returned utterly refusing to receive it. VBCJW 14.2

And in all instances in which he has taken money of me, it has been in such strict conformity to the laws of justice, as has established in my mind an unwavering confidence of his tried virtue, and integrity of principle in all his business transactions. VBCJW 14.3

Yours in the field of battle.
STEPHEN PIERCE. Roxbury, Vt. May 4, 1863.

From Elder B. F. Snook.
BRO. SMITH: In answer to the call for statements relative to the candor and uprightness of Elder James White, I will observe VBCJW 15.1

1. That I have had a personal acquaintance with him for the past three years. In that time I have seen many things to increase my confidence in him, as an upright noble minded and honest Christian. VBCJW 15.2

2. I have had some considerable dealings with him and find in my experience that he is a man of his word and strictly honest in his dealings. VBCJW 15.3

3. He has in my knowledge shown a zeal and energy for the cause of truth that is truly commendable. He is thorough going and untiring in his efforts to do good. VBCJW 15.4

4. He is the poor man’s friend as many can testify with grateful hearts. And here let me, for one, acknowledge with gratitude to him, that he has been a kind hearted benefactor to me, for which I hope he may ever have the choicest blessings of heaven. I think that in his heart dwells a great abundance of pure disinterested, and generous benevolence. VBCJW 15.5

5. In relation to complaints and reports of evil against him. I most sincerely believe that every thing of the kind is unfounded in right, and has its source in the evil hearts of the disaffected and of such as reviled Christ and his dear followers. It is natural that he should be thus evilly spoken of, for he who is led by the Spirit has been ever reviled and persecuted by the great adversary of his salvation. That Bro. White is persecuted and evil spoken of, is to my mind a good evidence that he is a man of God. Christ says “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world; therefore the world hateth you, “If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you.” John 15:18-20. VBCJW 15.6

With many respects, and much love for brother White, I am,
Yours in hope.
B. F. SNOOK.
Lisbon, Iowa, April 16, 1863. VBCJW 16.1

From Elder Isaac Sanborn.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I hereby affirm that I have dealt to the amount of several hundred dollars with Eld. James White, and believe him to be a strictly honest, upright and honorable man.
ISAAC SANBORN.
Johnstown Center, Wis. VBCJW 16.2

From Elder J. B. Frisbie.
BRO. SMITH: I wish to say in behalf of Bro. White that I have been acquainted with him for nearly ten years, have lived a neighbor to him for six or seven years, and have had hundreds of dollars of deal with him. I have the utmost confidence in his honesty. He has always done as he has agreed with me, and with others, as far as I have known. And it should forever satisfy all who are acquainted with the circumstances of his really owning the power press, and having in his hands a large amount that he might have legally held, had he been so disposed. He freely signed all over to the Association; and instead of taking a large salary that many could not have objected to, he only asked the small sum of seven dollars a week. VBCJW 16.3

J. B. FRISBIE.
Chelsea, Mich., Apr. 13, 1863.

From Eld. Washington Morse.
BRO. SMITH: In regard to Bro. White, I would say that it is fourteen years last February since I first saw Bro. and Sr. White. This was at Waterbury, Vt. At this meeting there was quite a purse made up, or money handed in, for the messengers; and, if I mistake not, Bro. White did not receive any of it, but suffered himself to be wronged, as it seems to me. VBCJW 16.4

In Sept. 1851, or ‘52, I met him again in Sutton, Vt., and the November following, if I mistake not, he met us in Conference at my house in Royalton, Vt. As I was carrying him and wife to the depot to take the cars, Bro. White pressed me to know if I had to bear the burden of the Conference; and as I was unwilling to tell him the particulars, he said to his wife, “How much money have you?” Said she, “Four dollars.” Bro. White then said, “Ellen, if you will divide with Bro. Morse, I will give him two more toward bearing the expenses of the conference. This they did, and I reluctantly accepted it with tearful eyes. The next time I saw them was at Johnson, Vt., and as I was about to step into my wagon at the close of the Conference, Bro. White gave me two dollars more. I have known of his refusing to take money of myself and others,and also I have known of his sending money to assist those who were poor in Vermont. I shall ever remember his kind acts to me and others. VBCJW 17.1

WASHINGTON MORSE.
Deerfield, Minn.

From Elder Ingraham.
BRO. SMITH: I am happy to testify in favor of God’s servants when I can speak from experience, and testify to what I know. I have been acquainted with Bro. White for eleven years, and have had some deal with him, and I have always found him strictly honest in every particular, and also I regard him one of the most liberal persons with whom I have ever been acquainted. Means that have been placed in his hands for his own benefit he has liberally bestowed on others, that they might be free from all encumbrance, and labor untrammeled in the vineyard of the Lord. VBCJW 17.2

Five years since I sold my home in Pennsylvania to move west into the State of Wisconsin. Not receiving a sufficient amount for my place to pay my expenses west and purchase another, Bro. White advanced money on which he was paying ten per cent. interest, and refused to take interest in return. Besides this, Bro. and sister White donated fifteen dollars for the same purpose. VBCJW 18.1

In Bro. White’s tour in Wisconsin in 1861, I accompanied him to Mauston and Marquette. At Marquette about twelve dollars were raised to bear his traveling expenses, which he gave me to purchase an overcoat. For the interest Bro. White has taken in my welfare, I hope never to be guilty of the sin of ingratitude toward him, believing the motive that prompted him was to advance the cause of Jesus Christ, and not to serve his own interest. VBCJW 18.2

Wm. S. INGRAHAM.
Monroe, Wis., April 8, 1863.

From Eld. A. S. Hutchins. VBCJW 18.3

BRO. SMITH: In compliance with the request made in the Review of March 31st, I would say that I have been personally acquainted with Elder James White of Battle Creek, Mich. more than ten years. I am acquainted with his life both at his home and abroad, in public and around his own fireside; and I can unhesitatingly say that I have ever regarded him as a man of firm and undeviating Christian principles, possessing an undying love for the cause of the Lord, also large and disinterested benevolence. I would further say that I have had dealings more or less with him from our first acquaintance, in which I never saw the least reason to question his honesty as a Christian. VBCJW 18.4

A. S. HUTCHINS.
Barton Landing, Vt. April 8, 1863.

From Eld. R. F. Cottrell.
BRO. SMITH: In compliance with the request of the church in Battle Creek I would say, that I have been personally acquainted with Eld. James White for eleven years this spring. During this time, I have dealt with him frequently, and to the amount of four or five hundred dollars, (probably exceeding five hundred) I have also been acquainted with his dealings with others, and have never seen the least evidence of dishonesty in him, but believe him to be upright and strictly honest in all his deal. Moreover I have known him to refuse and return a donation of $35, by my hand, not because it was not needed, but because the givers were doing more than their share. VBCJW 19.1

I have the utmost confidence in his integrity and should have no fear in trusting any amount in his hands, on his fidelity alone. I believe that God’s hand is in the work in which we as a people, are engaged, and that his Spirit and providence has called Bro. White to occupy the place in the work which he occupies, and, consequently, as it is sometimes expressed, he is “the right man in the right place.” VBCJW 19.2

In love of the truth.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Olcott, N. Y. April 7, 1863.

From Elder T. M. Steward.
BRO. SMITH: I would say that I have done business with Bro. White to some extent for the last eight years, and I regard him and believe him to be strictly honest in matters of deal, as in matters of faith. I have heard charges brought against him, but have met them, and never found one substantiated by the least shadow of evidence. Being simply generated by prejudice, as far as my experience goes, I shall credit no such reports. T. M. STEWARD.
Mauston, Wis., Apr. 28, 1863. VBCJW 19.3

From Elder Joseph Bates.
BRO. SMITH: In answer to your request I would state that I have not only had extensive dealings with Bro. White in the purchase of books, pamphlets, tracts and papers for distribution, ever since the commencement of his public labors, but have also had the privilege of being with him in much of his public ministry, and about all the General Conferences during said period of time. In these Conferences his business transactions in relation to the cause and Office of publication, have been spread out before the Conference for their investigation and acceptance. Therefore I unhesitatingly state that in regard to his business dealings individually, and my knowledge of his business matters publicly as herein stated, I consider it my duty, as well as privilege, to assert that I believe him to be strictly honest and upright in all his business dealings. VBCJW 20.1

JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Mich., April 6, 1863.

From the Church in Washington, N. H.
BRO. SMITH: Agreeably to your request, we, as a church, in Washington and vicinity, having had an acquaintance more or less with Bro. White since the rise of the third angel’s message, do hereby express our fullest confidence in his integrity and uprightness. And further, we would express the conviction that all this ado about Bro. White’s dishonesty is gotten up by the great enemy of good to destroy his influence, and thus retard the work of the Lord. We deem this expression due Bro. White. It is due the cause of truth, and not only do we consider it our duty, but it is our highest privilege, to testify in his behalf. He has our warmest sympathy, and our fervent prayers. VBCJW 20.2

In behalf of the church.
H. P. WAKEFIELD.
Newport, N. H., May 11, 1863.

From Henry Lyon.
In view of false reports respecting my course and circumstances, it is a pleasure to me to make the following statement: VBCJW 21.1

I sold my property to the amount of $4000, eleven years since. I divided with my children $1500, and have lived on the remainder most of the time for eleven years. I am now in my age happily and comfortably situated, free from care and anxiety. VBCJW 21.2

I have given, for the last eleven years, several hundred dollars to sustain the Sabbath cause, for which I have never had a regret. Some of this means has passed through the hands of Eld. James White, and I have ever found him faithful in applying it as I designed. As an individual, he has never been benefited with a dollar of my money. When he published the review in Rochester, N. Y., I urged him to take one hundred dollars, to use as he pleased, which he refused to take on such grounds. Nearly eight years since, Bro. White was at my house, at Battle Creek, in feeble health. I offered him a number of bank notes, without stating how the money was to be used, and he refused it, and did not take any of it. I have lent him money with the express understanding that it was lent without interest, and he has paid me the principal and interest. VBCJW 21.3

HENRY LYON.
Battle Creek, Mich.

We bear cheerful testimony to the correctness of the above, and would add that father and mother Lyon are able to furnish us with a good home, and we in return with pleasure care for them in their age. VBCJW 22.1

MYRON J. CORNELL,
C. A. LYON CORNELL.

From R. G. Lockwood. BRO. SMITH: In compliance with the request in Review I cheerfully add my testimony in justice to Bro. White. An acquaintance of fifteen years, and more or less deal for the past five has satisfied me in regard to his honesty and liberality. He has refused money from me, and also in some instances has paid me more than I asked for labor. As to his increase of means, I refer the friends to Proverbs 11:25. VBCJW 22.2

R. G. LOCKWOOD.
Perry’s Mills, N. Y.

From Aurora B. Lockwood. BRO. SMITH: In addition to the above I can say, Having been closely connected with the Office during the years 1859 and 60, and the last year having spent most of my time laboring there, witnessing Bro. White’s straight, upright and benevolent deal toward the poorer class, it has greatly endeared him to me, as a faithful servant of God. VBCJW 22.3

AURORA B. LOCKWOOD.
Perry’s Mills, N. Y.

From H. and D. S. Gardner and R. A. Sperry.
BRO. SMITH: We hereby testify that we have placed means to a considerable amount in the hands of Bro. White for the advancement of the present truth, and he has always made a faithful application of the same according to our wishes. VBCJW 23.1

We have ever had unbounded confidence in his integrity and uprightness, and can testify to his benevolence to the afflicted, and that he has dealt truly and kindly with the widow. VBCJW 23.2

H. GARDNER,
D. S. GARDNER,
R. A. SPERRY.
Kirkville, N. Y., Apr. 19, 1863.

From G. W. Holt.
BRO. SMITH: I have been personally acquainted with Eld. James White from the commencement of his public labors in the publishing department, and have had dealings with him to some extent. I can say that in all his dealings with me he has manifested the strictest integrity. As far as my knowledge and observation extends, every dollar, and even dime, that has been handed to him has been appropriated as directed. He has always opened his hands wide to the worthy poor among us, and the aged, the widows, and fatherless, have shared largely of his sympathy. I have reason to believe that his motives have not been selfish, but purely for the interest of the cause in which he has served. VBCJW 23.3

G. W. HOLT.
Lovett’s Grove, Ohio, April, 1863.

From F. H. Marshall, (Book Binder), Rochester, N. Y.
THIS is to certify that I have been personally acquainted with Elder James White since the year of 1853, and have had an account and done business with him since that time — have never heard his character questioned as to truth or honesty. As to myself, I consider him the most honest and upright man that I ever did business with, and above suspicion. VBCJW 23.4

F. H. MARSHALL.
Rochester, N. Y.

From A. N. Curtiss.
BRO. SMITH: I have had some personal acquaintance with Elder James White since 1850, and also through the Review have had knowledge of his public course. The last time I saw him was at the Roosevelt Conference, Aug. 1861, where I made a small donation of $2,00 to help pay his traveling expenses on his Eastern tour. And although he had received but a few dollars since leaving Battle Creek, he declined taking it, preferring that I should advance it on the Review, as he said the Office was in need. VBCJW 24.1

Soon after I returned home I lost a horse. The news of my loss reached Bro. White, and he very generously returned the $2,00 as he said he thought I needed help. VBCJW 24.2

I would say that I have been knowing to his returning much larger donations where he felt individuals were too much. VBCJW 24.3

Yours in love,
A. N. CURTIS.
Camden, N. Y., May 14, 1863.

From Elsa P. Below.
BRO. SMITH: I wish to say that Bro. White has never been benefited by any of my property. While the Review Office was in Rochester, N. Y., I at one time sent him $35, mentioned in the testimony of Eld. R. F. Cottrell, which he had an opportunity to keep, had he been, as represented, disposed to take every advantage to appropriate means to his own use. Instead of this, he returned it to me. Since living in Battle Creek, he has, with the exception of $1, declined receiving pay from me for the Review, on the ground that I should receive it free. He has ever manifested in my behalf a disinterested liberality. I earnestly protest against the use that has been made of my name in complaints against Bro. White. VBCJW 24.4

ELSA P. BELOW.
Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 12, 1863.

From Ira Abbey.
BRO. SMITH: I would add my testimony concerning my dealing with Bro. White which has been nearly fifteen years. I have sent means to him to be used in the cause. It has always been appropriated to my perfect satisfaction. Once I sent him twelve dollars which he returned. At another time seventeen dollars which he would not accept without paying. This does not look like selfishness. VBCJW 25.1

IRA ABBEY.
Hubbardsville, N. Y. Apr. 12, 1863.

From Rhoda Abbey.
BRO. SMITH: As I see a call in the Review to those acquainted with Bro. White to state facts concerning him, I would say that we have been personally acquainted with Bro. White nearly fifteen years. We have dealt much with him, and have always found him honest in all his deal. And when we have been disposed to give something to forward the cause of truth, he has been very careful about receiving it, lest we should suffer need. When he was in Rochester, I sent him five dollars which he returned.
RHODA ABBEY. VBCJW 25.2

From Cyrenius Smith.
I CAN testify that I have had dealings with Bro. White more or less extensive, for the past eleven or twelve years, and consider his course one of unexceptionable integrity and benevolence. I have offered him money that he has declined to receive. I have donated money to the cause when it was needy, which Bro White has refunded to me when the publishing department was in a condition that he could. Moreover, I have labored for him more or less, since his residence in Battle Creek, and as a general rule, he has paid me more than I charged, or was willing to receive. I have given considerable of my property to the advancement of the cause, but none for the personal or individual benefit of Bro. White. And during all the time that I have been acquainted with them, Bro. and Sr. White have repeatedly cautioned me against doing too much. I have never had a regret for what I have done. A man’s own experience is with him the strongest kind of evidence, consequently those who represent Bro. White, as overreaching and endeavoring to secure property to his own advantage at the expense of others, need not attempt to make me believe their reports. I am grateful for the prospering hand of the Lord that has been with me, so that I still have a competency left. VBCJW 26.1

CYRENIUS SMITH.
Battle Creek, Mich. Aug. 1863.

From J. P. Kellogg.
THIS is to certify, that I have had dealings more or less with Elder James White for the past ten years, and have always found him governed by the strictest integrity in his dealings, and appropriation of means and generous beyond what I had expected, or what could be required. As an instance I will mention that on one occasion when he visited Michigan, I offered him money which he declined to receive; and after his return home to Rochester, N. Y., I sent him $40, intending it as a donation, but he afterward refunded the whole amount. I also offered a hundred dollars toward purchasing the power press; but Bro. White publicly plead against my paying it. Again, I lent him several hundred dollars not intending to receive any interest on the same, but at the time of payment he persisted in handing me back the principal, and the interest. VBCJW 26.2

J. P. KELLOGG.
Battle Creek, Aug. 1863.

From Edward and Sarah Andrews.
BRO. SMITH: If the following statement can be of any service to your investigation of Bro. White’s business affairs the undersigned will feel highly gratified. VBCJW 27.1

Having had some acquaintance with Elder James White as early as the Autumn of 1844, we feel that it may be duty to say that we found him then a young man, zealously and understandingly engaged in presenting and defending by testimony from the word of God this greatest of all events, the coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. VBCJW 27.2

Soon after our sore and great disappointment, we became more fully acquainted with his labors and his character as a man of God, and as a faithful defender of those Bible truths by which we had been led out to expect and wait for the return of our Lord from heaven; laboring to strengthen those who were discouraged, and meeting, with the strength and firmness of one commissioned of God, the distracting showers of fanaticism that Satan was permitted to pour upon the little remnant that were still waiting for the return of their Lord. VBCJW 27.3

Up to this time, so far as we had become acquainted with him, we had the fullest reason to believe him a man of the strictest moral uprightness. About this time, I think it was in the Spring of 1846, we had additional reasons to regard him as a man commissioned of God to defend his truth; for so many were the different and discordant views held by different brethren that we knew not what to receive, or what was Bible truth. At this time of great need, Bro. W. came to us with the third angel’s message, and so clear and forcible was the truth that he presented, that we felt again that we were in possession of Bible truth. VBCJW 28.1

Some time after this, Bro. White came to Paris, Maine, and there for several months published the Review and Herald. During this time we had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with him as a business man, and fully believe that his intention was always to deal carefully and uprightly with all men. VBCJW 28.2

EDWARD ANDREWS.
SARAH L. ANDREWS.
Wawkon, Iowa.

From A. B. Pearsall.
THIS is to certify that I have been acquainted with Eld. James White and his course for the past ten years; and in view of the reports that are in circulation about him, in regard to his obtaining means for his own benefit, I esteem it a privilege to state an incident in my own experience which shows the falsity of such charges. Learning that he was coming to Michigan to hold conferences, in the summer I think of 1853, I got together a hundred dollars in gold to give him to use at his option. I tendered it to him; but to my surprise he declined it on the ground that I was going beyond my duty in the matter. At my earnest solicitation he did, however, accept about fifteen dollars, saying that on his return to Rochester he would place to my credit what he did not use in traveling expenses, which he accordingly did, to the amount, I think, of five dollars. And since that time I have never seen anything, nor had any reliable information, of his taking a course in any respect to give any ground for the reports that are in circulation against him. VBCJW 28.3

A. B. PEARSALL.
Battle Creek, Mich., June, 1863.

From Hiram Edson.
BRO. SMITH: I have known something of Bro. White’s management in his business affairs connected with the third angel’s message from its rise. I have ever regarded him as strictly honest, just, upright, manly and honorable, in all his business transactions. I have loaned him money at different times, which he has been faithful to repay. I have put money into his hands at different times as a donation to publish truth and advance the cause. He has at different times handed me back a part of what I handed him, refusing to keep it all. On one occasion I handed him $70 or $75, as a donation to advance the cause, of which he handed me back all but $25 or $35. He has sometimes refused to receive any means from me when offered. VBCJW 29.1

The church at Roosevelt authorize me to say in their behalf that they have the utmost confidence in Bro. White’s honesty and integrity, and consider his course manly and honorable. On one of his visits to this church they handed him ten dollars toward defraying his traveling expenses to this place, which he handed back as a donation toward painting our meeting-house. “Blessed are ye when they shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name’s sake. Rejoice ye, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” “All things shall work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to his purpose.” The Lord plead Bro. White’s cause, and bring him through and give him victory over all his enemies, is our prayer. VBCJW 29.2

Yours in much love and esteem.
HIRAM EDSON.
Palermo, N.Y., Apr. 30, 1863.

From D.R Palmer.
BRO. SMITH: I have been acquainted with Bro. White for about fifteen years and have dealt with him in sums of a few dollars up to about $1000,00 and never have seen anything but the strictest honesty. The most of the above has been in connection with the cause of truth. Several times he has refused to take money when I have offered it to him, and in some cases has paid me back that I did not ask nor expect. VBCJW 30.1

D. R. PALMER.
Jackson, Mich. April 10, 1863.

From Brethren in Western New York.
We, the undersigned, are personally acquainted with Elder James White, have dealt with him, some more, some less, and while he resided in our midst, at Rochester, N.Y., had a good opportunity of learning his manner of deal and general course of conduct, and can say that we believe him to be strictly upright and honorable, nay liberal, in his deal, and we consequently have unbounded confidence in his integrity. VBCJW 30.2

J. T. ORTON,	Rochester.
J.M. LINDSAY,	Olcott.
JONATHAN LAMSON,	Hamlin.
JOHN S. WAGER,	Olcott.
ZERAH BROOKS,	Mill Grove.
D. C. DEMAREST,	Clarkson.
J. B. LAMSON,	Rochester.
S. B. CRAIG,	Hamlin.
A. G. SMITH,	Clarkson.
MARY WAGER,	Olcott.
ELIZA A. LINDSAY,	Olcott.
JANE DEMAREST,	Clarkson.
MARGARET SMITH,	Clarkson.
DRUSILLA LAMSON,	Rochester.
PHEBE M. LAMSON,	Hamlin.
CAROLINE ORTON,	Rochester.
JANE SEAMAN,	Clarkson.

The above was written and subscribed at our Quarterly Meeting at Hamlin, Apr. 12, 1863. There was no dissent from this testimony; but some present were not personally acquainted with Bro. White, and some that were could not say that they had dealt with him. But there is no lack of confidence in Bro. White; at least, I do not know of any; and all those that are the best acquainted with him express unbounded confidence.
R. F. COTTRELL. VBCJW 31.1

From J. S. Day and O. B. Jones. BRO. SMITH: In response to the call in Review No. 18 for testimonies respecting Bro. White’s character, we, the undersigned have for the last seven years had deal with him to the amount of from five hundred to five thousand dollars. Therefore we feel it a duty and also a privilege to speak. We never have seen any cause for suspicion in any of his deal, either private or in connection with the cause. We believe him to be a man of integrity, and that he will not withhold from any one their just dues, nor appropriate means put into his hands, with any selfish motive. We have known Bro. White to refuse money when urged to take it, and also to refund money where it had been paid in, for the reason that the donors were unable, or there was no special call for means. VBCJW 31.2

J. S. DAY.
O. B. JONES.
Monterey, Mich. Apr. 15, 1863.
From R. S. Rhodes and C. C. Aldrich.

BRO. SMITH: According to request in Review No. 18. we take the present time to give you our testimony in regard to Bro. White’s deal with us. Whenever we have placed means in his hands to expend as he saw proper, he has done it to our entire satisfaction, every cent. We have also tried to have him take money of us to use for his own personal benefit, which he never would do. We believe him to be an honest, upright man and a servant of God. Yours etc. R. S. RHODES. CYNTHIA C. ALDRICH. Addison, Mich. April 20, 1863. VBCJW 32.1

From David Arnold.
I HAVE been acquainted with Elder James White, editor of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, for the last fifteen years. I have been a contributor to, and constant reader of, the paper, and have visited the office of publication at Oswego, Rochester and Battle Creek, and while the paper was called the Advent Review, was on the publishing committee. Thus being brought into close connection, and having a deep interest in the paper and its kindred publications of present truth, I have watched with deep solicitude the pecuniary and other interests of said publications, and have ever found in the character of the editor, persevering industry, frugal economy, business tact, sterling integrity, strict honesty, and a self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of present truth. VBCJW 32.2

DAVID ARNOLD.
Fulton, N. Y. April 12th, 1863.
[2.7] From E.S. Walker.
I HEREBY certify that I have been acquainted with Eld. White for about three years; and since the formation of the Publishing Association, have been closely connected with him in business relations in the Office. During that time the dealings between him and the Association, including the property in his hands, which was passed over to the Association after its organization, and ordinary business transactions since that time, have amounted to over $16000. From the position I have occupied in the Office, I have had ample means of observing his dealings with others; and it gives me pleasure to testify that in all my business relations with him, and in what I have seen with reference to his dealings with others, I have uniformly found him to be strictly upright in all his business transactions.

E. S. WALKER,
Sec’y S.D.A.P. Association

From S. T. & S. B. Belden.
[Since the tongue of misrepresentation and slander has even presumed to malign the motives and efforts of Bro. White in behalf of his father and mother-in-law Harmon, from whom he has never received a dime, we deem it duty to present the following testimony from those with whom they lived, mostly, and who are acquainted with all the circumstances of the case, which they left with Bro. White, previous to their removal to the West. — COM.] VBCJW 34.1

WHEREAS we have reason to fear that some have wrong impressions as to the course pursued by Bro. and sister White in relation to father and mother Harmon, it is a pleasure to us to state, that it is our sincere belief that what they have done has been with sincerity of heart to make our parents comfortable and happy, and that to our certain knowledge Bro. White has been to considerable labor, care and expense in building, and in providing for their comfort, for which he has received nothing, and asks nothing. VBCJW 34.2

STEPHEN T. BELDEN.
SARAH B. BELDEN.

From Those who Know.
WE, the undersigned, having been connected with the Review Office, in the employ of, and intimately acquainted with, Eld. James White, for the past ten years, deem it our privilege to make some statements concerning his general course. We consider that if here he has erred at all, it has been in taking too much pains to conform to the prejudices of unreasonable men, putting the publications down to too low rates, and depriving himself of many advantages which he ought to have enjoyed. If any think that Bro. White’s object in conducting the publishing department has been to make money, let them compare the prices at which publications were offered when the business was entirely in his hands, with the prices of publications now when the whole business is in the hands of the Publishing Association, and which are uniformly higher, and in some cases double what they were then. VBCJW 34.3

Again, when Bro. White had plead for the formation of an Association to which he might transfer the property in his hands, and one had been formed for that purpose, all that the friends had contributed to establish the Office of publication from first to last, was carefully footed up, and every dollar, with an addition of one thousand dollars for the use of material, made over to the Association, together with the hard-earned and valuable lists of subscribers for Review and Instructor, and the right of re-publishing the numerous works on present truth, which alone, in a worldly point of view, would be considered a handsome property. There was still a competency left in Bro. White’s hands. How had this accumulated? From the energetic, careful and judicious management of the business, carried on to a great extent by capital which he had borrowed on his own responsibility. To whom did this belong? To the man who had thus for fifteen years, faithfully earned it. Was any one wronged by this? All who had purchased of the Office books or papers, had received the value of their money in them at low rates; and all who had donated, saw those donations transferred, with a large increase, to the Association, where they now are, and can be shown to have advanced one-fourth in value on the original figures. And here we would take occasion to gratefully acknowledge the prospering hand of the Lord, which, through the faithfulness of Bro. White, has placed the Office in its present flourishing condition in this respect. We would say, then, to all those who seem to be unwilling that Bro. W. should have a penny unless they know where and how he got it, that this is the source from which he has fairly, honestly, and in a worldly point of view, dearly, obtained it. VBCJW 35.1

Systematic Benevolence is another point on which insinuations have been thrown out against Bro. White, as though he had urged this measure for his own personal profit. Nothing can be further from the design of that system, and from the facts in the case. Bro. W. never designed to receive, and never has received, a particle of benefit personally from that fund. There is not a dime of the means so raised, under his control, as every one knows who is at all acquainted with the system. While, at the same time, he has paid in to the Battle Creek S.B. treasury since the adoption of that system in this church, over one hundred dollars. VBCJW 36.1

In conclusion we would say that throughout our acquaintance with him, we have uniformly found him fair and upright in his dealings with all classes, being in his liberalities better than his agreements, and his dealings going beyond his promises; and that the longer we have been associated with him, the more occasion we have had to honor him as an employer, esteem him as a man, and love him as a Christian. VBCJW 36.2

U. SMITH,
H. N. SMITH,
G. W. AMADON,
J. F. BYINGTON,
J. W. BACHELLER. VBCJW 36.3

To present more testimonials would only unnecessarily weary the patience of the reader. We therefore conclude to give only the names and addresses of the following individuals, from whom we have received testimonies similar to the foregoing. VBCJW 36.4

I. C. Vaughan,	Hillsdale,	Mich.
A. H. Hilliard,	Otsego	“
Geo. Leighton,	“	“
J. P. Hunt,	Saginaw,	“
E. Pratt,	Battle Creek	“
D. J. Burroughs,	“	“
A. Gleason,	Hillsdale,	“
J. D. Morton,	Adrian,	“
J. P. Rathbun,	New Hudson,	“
M. Kunselman,	Parkville,	“
E. J. W. Bovee,	“	“
A. A. Marks,	Burlington,	“
Church in Convis,	“	“
L. Kellogg,	Matherton,	“
L. Russell,	Cooper,	“
L. Lathrop,	Freeport,	Ills.
S. Myers,	Yankee Hollow,	“
H. H. Bramhall,	Braceville,	“
L. O. Stowell,	Plum River,	“
S. Robinson,	Girard,	Ind.
H. A. St. John,	Ayersville,	Ohio.
John Clarke,	Lovett’s Grove,	“
L. G. Bostwick,	Lynxville,	Wis.
D. A. Smith,	Geneva,	“
W. E. Chesebro,	“	“
A. E. Dartt,	Baraboo,	“
A. G. Carter,	Rubicon,	“
J. P. Benedict,	Columbus,	“
Wm. Treadwell,	Roosevelt,	N. Y.
H. Hilliard,	Grass River,	“
Wm. Lawton,	West Winfield,	“
S. B. Whitney,	Malone,	“
C. O. Taylor,	Perry’s Mills,	“
L. Haskell,	Norfolk,	“
Abel Tuttle,	Sandy Creek,	“
J. A. Laughhead,	Elmira,	“
A. Abbey,	Deansville,	“
D. Abbey,	“	“

M. C. Crumb,	De Ruyter,	N. Y.
F. C. Castle,	Grass River,	“
M. C. M. Andrews,	New York City,	“
Mary Moody,	“	“
Jane Crump,	“	“
A. Woodruff,	Palermo,	“
E. L. Barr,	Wellsville,	“
J. T. Mitchell,	Lisbon,	Iowa.
J. Dorcas,	Tipton,	“
Church in Knoxville,	“
E. W. Darling,	Chester,	“
Timothy Bryant,	North Jay,	Me.
Wm. Bryant,	“	“
N. N. Lunt,	Portland,	“
E. Lobdell,	“	“
S. W. Flanders,	Canaan,	“
E. M. Flanders,	“	“
L. J. Richmond,	Vernon,	Vt.
Jno. Lindsey,	Ulysess,	Pa.
J. G. Wood,	Brodhead,	Wisc.