Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891 (vol. 3)

Return to Battle Creek (1880)

For several weeks Ellen White labored in northern California, speaking several times in the tent in Chico. In her mind she debated as to whether she should remain in California or return East to attend the later camp meetings. Then she received a letter from James written July 21: 3BIO 142.5

My dear wife, the enclosed is a sample of the appeals that are coming to me for you to attend our camp meeting. Such appeals are coming to me from Maine to Dakota, and from Michigan to Kentucky. I have nothing to say, only that it seems to me that our testimony was never needed so much in the wide field as at the present time. 3BIO 142.6

From Oakland she responded by telegram that she expected to be in Battle Creek August 4. That would be on a Wednesday (The Review and Herald, July 29, 1880). 3BIO 142.7

With Lucinda Hall she took the train for the trip east on Monday, July 26. Traveling by “slow train”—it cost less—they were nine days on the way, arriving Wednesday noon (The Signs of the Times, August 26, 1880). Then at eight o'clock she, with her husband, caught the train for a two-hour trip to Jackson. They spent the night at the Palmer home and the next morning were on the train for Alma in central Michigan, arriving just before dark. Both immediately entered into the usual arduous camp meeting labor, Ellen White speaking the night they arrived. 3BIO 143.1