ADVENTIST  
HERITAGE  
Book IV  

Adventist  
EDUCATION  

A Past - A Future


TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Table of Contents  
Rationale  
Four Year Plan  
Suggestions for Use  
Frank Belden  
Marian Davis  
George King  
Anna Knight  
Kate Lindsay  
Sarah Lindsey 
Sara McEnterfer  
Percy T. Magan  
Edson White  
Ellen White  
William W. White  
John Tay  
Memorable Dates  
Resources  
Bibliography


ADVENTIST HERITAGE  
BOOK IV  
Rationale  
Why study history? Why not  just concern ourselves with the present  
and the future? A wise man has said that if we do not learn from  
the mistakes of the past then we are doomed to repeat them. One  
wise and inspired woman said, "We have nothing to fear for the  
future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and  
His teaching in our past history." 9T 10 If the study of history  
is important then the study of Seventh-day Adventist History is  
vital.  
The Seventh-day Adventist movement has a rich heritage in which 
evidence of God's providence and blessings abound. Our pioneers  
had a vision and a sense of urgency to pronounce the life giving 
message of Jesus' soon return. In studying the early days of the  
Adventist movement, we catch a glimpse of both the humanity and  
the humor of our foreparents. By taking a vicarious look at the  
trials, triumphs, and tragedies of our pioneers, we begin to 
understand them better. We have also been told that in the last  
days the "children's voices will be raised up to give the message 
of warning to a perishing world. When heavenly intelligences see  
that men are no longer permitted to present the truth, the Spirit  
of God will come upon the children, and they will do a work in  
the proclamation of the truth which the older workers cannot do,  
because their way will be hedged up." 6T 203 
The purpose of this committee was to put together a four-year cycle  
of materials that would inform new believers and re-acquaint all  
others of our rich heritage. These materials are to be used  
during the Adventist Heritage Week. It is the committee's hope  
and prayer that this will spark an interest in further examination  
of our historical significance.  
The study of our heritage will enable our children to recapture  
the vision and regain the lost fervor which will empower them, 
through the Holy Spirit, to deliver God's final message.  
It was the intention of this committee to find a representative  
sampling of highlights from our Adventist past and put them into  
an organized and useful format.  
In this packet you will find pictures, stories, biographies, and  
some study sheets on the pioneers to be studied in the third year  
of the four-year  cycle. Some stories are repeated, but since this  
is for grades 1-8 it was felt that teachers could select those  
segments they felt most comfortable using.  
Adventist Heritage Committee  
Lake Union Conference  
Office of Education  
1993


ADVENTIST HERITAGE WEEK  
Four-Year Plan  
First Year Beginning to 1844 (Disappointment)  
Second Year 1844 to 1855 (Move to Battle Creek)  
Third Year 1855  to 1881 (Death of James White)  
Fourth Year 1881 to 1915 (Death of Ellen White)  
1995 Heritage Week  
Third Year  
Characters: John N. Andrews  
Goodloe Bell  
Sydney Brownsberger 
George Butler 
Steven N. Haskell  
John H. Kellogg  
Will K. Kellogg 
Annie Smith  
Uriah Smith  
Sojourner of Truth  
Ellen White  
James White  
iii


SUGGESTIONS FOR USE  
This notebook contains material of early Adventist History. There  
is much more material than can be used during the Adventist  
Heritage Week. Teachers, therefore, can be selective, or many  
teachers choose to use the materials over a longer period of time.  
For example, materials can continue to be used at worship periods,  
church presentations, and other special programs.  
iv


FRANK BELDON  
Frank Beldon 
BORN: March 21, 1858 Battle Creek, MI 
DIED: December 22,1945 Cleveland, OH 
FAMILY:  
Father: Stephen Beldon  
Mother: Sarah Harmon Beldon (Ellen White s older sister)  
Frank and Edson White married sisters.  
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  
Frank and his wife were accomplished musicians. He wrote hundreds of songs, 
several of which are in the SDA Hymnal  
1


Frank Belden, Part 1  
AUNT ELLEN WRITES A LETTER  
Frank Belden's favorite relative was his Aunt Ellen White. Of  
course there was his Uncle James White—but he didn't like him quite so  
much. Uncle James wasn't too well, and Frank's careless ways annoyed  
his uncle a great deal. Uncle James had serious doubts that his young  
nephew would ever amount to anything at all. Aunt Ellen said James was  
just too hard on the boy, and that they must be patient with her 
sister's son. He had gone through a great tragedy when he was very  
young.  
Frank's mother, Sarah Belden, was Ellen's older sister. After  
Ellen's first vision, she was invited by different churches to share  
what she had seen. Sarah was chosen to travel with Ellen. For after  
all, Ellen was only 17 at the time and couldn't go alone.  
Eventually both girls married. But Sarah and Ellen wanted to stay  
close together. So when Ellen and James rented a big house in New York  
and set up a print shop, Ellen invited Sarah and her husband to come  
help them with the work. They came. And the four young people enjoyed  
working together as they printed the first editions of the magazine 
which is known today as the Adventist Review.  
Later on, Ellen and James moved with their children to Battle  
Creek. It wasn't long before Sarah and her family followed. It was  
there that Frank was born.  
Sarah's five children and Ellen's three had great times together.  
Frank looked up to his cousin Edson, who was nine years older. Edson  
taught him to throw a ball and rake leaves. Aunt Ellen was surprised at  
2


how well Frank worked in the yard. When he was only eight, she wrote in  
a letter that, "Frankie and his brother are great workers." How proud  
Frank felt about that compliment.  
Then calamity struck. When Frank was only 10, his mother died.  
This left Mr. Belden with five children to raise on his own. What could  
he do? He decided to ask Aunt Ellen for help, and she agreed to help in  
any way she could. After finding a house closer to the White family, he  
moved. Ellen was true to her word and she treated the Belden children  
like her own. She even wrote them letters when she had to travel.  
As Frank grew, he seemed to have a natural talent for music. He  
enrolled at Battle Creek College and took a course in how to write  
music. After that, he wrote so many songs that people soon began asking  
him to write special ones for programs and even weddings. He hardly had  
time to work at his printing job at the Review and Herald. Not bad for  
a 16-year-old boy! But his popularity soon went to his head, and he  
started feeling quite proud of his musical accomplishments.  
This worried Aunt Ellen. In his eagerness to become popular, Frank  
began forgetting some of the important things his mother had taught him.  
He became careless about keeping Sabbath. And soon he stopped going to  
church at all.  
One day God gave Aunt Ellen a vision about Frank. An angel showed  
her that Frank was living without Jesus as his friend. And unless he  
changed, he would miss out on heaven.  
The next morning, Aunt Ellen sat down  and wrote Frank a letter,  
urging him to come back to Jesus. Even though she pointed out what he 
was doing wrong, Aunt Ellen wanted to assure Frank of her love. So she  
3


had a seamstress make a brand new pair of pants for him that were just  
his size.  
By the time Frank was 19, he had moved to California. It seemed  
that the more his musical career grew, the farther he went from God.  
Aunt Ellen felt something needed to be done. So she sat down and wrote  
to Frank. Her letter was very long—more than 8 pages. In simple  
language, here is what she said:  
December 7, 1877  
Dear Frank,  
I love you but have been  too busy to write for awhile. I write you  
now, hoping that my letter can reach your heart, although I'm afraid it  
won't. You were raised by a God-fearing mother, but now you're acting  
as if God doesn't exist. You have become proud and stubborn. But it's  
not too late for you to change your course. I don't want to argue with  
you. You know what's right. Why do you do what's wrong?  
You like people to think you are generous. When anyone asks for  
money you give him more than he asked for. You want everyone to think  
you have lots of money. But still you owe debts to others. Don't try  
to look important by giving away more than you can afford. Instead, 
give yourself to God, your Creator.  
Step outside at night, Frank. Look at the stars. They are only a  
tiny piece of the glory of God. Look at the things God made. They will  
bring you closer to Him.  
Fight temptation. Every time you break God's law, it hurts your  
mind and body. God may forgive you, but the damage you have done to  
yourself will never entirely go away. If only you could see the big war  
between Christ and Satan, I'm sure you would want to be on God's side.  
If you don't serve God, you are serving Satan.  
Think about what I've said, dear nephew. Think seriously. If you  
do, what I've written here will help you have a better life.  
Your loving,  
Aunt Ellen  
Frank read the letter. Aunt Ellen had had a vision about him! The  
angel was right. Frank was doing wrong, but he really had no desire to 
change. God's commandments weren't important to him. He was too busy  
having fun. He put Aunt Ellen's letter away and tried to forget it.  
4


Frank Belden Worksheet, Part 1  
Which best expresses Ellen White's reason for writing to her  
nephew?  
a. He needed to know he was a sinner.  
b. She had a vision about the direction of his life.  
c. God told her to write the letter.  
d. She cared about her nephew.  
e. She didn't want a member of the family to embarrass  
her.  
Why did Ellen White advise Frank to establish a savings  
account?  
Examine the index to Child Guidance for some instruction about  
thrift and economy.  
Does a Christian's failure to pay debts damage God's reputation?  
Have the students spend some time looking at the stars. Then have  
them complete this sentence: When I look at the stars . . .


Frank Belden, Part 2  
S0M6S FROM THE HEART  
Aunt Ellen was worried. Her letter to Frank had made no  
difference. He was still not going to church and still not a Christian.  
What could she do? This was the son of her dear sister Sarah. For her  
sake, she had to try again. Maybe a heart-to-heart talk would help.  
So Aunt Ellen came in person to see her nephew. Taking him to a  
room where they could be alone, she began telling him of the terrible  
vision she had had. She begged him to change his ways before it was too  
late. She cried and pleaded, just as his own mother would have done.  
At last Frank's heart was touched.  
"I'll keep Sabbath, Aunt Ellen. I do want to follow Jesus. But  
it's no use. I just can't be good. I've tried."  
"Yes, you can," she answered earnestly. "With Jesus' help you can  
break Satan's hold on you. Please try."  
Frank went back to work, but Aunt Ellen's words kept ringing in his  
head. "Jesus will help you. Don't wait until it's too late. Give your  
heart to Jesus." Finally he could stand it no longer. He left his job  
and his friends and moved to Colorado to start all over.  
He began to use his talents for the Lord again. He took a job  
leading the singing at a campmeeting. While there, he caught the  
attention of a tent preacher who asked for Frank's help. As he worked  
at the meetings, the messages drew him  closer to God. He became happier  
and was overjoyed when God brought a lovely young girl into his life.  
Frank loved Hattie right from the start. It seemed that he could  
not go on living without her. Before long they were married, and Hattie  
6


proved to be the perfect wife for Frank. She was musical, too, and sang 
beautifully. Together they sang heart-touching duets. At tent  
meetings, the two would sit together in the back and listen to the  
preacher's opening text. For about ten minutes they would listen,  
finding out the subject of the sermon. Then Frank would begin writing—  
sometimes on the back of an envelope or an old program. The words fit  
right in with the sermon. Then he would think up a tune. Hattie and  
Frank would slip outside the tent. While Frank hummed the new tune,  
Hattie would memorize it and practice the words. Next they would try it  
softly together. At the end of the sermon, Hattie and Frank Belden came  
up front and sang the new song that had been written during the sermon. 
How surprised the audience was. And Frank and Hattie felt good, for  
they were working together with God to win souls for the kingdom.  
When the work  in Colorado finished, Frank moved back to Battle  
Creek. He wrote Aunt Ellen right away, telling her that he and Hattie  
had found a furnished apartment. He was doing printing at the Review  
again and making $12 a week.  
"Of that $12," he wrote, "I'm sending $4 each week to Cousin Edson  
(Ellen's son) who loaned me $70 while I was in Colorado. And thank you  
for the money you loaned me. I'll get it to you as soon as I can."  
Ellen was so happy to hear that her nephew was on the right track  
again, writing hymns and working for the Lord at the print shop.  
In 1886 the Review published a hymn book that Frank helped edit.  
It was called "Hymns and Tunes," and in it were many of Frank's own  
songs. A popular one was "Look for the Waymarks," (page 596 of the SDA  
Hymnal). The song urged everyone to watch for signs of Christ's coming.  
7


Another was "There's No Other Name Like Jesus" (page 253). The songs  
quickly spread from church to church across America, and many were 
blessed by the words in Frank's hymns.  
Frank wrote hundreds of songs. You can find 22 of his songs in the  
Church Hymnal and 12 of them in the SDA Hymnal. If you look in Church  
Hymnal (page 642) or the SDA Hymnal (page 810), you will see a list of  
the page numbers of Frank Belden's songs.  
Aunt Ellen loved Frank's songs. She enjoyed singing them herself.  
She knew from the words that Jesus lived in Frank's heart. How glad she  
was that she'd taken the time to write and talk to her nephew, even when  
her efforts seemed useless.  
Meanwhile, at the Review, Frank was given many small jobs. Each  
one was done to the best of his ability. Soon they gave him bigger  
jobs. Before long he was the superintendent for the whole press.  
In 1889 Mrs. White visited Battle Creek.  
"You must come to dinner," Frank urged her. "I want you to see  
what a good cook Hattie is. And I want our little Linnie to get to know  
you better."  
"I'd love to come, Frank. How about tomorrow night?"  
At the Belden's home the next day there was a great deal of  
scurrying around. Frank and Hattie wanted the house spic and span for 
company. Hattie cooked her best meal, and Aunt Ellen enjoyed every  
bite. Linnie, now 7 years old, watched her Great Aunt Ellen shyly.  
After Linnie left the table to play, Aunt Ellen smiled as she watched  
her go out the door.  
"What a dear little girl you have."  
8


Then she turned toward Frank and Hattie and asked, "Are you  
training Linnie to be a good, obedient child? You have a very solemn 
responsibility. Teach her to love God and take her to Sabbath school. 
Don't let her develop selfish habits or tell lies. You are training her  
for heaven, you know."  
Hattie and Frank listened carefully. Aunt Ellen always gave good  
advice. Child training was important.  
As Aunt Ellen left, Frank gave her a big hug. She'd been so good  
to him that she seemed like his real mother, and he loved her very much.  
Going back into the house, he picked Linnie up and tossed her into  
the air.  
"We've got to raise you right, young lady," he declared, "or Aunt  
Ellen will have to straighten you out. She's a good auntie. She  
straightened me out. There's no one quite like her."  
References: Document File White Estate  
Belden letters 
B-41—1977  
F. E. Belden letter to E. G. White, January 1, 1882  
Linnie Belden Letter to Arthur White, November 13,  
1961  
Card file—Frank & Sarah Belden  
SDA Hymnal  
Church Hymnal  
9


Frank Belden Worksheet, Part 2  
1. If Frank paid Edson the $70 he borrowed at $4 a week, how many  
weeks would it take to pay it all back? How many months?  
2 What do you think Frank's first response to Aunt Ellen's letter  
seemed to be—No, Wait, or Thank you?  
3. Read Luke 18:2-5 for a story about a woman who was told No many  
times. How is her request different from the one Ellen White  
presented to Frank?  
4. Find the list of composers at the back of your  church hymnal.  
Look for hymns contributed by Frank Belden. Which of them do you  
already know?  
5. Select a hymn composed by Belden. On what sermon  topic might  
Belden have composed this song?  
6. At the top of each hymn you will find names. The one on the  
right is the person who wrote the words of the hymn. The name on 
the left tells who wrote the  music. Notice that for some hymns  
Frank wrote just the music—for others he wrote both words and  
music.  
10


Marian Davis  
MARIAN, THE LIVE COMPUTER  
Marian Davis was born in Maine. In 1849, when she was only three  
years old, her father along with thousands of men set out for  
California in search of gold. But he, like most everyone else struck  
with "Gold Fever," returned empty handed.  
But while her husband was away, Marian's mother did find treasure.  
She discovered the Bible and its precious truths, and she was baptized  
by Elder Joseph Bates into the Seventh-day Adventist church. When her  
husband returned, he learned the Bible truth from his wife and joined  
the church, too. So it was that Marian grew up in an Adventist home.  
When she was 21, Marian's family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan.  
She was so excited to find a college, a hospital, and the Review and  
Herald Publishing House all in one area. Marian also became acquainted  
with Elder and Mrs. White.  
After attending classes for a while, Marian accepted a job teaching  
in a small country school. Although teaching is difficult now, it was  
much more demanding then. A teacher had to clean her own classroom,  
keep the wood stove burning all day, and manage all eight grades in the  
same room at the same time. Trying to do all of this, Marian became  
tired and sick and finally returned to Battle Creek to recover.  
Reluctant to return to the classroom, Marian took a job at the  
Review and Herald press where she became even better acquainted with  
Elder and Mrs. White. Elder White was there most of the time writing 
articles for the Review and supervising the print shop. Mrs. White came  
in and out, checking on her books as they went to press. While Marian  
11


watched the Whites, they were also watching her and noting what a  
careful, cheerful worker she was.  
One day Mrs. White called Marian to her home.  
"Marian," she began, "you've done such a good job at the Review and  
I think you're just the one I need to help me. I need someone to travel  
with me, keep my notes together, copy my writings, and edit them for me.  
You've had a good education and I think you could do it. You know, I  
only had three grades of schooling because of my accident, and while the  
Lord gives me messages to write, he doesn't tell me exactly what words  
to use. He just gives me the general idea and I'm supposed to write it  
out. I'm not as good at grammar as you are, Marian, and my words don't  
always go together smoothly. Would you be willing to come and help me?"  
Marian's eyes glowed with excitement. To work with Mrs. White, to  
travel with her, to be one of the first to read God's latest messages to  
the church—that would be great! Marian agreed at once, little knowing  
that she had chosen her job for the next 25 years!  
After Elder White died, Marian traveled with Mrs. White to Europe,  
California, Australia, and back to America. Mrs. White wrote that  
Marian was "the best help I could have and is appreciated highly by me." 
What did Marian do that made her such a help?  
Well, every day when Mrs. White had written as much as she could,  
she gave the manuscript to Marian. Marian would recopy it neatly,  
correcting any mistakes. This was before computers. Then her computer  
mind spun into action. If the story was about the Lost Sheep, Marian  
would think back through all the things she had copied. Had Mrs. White  
written anything else about that parable that might also fit here? In  
12


a letter? In a sermon? In a magazine article? Marian's memory was  
fantastic. Her mind would whir around and Presto! There was more  
material on the Lost Sheep story.  
Then Marian would head for her Fabulous File. Every article, every  
diary entry, every letter, every sermon, Marian pasted into a big  
scrapbook. When one filled she began another. Thirty large scrapbooks 
she had, and it was from these that she dug out additional information  
on whatever subject she was copying.  
Putting together The Desire of Ages, Jesus' life story, kept Marian  
busy for a long time. When Mrs. White began writing about Jesus' birth,  
Marian hunted up every scrap of writing her employer had ever done on  
that subject and brought all the bits together, arranged events in the  
order in which they happened, and divided them into paragraphs and 
chapters. She was better than a computer when she asked, "Do you think  
this parable of the man who found hidden treasure in his field and the  
story about the merchant hunting pearls both mean the same thing, Mrs.  
White? Isn't there a difference between the man who was really hunting  
and the one who just stumbled onto the treasure? Could we bring this  
out more clearly?"  
Mrs. White appreciated and considered all of the suggestions,  
sometimes changing what she had previously written, making the message  
clearer. But other times she didn't, especially if Marian had suggested 
she write on a topic the Lord hadn't told her anything about.  
"I have no instruction on this point, Marian," she would say.  
Then Marian understood, and left the writing just as it was, for  
neither of these women wanted anything but God's own messages to be  
13


included in the inspired books.  
One thing Marian was very careful about. Never did she add her own  
ideas into Mrs. White's writings. Every time she finished an article  
she handed it back to Mrs. White for checking and approval.  
Mrs. White wrote, "The books are not Marian's but my own, gathered  
from all my writings. Marian's ability to arrange the matter is of  
great value to me. It saves my poring over a mass of matter which I  
have not time to do." (61a, 1900).  
So, like a computer, Marian remembered, arranged, and filed  
information for Mrs. White. When she had  finished The Desire of Ages  
Marian noticed that there were many of Christ's parables which  they  
couldn't squeeze into that book, so she suggested that they put them all  
together and make another book—Christ's Object Lessons. And that's  
what they did. Marian helped write Steps to Christ, Education,  the  
Ministry of Healing, and many other books.  
In 1903 Marian made an evening visit to the Chabot observatory in  
Oakland, California, to see the stars through a big telescope. Mrs.  
White's descriptions of outer space fascinated her, and she wanted to  
see as much of it as she could. In the cool night air she took cold and  
in a few days became so sick she had to be taken to the hospital. Mrs.  
White hurried from Washington, D. C., back to California to be with her. 
When Marian died a few weeks later, Mrs. White wrote sadly, "I shall 
miss her so much. Who will fill her place?" (Ms 146, 1904).  
Marian's father hunted for gold and didn't find it. Marian found  
gems of truth in Ellen's writings, and because of her work, we, too, can 
read Ellen's books and collect some of the treasure for ourselves.  
14


Marian Davis Worksheet  
Practice writing your name or a sentence as fast as you can. Now 
race with a person typing to see how your writing speed compares  
with typing speed. Imagine how long it took to write Ellen Whitens  
books by hand. (Copy a short page, keeping record of the time it 
takes. Compute how long it would take just to copy the entire  
book.)  
Marian has been called a computer in our story because she  
a. taught school  
b. traveled so many places with Ellen White  
c. had a good memory and a marvelous filing system  
d. copied Ellen White's stories  
Marian's work with Ellen White's books was concerned with  
a. making Mrs. White's ideas clearer  
b. adding Marian's own ideas  
c. finding previous writing Mrs. White had done on a  subject or  
incident  
Look at the books Marian helped Mrs. White put together: The  
Desire of Ages, Christ's Object Lessons, Steps to Christ,  
Education, and Ministry of Healing. What is the main subject of  
each?  
15


MARIAN the LIVE COMPUTER  
Directions: Fill in the missing words.  
1. Marian  was born in  
14 5  
2. Marian's father searched for gold in  1 5  
3. Marian went to college in —  9 10  
4. Marian had grades in her classroom when she  
taught. 12 4  
5. Marian worked for Mrs. White for  ! 16  11  
years .  
6. Marian pasted everything into a large _  6  
7. Marian's thirty scrapbooks were called the  
19 3 1  
8. Marian with, edited and copied  
17 13 2  
for Mrs. White.  
Directions: Place the letter above each number in its proper  
place to finish this sentence about Marian.  
Mrs. White writes that Marian was "  8 4 1 9 13 8  
"4 ~ T3 ~6 ~~5 10 18 19-3" ~4 ~~7 "17 _1 7 16 2  
5 ~3 ~~7 6 ~~6 T~5 T TO 5 ~i 8 1" 2 ~~4 ~ T2 ~4 13 11  
9 TT "14 — *  
16  

18


MARIAN the LIVE COMPUTER  
Directions: Fill in the missing words.  
1. Marian was born in M_ A_ X_ 6  
14 5  
2. Marian's father searched for gold in CL A_l_ i^ l  
15  
3. Marian went to college in Jg A T T jL Ci  / li(.  
9 10  
4. Marian had /T ^T grades in her classroom when she  
taught. 12 4  
5. Marian worked for Mrs. White for _r w y r - 
8 16 11  

^ I  V  f:  years.  
6. Marian pasted everything into a large C_ H A p B o O  
6 18  
7. Marian's thirty scrapbooks  were called the  
^ A t IjL 0.4S. ti- 19 3 1  
8. Marian T A ^ SL with, edited and copied  
17 13 2  
for Mrs. White.  
Directions: Place the letter above each number in its proper  
place to finish this sentence about Marian.  
Mrs. White writes that Marian was " X it E 8 £_ S_ T  
8 4 1 9 13 8  
H_ JL P_ jr c Ol i £ AL v A V _D  
4 1 13 6 5 10 18 19 13 2 4 7 17 1 7 16 2  
X 5 A f- E. & A. C X A T £_ & it X tL L. X  
53 76615110578 12 4 5 1241311  
S_ /vv £  
9 11 14 1  
17


GEORGE  KING  
GEORGE ALBERT KING  
Birth: 1847 
Death: 1906 
Fa mi ly :  
Accomplishments: Developer of the plan for  
subscription sales of church 
books, launcher of the  
colport euri ng work, canvasser in


George King was the first church colporteur  
who devised the method of subscription sales of  
Seventh-day Adventist books.  
He was a Canadian who travelled south to the  
United States to seek his fortune. Whilst residing  
in the United States he became a Seventh-day  
Adventist. He was discouraged from becoming a 
minister by James White. So he took up canvassing  
at the suggestion of a friend.  
He colporteured in Canada, the U.S.A., British  
Guiana, and finally New York City. He worked in  
New York City for 19 years.  
He is remembered as an enthusiastic man. He  
trained and recruited many canvassers, thereby  
helping to spread the message in a greater way.  
Neufeld,  Don  Fred.  Severn  h-dny  Advent  1st  Encyclopedia.  
Washington,  D.  C.  :  Review  and  herald  Publishing  Association,  
1966.  
ATLANTIC UNION CONFERENCE


Anna Knight  
MISSISSIPPI GIRL  
Anna was born into slavery and took the name "Knight" from the  
White slave owner who bought the family and took them to Mississippi.  
One of Mr. Knight's sons didn't believe in slavery. So when the slaves  
were freed, the son took Anna's family to another part of Mississippi  
where he helped them buy land of their own.  
Life was hard in those days and even harder for Anna and her family  
because blacks weren't taught to read or write. So on Sundays Anna  
would play with some white neighbor  children. By listening to them read  
and spell, she soon learned the basic skills. Having no paper or  
pencil, she practiced her writing by scratching the earth with a stick.  
Even though she had never been in a classroom, by the time  she was a  
teenager she was knowledgeable in all areas of study.  
Anna wrote to a New England newspaper requesting that reading  
materials be sent to her. A reader of the newspaper saw the article and  
sent her the Signs of the Times. After  reading the magazines she was  
converted to the Seventh-day Adventist faith. On accepting this faith,  
she ran into much oppression and had to leave home.  
Through the help of a conference worker in Tennessee, Anna was able  
to attend Mount Vernon Academy in 1894.  Four years later she graduated  
from Battle Creek College as a missionary nurse and returned to her home  
state to operate a self-supporting school for black children in Jasper  
County.  
At the 1901 General Conference session Anna volunteered to serve in  
India and went to Calcutta for six years. After  hard work and extensive  
20


travel she was given a two year furlough to return to Mississippi to  
rebuild the educational work for black children.  
In 1909 Anna was called as a Bible instructor to the Southwest  
Union. Later she became the supervisor of the black conference  
elementary schools. She wrote about her life in the book Mississippi  
Girl.  
Anna Knight died at Riverside Sanitarium in 1972 at the age of 98  
and is buried in the Knight family plot in Mississippi.  
References: Mississippi Girl by Anna Knight  
SDA Commentary Dictionary  
21


Buttle Creek, Mich.  
Kate Lindsay  
Birth: 1842 Madison, Wisconsin  
Death: 1923  
Family: Father-Thomas Lindsay  
Mother-Catherine Lindsay  
Accomplishments:  
Contributed to the medical work of the Seventh-day Adventist 
Church.  22


Dr. Kate Lindsay  
KATE LINDSAY, WOMAN DOCTOR  
"I know a better way to get a mule to pull." And the speaker, a  
woman, climbed down out of the wagon, waded through the mud of the Khami  
River, in which the vehicle had become stuck fast, and offered the  
stubborn mule a sanitarium biscuit. But the mule was  angry, rather than  
hungry, and the woman moved away but part of her sleeve was left in the  
mule's mouth, and the driver was left to get the wagon out in his own 
way. The woman who had changed the nursing profession in America, who  
had dared to enter medical school, who had graduated with the first  
women who were given degrees from the University of Michigan, quietly  
gave up when it came to moving a balking mule.  
Her parents were Scotch. She was born in a little log cabin on  
September 11, 1842. Kate Lindsay, one of a family with eight children,  
grew up along the banks of Lake Manona in Wisconsin.  
At night the doors of the log houses had to be bolted, for hungry  
coyotes, wolves and panthers, attracted  by the smells coming from  
cabins, threw themselves heavily against the doors hoping to get inside.  
Kate started to school in a crude cabin made of logs. Her school  
desk was made of a log, split in half, with the flat side up. Her slate  
pencil was a stick, long and pointed at the end, and her first slate was  
a level place in front of the schoolhouse where the sand had been  
smoothed over to make a writing surface. To Kate this was a luxury.  
One day she was given a book. In this book she read a story about  
Florence Nightingale. Then and there she decided that she would be a 
nurse.  
23


As Kate grew older she loved reading her Bible and attending  
religious services. She, along with her family, went to the  
Presbyterian church. One day Kate heard a Methodist minister preach.  
She decided that Presbyterians didn't do everything the Bible taught so 
she joined the Methodist church. But later a man with pictures of  
queer-looking animals, some with four heads, and some with wings on  
their backs, came and held a series of meetings.  
Everyone seemed to be against this Adventist preacher. But Kate  
studied her Bible even more and finally decided to join the little  
Adventist church. Later her whole family also joined.  
As the years went by Kate kept in touch with the developments of  
the work that Florence Nightingale had been carrying on during the  
Crimean War. She read about the new movement for the preparation of  
professional nurses. Kate felt that the United States could benefit  
from this new movement.  
Hospitals were still in the pioneer stage in the United States.  
Nurses were not worthy of the name. Hospitals were  known as places  
where people went to die. Also, there was no place in the country where  
a young woman could secure an organized a course of instruction in  
nursing. The doctors used pills and mixtures to cure their patients.  
The use of natural remedies, such as fresh air, sunlight, rest, water, 
and diet were given little thought by the physicians. In fact, they  
discouraged bathing and the use of water.  
Finally in 1870, when Kate was twenty-eight, she entered the  
University of Michigan as a medical student. This was very unusual  
because up to this time only men were allowed to attend the university.  
24


Kate had the highest grades of any other student in her class.  
After graduation, Dr. Kate began teaching at some of the early  
nursing schools. She also tried to teach the sick and their families  
about proper health habits and foods that could help them stay healthy.  
In 1891 the first medical missionaries were sent to South Africa.  
Dr. Lindsay joined the group just four years later. In Cape Town the  
medical men soon learned that Dr. Lindsay had something to offer, and  
she was often called to  give her advice in critical cases by some of the  
best doctors in that city.  
Dr. Lindsay's foreign mission service was short, but it did give  
her an opportunity to see the needs of the mission workers. Her  
suggestions helped the General Conference make improvements in the  
working and living conditions of the missionaries around the world.  
When she returned to the United States in 1899, at the age of 57,  
she worked at the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium. There she taught in the  
school of nursing.  
During her last days, Dr. Kate was quite feeble from arthritis and  
the general weakness of old age, but her mind was clear on most  
subjects, and she enjoyed talking about her favorite subject, nursing.  
On March 30, 192 3, she went quietly to sleep. Because of Kate  
Lindsay, an organization of consecrated and well-trained missionary  
nurses has efficiently done its part to help our suffering world.  
Reference: Pioneer Stories Retold 
25


KATE LINDSAY-WOMAN DOCTOR  
26


KATE LINDSAY-WOMAN DOCTOR  
27


KATE LINDSAY  
Woman Doctor  
Directions: Choose one of the following activities  
1. Compare and contrast what it was like being a doctor in  
the 1800's and being a doctor today. 
Suggestions: medical training  
sanitation  
pay  
working conditions  
2. Keep a diary for one week. Pretend you are Dr. Kate Lindsay  
Where might you go and what might you be thinking.  
Suggestion: go to the ghetto  
3. If you were a lady in Kate's time, how do you think it would  
have felt to be a lady doctor?  
4. If you were a man in Kate's time, what would have been your  
opinion of a lady doctor and why?  
28


Sarah Lindsey  
SARAH LINDSEY, LADY MINISTER  
Sarah Hallock was born in Pennsylvania in 183 0 and grew up on an  
secluded farm in the beautiful hills of Northern Pennsylvania. Sarah  
spent her childhood in the quiet valley unaware that far to the north in  
Quebec, Canada, lived a boy named John Lindsey who would someday unite  
his future destiny with hers.  
John Lindsey's early year are not known to us except that he had  
been a Millerite and had gone through the Great Disappointment of 
October 22, 1844. A few years later, Joseph Bates baptized him into the  
Sabbath-keeping Adventist Church.  
Sarah after a "deep conviction of the truth" at the age of 27, was  
baptized after attending the tent meetings during the summer of 1857.  
Sarah later wrote about her baptism: "I feel grateful to my kind,  
loving Savior, that I have a faith and hope that reaches forward to a  
heaven that is, to a God that is, and to a Savior that is, and who is  
about to appear the second time."  
In the 1860's John and Sarah and John were married. And by 18 69  
they had begun a dynamic preaching ministry together. But what they saw 
going on in their church saddened them deeply. A number of church  
members and leaders had turned away from many of the commandments and 
were dishonoring God in the way they were living.  
Sarah couldn't just sit back and watch as homes broke up and  
people's lives were ruined. She decided to help her husband share the  
love of Jesus and how He could change their lives. She began speaking  
in the afternoon at weekend meetings. Her topic was the love and  
29


kindness of God.  
It didn't take long for the New York-Pennsylvania Conference  
leaders to realize that Sarah had been called  by God take an active part  
in the ministry. So at age 39, Sarah A. H. Lindsey became the first  
Seventh-day Adventist woman—among scores of men—to receive a  
ministerial license to preach, hold evangelistic meetings, and lead out  
in business and committee sessions. This rare honor reflected the high  
esteem the church held for her spiritual gifts.  
For the next ten years she and her husband John (who received his  
ministerial license years after she got hers) traveled all over western  
New York and Pennsylvania, preaching, teaching, and giving Bible  
studies. Both John and Sarah loved their work and gave their best to  
the cause.  
One fall the Barnum and Bailey Circus came to town for a number of  
performances. The Lindseys were sure that attendance at their meetings  
would be small. But as it turned out, the Lindsey's audience was larger  
than the one at the circus—especially when Sarah did the preaching!  
When John turned 58, he asked the conference leaders for a job  
change. He wanted to continue his witnessing, but at a slower pace.  
Unfortunately he only lived two more years before dying of cancer.  
Despite the loss of her husband and long-time preaching partner,  
Sarah kept working until she was 65.  
Sarah Lindsey's career as a female preacher was by no means  
uncommon during our early church history. She was just one of a number  
of lady ministers such as Jennie A. Owen, Sarepta Henry, Ellen Lane, and  
Lulu Wightman.  
30


Reference: Information provided by Brian Strayer  
31


Sara McEnterfer, Part 1  
SARA, A JILL OF ALL TRADES  
Sara McEnterfer, the ninth of ten children, grew up in the state of  
Indiana. In her late teens she was attracted to the Adventist message  
by a faithful woman who showed love and kindness to an unconverted  
husband for twenty years before he finally became a Christian.  
Through this woman's influence, Sara attended an Adventist tent  
meeting near her home, and by the time she was 20, she had been  
baptized. 
Since Indiana was not far from Michigan, Sara decided to  
attend Battle Creek's school of nursing. Here she first met Ellen  
White. After James White died, Sara was asked to join Ellen's household  
as her nurse and companion. Sarah felt delighted.  
Sara seemed to be one of those persons who could do almost  
anything, cope with any situation, manage any kind of business. She  
became nurse, companion, traveling guide, secretary, carpenter's helper,  
and household manager. In the years ahead she would spend weeks and  
months helping Mrs. White prepare her books for publication and  
shielding her from too many visitors, board meetings, and bad weather.  
In 1885 Sara, who was responsible for  the luggage, had just gotten  
it off of one train and onto another when she stopped to count 
suitcases.  
"Mother!" she exclaimed, speaking to Mrs. White. "Someone must  
have taken one of our suitcases off the platform when we were changing  
trains! What shall we do? Maybe we should get off at the next station  
and try to find it. Then we can go on tomorrow."  
At that moment their train halted on its way out of the station,  
32


and Sara spied a man on their original train waving the missing suitcase  
out the window. An alert porter sprang from the train, grabbed the  
suitcase, and leaped back on, saving much worry, time and an overnight 
stay. Together they thanked God for helping them find the suitcase so  
quickly.  
After the trip to  Europe, Ellen left Battle Creek and moved to  
Healdsburg, California, near her son Willie's home. She felt she could  
do more writing there than at Battle Creek where the General Conference  
was located. In Battle Creek, she was continually interrupted by people 
who wanted her advice or attendance at committee meetings. In  
Healdsburg, Sara helped Ellen prepare Patriarchs and Prophets and The  
Great Controversy for publication.  
While they were at Healdsburg, Mrs. White and Sara went to Oakland  
for a campmeeting. During the weeks they were there, word came that the  
peaches in the home orchard were ripe and spoiling. Mrs. White hated 
waste of any kind and decided that someone should return home and can  
those peaches. Sara volunteered, although she had never done any  
canning before. Someone explained the process to her, and she went  
home, picked the peaches, peeled them, put them up in dozens of huge  
two-quart jars, and stored the jars in the cellar. Everyone was pleased  
with the lovely harvest.  
About ten days later, terrible smells and noises began coming up  
from the basement. When Mrs. White went down to investigate, she  
discovered that all those jars of peaches had spoiled. The old  
fashioned bottles required rubber rings between the lid and the bottle 
and Sara had forgotten to put them on. Since the bottles were not air- 
tight, bacteria soon ruined all her hard work.  
Now Mrs. White hated waste, and everyone expected that she would  
33


scold Sara soundly for her mistake. Even Sara was holding her breath,  
waiting for the lecture she knew she deserved. Instead, Mrs. White  
smiled and laid a hand on Sara's arm.  
"It's too bad about the peaches," she said softly. "I know you did  
your best. Experience keeps a  hard school, but you never forget her  
lessons." And that was all Mrs. White had to say about the incident.  
Sara's heart went out in gratitude for her understanding, and she loved  
Mrs. White even more after that.  
Sara never would have left Mrs. White, but Sara became ill and had  
to go to the Battle Creek Sanitarium for treatment.  
When Sara felt she had recovered sufficiently, she started working  
at the sanitarium taking care of the mentally ill patients. Ellen's 
daughter-in-law wrote that Sara was caring for the "crazy folks" up at 
the sanitarium. "She is just the one for that business," Emma con-
tinued, "as she is not afraid of anything." (EW letter to EGW Dec. 30,  
1882)  
Three years later Sara received a telegram from Australia that  
would again change the course of her life. It was from her beloved  
Ellen, asking if Sara was now well enough to come to Australia and be  
her nurse again. Ellen had been stricken with the severe arthritis  
which so often plagued her.  
Gladly Sara packed her bags and sailed to Australia where she  
resumed her companionship with her close friend. 
Reference: "Atlantic Union Teacher"  
34


Sara McEnterfer Part 1 Worksheet  
1. Locate these places on a map:  
Battle Creek, Michigan  
Healdsburg, California  
Sweden  
Norway  
Australia  
2. Sara performed these tasks during her lifetime:  
nurse  
companion  
traveling guide  
secretary  
carpenter's helper  
household manager  
colporteur  
a. Which of the tasks have you done?  
b. Which might you do  in the future?  
c. Which sounds most exciting?  
d. Which sounds most helpful?  
3. Ellen White sometimes reprimanded people rather severely. Why do  
you think she was gentle with Sara about the peaches?  
4. Name conditions Sara could have complained about—but didn't.  
35


Sara McEnterfer Part 2  
SARA/ THE FAITHFUL GUARDIAN  
When Sara McEnterfer arrived in Australia, she found much to be  
done. Not only did she take care of Ellen White and help her with her  
writing again, but since there was no doctor within 20 miles of  
Cooranbong, Ellen encouraged her to share her nursing skills with the  
poor people of the community.  
Distraught parents came to ask Sara's help in treating their little  
toddler who had been bitten by a poisonous insect. The boy's knee was 
all infected and swollen, and he had been screaming with pain for a day 
and night before Sara saw him. She knew just what to do, however, and  
soon a soothing poultice encircled the little leg. That night for the 
first time, the baby slept peacefully. In the morning Sara  returned  
with her sterilized nursing instruments and opened the area, releasing  
the pus. The little fellow recovered rapidly, and Sara's fame spread.  
In 1900 Mrs. White, her son Willie and his family, and Sara all  
returned to California. Although Mrs. White still owned a house in  
Healdsburg, it was thought best that she settle close to the St. Helena  
Sanitarium because of her frequent bouts with poor health. So she 
bought a house there and named it "Elmshaven." Willie and his family 
built a place nearby, and the grandchildren were close enough to run 
over and visit grandma occasionally. Sara soon had  the household  
organized.  
Mrs. White dearly loved greens for her noon meal, and even when the  
others didn't have any, Sara would fix a little dish of greens for  
Ellen. Now Sara had one habit that annoyed some other members of the  
family. When she decided something was good for Mrs. White, she did it  
36


no matter what anyone said. She felt this way about the greens. One  
time Ellen White went up to the college to eat dinner, and Sara came  
trotting along behind, carrying a little pan of fresh greens. She  
marched into the school kitchen, heated them, and put the usual dish of  
greens at Mrs. White's place.  
Ellen felt embarrassed. "Oh, Sara," she protested, "I could have  
done without my greens this once."  
Sara shook her head firmly. "No need to, Mother. No need for you  
to be deprived of your greens." And that was that!  
The older Sara got, the more set in her ways she became. Visitors  
sometimes jokingly called her "Mrs. White's watchdog," for when Sara was 
on duty downstairs, no one could go upstairs and disturb Mrs. White  
without her permission. This was good in some ways, for Mrs. White  
could hardly get any writing done  at all if she stopped for every  
interruption that came along.  
Sometimes even Mrs. White rebelled against her stern nurse. One  
morning the whole house buzzed with a secret. A new little calf had  
been born in the night, but everyone was trying to keep it a secret  
until later in the day, for dew lay heavy on the grass  early in the  
morning and if Mrs. White went tromping  through it to see the calf, she  
might be badly chilled.  
Unfortunately, Mrs. White remembered that the cow had been about  
ready to calve and asked if it had been born in the night. The family  
had to admit that it had arrived.  
Right after breakfast she prepared to go out and see the calf, but  
Miss McEnterfer objected.  
"No, no, Mother," she said, "it's altogether too damp and cold for  
you out there this morning. Wait until afternoon."  
37


Mrs. White shook her head. "I'll dress  for it. I'll put on a  
short skirt that won't drag in the grass."  
"But you'll get your feet wet," Sara persisted.  
"I'll put on my boots," Ellen said as she went right ahead getting  
ready to go to the barn while Sara stewed.  
At last Sara give in, and took Ellen's arm to help her out to the  
barn. How happy Mrs. White was over that new calf. She rubbed its nose  
and talked to it. "You'll make a wonderful cow," she assured the calf.  
Then turning to the others she said, "Now bring the horses around where  
I can see them, would you?"  
The handyman had to let the horses out of their stalls so she could  
inspect them, too.  
Finally Sara gave up completely. "Sit down here, Mother," she  
ordered, leading her to a wooden box. "Since you're here, I want to  
show you something else." And with that she went into a corner, brought 
out a bunch of baby chicks, and put them in Mrs. White's lap. Alma  
McKibben, a friend of Ellen's, wrote about the incident later and said,  
"The most beautiful picture I have of Sister White in my memory is her 
sitting there in the sunlight with those little chickens in her lap, so  
happy with them. And I was happy for her because I thought for a little  
while at least, the burden was lifted—the burden of the work of God."  
When Mrs. White finally went back into the house and upstairs to  
her writing room, Sara heaved a sigh of relief and began bustling round 
with the normal routine. But the interruptions weren't over yet. That  
afternoon a messenger came from the sanitarium inviting Mrs. White and 
her family to join them the next day at a Fourth of July picnic on the  
playground.  
"Oh yes," she said to Sara. "Let's go. I love picnics!"  
38


But Sara was firm. Ellen had to leave for the East Coast in two  
days, and she was neither young nor well. Sara was worried as to how  
her patient would take the long, hard trip.  
"No, Mother, you'd better not go, for if you get worn out you'll be  
too tired to take the trip east. That's a hard trip, you know."  
Mrs. White sighed. "But you could take my big chair up to the  
playground," she suggested, "and take a lap rug to wrap around my feet. 
Then I'd rest and be warm and could still watch the children play."  
"But Mother, it would be such an exertion for you to go!" Sara  
insisted.  
"Oh, I don't think so. I think it would rest me just to see  the  
people. I would just love to go and spend the afternoon with the  
people."  
This time, however, Sara stood firm, and in spite of Mrs. White's  
pleas and arguments, she stayed home from the picnic. Sara knew how  
sick Mrs. White could become and was determined to keep her patient well  
at all costs.  
The 87-year-old Ellen died on Friday afternoon, July 16, 1915. Sara  
helped to prepare her body for the return trip to Battle Creek where she  
was buried beside James. Now sixty herself, Sara had performed her  
duties faithfully to the very end. Her many years of devoted service  
surely earned her the title "Sara, the faithful guardian."  
Reference: Spirit of Prophecy Stories, Vol. IV, pp. 138 - 148.  
39


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SARA THE FAITHFUL  
ACROSS:  
1. Mrs. White wanted to go to the Fourth of July .  
3. Sara was a .  
5. Visitors sometimes jokingly called Sara .  
10. Sara's years of service earned her the title "Sara the  
guardian."  
11. Sara put a bunch of baby in Mrs. White's lap.  
DOWN:  
2. What stung the boy?  
4. Mrs. White dearly loved for her noon meal.  
6. Mrs. White fell and broke her . 
7. Mrs. White's home was called .  
8. What new animal was born that everyone tried to keep a secret from Mrs.  
White?  
9. As Mrs. White played  with the chicks her was lifted.


SARA THE FAITHFUL  
ACROSS:  
I. Mrs. White wanted to go to the Fourth of July p (P. fl \ O . .  
3. Sara was a XiXLTISG* • 
5. Visitors sometimes jokingly called Sara. Mrs. h^iieU Ua-hc.kJa  
10. Sara's years of service earned her the title "Sara the "Pd I th/  
guardian."  
II. Sara put a bunch of baby <g,kiV,L.S in Mrs. Whites lap.  
DOWN:  
2. What stung the boy? / f[ 5 £ C 4* 
4. Mrs. White dearly loved ^ f g g. V) £ for her noon meal. 
6. Mrs. White fell and broke her \f]!p .  
7. Mrs. White's home was called F jfryf V . 
8. What new animal was born that everyone tried to keep a secret from Mrs.  
White? CCI 1-f  
9. As Mrs. White played with the chicks her «bu r was lifted-


SARA'S PEACHES  
lo


SARA'S PEACHES  
Use the words on the peaches to fill in the blanks. Cut out peaches  and glue them  
tree. Match the numbers of the sentence to the correct peach.  
1. Sara grew up in the state of .  
2. While traveling by train, Sara discovered they were missing a  
3. The General Conference headquarters was at •  
4. While at campmeeting, Wllen heard the home orchard was ripe. Sara went home to can  
the .  
5. Ten days later, terrible smells told that the peaches had •  
6. Sara worked in a sanitarium caring for "the folks". 
7. Three years later Ellen asked Sara to come to to  
care for her again.


SARA'S PEACHES  
Use the words on the peaches to fill in the blanks. Cut out peaches and glue them on  
tree. Match the numbers of the sentence to the correct peach.  
Sara grew up in the state of Xyvdjfl|\ft,J  
While traveling by train, Sara discovered they were missing a &I4J  
The General Conference headquarters was at flqiffifg. fa'V -
While at campmeeting, Wllen heard the home orchard was ripe. Sara went home to can  
the ptftchlS  
Ten days later, terrible smells told that the peaches had ^^ •  
Sara worked in a sanitarium caring for "the Cffr^y folks".  
Three years later Ellen asked Sara to come to itL>  
care for her again.  

to


PERCY T. MAGAN  
Percy T. Magan  
BORN: 1867 Gorey, Ireland  
DIED: 1947 
FAMILY:  
Father-Percy Magan 
Mother-Catherine Ann Richards Magan  
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  
Teacher, Dean of five SDA colleges, co-founder of Madison College (first of the  
self-supporting intitutions), medical doctor, president of CME (later Loma Linda).  
47


Percy T. Magan  
TRAVELER FOR GOD  
Struggles over religion began early in Percy T. Magan's (Muh-gans)  
life. After his birth in 1867, his sister rushed him to a priest to be  
christened into the Roman Catholic church. When his father found out,  
he asked the Protestant bishop to "de-consecrate" his son.  
Percy got into a lot of mischief as a boy. As a  last resort, his  
father sent him the bishop of the Anglican Church, hoping he would 
straighten him out. Percy pumped the organ bellows and was  an altar  
boy. But he did not enjoy church.  
By the time Percy was sixteen, his father wanted him out of the  
house. So he sent him to the United States. A farmer in Nebraska  
promised to give the young boy from Ireland work on his ranch.  
It was a long trip for the lonely boy. But he comforted himself  
with the thought that, "Well, at least I won't have to go to church  
anymore!"  
Percy arrived at the ranch which the townspeople described as a  
failure. He had to learn many jobs. He made biscuits, milked cows, 
sheared and guarded the sheep. Some nights on the prairie were so cold  
that the hair on his head froze to the ground. Three times his  feet  
froze in his boots while he was trying to save the cattle during  
blizzards. His boss, Mr. Edwards drank and mistreated his family and  
Percy. Finally, after a year, Percy got permission from his father to  
leave the ranch.  
Percy got a job in town and read about history in his spare time.  
He was invited by friends to go to a tent meeting in 1886. His reply  
was, "There are no good preachers until they're dead and six feet  
48


underground!11  
But when Percy heard that the preacher would tell "how Bible  
prophecies are fulfilled in the history of nations," his interest was 
piqued, and he went to hear the two Seventh-day Adventist ministers. He  
went to the meetings for two weeks, and his life was changed.  
Percy wrote home about his new interest in religion, his desire to  
keep the Sabbath, and his baptism. His father called him a fool,  
disinherited him, and said he never wanted to see him again.  
Percy was anxious to tell others about what he had learned. After  
preaching for two years, he decided to go to college at Battle Creek.  
For a time he stayed at Mrs. White's home. She treated him as a son and  
won his lonely heart.  
The General Conference Committee was preparing to send Elder S. N.  
Haskell on a round-the-world tour to look for areas to start mission  
stations. Mrs. White suggested that Percy would make a good secretary  
and companion. Elder Haskell agreed to take  Percy if he would be his  
valet, nurse, secretary, guide, and porter. To do this, Percy took  
shorthand from a court reporter, and taught himself typing. He even  
learned some French from his French girlfriend.  
Elder Haskell began his 1889 trip from Battle Creek to England and  
Northern Europe. Percy joined him in July after finishing the school 
year. When money was low, Percy would get a temporary job until  a check  
arrived from America. They traveled in Europe, Africa, India, Asia, and  
Australia. Elder Haskell remained in Australia while Percy traveled on  
through New Zealand and Samoa to land in San Francisco on  September 28,  
1890.  
Percy became the first Seventh-day Adventist to travel around the  
world for the church. He wrote of his 44,000 mile journey in 49  
49


articles for The Youth's Instructor. He was made assistant secretary of  
the General Conference Foreign Mission Board at the age of 22.  
During his lifetime, Percy became very involved in beginning our  
colleges such as Emmanuel Missionary College, Madison College, and the 
College of Medical Evangelists in Loma Linda. The young Irishman that  
hated religion dedicated his life to bringing God and humanity together.  
Reference: Invincible Irishman by Merlin L. Neff  
50


EDSON WHITE  
Birth: July 1849 /  
Death: May 30, 1928 /  
Family: Father - James White  
Mother - Ellen White  
Siblings - Henry, William, John Herbert  
Spouse - 1st - Emma MacDearman  
2nd - Rebecca Burrill  
Accomplishments: Printer, compiler of S.D A Sabbat  
School songbook Song Anchor and  
Temperance Songs, Vice-president of  
General Sabbath School Association,  
captain of the Morning Star, missionary  
to blacks along the Mississippi, 
publisher, author  
Dl


Edson White, Part 1  
EDSON TURNS HIS BACK ON GOD  
The children of celebrities and well-known people sometimes have a  
hard time growing up. Being in the public eye, they are not always  
treated the same as other children. People often expect more of them. 
This is especially true when their parents are Christian leaders.  
Elder and Mrs. White were rather famous people back in the 1800's.  
This may have been part of the reason that Edson White, James and  
Ellen's third son, gave them so many gray hairs as he was growing up.  
One of Edson's biggest problems was his carelessness with money.  
He spent it without much thought. He was also very generous with it,  
too generous. Anyone wanting a loan could always depend on Edson for  
some quick cash.  
He must have also been unruly at times. It is reported that when  
Edson was a teenager, Mrs. White considered setting aside her ministry  
so that she could concentrate more on improving his conduct. She was  
afraid there wasn't enough time to travel around the country and raise 
Edson at the same time.  
While Edson didn't accept his parents' devotion to God, he did  
share his father's interest in the printing trade. Although for a short  
time, he studied to become a doctor.  
Shortly after he married Emma McDearmon, Edson, along with brother  
Willie, and John Harvey Kellogg, went to New Jersey and enrolled in Dr.  
Trail's Hygieo-Therapeutic College. Dr. Trail promised the young men a  
full medical degree after just six months of schooling.  
Before he finished the course, Edson wrote to his  parents and told  
them just what he thought of his medical education. Edson described  
52


Thrall a "villain," the school itself "a humbug," and the food,  
revolting. After medical school, Edson worked at different jobs, but  
fortunately he stayed away from medicine.  
Edson and Emma eventually moved to Chicago where Edson found work  
as a printer, and all too soon found himself in debt. Again.  
His mother Ellen worried about him a lot. He was no longer a  
rebellious teenager, but his relationship with God was like a light  
switch—on, off, on, off. She did her best to stay in contact with 
Edson through letters, even when she was traveling around the world.  
While Mrs. White enjoyed hearing from him, some of his letters  
grieved her greatly. But it was one of those distressing letters that  
started a chain of events that resulted in a wonderful change in his  
life.  
Edson was in his middle 40's when he wrote to his mother that he  
was "not at all religiously inclined."  
Heart broken, Ellen wrote back, pleading with her son to change the  
direction of his life. She went to bed that night without finishing the  
letter. But sometime after midnight she had a dream.  
She saw Edson wading out into the ocean with some friends. The  
waves grew larger and more violent, and she realized that her son was in  
danger.  
Ellen tried to call him back to shore. She waved her arms and  
shouted, "Edson, the undertow! Come out as fast as you can!" But Edson  
ignored her advice. And when another young man tried to rescue him,  
Edson made a joke of the whole thing.  
Suddenly the powerful current started pulling Edson under water.  
He shrieked in terror. And Mrs. White awoke from her bad dream.  
Unable to sleep, she prayed for her wayward son. Then she picked  
53


up a pen, lit the lamp, and picked up the letter she had left on the  
desk.  
She told Edson about her dream. Then she went on to explain how  
the undertow illustrated Edson's love of independence and his on again, 
off again religious experience.  
She ended the letter by saying, "I cannot save you; God alone can  
save you. But work, while Jesus invites you, in harmony with God."  
54


Edson White, Part 2  
EDSON TURNS BACK TO GOD  
Mother Ellen's letter deeply bothered Edson. As he read it over  
and over again, he realized that what she was saying was right. The 
need to be in charge of his own life didn't seem as important as it had  
been before. Edson was ready to stop running away from what he knew was 
right.  
Soon he wrote back to his mother describing his conversion. 
I have surrendered fully and completely, and never enjoyed life  
before as I am now. . . I have no desire for amusements and  
pleasures that made up the sum of my enjoyments before, but have an  
enjoyment in the meetings with the people of God such as I never  
had ....  
After renewing his commitment to God, Edson began looking for a new  
purpose in life. At a Bible Institute, he met Dr. J. E. Caldwell. Dr.  
Caldwell described his work among the poor people in a black community  
down in Tennessee.  
Edson's interest grew. He met with Dr. Caldwell a number of times.  
The doctor also mentioned that two years earlier at the 1891 General  
Conference, Edson's mother had spoken about the need for workers to help  
the former slaves and their children who still lived an oppressed life  
in the South. Suddenly Edson had  found his special niche. He would  
share God's love with this often-forgotten  group of people. And he knew  
just how he'd do it.  
In 1894 at the age of 45, he started a boat-building project in  
Allegan, Michigan. His dream was to build a paddlewheel steamer that  
could be used as a portable church and school. He designed the ship to  
be 12 feet wide and 72 feet long. It would have a chapel, print shop, 
darkroom, apartments for himself and his crew, a library, kitchen, and  
55


various storage areas.  
While he was building his boat, Edson also wrote a simple beginning  
reader which he could use in his classes. The Gospel Primer, which was  
sold for 25 cents, was not only an education tool, but also a fund  
raiser. It became a best seller and helped support Edson's teaching  
ministry.  
The Morning Star, as the ship was called, eventually made its way  
down the Mississippi River. And by 1895 Edson saw his first students  
come aboard the traveling classroom.  
For a decade, Edson traveled up and down the Mississippi River in  
his paddle boat teaching and preaching to all who would listen. The  
Southern Missionary Society which he founded eventually established  
nearly 50 schools for black children and their parents.  
Life on the river was not easy for Edson or  Emma. He had two  
strikes against him.  
First, many people didn't want him, or anyone else, helping the  
former slaves. The rich  land owners felt they could have more control  
over their workers if they couldn't read or write.  
The second problem had to do with the religious leaders. As Edson  
and his helpers taught the people to read, they shared the Adventist  
message. Area pastors became angry as their members began keeping the  
Sabbath.  
But Edson's stubbornness helped him stay with his mission. And he  
continued to work in the South until The Morning Star sank in 1905 after  
10 years of service.  
Edson eventually returned to Marshall, Michigan, where he  
manufactured stereoptican (picture) slides for evangelists and Bible  
workers. He died in 1929  at 80 years of age.  
56


Although Edson spent many years  away from God looking for  
happiness, he eventually found that the greatest joy and  peace comes  
when one unites his life with God and finds a way to serve others. 
References: Ellen G. White biography series by Arthur White.  
Early Adventist Educators, George Knight  
Mission to Black America, Ronald D. Graybill  
James White, Virgil Robinson  
The Southern Work  
"Edson's Morning Star" (Catch the Vision)  
57


Edson White Worksheet  
1. Explain to the students that Edson had both strengths and weak- 
nesses. Have the students take a piece of notebook paper and draw  
a line down the middle. On one side, they should write the word  
Weaknesses and on the other Strengths. Encourage them t o think of  
their own strengths and weaknesses and write them under the  
appropriate heading. When they are finished have each child  
mention one of their strengths and one weakness. As a class you  
could offer ways the strength could be improved and the weaknesses 
could be eliminated.  
2. Give students a piece of drawing paper. Ask them  to think of the  
strengths they have. They can then choose one and draw a picture 
showing how they could use that strength to serve others.  
3. Read the following "Dear Abby" letters aloud. Ask the students to  
offer suggestions.  
Dear Abby:  
My husband and I have always been careful with our money. But  
our son is so careless. He spends his money as soon  as he gets  
it. How can we teach him to be more responsible?  
Two Worried Parents  
Dear Abby:  
Our pastor and his wife are the nicest people  you'd ever want  
to know. But their one son is a real problem. I don't want him  
playing with my son. But my husband says that we could help him if  
we had him over once in awhile. What do you think?  
Bothered in Battle Creek  
4. Discuss with the students the difference between good pride  
and destructive pride.  
5. Negro spirituals were written with the notes of the black keys on  
the piano. Have the students try playing the following on just the  
black keys:  
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" 
"Deep River"  
"Steal Away"  
6. Many of the spirituals had double meanings. Not only did they  
speak of faith in God, but also the hope of freedom. Read through  
the words of some of the songs and as a class try to identify the  
"hidden meaning" that the slaves may have put in the songs.  
58


Ellen White  
ELLEN'S DEATH  
The public views the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as  
a very healthy group of people. In scientific studies, it  has been  
learned that Adventists on the average live nearly 10 years longer than  
the general population. The main reason for this is the counsel given  
through the writings of Ellen White. Ellen received many visions about  
health which included areas such as food, rest, sunlight, and water.  
You might think that because Ellen lived to the ripe old age of 87,  
and since she received many messages about better living that she  
herself was always quite healthy. Just the opposite is true. She  
suffered from poor health most of her life.  
As you know, when she was nine years old Ellen was struck in the  
face by a large rock thrown by an angry classmate. The accident not  
only left Ellen's face scarred, but it also  left her in poor health for  
the rest of her life. The classmate was very sorry for the injury she  
caused to Ellen, but the damage had been done, and there was no way to  
change it. You may  have heard a parent or teacher warn you (perhaps  
often) to be extra careful. They do this because they know that one  
accident can affect your whole life.  
Have you ever expected that you were going somewhere special, but  
for some reason you did not get to go? That is what happened to Ellen  
and the other Advent believers. It was a terrible disappointment when  
Jesus did not return as expected. It is hard for us to imagine the  
hopelessness that our pioneers felt. Hiram Edson said that losing all  
of his friends on earth could not compare to how badly he felt. At this  
time Ellen's health became even worse. Ellen later wrote about her  
59


condition. She related how the doctor said that her lungs were  
"diseased" and "decayed." She often woke up "coughing and bleeding at  
the lungs."  
Ellen had just turned seventeen. Occasionally, ladies from the  
church would take her home with them for a few days, because her  
sickness caused much extra work for her mother.  
Throughout her married life Mrs. White suffered from problems such  
as arthritis, weak spells, and even cancer. She did out live her  
husband by thirty years, but she nearly died on the same day that he 
did. 
Both had been very sick that week in 1881. When James began to get  
weaker, Ellen got out of bed to be by her husband. She stayed at his  
side all night and all the next day until he died. Then she almost  
collapsed. That night Dr. Kellogg, along with two attendants, watched  
over her.  
Ellen, always thoughtful of others, told the two attendants to go  
to sleep, which they fortunately did not do. During  the night they  
checked her and couldn't find her pulse. The doctor worked with the two  
helpers until three in the morning, using electricity, ice, and hot  
sponges on her spine until she improved.  
Ellen's "special work" as she called it also added to her poor  
health. She often had to tell people that she had been shown—in a  
vision or a dream—that something they were doing was not pleasing to 
God. Sometimes people got very angry with her for this. She once wrote  
about her work:  
All through my life it has been terribly hard for me to hurt the  
feelings of any. . . . It is contrary to my nature. It costs  me  
great pain and many sleepless nights.  
After the Minneapolis General Conference session in 1888 Ellen's  
60


"special work" caused her to write, "This laid upon me the heaviest  
burdens I could bear."—MS 2, 1888. She was absolutely discouraged, and  
became quite ill. Ellen later wrote, "I had no power even to pray, and  
no desire to live. Rest, only rest, was my desire ..." Ellen did  
not even want anyone else to pray for her recovery. But she admitted  
later that "it was not the will of my heavenly Father. My work was not  
yet done."  
In 1915 Mrs. White broke her hip and was rarely able to get out of  
bed after that. She died six months later on July 16. Her last home  
was in Elmshaven, California.  
The two funeral services in California were attended by 1400  
friends, neighbors, and family. Then her faithful son, Willie, rode on  
the train with his mother's casket to Battle Creek where the final 
service was held at the Dime Tabernacle on Sabbath, July 24. Over 4000  
thousand people came to say their last goodbys.  
In Memoriam—Mrs. E.G. White,  pamphlet by E. G. White  
Estate.  
61


WILLIAM WHITE  
Birth: Aug. 29, 1854 
Death: Sept. 1, 1937 
Family: Father - James White  
Mother - Ellen White  
Siblings - Henry, Edson, John Herbert  
Spouse - 1st - Mary Kelsey  
2nd - Ethel May Lacey  
Children - four sons, three daughters  
Accomplishments: Editorial assistant and publishing  
manager for his mother, Ellen White;  
President and business manager of 
Pacific S.D.A. Publishing Association


W. C. White, Part 1  
A FAITHFUL SON  
Hello, young people! I'm so glad you are learning about the early  
church, my friends, and family at your church school. I have been asked  
to share with you a little about myself. Well, students, for 34 years  
after my father James' death, I was my mother Ellen's closest companion  
and fellow worker. But here I am getting ahead of myself. Let me  
start at the beginning.  
I was born in the beautiful Northeast on August 29, 1854, in  
Rochester, New York. I was the third son of the family, known widely as  
W. C., but you can call me Willie.  
I did most of my growing up in Battle Creek and Greenville,  
Michigan, and attended the church school in Battle Creek. My teacher 
was G. H. Bell. I understand that you students learned about Mr. Bell  
last year in your Adventist Heritage class. What a fine man Mr. Bell  
was. 
While we lived in Michigan, I was baptized at the age of 12. As a  
youngster I was very close to my mother and father. Whenever they were  
away on a trip preaching and meeting with friends from other towns, Mom  
would often write to me. I looked forward to her letters. In fact,  
your teacher will find a few of them in this notebook, and she could  
read them to you.  
At the age of 2 0 I was given my first appointment to the  
denomination work. And what a job it was! My job was to transport, by  
wheelbarrow, paper, printing equipment, and the finished projects  
between the print shop and the Signs of the Times office, several blocks  
away. Can you imagine what it was like on rainy days!  
63


When I was 21 I was elected business manager for the new Pacific  
Press. That was in 1876. The same year I married a talented employee  
at the publishing house, Mary Kelsey.  
In 1883, after working in different areas of the church, my wife  
Mary and I were asked to go to Switzerland and Norway to purchase 
machinery for publishing houses in those two countries. Since my  
mother, Ellen White was also asked by the General Conference to visit  
the European countries, my family and I went with her.  
Two years before we went to Europe in 1881 my father, James White  
had died. It was a sad time for all of us who loved him. After that,  
the church leaders asked me to travel with Mother and assist her in 
publishing her books. I did this until she died in 1915.  
In 1890 my wife Mary contracted tuberculosis and died while we were  
in Switzerland. She was only 3 3 years old. I felt so lonely without  
her. A year later both Mother and I received a call from Australia. We  
crossed the Pacific late that year and helped develop the newly 
organized Australian Union Conference.  
In 1895 I married Ethel May Lacey, and five years later Mother  
joined us as we returned to the United States and eventually settled in  
Elmshaven, California.  
I was made general field secretary and head of the staff of workers  
at Elmshaven. Until 1937, I served on numerous committees, often as an 
officer, until there was hardly a branch of denominational activities  
with which I was not familiar.  
I was very proud of my four sons and three daughters. Three served  
overseas, and one, Arthur, served as secretary of the Ellen G. White  
Estate. I was so very pleased to work throughout my life in the  
Adventist Church and be a servant to the Lord.  
64


A GOAT FOR A HORSE  
Dartsmouth, Mass.  
September 15, 1859  
Dear Little Willie,  
Have you received the letters I have written to you?  
I will tell you what I saw last Wednesday. The fire companies were  
out with red caps and red uniforms, the officers had plumes in their  
caps. Then I saw in an alley, looking out at the firemen, a poor  
deformed lame man. He was sitting in a little carriage and what do you  
think was drawing him! It was not a dog or horse, but a goat, harnessed  
up -just like a little horse. I thought if Willie had seen this, it  
would have pleased him, so much. Think of a goat drawing a wagon with  
a man in it!  
Willie, I am now visiting where there are two little boys, not as  
large as you are, and two little girl babies. The little boys and girls  
are cousins. They are very pretty little children. You would love to  
play with them if you were here.  
We hope Willie is well and happy. You must try hard to be good.  
Don't please Satan by giving way to wrong temper, but remember he that 
ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city.  
You must tell Grandpa and Grandma that we do not forget them, but  
often think of them and speak of them to our friends. You  just try,  
Willie, to make Grandpa and Grandma happy. Don't grieve them by being  
noisy and rude, but be quiet and mild, gentle, then they will love you.  
Mind Jenny and try to please her. Be a sweet little boy.  
From your mother,  
(Letter 6, 1859)  
* * * *  
TWO SMART CATS  
Somerville, Mass.  
September 26, 1859  
Dear Little Willie,  
We are at Brother Folsom's. You remember, Willie, it is where they  
make candy. We are trying to get rested up for the meeting next  
Sabbath.  
Willie, I must tell you about Margaret's cats. She has two cats  
just alike. They are just the color of a rat, Maltese color. Sister  
Folsom takes a piece of meat and holds it up to her shoulder and the  
65


kitties will give a spring and climb to the top of her shoulder for the  
meat and then get down and eat it. These kitties are good, faithful  
kitties. They catch great  big rats. They don't eat them, but bite off  
their heads and leave them.  
Willie, we had a ride in the horse car again. You remember them!  
Do just as Jenny would have you, my own dear boy.  
From your affectionate mother,  
Here is a peppermint, Willie.  
(Letter 9, 1859)  
* * * *  
THE BIRD IN THE LITTLE BOX  
Dear Little Willie,  
We want to see you very much but it is eight weeks yet before we  
shall return home—a long time to be away from my children. In the last  
box we sent  to Battle Creek were some little trinkets for you and a  
little box of candy. You must eat it only when Jenny thinks it is  best.  
Eat a very little at a time.  
I suppose you visit Grandpa and Grandma every day, and have a good  
time talking to them.  
I must tell you something I saw in the cars. A wealthy gentleman  
took a little box from his pocket and wound it up like a watch. At the  
top of the box was a glass door, and open flew this little door and a  
little, tiny bit of a bird, with fine downy feathers popped up, and then  
forth from the box came a most beautiful song such as canaries sing.  
And the little feathers would move on the little bird, and it would  
twirl its pretty little head this way and that, flap its little wings,  
move its tail and fly about and act just as pretty as though the noise  
came from its tiny little throat.  
After the song was sung, down popped the little bird into the box  
and down went the cover and the man put the box into his pocket 
again. This little bird was artificial, made to look just like a little  
bird. We asked the man what it cost. He said $2 00.00. A great price!  
Willie, good-by. Be a good little boy and I will write again soon.  
In love,  
From your mother,  
(Letter 10, 1859)  
* * * *  
66


SISTER WHITE SENDS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT  
Enosburg, Vermont  
December 29, 1867  
Dear Children,  
I have for some reason felt anxious for you. I expected to find a  
letter from you here at Enosburg but was disappointed. I sent you a  
Christmas present. Let me hear from you.  
Do not neglect to watch and pray. I have risen early to write to  
you. I am very anxious that you should succeed in the Christian  
warfare. The eyes of angels are upon you constantly. Seek to do good.  
Help those who need help. Pray much, this is your strength.  
In much love from your anxious, praying mother.  
Ellen G. White  
(Letter 21, 1867)  
67


SAVED FROM DROWNING  
Ellen White's  faith  and refusal  to give  up kept her little  boy alive  when the neighbors  
were sure that he would  never breathe again.  But when Willie  began to show signs  of life  
his mother held  him  close.  "He's breathing!  He's breathing!  My baby's alive!"  she cried,  
then hugged him  tight.  She thanked God for her little  boy's recovery. Willie  was later  
baptized by his  own father just before his  13th birthday.  He became a worker for God  
and lived  to be eighty-three  years old.  
(Picture  from Stories  of My Grandmother, p. 103. Southern Pub. Assn.) (pp. 21, 22)


W. C. White, Part 2  
SAVED FROM DROWNING  
When Willie was just about two years, old, just like other boys his  
age, he enjoyed running around and finding different things to play  
with.  
Late one afternoon Willie was having a delightful time playing boat  
with a large tub of water used for mopping the kitchen floor. He was  
enjoying pushing a stick around the well-filled "lake."  
Jenny, one of the two helpers in the White home, slipped out the  
back door to get some wood for the fire.  
"Willie," she called, "what are you doing?"  
Returning to the kitchen she saw one little foot sticking out of  
the pail of dirty water. Grabbing the lifeless body, she rush him to  
Mrs. White.  
"He's drowned! He's drowned!" she screamed. 
"Was the water hot or cold?" asked Ellen. 
"It was cold." 
"Send for the doctor," ordered Mrs. White. As John Foy went after  
the doctor, Jenny ran for Elder White.  
Meanwhile Ellen grabbed a pair of scissors and began to cut the  
child's clothing off. Then she laid him on the grass and began rolling  
him back and forth. Water gurgled out from his nose and mouth.  
James was soon by her side. A neighbor urged James to take the  
dead child out of her hands.  
"No," James replied. "It is her child, and no one shall take him  
away from her."  
69


About twenty minutes later, Ellen held Willie up and saw a little  
flicker of an eyelid and puckering of his lips.  
Ordering Jenny to heat thick cloths, she took Willie into  the  
house. She wrapped him up, frequently changing the clothes to increase  
his body temperature. Soon the little boy opened his eyes and smiled.  
All the rest of the day Ellen rocked the little fellow and held him  
close.  
70


W. C. White, Part 3  
THE EVENING MUSIC  
One evening just before Willie's third birthday, he was told that  
it was time for him to go to bed. Willie snuggled down under his covers  
and was almost asleep when he heard a beautiful sound coming from the  
parlor.  
James White had invited a number of friends from the Review office  
to come over to his house. At sundown everyone gathered around the  
piano and began singing.  
Willie, slipped out of bed, crept down the stairs and perched on  
one of the steps, listening. His father saw him sitting there and 
ordered him to go to bed. Willie quickly did so. But as he tried to go 
to sleep, the singing seemed to pull him out of bed. And before he knew  
it, he was sneaking down the stairs a second time.  
"Willie, is that you, again?" asked his father.  
"Yes, Daddy." 
"Up to bed with you. And this time, stay there." Willie could  
tell by his father's tone of voice that he meant business.  
The curious boy returned to his room, but before very long he had  
slipped down the steps a third time. His plan was to hide in the 
corner, back in the shadows, where his father's sharp eyes  couldn't see  
him. But Elder White caught him  in the act. I'll let Willie describe  
what happened next:  
"Father took me out through the kitchen to the back steps, put his  
left foot on the railing, laid me across his knee and gave me such a  
spanking as I shall never forget."  
71


The White family was a real family with real problems. But  
and Ellen always did their best to train their children with love,  
if it meant giving a spanking on the back porch.  
References: SDA Commentary Dictionary  
EGW Vault  
72


WILLIE S TRIP WEST  
Directions; Help Willie and his family in the move from Rochester, New York^  
to Battle Creek, Michigan.  
Troche fcifcr


WILLIE S TRIP WEST  
; Help Willie and his family in the move from Rochester, New  
to Battle Creek, Michigan.


WILLIE S TRIP WEST  
Direction: Help Willie and his family in the move from Rochester,  
New York,to Battle Creek, Michigan.  
oc'heste, r  
TJ  
7 b  

run  
Btx-tile  
Cree-h


WILLIE S TRIP WEST  
Direction: Help Willie and his family in the move from Rochester,  
New York,to Battle Creek, Michigan.  
OC-'htLSt^ f


WILLIE WHITE S  
Crossword Puzzle  
Across:  
1. Willie's proper name.  
2. Place where Willie and his mother were asked to go. (country)  
3. What did Willie push around in his first job?  
4. Name of Willie's first wife.  
5. How Willie's first wife died.  
6. Willie's Father's name.  
Down:  
1. Name of  one of two countries where Willie's ask to go.  
2. Name  of Willie's teacher in Battle Creek.  
3. State where Willie was born.  
4. Name of Willie's second wife.  
5. Place where Willie's second wife came from.  
6. Name of Willie's child who served as secretary of the Ellen G. White Estate.


WILLIE WHITE'S  
Crossword Puzzle K&y  
Across:  
1. Willie's proper name.  
2. Place where Willie and his mother were asked to go. (country)  
3. What did Willie push around in his first job?  
4. Name of Willie's first wife.  
5. How Willie's first wife died.  
6. Willie's Father's name.  
Down:  
1. Name of one  of two countries where Willie's ask to go.  
2. Name of Willie's teacher in Battle Creek.  
3. State where Willie was born.  
4. Name of Willie's second wife.  
5. Place where Willie's second wife came from.  
6. Name of Willie's child who served as secretary of the Ellen G. White Estate.  
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THE PITCAIRN  
Mission Ship  
84


John Tay  
JOHN TAY AND THE PITCAIRN  
The sailors on the trading ship Bounty had had it with their  
captain, the infamous Captain Bly. No longer able to tolerate his  
cruelty, the sailors revolted. They set Captain Bly adrift in a small  
boat and continued through the South Pacific without him.  
After arriving at the island of Tahiti, the sailors decided to  
abandon ship and find a new life with the natives.  
But sometime afterward they received news that Captain Bly had not  
died at sea. Somehow he had returned to England and reported their  
mutiny. Afraid that they'd be arrested, Fletcher Christian and eight  
other sailors escaped to a smaller island along with some of the  
Tahitian natives. The island was called Pitcairn.  
The group arrived at this island paradise in 1790. But ten years  
later, only one of the original mutineers, Alexander Smith, survived.  
The others had perished from drinking and fighting. Smith, who had  
changed his name to John Adams, began reading the ship's Bible. He  
began to read it to the 11 women and 23 children who remained on the  
island.  
In 187 6 Elders James White  and John Loughborough sent literature to  
Pitcairn, but the tracts were stored away because of a lack of interest.  
Ten years later someone began reading the tracts and the islanders  
became so interested that they wrote to the General Conference to find  
out more. It was decided to send John I. Tay who spent five weeks on  
the island. He managed, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to convince  
all of the islanders to keep the Sabbath.  
80


At the 1889 General Conference it was decided that Sabbath school  
offerings would be collected for the construction of a ship for  
missionaries to go to the Pacific islands. After the ship—the  
Pitcairn—was built, its first destination was Pitcairn Island. It  
arrived November 25, 1890, a hundred years after the famous mutiny.  
There were 12 6 souls living on the island. According to Elder E.  
H. Gates they were the "most warm hearted people we have ever seen."  
Meetings were held for more than three weeks. Gates wrote, "I never saw  
people so hungry for the truth as they were." In December, 64 people  
were baptized. A church was organized the next day and meetings  
continued for the unconverted. Eighteen more people were baptized into  
the likeness of Jesus' burial and resurrection. Finally, all but the 
very young had given their hearts to Jesus.  
As the crew of the Pitcairn prepared to leave the island they held  
a season of prayer with the islanders, whom they had come to love. They  
sang the beautiful hymn Parting* composed especially for the occasion by  
Rosa Young. Elder Gates wrote, "As we rose from prayer, nearly everyone  
was weeping .... It was so hard to part with the dear souls . . . .  
two or three boatloads of the people accompanied us to the vessel  
wishing to be with us as long as possible .... But, finally the last  
boatload of weeping passengers pushed off from our ship .... Slowly  
the beautiful island faded from our view."  
*The song can be found on page 39 of Advent Singing  
References: Advent Singing, Teacher's manual by James Nix  
SDA Encyclopedia  
81


JOHN L JAY  
and the  
riTCAIIlN  
DIRECTIONS: Unscramble the words below. You may use the Word Bauk.  
RAT1NPIC  
DEBIZPTA  
SOAR OUGNY  
SUJES  
RES01IV11S1SAN  
TYBUNO  
TUMEREINS  
ANLISD  
HONJ Y1A  
WORD BANK  
JESUS JOHN TAY  ISLAND  
PITCAIRN  BOUNTY  
MISSIONARIES  BAPTISED  
ROSA YOUNG  MUTINEERS  
•> o  •J c


JOHN L TAY  
and the  
P1TCAIRN  
KEY  
DIRECTIONS: Uiiscramble the words below. You may use the Word Bank.  

0  
RAT1NPIC Pi TCASK*  
DEBIZPTA BAPTIZED  
SOAR OUGNY RoSA Youtf&  
SUJES T&ZUS  
RES01M1SISAN AiiSS/9Af/l£t£S—  
TYBUNO ffQUA/r*  
TU MERE INS  
ANl ISD /SLAfi/O  
IIONJ YTA To*t*f TAY  
WORD BANK  
JESUS JOHN TAY  ISLAND  
PITCAIRN  BOUNTY  
MISSIONARIES  BAPTISED  
ROSA YOUNG  MUTINEERS  
OOi


MEMORABLE DATES  
From Our Adventist Past*  
January 7, 1894 Keene Industrial School, forerunner of  
Southwestern Union College, opened in Texas.  
February 18, 1902 Battle Creek Sanitarium burned. 
February 19, 1906 Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company  
incorporated by W.K. Kellogg.  
February 20, 1892 Graysville Academy, forerunner of Southern 
College, opened in Tennessee.  
March 10,1894 Construction of Morning Star mission steamer  
begun. 
March 16, 1901 First church organized in Bermuda. 
April 1, 1901 Reorganization of church structure called for by  
Ellen White.  
April 3, 1882 Colporteur work begun with sale of first copy of  
Daniel and Revelation.  
April 11, 1882 Healdsburg Academy (later College) opened in  
California.  
April 15, 1906 Loma Linda Sanitarium dedicated in California.  
April 19, 1882 South Lancaster Academy, forerunner of Atlantic  
Union College, opened in Massachusetts.  
May 21, 1913 General Conference first divided administratively  
into World Divisions. 
July 2, 1897 First camp meeting in Western Canada opened near  
Winnipeg, Manitoba.  
July 16, 1915 Ellen G. White Estate established at the time of  
Mrs. White's death.  
July 22, 1903 Knowlton Sanitarium, first medical institution in  
Canada, dedicated.  
August 10, 1895 Black SDA church In Vicksburg, Mississippi,  
dedicated by General Conference president, O.A. Olsen.  
September 1, 1909 Land purchased for Pacific Union College in  
Angwin, College.  
o4


September 25, 1890 Mission  ship Pitcairn dedicated in Northern  
California. 
September 30, 1891 Union College in Nebraska, opened.  
October 1, 1904 Land acquired for Nashville Agricultural and  
Normal Institute (later called Madison College) near Madison,  
Tennessee. 
October 30,1901 Emmanuel Missionary College, forerunner of  
Andrews University, opened in Berrien springs, Michigan.  
November 9, 1886 First congregation of black SDA's organized at  
Edgefield Junction, Tennessee.  
November 9, 1907 First regular school term of Alberta Industrial  
Academy, forerunner of Canadian Union College, opened.  
November 16, 1896 Oakwood Industrial School, forerunner of  
Oakwood College, opened in Huntsville, Alabama.  
November 30, 1904 Washington Missionary College, now called  
Columbia Union College, opened in Takoma Park, Maryland.  
December 7, 1892 Walla Walla College in Washington State opened. 
December 16, 1903 Jasper Wayne started first Ingathering 
campaign.  
December 30, 1902 The Review and Herald building in Battle Creek  
burned.  
December 31, 1899 Hispanic SDA church organized in Tucson,  
Arizona.  
* The complete stories are found in the book with the same title,  
by James R. Nix  
o J


RESOURCES  
VIDEOS  
The Elmshaven Years  
Family Roots  
Adventist Historic Properties  
Keepers of the Flame  
(8-part series)  
An Evening with James White  
Heritage Attic Stories with C. Mervin Maxwell  
The William Miller Farm and Washington, NH Church  
CASSETTES  
Stories of the Early Church  
NOT YET A VAILABLE—Under development by "Your Story Hour. "  
Early Advent Songs  
NOT YET AVAILABLE -Fifty songs are currently being produced using  
children's voices.  
bO


RESOURCE BIBLIOGRAPH Y--1  
Children's Books (ages 0-4) 
Gathering Fmit, Tom Kohls.  
This illustrated story tells about when Mrs. White took some children out to pick berries.  
It draws out a useful lesson on witnessing. 
The Green Cord, Tom Kohls.  
Two of Ellen White's visions that deal with heaven are explored.  
The Missing Hairnet, Tom Kohls.  
Discover why God told Mrs. White where the hairnet was.  
A Trip to Heaven, Tom Kohls.  
This is the story of an Ellen White dream about the journey to heaven. It is also about  
faith.  
Children's Books (ages 5-8)  
Eight Laws of Health, Joe Maniscalco.  
In simple language and effective illustration are presented the eight laws of health spelled  
out by Ellen G. White in The Ministry of Healing.  
Joey Finds Out, Miriam Wood.  
The story of a small boy who attends the General Conference session in Vienna.  
Long Ago Stories, Miriam Hardings.  
Here are stories you can read to small children that show them how God led Ellen White  
and other pioneer Adventists through many exciting experiences. This book will help children  
appreciate the church they are growing up in, and will strengthen their faith in later life.  
Children's Books (ages 9-12)  
Burning Hope, Dan Day.  
The story of courage and adventure of God's leading the young German, Haans Mayr,  
who recognized God's call and refused to let circumstances or his father turn him aside.  
Determined to Love, Kay Rizzo.  
Many people said unkind  things about the Indians of South America. But Ferdinand and  
Ana Stahl didn't believe all that they heard. As you read this book, you will discover thrilling  
stories of God's love and deliverance, and of triumph over opposition.  
Journey to Freedom, Patricia Maxwell.  
Tells how Anna Knight overcame every difficulty she met with determination, hard work,  
and God's  help. At 97 years of age she received the church's highest award for educational  
excellence-the Medallion of Merit. A truly inspiring life.  
Jungle Adventurer, Eileen Lantry.  
Some people push toward a goal, letting nothing stop them. God uses people like these  
in powerful ways. Once O. E. Davis accepted God's call to mission service, nothing could stop  
him. Follow him as he establishes a mission station in western British Guiana.


RESOURCE BIBLIOGRAPH Y--3  
Mary Andrews, Companion of Sorrows, Carolyn Byers.  
Mary Francis was only 13 years old when she arrived in Switzerland. Her father was going  
to be a missionary. But what was she going to do? Teens will enjoy this compelling story about  
the daughter of the first Adventist foreign missionary.  
Over My Shoulder, Ella White Robinson.  
Here's an authentic,  firsthand account of some of the exciting events of our Adventist  
past, recalled by a woman who was there.  
She Fulfilled the Impossible Dream, Dewitt S. Williams.  
Eva Dykes was the first Black American woman to ever complete the requirements for a  
Ph.D. degree. She went on to devote her life to service.  
Spicer: Leader With the Common Touch, Godfrey Anderson.  
The affectionate biography of a great Adventist leader, and of his special burden for the  
overseas work of the church. 
The Making of a Missionary, Martha Odom.  
Oliver Montgomery was determined to take the gospel along the entire length of the  
Amazon River. No white man had ever made this journey before. Follow Montgomery on this 
trek.  
The Solusi Story, Virgil Robinson.  
A veteran storyteller unfolds the whole tale of the founding of the Solusi Mission.  
The Truth Seekers, Myrtle A. Pohle.  
This is the saga of the Hispanic churches of the Southwest.  
Those Happy Golden Years, Miriam Wood.  
A skillful writer shares her collection of stories about evangelism-many of which  
happened to her and her husband in their early ministry.  
Trail of Peril, Yvonne Davy.  
The true story of Joseph Wolff, the German rabbi's son who became a Christian and  
witnessed throughout the world. His adventures and narrow escapes rival those of the most  
imaginative fiction.  
Without Fear or Favor, Virginia Duffy Steinway.  
A biography of a spirited, strong-minded Adventist leader-M. L. Andreasen-who was  
determined that he would not compromise truth as he saw it.  
Sanctuary  
Christ Our Righteousness, Arthur G. Daniells.  
The Cross and Its Shadow, S. N. Haskell.  
This is a reprint of an important early Advent book, which explains the sanctuary and its  
services.  
The Sanctuary, 1844, and the Pioneers, Paul A. Gordon.  
On what did the  early Adventist leaders base the sanctuary doctrine? In this book the  
author demonstrates that they arrived at a consensus as a result of a long period of serious 
Bible study.


RESOURCE BIBUOGRAPHY--5  
The Sound of Trumpets, George Reid.  
Ellen White and the Adventist lifestyle—this study of our health movement deals  
particularly with Mrs. White's role in the formulation of Adventist health teachings.  
The Slory of Our Health Message, Dores Eugene Robinson.  
This book is a comprehensive history and includes the story behind  the founding of Loma  
Linda University.  
The Story of the SDA Church, Eugene F. Durand.  
Seventh-day Adventists appear near the bottom of the list of major denominations.  
However, their influence is far-reaching. The author examines the history of its activities,  
structure, and beliefs. He shows that Adventism is a way of life that appeals to men and women  
of every culture, class, and nationality.  
Tell it to the World, (revised) Mervyn Maxwell.  
A biographical history of the Advent movement from William Miller through the  
organization of the church in 1863 and the events following the 1901 General Conference  
session.  
Thirteen Crisis Years-1888-1901, A. V. Olson.  
They were perilous times, and the author takes a clear-eyed look at them in this  
stimulating review of the 13 years following the 1888 General Conference session.  
The Vision Bold, Warren Johns and Richard Utt.  
The richly illustrated, colorful book combines a pictorial history of the Adventist health  
message with an analysis of the philosophy behind it.  
Unknown Prophet: The Story of William Ellis Foy, Delbert W. Baker.  
The first Millerite to see visions before the Great Disappointment was a tall Black  
preacher named William Foy. What happened to him? This book reveals facts about his 
ministry and visions that very nearly disappeared in the shadows of time.  
We Have Tomorrow, Louis B. Reynolds.  
The role played by Black Adventists in our church's history. The illustrations and dust  
jacket painting are by Harry Anderson.  
Winds of Change, Ernest H. J. Steed.  
Using the history of temperance work as a backdrop, Dr. Steed enumerates point by point  
the biblical and Spirit of Prophecy counsel on this important topic.  
Witness of the Pioneers.  
A compilation. Subtitled Concerning the Spirit of Prophecy, this unique commentary on  
the life and work of Ellen G. White and her times uses facsimile reproductions of articles from  
various journals of the day. The large 10" by 12" by 14" size matches the Review and Herald  
Articles volumes.  
A Word to the Little Flock.  
A facsimile reproduction of an Advent classic, this booklet contains articles on prophetic  
exposition by James White, the early visions of Ellen G. White, and a statement by Joseph  
Bates. (White Estate)


RESOURCE BIBLIOGRAPH Y--7  
The Spirit of  Prophecy Treasure Chest.  
A collection of authors, including pioneers of the Adventist Church, discuss the Spirit of  
Prophecy. This reference book includes many documented stories of how the Spirit of God  
acted through Ellen G. White.  
Testimony of Jesus, F. M. Wilcox.  
A reprinting of an Adventist classic, this review of the work and teachings of Ellen G.  
White aims to establish confidence in the Advent message.  
Witness of the Pioneers, A compilation.  
This unique commentary on the life and work of Ellen G. White uses facsimile  
reproductions of articles from various journals of her time.  
The World of Ellen G. White, Gary Land, ed.  
Fourteen specialists examine specific areas of nineteenth-century life, such as literature,  
amusements, and rail travel. Together they have created a readable, accurate resource for 
anyone who wants to understand the writings of Ellen White better.  
GAMES  
Waymarks--Adventist Heritage Game.  
Discover interesting church history trivia while playing this absorbing card game. Ages 10  
to adult.  
BOOKS IN SPANISH  
Life Sketches, Ellen G. White.  
Tell Me About Ellen White, Marye Trim.  
MUSIC  
Christ in Song  
Now you can sing those old favorites from years gone by. This one volume contains many  
of the best loved songs of the Advent movement from its earliest days.  
Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, Wayne Hooper and E. E. White. 
PICTURES  
"Adventist Heritage PicturesVernon Nye (PP).  
Four ready-to-frame pencil drawings: Elmshaven; Washington, New Hampshire Church;  
William Miller Chapel; 1881 Pacific Press Publishing House.  
Other Books:  
Adventism in America, A Histoiy, Gary Land, ed  
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1986. 301 pp.