Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

Back in the East for the Camp meetings

Soon after arriving in Battle Creek, to attend camp meetings, James White declared his general plan for working: 2BIO 470.5

We hope to be able to attend all the camp meetings the coming season with Mrs. White. We shall come to our brethren, not to do the work, but to help them do it in the name and strength of the Lord. We have neither strength nor disposition to labor as we have done. It is important to be in season. We have many suggestions to make, and we think it important at this early date to call the attention of the preachers of the several conferences to the fact that if duty calls them from important labor to the camp meeting, it calls them to labor at these meetings and not depend on those from abroad to do all the work.—The Review and Herald, April 8, 1875. 2BIO 470.6

Two weeks later, in a back-page Review note concerning their labors, he related their plans and made a significant comment: 2BIO 471.1

We are anxious to meet with our people in the several conferences, if but for a few days at each camp meeting.... Our object at all these meetings shall be to preach the word faithfully, pray with and for the brethren, counsel with them as to the best means to advance the cause, and labor generally for love and union to continue with the Lord's people. 2BIO 471.2

We are very grateful that we were not suffered to be pressed into the leadership delusion, on the one hand, nor left to lose our interest in the cause on the other. We are anxious to help all who need help. We have never claimed higher honors than to be a servant of the church, and to counsel with our brethren.—Ibid., April 22, 1875 2BIO 471.3

After spending much of May in Battle Creek, James and Ellen White started out to attend the first camp meeting of the season, in Newton, Iowa. Those who met them here and there reported that they were enjoying good health. Joseph Clarke at Bowling Green, Ohio, where they stopped en route to Iowa, declared: 2BIO 471.4

Brother White has improved greatly in bodily and mental health within the past year. He says he has increased his weight twenty-five pounds by the practice of continued cheerfulness and courage in God, and by ignoring Satan's dark schemes to dishearten and discourage him.—Ibid., June 10, 1875 2BIO 471.5