Ellen White: Woman of Vision

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First Denominational School

No one was more aware of the need for qualified men in the ministry of the denomination than James White. He recognized that the important work of the third angel's message required a special type of education. As the work expanded, the need for training schools became urgent. WV 152.3

Because of his zeal and foresight, Elder White was always taking on more responsibilities than he had strength to bear. At the General Conference of 1869 he had agreed to serve as: WV 152.4

President of the General Conference
President of the SDA Publishing Association
Director of the Health Institute

But now he was beginning to promote the idea of a denominational school. In January he had proposed through the Review that a school be started in Battle Creek, and he called for pledges for such an enterprise. But the idea did not catch fire. WV 152.5

Then in 1870 he proposed that a series of lectures be presented after the General Conference session. The following year he made a similar proposal, but without significant response. Finally, in early April 1872 James and Ellen White called the Battle Creek church together to give serious study to establishing a school there. Among the questions asked were: WV 152.6

Shall we take hold, as a people, of the subject of education, and form an Educational Society? Shall we have a denominational school ... to qualify young men and women to act some part, more or less public, in the cause of God? Shall there be some place provided where our young people can go to learn such branches of the sciences as they can put into immediate and practical use, and at the same time be instructed on the great themes of prophetic and other Bible truth? (Ibid., April 16, 1872). WV 152.7

It was proposed that with shares costing $10 each, the church form a society “to raise funds for the purpose of renting, purchasing, or erecting school buildings, and procuring school apparatus.” Steps were taken to determine what the interest was and what support could be expected. A standing committee consisting of Uriah Smith and E. W. Whitney was formed to foster the interest. With James White joining this committee, the following definite and significant steps were taken: WV 153.1

Resolved, That we invite the General Conference Committee to employ suitable teachers for the contemplated school, to take such steps as they may deem proper to raise the necessary means for the support till it becomes self-sustaining, and to take the general oversight of this enterprise.” WV 153.2

This being a movement in behalf of the cause at large, the General Conference Committee are the proper persons to act in the premises. In accordance with the foregoing resolution, its management will hereafter be in their hands. WV 153.3

It is now decided to commence the school on Monday, the third of June next. A place is provided, and teacher engaged. The first term will continue twelve weeks, to August 26. Tuition from $3 to $6, according to studies taken. WV 153.4

The chief object has been stated to aid those who contemplate becoming public laborers in the cause of truth. Of course, those who have no such object in view, but who wish merely to acquire an education under the advantages and in the society here offered, are at perfect liberty to attend. Let all come who can, in season to be here at the commencement, and others as soon thereafter as possible (Ibid., May 14, 1872). WV 153.5

George Butler, the new president of the General Conference, quickly joined in support of the school idea. On May 22 he wrote: WV 153.6

We want a school to be controlled by our people where influences of a moral character may be thrown around the pupils which will tend to preserve them from those influences which are so common and injurious in the majority of the schools of the present day; and in this school we want a department in which those who would labor in the ministry, or in other public positions of usefulness, may receive the instruction which will qualify them for the duties of those positions (Ibid., June 4, 1872). WV 153.7

Announcement that the school had opened was made the next week in the June 11 issue of the Review under the heading “The S. D. A. School.” The announcement opened with the words: WV 153.8

This school commenced in Battle Creek at the time appointed, June 3, with twelve scholars, Brother G. H. Bell, teacher. Two have since joined. This is a better beginning than we had ventured to anticipate, in view of the brief time taken to commence the enterprise, and the short notice that was necessarily given (Ibid., June 11, 1872). WV 154.1

George I. Butler came in quickly with a second article, titled “Mental Culture and the Pulpit.” In it he emphasized the importance of a proper education for those who engage in the highest and noblest work God has committed to human beings. WV 154.2

At midterm there were 25 regular students, but between 40 and 50 attended the grammar class, which was held in the evenings for the convenience of Review employees. The school was well on its way (Ibid., July 16, 1872). WV 154.3

Those who might feel that this was a small beginning were reminded of the parable of the mustard seed. WV 154.4

This mustard seed grew into the Seventh-day Adventist education system, which includes Andrews University, Loma Linda University, various colleges in North America, universities and colleges in countries outside North America, academies, and elementary schools. WV 154.5

The “school” met temporarily in rooms in the newly constructed Review and Herald third building. WV 154.6

The Whites were not present for the opening of the school, as they were planning their first trip to California about this time. But they eagerly waited to hear news of its progress and plan for choosing a location and building. WV 154.7

About a year later, having spent a number of months promoting the work of evangelism and attending camp meetings in California, the Whites returned to Battle Creek to attend the eleventh annual meeting of the General Conference. In his opening address James emphasized the needs of the school: WV 154.8

Probably there is no branch of this work that suffers so much at the present time as the proper education of men and women to proclaim the third angel's message.... Now, I say, we want a school. We want a denominational school, if you please.... WV 154.9

We want a school in which the languages, especially the spoken and written languages of the present day, can be taught, and learned by young men and women to prepare them to become printers, editors, and teachers; and if we can do no more, where our young men that are about entering the ministry, and women, too, who are to be laborers in this great work, can be instructed thoroughly in the common branches, where their minds can be disciplined to study, where, if it is not for more than three months, our young men may have the best instruction, and may, during that time, at least, learn how to study (Ibid., May 20, 1873). WV 154.10

He had no misgivings about the ability of Seventh-day Adventists to provide the money for a school enterprise, noting the liberality shown in erecting the second Review and Herald building. WV 155.1

James's vision reached far beyond the immediate need of the school in Battle Creek. He launched into a presentation of the church's position in fulfilling prophecy, and then the responsibilities that devolve on the church in advocating a message far beyond the limitations of the English language. This called for publishing in other languages, and also for a school in which, among other things, ministers could be trained to work in the languages of Europe. WV 155.2

Little wonder that when the conference got down to business one of the first actions read: WV 155.3

Resolved, That we regard it as the imperative duty of S. D. Adventists to take immediate steps for the formation of an educational society, and the establishment of a denominational school (Ibid., March 18, 1873). WV 155.4

One deep concern shared by James and Ellen White was for a well-qualified ministry. A large part of the working forces in the field were self-trained, strongly dedicated men who, having reached a good degree of proficiency through diligent study and the blessing of God, had been pressed into public ministry. Stephen N. Haskell and Dudley M. Canright were typical examples. Canright, the oldest son in a southern Michigan farm family, had listened favorably to the preaching of the third angel's message at a tent meeting. He secured and devoured Adventist books, studied his Bible day and night, and soon longed to convert others to his newfound faith. His first convert was his own mother. WV 155.5

At about the age of 21, Canright felt the call to the ministry. He went to Battle Creek, sought out James White, and spent an hour with him. White related the incident: WV 155.6

I said to him, “Do not content yourself with being a small preacher, but be somebody, or die trying. Do not go out to be a pet, but go out into the field, with the weight of the work upon you, with steady principles, and stand your ground.” WV 155.7

The last thing I did was to present him with one of our English Bibles, and a pair of charts, saying as I did so, “Here, Dudley, take these, and go out and try it. When you become satisfied that you have made a mistake, bring them back.” WV 155.8

The next May, at the conference, I met him and asked him, “What about those charts and the Bible?” WV 156.1

He replied, “Brother White, you have lost them.” WV 156.2

Thank God! I would like to lose more in the same way. We raised WV 156.3

means to purchase a library for Brother Canright and Brother Van Horn. And said I to them, “When you study, study with all your might, and when you visit, visit with all your might, and exercise briskly. Whatever you do, do it with all your might” (Ibid., May 20, 1873 [see also Carrie Johnson, I Was Canright's Secretary, pp. 12-14]). WV 156.4

With James White's dividing his time between the interests of the Publishing Association and the initial steps in getting a denominational school going, he was held close to Battle Creek. The brethren had sought to press him into the presidency of the General Conference, as well as of the Publishing Association, but he had refused, and Ellen sustained him in this. She knew he must have rest or he would sink under the pressure. WV 156.5

She was right, for on Tuesday, April 22, he had his third stroke of paralysis. The stroke was not as crippling as the first one, in August 1865. It was, however, the most severe. Ellen reported what happened: WV 156.6

I had taken about half my dinner when a messenger came with the word my husband had another shock of paralysis. I hastened to the house and found my husband's right arm partially paralyzed. We anointed with oil and then engaged in prayer for his recovery. The Lord came near by His Holy Spirit. My husband was greatly blessed. His arm was strengthened. We felt assured that by the blessing of the Lord he would recover. We moved to the institute. My husband feels cheerful and happy. He now is settled in regard to his duty to drop everything like burdens at Battle Creek and spend the summer in the Colorado mountains (Manuscript 6, 1873). WV 156.7

The next day, although it was chilly, they rode out, and there was evidence that James was exercising his mind. He was soon able to engage in various activities, but with impaired strength, and at times with considerable suffering. It was clear now to everyone that he was working on too narrow a margin to remain in Battle Creek. James and Ellen fixed their eyes on Colorado, but it was too early in the year to go to the mountains, and there were matters in Battle Creek that they needed to care for. So they stayed on. Ellen continued with her writing, and James spent some time at the office and in committees. Both of them spoke occasionally in the church. WV 156.8

While waiting in Battle Creek for James to recoup his strength, they had a short visit from G. I. Butler, president of the General Conference. Elder Butler lived in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and visited Battle Creek only occasionally. They were glad to counsel with him about a number of important matters. They had found “a most desirable place” for the school and on May 6, 1873, they discussed the location for the buildings. WV 156.9