The Great Visions of Ellen G. White

Problems at Gilboa

Some time on Thursday or Friday (March 4 or 5), the Tillotsons took the Whites to Gilboa, some 50 miles southwest of Green Spring. Town historian Margarete Conine reports that Gilboa was the first town settled in Putnam County; it possessed three churches and seven taverns when the Whites visited in 1858. ²² GVEGW 65.6

All three local churches “were closed against us,” refusing to allow “Advent” meetings within their precincts; so a small schoolroom (50 feet by 25 feet) was booked. Some 100 Sabbathkeepers and curious townspeople crowded in. “The place was very uncomfortable,” James White reported, but he was most gratified that their weekend attendance exceeded that of all three inhospitable local churches combined! GVEGW 65.7

With perhaps a fleeting nod in the direction of Gilboa’s taverns, White declared that “the opposition in Gilboa is bold and wicked.” Even so, he added: GVEGW 66.1

“We had freedom in speaking the Word, but our feelings were saddened at the bold, scoffing faces of many scorners. The pointed, solemn truth spoken sometimes caused even the scoffer to weep, but he would next moment resist it with a careless smile, or cover his feelings with a sort of angry grin.” ²³ GVEGW 66.2

James was thrilled that 80 believers were professing “present truth.” He was moved to declare optimistically, “The harvest is very ripe in Gilboa.” ²⁴ GVEGW 66.3

During their conference at Gilboa, the brethren proceeded with the ordination to the gospel ministry, “by prayer and the laying on of hands,” of T. J. Butler, a local resident. ²⁵ This is significant in that the formal organization of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination was still two years distant. GVEGW 66.4

Butler managed to distinguish himself at the organizing conference at Battle Creek, October 1, 1860. He was the only delegate who registered dissent to the adoption of the corporate name “Seventh-day Adventist.” He favored “Church of God,” in spite of Mrs. White’s support for the Seventh-day Adventist label. (Four other delegates, perhaps equally dubious, merely abstained from voting at all.) He also opposed a motion to recommend the Seventh-day Adventist name to “the churches generally.” ²⁶ Both motions passed overwhelmingly, however. GVEGW 66.5