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

Camp Meetings Again

The program for the Eastern camp meetings was much the same as the six already finished. The reports gave little glimpses of joyous and sometimes awkward situations, and of course, of triumph as God blessed in the work. The late-summer meetings opened in Ohio at Norwalk. James White's older brother John, a Methodist minister, resided in Ohio, and they managed to get in a little visit en route. 3BIO 44.1

On Sunday the morning was cold and rainy, but before noon the clouds had dispersed, and fair weather smiled upon the encampment. In the afternoon, by actual count, 551 teams came through the gate of the campground, averaging four persons to each team. These, with the Sabbathkeepers upon the ground, made a congregation of 2,500 to whom Brother White spoke with great liberty on the reasons of our faith and hope.—Ibid., August 1, 1876 3BIO 44.2

Ellen White gave one evening discourse, but she was confined much of the time to their tent, and for two days to her bed. “Your father and mother are worked down,” she wrote to Willie. 3BIO 44.3

We work hard. Your father does the work of three men at all these meetings. I never saw a man work so energetically, so constantly, as your father. God does give him more than mortal energy. If there is any place that is hard, your father takes it. We pray God that we may have strength to do the work necessary to be done in these special occasions.—Letter 39, 1876. 3BIO 44.4

The thought of advancing age and waning strength appalled both of them. “We see a very great work to be done in the world and we cannot endure the thought of failing in physical strength now,” wrote Ellen White in another letter to their children in the West. She continued: 3BIO 44.5

I look all over the field and I see none who could fill your father's place. His head to plan and his life of experience to balance the inexperienced is very essential. God has a work for us to do and we need the help, the encouragement, and confidence of our people to do this work.—Letter 41, 1876. 3BIO 44.6