Ellen G. White: The Early Years: 1827-1862 (vol. 1)

Experience of Heman Churchill (July, 1850)

The Advent Review, volume 1, number 1, published in August, 1850, at Auburn, New York, carries a report from James White entitled “Our Tour East.” Meetings were held at Johnson, Vermont, on July 6 and 7, with “quite a number of scattered brethren and sisters present” (AR, August, 1850). 1BIO 264.4

We left the brethren in that vicinity, strong in the “commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” One brother, who had not been in the Advent, and had made no public profession of religion until 1845, came out clear and strong on the whole truth. He had never opposed the Advent, and it is evident that the Lord had been leading him, though his experience had not been just like ours. Such, who come into the truth at the eleventh hour, may expect great trials.— Ibid. 1BIO 264.5

George I. Butler remembered the meeting and identified the man as Heman Churchill, of Stowe, Vermont, a man whose name appears often in reports of the progress of the cause. Butler writes: 1BIO 264.6

His was one of the very first cases of conversion from the world to the present truth, which occurred after 1844.... I remember him well as he came to Waterbury, Vermont, and attended meeting in my father's house, where a few met from time to time. They were quite surprised at first that one who had been an unbeliever should manifest an interest in the Advent doctrine. He was not repulsed but welcomed. He was earnest and zealous, and as they discerned in him sincerity, they accepted him as a true convert.—The Review and Herald, April 7, 1885. 1BIO 264.7