A Prophet Among You

Last Years of James White

From 1872 to 1881, home and headquarters for the Whites was largely in California. However, there was no settling down to a peaceful existence. Mrs. White described those years in these words: “During the years that followed the recovery of my husband, the Lord opened before us a vast field of labor. Though I took the stand as a speaker timidly at first, yet as the providence of God opened the way before me, I had confidence to stand before large audiences. Together we attended our camp meetings and other large gatherings, from Maine to Dakota, from Michigan to Texas and California.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 195. APAY 233.3

In July, 1872, the Whites went to California, and in March of the next year they were back in Battle Creek. They remained there until December, when they returned to California. On numerous occasions they visited in Battle Creek, and they were there at the time of the dedication of Battle Creek College, January 4, 1875. On the day before the dedication, a vision was given Ellen White in which she was shown Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses in various countries, where at that time the church had no publishing houses or even churches. As a result of the presentation of the vision, a new concept was gained regarding the task of the Adventists in giving God’s message to all the world. At this time they had only one overseas worker, J. N. Andrews, who had been sent to Switzerland in the fall of 1874. APAY 234.1

Impetus was lent to the colporteur circulation of Seventh-day Adventist literature by a message given Ellen White in a vision in September, 1875. She was told: “Tracts, papers, and books, as the case demands, should be circulated in all the cities and villages in the land. Here is missionary work for all. APAY 234.2

“There should be men trained for this branch of the work who will be missionaries, and will circulate publications. They should be men of good address, who will not repulse others or be repulsed. This is a work which would warrant men to give their whole time and energies as the occasion demands.’” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 217. APAY 234.3

Usually James and Ellen White traveled and labored together, but there were times when they worked separately for short periods. One of these occasions was in the spring of 1876. James White was in Battle Creek and his wife in California. One day in April he received a letter from Mrs. White, with this dryly humorous introduction: APAY 234.4

“Dear Husband: APAY 234.5

“We received your few words last night on a postal card: APAY 234.6

“Battle Creek, April 11. No letters from you for two days. James White. APAY 234.7

“This lengthy letter was written by yourself. Thank you for we know you are living. APAY 235.1

“No letter from James White previous to this since April 6.... I have been anxiously waiting for something to answer.” APAY 235.2

The letter of several pages closed with this proposition: “I will write every morning; will you do the same?” Ellen G. White Uncopied Letter 5, 1876. APAY 235.3

The joint labors of James and Ellen White continued for thirty-five years, until James reached the age of sixty. “Side by side we had labored in the cause of Christ for thirty-five years; and we hoped that we might stand together to witness the triumphant close. But such was not the will of God. The chosen protector of my youth, the companion of my life, the sharer of my labors and afflictions, was taken from my side, and I was left to finish my work and to fight the battle alone.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 247. Ellen White was ill in the sanitarium at Battle Creek at the time of her husband’s death. She was taken to his room to visit him and was aware of the seriousness of his illness. She remained with him until the end came on Sabbath, August 6, 1881. Mrs. White’s feeble strength then gave way and it was with difficulty that her life was preserved. APAY 235.4

“Though I had not risen from my sickbed after my husband’s death, I was borne to the Tabernacle on the following Sabbath to attend his funeral. At the close of the sermon I felt it a duty to testify to the value of the Christian’s hope in the hour of sorrow and bereavement. As I arose, strength was given me, and I spoke about ten minutes, exalting the mercy and love of God in the presence of that crowded assembly. At the close of the services I followed my husband to Oak Hill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest until the morning of the resurrection. APAY 235.5

“My physical strength had been prostrated by the blow, yet the power of divine grace sustained me in my great bereavement. When I saw my husband breathe his last, I felt that Jesus was more precious to me than He ever had been in any previous hour of my life. When I stood by my first-born, and closed his eyes in death, I could say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ And I felt then that I had a comforter in Jesus. And when my latest born was torn from my arms, and I could no longer see its little head upon the pillow by my side, then I could say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ ⁶ And when he upon whose large affections I had leaned, with whom I had labored for thirty-five years, was taken away, I could lay my hands upon his eyes, and say, ‘I commit my treasure to Thee until the morning of the resurrection.’ APAY 235.6

“At times I felt that I could not have my husband die. But these words seemed to be impressed on my mind: ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ Psalm 46:10. I keenly feel my loss, but dare not give myself up to useless grief. This would not bring back the dead. And I am not so selfish as to wish, if I could, to bring him from his peaceful slumber to engage again in the battles of life. Like a tired warrior, he has lain down to sleep. I will look with pleasure upon his resting place. The best way in which I and my children can honor the memory of him who has fallen, is to take the work where he left it, and in the strength of Jesus carry it forward to completion.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 252, 253. APAY 236.1

Few things give such insight into the nature of a person’s Christian experience as his relationship to death—not only his own death, but the death of those dear to him. Ellen White’s description of her own feelings and attitudes at the time of her husband’s death is deeply significant and is worthy of careful study because of what it reveals concerning her relationship to her Saviour. APAY 236.2

A year after James White’s death, Mrs. White was settled at Healdsburg, California, for Healdsburg College had been opened in April, 1882. This was her home until her departure for Europe in the summer of 1885. At Healdsburg she wrote in detail of closing events of earth’s history, as found in the last chapters of The Great Controversy. She also directed the republication of Testimonies for the Church, as we have them in volumes 1-4. APAY 236.3

Brief attention should be given to the educational work which was fostered by Mrs. White’s testimonies during this period. Reference has been made to the dedication of Battle Creek College, and the founding of Healdsburg College. Although Ellen White’s major works on education were the product of a later period in her experience, her first extensive message on this subject was written in January, 1872. An article, “Proper Education,” appeared as Testimony for the Church, No. 22. See Testimonies for the Church 3:131-160, and Fundamentals of Christian Education, pages 15-46. It contains many of the fundamental principles later amplified in more detailed writings: the distinction between training children and educating youth; the provision for individual differences; the need for instruction suited to the maturity of the student; the need to teach youth to think; the relation of education and health; the practical training essential for both boys and girls. Though feeble beginnings had already been made, this article, and the many that followed it, motivated the denomination to establish educational institutions to give the youth a “proper education” superior to any to be found elsewhere. APAY 237.1