His Messenger

Chapter 17—An Angel Uncouples the Train

“I feel strange about starting on this trip,” James White said to his wife, “but, Ellen, we have an appointment and we must go.” HMes 97.1

They were staying in the home of Mr. Palmer in Jackson, Michigan, but had planned to take the train that evening for Wisconsin. All afternoon Mr. White moved about restlessly, and several times he spoke of his uneasy feelings. “If I did not have an appointment I would not go tonight,” he said. HMes 97.2

As night came on, all those in the house united in prayer that Mr. and Mrs. White would be kept safely. When they arose from their knees, James White said, “I am ready to go. The Lord will have a care for us and keep us.” HMes 97.3

They went to the station, and at eight o’clock they boarded the train and sat down in the first car. James White began to arrange their packages and luggage so that they might be comfortable, but Ellen White looked around with uneasiness. “James,” she said, “I can’t stay in this car. I must get out of here.” HMes 97.4

They quickly picked up their bundles and went back into the next car. Mrs. White chose a seat in the middle of the car and sat down with her packages in her lap. “I don’t feel at home on this train,” she said. They both sat quietly, waiting for something, they did not know what. The bell rang, and the train started out in the darkness, but it had gone only about three miles when it began to jerk backward and forward and tip sideways. Hastily they raised the window and looked out. They saw the car in front standing on end, and the air was filled with cries and groans. The engine, too, was lying off the track. But the car in which they were riding was on the track and back from the wreckage about a hundred feet. The express car was crushed to pieces, but the baggage car, which held a big trunk of books and papers belonging to Mr. White, was only slightly damaged, and the trunk was safe. HMes 97.5

The car in which Mr. White had first found seats was crushed, and the wreckage, together with the injured people, was thrown on each side of the track. HMes 98.1

Another train was expected in a few minutes, and everyone was very much excited. Pieces of the wreckage were quickly gathered into a pile and set afire to warn the oncoming train, while some of the men took burning pieces of wood for torches and hurried down the track to meet the train. HMes 98.2

James White took his wife in his arms, and wading in the water, carried her across a small stream and a swampy field to the main road. They walked on a half mile down the road until they came to a house. Here Mrs. White waited while her husband went on with a messenger from the train wreck, who was being sent to Jackson for a physician. Mr. White found a team of horses and came for his wife, and they both went to the home of one of the Adventists who lived nearby. HMes 98.3

The next morning they all went back to see the wreck. They found that a large ox had lain down on the track, and when the engine struck it, the train left the track. The car in which Mr. and Mrs. White had been riding was standing back by itself. It had been uncoupled from the rest of the train, and the coupling bolt with its chain was lying on the platform of the car, as though it had been placed there. But the brakeman had not been there, and it was a mystery to the trainmen how it could have happened. HMes 98.4

As Mr. and Mrs. White looked at the crushed cars and the overturned engine and then at the last two cars standing safe and undamaged, they said, “God does hear prayer. His angel must have uncoupled that car and preserved the lives of His servants.” HMes 99.1

In a few hours Mr. and Mrs. White were able to take another train and with their trunk of books continue on their journey. They reached Wisconsin in time for their appointment, happy that they were traveling in the cause of God and that His angel was ever guiding and watching over them. This visit was a great help to the people who were interested in the Advent message in Wisconsin. HMes 99.2

Two years before this, Mr. Bates had preached in Battle Creek, and had baptized one man. This man had brought others to unite with him, and there were now several believers. Mr. and Mrs. White visited this little company in Battle Creek. The work grew, and still others joined the Sabbathkeepers there. They urged Mr. and Mrs. White to move to this town and make it their home. After a meeting held by the leading workers it was decided to move the printing house and the press that had recently been bought to Battle Creek. Land was cheap, and the workers in the printing house could have homes of their own here and not live crowded together as they had been living. HMes 99.3

In Battle Creek the White family for the first time had a house to themselves. Here they could live with their three sons and have time to rest and study. Any stranger was always made welcome in this home. HMes 99.4

Often there were meetings held in Battle Creek, and people came from many miles away and spent the day. Sometimes they brought their bedding and stayed two or three days. The church members in Battle Creek opened up their homes and entertained these visitors. The White home was always open, and visitors were always given a hearty welcome. One day when a general meeting was held in Battle Creek, there were thirty-five guests for dinner. At other times people came and stayed for a week at a time. HMes 99.5