Ellen G. White and Her Critics

2. How Influential Was Bates?

Now, according to the charge, James and Ellen White accepted Bates’s view. That Bates was one of the influential figures in the Millerite movement, having spent all of a substantial fortune in the promotion of the Advent doctrine, under Miller, is quite true. That James and Ellen White were “penniless, absolutely poor,” is also true. But the bold declaration that the Whites greatly needed the influence that Bates could give them, and therefore gladly accepted his seven-year time theory, is pure assumption and contrary to the facts. EGWC 254.4

By a casual reference to Bates’s influence in the late Millerite movement, and to his expenditure of his fortune upon it, the reader is permitted to conclude that Bates probably still had both money and influence after 1844. This conclusion makes plausible the assumption that the Whites were beholden to him. But what are the facts? Bates was influential in the movement up to October 22, 1844, but not afterward, and for the very reason that he accepted and began to promote the same theological views that were soon to distinguish the Sabbathkeeping group of Adventists. EGWC 255.1

And what of Bates’s finances? James White first met him “in the year 1846.”^* It was in that year that Bates sat down to write his first pamphlet. He had no more than begun to write when his wife asked him to buy her some flour. She did not know that he had to his name only a York shilling, worth twelve and a half cents. When he returned from the store with the little package of flour she was amazed. In former years he had always purchased supplies on a large scale. When he confessed he was penniless she burst into tears. ^† EGWC 255.2

The record is also clear that in those earliest days certain money was subscribed to pay for Bates’s traveling as a preacher. And who gathered up the money and gave it to Bates? None other than James White! More than one of his early letters refers to Bates’s poverty. For illustration: James White, writing from Port Gibson, New York, August 26, 1848, to “My dear Brother and Sister Hastings,” tells of meeting Bates at a New York City wharf, en route to a meeting. EGWC 255.3

“We were very glad to see the old pilgrim once more. He had been able to leave things comfortable at home, and had two dollars in his pocket. Bro. Chamberlain from Ct. had two for him from Sister Hurlbut, I had one from you, and 50 cents from another sister, in all made $5.50 which brought him to the meeting.”—Letter, dated August 26, 1848. EGWC 255.4