DEFENSE  
-  
ELD. JAMES WHITE AND WIFE.  
VINDICATION  
•  
OF THEIR  
MORAL AND CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.  
r  BX A dt-- 3 1EVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION,  
6158.9  BATTLE CREEK, MICH. :  
.W55  1s74:).  
A52  3  
WHITE  
ESTATE  

STEAM PRESS


THE DEFENSE.  

Ellen 0, Whits Estate Branch Office  
Andrews University  
Berrien Springs. Michigan 49104  
1r  

IT is no new thing, nor is it marvelous, that the  
friends of truth have been called upon to defend them- 
seFves against the attacks of their enemies; not be- 
cause there have been any just grounds for such attacks,  
but because the great enemy of all righteousness knows  
that one of the most effectual means by which he can  
hinder the progress of the work he hates, is to blast the  
reputation of those who are called to act a prominent  
part therein before the people; hence the unscrupulous,  
malignant, and persistent efforts that are put forth to  
accomplish this end. Such is the nature of the oppo- 
sition that is now especially brought to bear against the  
cause of present truth; and one of those who specially  
suffer the abuse, misrepresentations, and falsehoods,  
that are brought into play, is Eld. White, the tried and  
faithful servant of this cause from its commencement to  
the present time. To be obliged to expose falsehoods  
and slander is not pleasant; yet it is a privilege to de- 
fend those who are made the subjects of attacks of this  
cruel nature.  
That Eld. James White has occupied a leading  
position in the cause of the third angel's message  
from its commencement, is well known to all who have  
had any acquaintance with this work. This cause is  
strangely regarded by many with a hatred as violent as  
it is unfounded. Hence, to retard the progress of this  
work, they would cripple the influence of the one to  
whose hands its management is most largely confided,  
by having us believe that he is an artful and designing  
person, a hypocritical pretender, covetous and money- 
catching, practicing upon the credulity of the people,  
and skillfully manipulating what he knows to be a


2  The Defense.  
gross delusion, for his own advantage and aggrandize- 
ment--grave charges, if they can   be   sustained   ;  
bolical, if they spring simply from the malice of our  
opponents. To vindicate him from these charges, is  
the object of these pages.  
We first call attention th the length of time Eld.  
White has been engaged in this work, and the public na- 
ture of his labors. Eld. W. was in the Advent move- 
ment of 1843 entering earnestly into the work of pub  
licly proclaiming the doctrine from place to place. The  
fanaticism and strange delusions that arose during the  
confusion that followed 1844, he was disconnected  
from, and opposed to. He is not, therefore, to be  
associated with,  Or  held responsible for, anything of  
that nature. He commenced the observance of the  
Sabbath in 1845. In 1846, he received the truth in  
relation to the sanctuary. A little later light on the  
subject of the third angel's message began to shine out,  
and he was among the first to take hold of  
In 1848, Eld. W. began to publish books and papers  
defending the truth on this and kindred subjects. The  
publishing business has grown up in Eld. W.'s hands  
with a steady increase of means and strength. His  
general business management has been very prudent  
and very successful, avoiding losses and bad debts, fol- 
lowing hard after the Lord, but not getting in advance  
of him moving in his opening providence yet not act- 
ing in a rash and presumptuous manner in the advance- 
ment of the work.  
When Eld. White, in 1848, began the business of  
publishing, in Middletown, Conn., he did it without any  
capital at all, and almost vvithout friends. He had no  
home nor did he possess any pods for household 
purposes. He was dependent upon a few friends in  
quite humble circumstances for a shelter and for the  
necessaries of life. Eld. W., also his wife, took hold with  
their own hands to do every part of the work except 
that which required the skill of the pinter. The sheet 
then published was called the  Present Truth.  At  

The Defense.    
the same time several tracts relating to the Sabbath  
and law of God were published and scattered, princi- 
pally gratuitously.  
By the most rigid economy, and by performing every  
part of the work themselves that it was possible for  
them to perform they were able to avoid getting in  
debt. Removing from Connecticut to the State of New  
York, he published the paper and several pamphlets in  
the same manner as in Connecticut. The labor was  
performed by their own hands, as far as it lay in their 
power, and still the same course of rigid economy was  
pursued.  
In 1850, Eld. White began at Paris, Maine, the  
publication of the paper entitled  Advent Review,  
which has continued to be issued till the present time.  
As the number of brethren had increased, and there  
were more to sustain the work than previously, the  Re- 
view began   to   be published on  a   sheet considerably  
larger than the  Present Truth.  The same untiring  
labor was bestowed upon it that had characterized his  
former work as editor and publisher. And the same  
strict economy marked his whole course of conduct, both  
in business transactions and in his family expenses.  
When the  Review  was established in Rochester, N. Y.,  
in 1852, it was only by means of self-denial and  
hard labor, and strict frugality. During all this while  
Eld. W. had no means of his own. He lived in   a  
hired house which for a time was also his printing   o 
fice ; and this house was furnished with the plainest ar- 
ticles of second-hand furniture. The food of his family  
was of the least expensive character and everything was  
conducted according th the very limited means that per- 
tained then   to   is work.  
It is proper   to   add that, at the time of the publica- 
tion   of   the Review in Rochester, there was very little  
capital pertaining to the Office. A hand press had  
been bought, and   a   tolerable supply of type had been  
procured. Also by this time quite   an  amount of  
pamphlets had bee.n published, which were in part on


4  The Defense.  
hand and ready for use. Also, a considerable list of  
subscribers had been gathered. During all these years  
Dd. White and family labored far beyond their strength,  
and did not always have suitable food and clothing, and  
very often were deprived, by working in the night as  
well as in the day, of needed sleep.  
As the friends in Western New York did not feel so  
deep an interest in the work as they should, and as the  
friends in Michigan made liberal offers of assistance, and  
invited the  Review  to Battle Creek, it was finally re- 
moved to this place in the fall of 1855. At this time  
Eld. White was heavily in debt for borrowed money  
used in the publication of the  Review,  and in getting  
out editions of our books ; and he had no means to meet  
these debts except  by the sale of the books. He had  
almost nothing of worldly means when he came to Bat- 
tle Creek. His health at this time was in a state of  
complete prostration. Nothing but the special provi- 
dence of God could suffice to save him from the grave ;  
to say nothing of restoring him to strength adequate to 
the carrying forward of the work of publishing the truth.  
With the blessing of God, however, his health returned,  
and the prospering hand of God rested upon the Office  
to free it from embarrassment.  
Soon after the Office was removed to Battle Creek,  
Eld. White insisted that the materials and property  
then on hand should be taken by the church, and not  
left longer in his possession. Many old, tried friends  
of the cause objected to this, on the ground that they  
would choose to have him have the control of the means  
that they had dedicated to this work; and many also  
were opposed to any legal organization by which the  
church could hold it. While Eld. White was confi- 
dently looking forward to a great extension of the work,  
and had the assurance that the confidence in him was  
such that he could obtain, either by donations or loans  
without interest, the means necessary to extend the bus- 
iness of the Office, he utterly refused to receive any  
more money; and gave notice to those who had fur-  

The Defense.  5  
nished means with which to procure materials, to draw  
it out of the Office, as he would no longer stand as indi- 
vidual proprietor of their funds. And it was only by  
the most strenuous efforts that he succeeded in having  
an Association formed to take the property out of his  
hands. And some who now stand closely related to the 
work well remember, and will certify, that they con- 
sented to take part in the organization only when it  
became an absolute necessity by the refusal of Eld.  
White to receive means to extend its operations. We  
think it very safe to say, there is no printing establish- 
ment in the United States doing any considerable busi- 
ness that has come up under so many discouragements,  
by such earnest, persevering efforts, and passed through  
such trying experiences. Let all such as are disposed  
to complain of his management, or accuse him of a de- 
sire to benefit himself personally in this work; let all  
who may be in any wise affected by these things, mark  
well these facts. He commenced the work of publish- 
ing the present truth when there were no friends to  
assist, no means devoted to carrying it on. By unpar-
alleled exertions and privations, working with his own  
hands, to obtain means to print the stirring truths  
which he had written by lamp light, he raised up friends  
to the cause who eventually assisted in procuring the  
materials necessary to do the work on the papers and  
tracts. At the time of which we now speak, 1855, the  
work was so well established, and its friends so numerous  
and so earnest in its support, that the success of the  
publishing department could not be a matter of doubt.  
If any personal  rights were to be considered, every one  
would admit that Eld. White was justly entitled to the  
benefit of the business which had been planted and es- 
tablished by his own untiring efforts. But at this point  
of time, when first the opportunity of getting worldly  
gain was presented to the establishment, Eld. White  
not only yielded it up into the hands of others, but in  
a manner compelled them to take it out of his hands, 
and was afterward mainly instrumental in the formation


6  The Defense.  
of the Association, whereby the donations to the Office,  
with its proceeds and profits, must of necessity be used  
to benefit and extend the work. And here it is just 
to notice that the "good will" (as it is commonly 
termed) of the establishment was not sold by Eld.  
White. No account was made, in transferring the in- 
terest to the Association, of the list of subscribers for  
the  Review  and  Instructor.  All who are acquainted  
with publishing know that such lists constitute an im- 
portant part of the value of the establishment. In this  
case, the  Review list contained a large number of tried  
and true friends to the work, who had been gathered  
by the self-sacrifice and devotion of Eld. White, as  
above referred to. All this, to the benefit of which  
Eld. White was justly entitled, he freely gave to the  
Association, together with the right to re-publish any  
or all of the works which had been published by him.  
If operations of this character manifest a spirit of  
selfishness, we must say that it is of a kind that is  
rarely met in this world. Doubtless, few instances of  
equal disinterestedness and untiring devotion can be  
found connected with any cause ; and we have never  
known such a course to be followed with charges of  
speculation in any other case. And we therefore feel  
sure that the charges have been made, and the spirit  
of murmuring been harbored, not because they are rea- 
sonable or just, but because the work of the third an- 
gel's message has been prospered by his efforts. Or, if  
fault has been found by professed lovers of the message,  
it has invariably been by the selfish, the covetous, the  
unconsecrated, whose lives are reproved by the devotion  
and untiring labors of God's chosen servants.  
The question may be asked, Have not others suffered  
privations, and labored under discouragements, and  
thrown their lives into this work? Yes; but not to  
the extent that Eld. White has. But this question  
opens before us the necessity for this vindication. It  
is a noteworthy fact that no other one connected with  
this work has been so assailed by the malicious, so fol-  

The Defense.  7  
lowed with false accusations and slanders. Why is this  
Because no one else has been so intimately connected  
with the work since its commencement; no one else  
has borne so great responsibility in its management.  
Of course, the cause can be more effectually assailed  
and injured by injuring his reputation than that of any  
other. It is for this reason that we speak. It is not  
merely a personal matter. We stand in defense of the  
precious truth which we so ardently love, and which has  
so long and faithfully been represented by Eld. White.  
Having established the publishing department as a  
self-sustaining work, and placed it in the hands of an  
Association pledged and bound by its charter to carry  
it on for the benefit of the cause specified, it would seem  
to have presented a favorable time for him to retire from  
such arduous labors, and let others occupy the field  
which had been cleared and possessed by so great ex- 
ertions. But such was not his course. He continued  
his efforts with the same energy and devotion after the  
formation of the Association ; and its success has been  
mainly the result of his prudent management.  
To the charge of speculation, so freely and so bitterly  
used against Eld. White, it is proper to reply that this  
charge is unjust and inexcusable. It is true that, as  
business agent of this cause, he has necessarily devoted  
much labor and time and care to the management of  
the finances. But it is not true that he has appropri- 
ated any of the funds passing through his hands to his  
own personal benefit. Every dollar of such money he  
has scrupulously accounted for to the proper persons  
appointed by our Association or General Conference to  
receive and examine such accounts. He has invited  
the most rigid scrutiny in the examination of his busi-  
ness matters. Those who have been best acquainted  
with his transactions have had the least disposition to  
be jealous of his action with respect to the use of money.  
Eld. White has managed his own affairs with discre- 
tion. While he has never advantaged himself at the  
expense of the cause of God, he has so prudently con-


8  The Defense.  
ducted his own matters as to have something with which  
to aid the needy and distressed. The following state- 
ment relative to his finances may be of general interest :  
Eld. White has a reasonable competency of this  
world's goods. This, to some persons, will be positive  
proof that he is an avaricious man. But those who will  
listen with candor to a plain statement of facts may be  
convinced that this is a very unjust conclusion. Had  
Eld. White sought to make the Office a source of in- 
come and advantage to himself, he might have amassed  
a large property without difficulty. But his whole  
course of conduct has been of an entirely different char- 
acter. We publish in this pamphlet a very large num- 
ber of testimonials relative to his conduct as a business  
man, and also in the use of means in this cause. As  
we have publicly called for statements from any one  
who could testify to any evil in his management of  
money matters, we think the responses given bear a 
very weighty testimony to his uprightness of conduct;  
for none have come forward to utter even a word of a  
contrary character.  
When the Publishing Association was instituted in  
1861, an inventory was taken of the property at the  
Review Office, embracing type, presses, books, stock, &c.  
From this amount, was taken all that had been donated,  
from first to last, to purchase presses, type, and other  
printing materials; also all of the sums which had  
been donated to the Book Fund, excepting the amount  
which Eld. White had given in books; and, also, ten  
per cent on all money which the friends of the cause  
had lent Eld. White without interest. He then took  
stock in the Association for himself and family to the  
amount of $320, and gave to poor preachers, and to  
some others to whom he felt indebted for past favors,  
shares of stock amounting to $150. After taking all  
this from the amount of the inventory of the entire  
property at the Office, there was left to Eld. White but  
a few hundred dollars.  
From the time that the property passed into the  

The Defense.  9  
hands of the Association, to the time of Eld. White's  
sickness, for his entire services as President of the As- 
sociation, having the care of all its business, and a por- 
tion of the time being editor of the  Review, and for his  
labors in the ministry, preaching almost every Sabbath,  
and having many other cares and labors for the church 
and cause generally, he received the small compensation  
of from $7 to $10 each week. The books of the Asso- 
ciation show that from June 3, 1861, to April 24, 1863,  
Eld. White received $7 per week. From April 24,  
1863, to October 30, 1863, he received $8 per week.  
From Oct. 30, 1863, to April 14, 1865, he received $9.  
per week. From April 14, 1865, to Aug. 15, 1865, he  
received $10 per week. On the last-named day he was  
stricken down with paralysis.  
During all this time, Sr. White received nothing for  
her services. She labored efficiently with her husband  
from place to place and with the church at Battle Creek,  
and did a great amount of important writing in the  
form of epistles to individuals and to churches through- 
out the entire field. No preacher among us labored  
more ardently and efficiently than Sr. White. In con- 
sequence of their house being a home for visiting breth- 
ren, she had to keep two hired girls—one in the kitchen,  
and one to do general housework and sewing; yet no  
provision was made for the expense of hired help in the  
family, and the extra wear and tear of clothing in trav- 
eling. And, to say nothing of these expenses, Eld.  
White's limited wages met only in part his general ex- 
penses, and the expenses of so large a family.  
In this state of things, Eld. White resorted to the  
sale of Bibles, Concordances, Bible Dictionaries, Bible  
Atlases, and works of this kind, as a means of support.  
He sent these books out by mail and express to all parts  
of the country. He took them with him, East and West,  
and his sales were very large, so that the profits were  
probably more in a year than his entire wages. This  
enabled him to meet his large expenses, and give  
for benevolent and charitable purposes. In this he


10  The Defense.  The Defense.  11  
wronged himself. In connection with his other arduous  
labors, this extra effort was very taxing. But there was  
a wrong back of this. It was the neglect on the part of  
our people to pay Sr. White for her valuable services.  
When Eld. White removed to Battle Creek, he lived  
for a considerable time in a hired house. After this,  
by the assistance of friends, rather by their direct do- 
nation, he obtained one acre and a half of land, still  
covered with forest trees, and situated in the extreme  
western part of Battle Creek. On this piece of land,  
by the aid of the friends in Battle Creek and some  
other places, he erected a moderate-sized cottage house,  
which cost some $500; and with the same friendly aid 
he cleared off his new land, and converted it into a gar- 
den and a small orchard of fruit trees. Here he lived  
several years. During this time this increased in value  
by the rise of property so that he sold it for $1500. It  
has since been sold for $2000.  
Wishing to live nearer the Office, and having a chance  
to purchase a suitable place at a very reasonable price,  
at the corner of Washington and Champion streets, he  
bought the same for $1300. Here he lived at the time  
of his paralytic shock. He made improvements upon  
the house, and upon the grounds in fruit trees, grapes,  
and small fruits, amounting to about $1200. The rise  
of property in the city opened his way again to sell to  
advantage. This place sold for $4500. Soon after this  
he invested his means in the purchase of a house and  
eleven acres of land, a little way out of the city, which  
cost him, after some additions made to the house, and  
the building of a small barn, some $5000.  
In the spring of 1867, on account of his great pros- 
tration, and that he might be free from Office burdens,  
he removed to Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich. In  
consequence of this removal, he sold the place last  
purchased in Battle Creek; for this he was to receive  
$6000. But failing to obtain the payments as they be- 
came due, he has suffered much embarrassment. A  
very large part of his entire property is thus seen to be  

made up of the rise of the real estate which he owned  
at different times during this period. It is proper also  
to state that, at the commencement of the war he pur- 
chased, upon his own responsibility, $1200 worth of writ- 
ing paper and envelopes, which in a short time doubled 
in value on his hands. These are the means by which  
Eld. White has obtained property. As we have shown,  
his profits in honorably conducting a laudable business 
were $2000; rise on stationery, $1200; and rise of three  
different places in Battle Creek, $4000; in all amount- 
ing to $7200. But his property had never been re- 
garded at any time worth more than $6000, which,  
during his severe and protracted sickness was much  
diminished. He acknowledges with gratitude the re- 
ceipt of means from his brethren to purchase a com- 
fortable carriage; also other donations at the time  
when, in extreme feebleness, he began to resume his  
labors in the cause. Since that time, God has greatly  
blessed Eld. White, and prospered everything he has  
set his hand unto, so that the means in his hands at this  
time are fully equal to those of any former period.  
We know of few things which seem to us more un- 
just than that of charging Eld. White with grasping  
means and hoarding wealth. He has endeavored so to  
manage his affairs that he might have something to  
give to him that needeth. This is certainly right.  
And that he has given wisely, largely, and freely, a  
large number of witnesses are ready to testify. That  
he has invariablx refused money when he had reason to  
think that the donors were not actually able to part  
with what they freely offered, is a fact to which many  
can bear witness. And that he has generally, if not  
invariably, refused to appropriate donations to himself,  
but has appropriated them to the cause in some branch  
where it most needed help, is equally well known.  
That he has largely donated to aid poor ministers, per- 
sons in distress, widows, orphans, and the like, is also  a  
well-known fact.  
Are these the deeds of a covetous man ? Do  those  
a


12  The Defense.  
that grasp riches act in this manner ? Is this the way  
to grind the faces of the poor ? If there were more  
such men, would not the world be the better for it ? Is  
'there a man to rise up and say that Eld. White has de- 
frauded him in any matter of deal ? It is this very  
class of persons that we have called upon through  
the  Review  to speak out, if such can be anywhere  
found. Not one such person has spoken; and we  
therefore confidently assert that not one such person  
can be found. The facts bear testimony to his upright•.  
ness and conscientiousness.  
But what shall we say of those who spend much time  
and means in abusing him as an avaricious man, grasp- 
ing means on the right hand and on the left ? If they  
know not whereof they affirm, they are inexcusable for  
circulating cruel statements concerning that of which  
they know nothing. But if they know the facts, they  
are guilty of loving and making a lie, and will have the  
lake of fire for their portion if they do not make thor- 
ough work of repentance. It is, perhaps, no use to  
reason with those whose hearts "are imbittered toward  
the cause he represents; but to all who are candid, and  
fear God and work righteousness, we address ourselves.  
We ask you to deal justly by Eld. White. We do not  
ask any favors, only that we have simple justice at your  
hands. This will be satisfactory, and this, we trust, 
we shall not fail to receive.  
The officers who had the supervision of the affairs of  
the Association and the Health Institute, have certified 
that there was among them a feeling that they could  
get along as well without Eld. White as with him.  
In other words, they felt sufficient of themselves to  
conduct affairs which needed prudence, experience,  
and the approving presence of God, to be carried on  
successfully. This certificate is no idle compliment; it  
states a fact which had become apparent to all observ- 
ers. It presents a state of things against which they  
had been faithfully warned, and which they now deeply  
regret.  

The Defense.  13  
That the facts may be well understood and appre- 
ciated, we will remark that, in the spring of 1865, the  
assets of the Association were $25,215.11; in the next  
three years they rose, according to the books, to $35,- 
996.59. In the same time there were received, in do- 
nations and for shares, $5,797.25. In the year 1868,  
Eld. White requested the privilege of publishing Life  
Incidents as his own work, which he did, issuing an  
edition of 4800 copies. We notice this, because it has  
been reported that he made a large profit on the work.  
It is true that he made a profit on it, and he was not  
alone in considering that he was entitled to the privi- 
lege of some profit from the publication of his own  
writing, that he might have means at his control for  
the various benevolent purposes he was aiding. But  
let us look further at this matter. Considerable of this  
edition was furnished on the book distribution fund, at  
40 per cent discount—a greater discount than was made  
by the Association to their agents. During the same  
year some valuable works were published, including the  
Autobiography of Eld. Jos. Bates, Keepsake, and such  
standard pamphlets as Truth Found, Vindication of the  
True Sabbath, and large editions of rapidly-selling  
tracts, for which it paid the writers nothing. If Eld.  
White made a large profit, as was asserted, surely the  
Association should have made a very large profit on  
their numerous works, together with the periodicals,  
job work, &e. An examination of the _books shows the  
following figures :  
Amount of property belonging to the Association in  
the spring of 1868,  $35,996.59  
Am't of same in spring of 1869,  32,736.53  
Showing a decrease of  
Ifut during the year there were re-  
ceived, by donations and shares,  
Making the decrease  

3,260.06  
372.28  
$3,632.34


14  The Defense.  The Defense.  15  
And now we appeal to all those who reported, or were  
troubled with, the idea that Eld. White made a " good  
thing " on his book ; if the Association, with all its  
book sales, job printing, &c., sunk over $3,000 of its  
capital in one year, how much should Eld. White make  
on a single edition of a single book ?  
The actual loss, however, is greater than the above  
figures show. The capital invested in such business  
should be, under proper management, worth at least  
10 per cent interest. This on the assets of May 1, 
1868, would be  $3,599.65  
This, with donations as above,  372.28  
Should give an increase of capital of  
Add to this the capital of above date,  
Would give for May 1, 1869,  
But the assets, May 1, 1869, were  
Showing a real loss of  $7,231.99  
But there is still a further view to be taken of this  
matter. During Eld. White's sickness, and all the time  
thereafter in which he had not the oversight of the  
Office, those who acted as officers of the Association, 
and had control of its affairs, resided in Battle Creek,  
spent all their time in its employ, and drew regular  
weekly wages for their services—wages varying from  
$12 to $18 per week. This might be expected to  
insure the best of interest and care in its business  
management. On the other hand, while it was under  
Eld. White's supervision, he was, much of the time,  
traveling from East to West, holding the most import- 
ant and laborious meetings. During these, he would  
take time, by day or by night, to examine his letters  
from the Office, make his estimates, order paper and  
other materials, and advise concerning the labor in the  
Office, exercising the greatest vigilance in its manage- 
ment; but for all this he received nothing from the   

Association, having only single pay as an ordinary  
preacher. And when at the Office, watching over and  
ordering every part of the work, he had also to keep  
his mind on every part of the field, performing his  
duties on Conference Committees, and advising the  
laborers in the various States. Those who are entirely  
ignorant of his labors may plead their ignorance as an  
excuse for accusing him of laboring for his own interest.  
But ignorance in such a case is a poor excuse, for no  
one has a right to circulate a slander against his neigh- 
bor when he is ignorant of the facts in regard to his  
character. But all who are at all acquainted with Eld.  
White know that his interest has been in this cause.  
In its prosperity he always rejoiced; while no sorrow  
was so deep as that which was occasioned by reverses in  
this work.  
THE BOOK FUND.  
A brother writes from Iowa : " Bro. Andrews : A  
short time since, you and Brn. Bell and Smith, put forth  
a call for testimony either for or against Eld. White's  
financial course. As I suppose your call a  bona fide  
one, I will mention one point which has caused consid- 
erable talk and raised some prejudice against him. I  
refer to his method of raising money on the Book Fund.  
As I understand it, some who had not subscribed at all,  
he put down for one hundred dollars, or less, in the 
report published, and others who had not pledged 
what he thought sufficient, he put down for larger  
sums, according to his own judgment. Some of our  
opponents have made quite a handle of this. They, of  
course, carry the idea of compulsion. I have never  
had any trial over this matter myself, but thought it  
would perhaps be well to notice it for the benefit of  
others."  
All who have the good of the cause at heart, will  
take their stand with the writer of the above, and say 
that they have no trial over this matter, but the prede-  

3,971.93  
35,996.59  
39,968.52 
32,736.53


16  The Defense.  
termined caviler it will probably be impossible to sat- 
isfy on any ground. In this, as in other objections, the  
matter has first to be presented in a false and perverted  
light, before it can be made to bear even the sem- 
blance of a cause of complaint. They carry the idea  
of compulsion. Where did they get that idea ?  
Against this idea of compulsion, Eld. W. carefully  
and explicitly guarded, from beginning to end, in this  
matter. He is extensively acquainted in all parts of  
the field. He understands the circumstances of indi- 
viduals. Under these circumstances, he ventured to  
suggest to some individuals what he thought they  
ought to do on the Book Fund. And he did this in the  
following manner : Instead of writing them personally,  
which would have been a tedious and expensive opera- 
tion, he simply inserted the figures opposite their names  
in the  advance proofs of a proposed Book Fund Report,  
and sent a copy to each one whose figures he thought  
should be changed. In this report he was careful to  
explain his action in the matter, and to submit it wholly ,    
to their acceptance, amendment, or rejection, in the fol- 
lowing paragraph :  
" Again, I have taken the liberty to add the names  
of some who have not pledged, and to change some of  
the figures of the amounts pledged, with the supposi- 
tion that when the importance and magnitude of this  
work are more fully understood, the liberal donors will  
fully approve of the changes. All the time necessary  
will be given such.  If any should be dissatisfied, they  
will please inform  me, and I will change back their fig- 
ures."  
This last sentence we italicize for the especial atten- 
tion of the reader. In this paragraph, Eld. W. ex- 
plains his action, tells on what ground he takes it, and  
then he submits the matter wholly to those concerned, 
to accept or reject, as they may see fit. He allows each  
one to fix his own date of payment, and gives ample  
time for all to respond to his suggestions before the Re- 
port should finally go to press, and be made ready for  

The Defense.  17  
general distribution. And now how stands the case ?  
Who is wronged ? Who is compelled ? Who is even  
asked to do more than he thinks himself able to do ?  
And what need be said more ? Has not Eld. W. a  
right to make suggestions to his brethren ? And when  
ample time is given them to respond, and they are re- 
quested to state if they cannot comply with the prop- 
osition, has any one the least ground to go away and  
complain of any imposition, unfairness, or compulsion,  
in the matter ? We submit to the candid, without fur- 
ther attempt to answer an objection which evidently  
owes its origin to unfriendly feelings on the part of  
the originators.  
Another matter has come to our notice, which we will  
attend to in this connection. A letter from H. E.  
Carver, of Marion, Iowa, says that some months since, It  
Hicks, of Providence, R. I., sent him a letter implicat- 
ing the honesty of Eld. White in financial matters.  
The charge is, that Mrs. E. Temple told him that she  
had given Eld. White one hundred dollars for the good  
of the cause, which she expected to see acknowledged  
in the  Review;  but as it never was acknowledged,  
she concluded that he had appropriated it to his own  
use. " This," says Mr. C., " is a serious charge."  
But we fail to see any ground for this charge.  
The writer says that Mrs. T. " concluded " that he had  
appropriated the money to his own use. But he did  
not know that there was any just ground for the con- 
clusion. The facts are these : Sr. Temple gave to  
Eld. White $97.00, to be used for the benefit of the  
cause, as he saw fit. This was placed to her credit  
on the books of the Office, as is the custom with money  
loaned to the Association, of which, however, she was  
not aware, and expressed surprise when she learned the  
fact from Eld. White in the year 1868. It was not her  
expectation that it should be considered as a loan.  
With her consent, $50.00 of it were placed to her  
credit on the Book Fund, and marked paid, as will  
2


18  The Defense.  The Defense.  19  
be seen by referring to the Report, p. 8; p. 10, first  
edition. For the remaining $47.00, she received books  
which she desired for her own use and for circulation.  
Certificate.—To  authenticate the above facts, we, the  
undersigned, state that we have examined the books of  
the Publishing Association, and find Mrs. E. Temple  
credited "To money on deposit, $97.00," under date  
of Nov. 15, 1864. Her account for books since that  
time amounts to $49.16. This, with the $50.00 applied  
on the Book Fund, overruns the deposit by $2.16.  
J.  H. WAGGONER,  
J. N.  ANDREWS,  
U. SMITH.  
ELD. WHITE'S GENERAL COURSE.  
The life of Bro. White has been filled with acts of  
disinterested benevolence. Were it not that those  
who hate his close preaching and his faithful reproofs  
have so often represented him as a grasping, selfish  
man, it would be well to let these remain to the revela- 
tion of the great day, known only to Him who beholds  
every act, and to those who have been the sharers of  
these acts of mercy. But the circumstances of the case  
demand that we speak freely, though it is quite impos- 
sible to give more than a very small part of the many  
deeds of noble and unselfish devotion to the good of 
others.  
For every worthy object he has given freely, largely,  
and unselfishly. From the commencement of this  
work, he has done what lay in his power to aid the  
needy and distressed, and to help those who were strug- 
gling with poverty while striving to preach the word of  
God. We cannot enumerate these things in order, but  
will call attention to various periods of this work with- 
out strict regard to chronological order.  
A few years after the Review  had been removed to Bat- 
tle Creek, Bro. White began the publication of a sheet  
called the  Good Samaritan, which was issued almost   

wholly with reference to the relief of the needy and dis- 
tressed. Here Bro. and Sr. White plead the cause of 
the needy, and to give force to this call to others, they  
set the example by giving largely themselves. And  
thus they were able to inspire others to act in the same  
manner to a considerable extent. Thus, in the case of  
Bro. T. B. Mead, now deceased, who broke down in  
health at the Review Office, Bro. W. gave largely him- 
self, and stirred up others, by his example and his ex- 
hortation, to do the same. He hired money at ten per  
cent interest which he loaned to Bro. Mead without in- 
terest, to enable him to pay for his humble home.  
And as he traveled East and West, he solicited donations  
from the brethren for Bro. Mead. And this money  
thus obtained he indorsed upon the note of Bro. M.  
Also when brethren freely donated to Bro. White for his  
own personal benefit, he received none of it for himself,  
but used it in paying the notes of Bro. M. And all this  
was done after giving freely of his own means for Bro.  
Mead. When the notes were thus paid up, Bro. White  
gave them back to Bro. M. And while that dear  
brother still lived, Bro. White never ceased to care for  
his wants, nor did he fail to care for his widow and  
fatherless child.  
Bro. J. N. Loughborough has also been largely a  
sharer in the unselfish deeds of Bro. White. To aid  
him in the purchase of a small place for his family,  
Bro. White donated $25. Then, as in the case of Bro.  
Mead, above stated, he hired money at ten per cent, and  
loaned it without interest to Bro. Loughborough, to pay  
for his place. He took the note of Bro. L., and as he  
went forth to different fields of labor, he solicited dona- 
tions to aid Bro. L., and indorsed these upon the notes.  
And as the brethren tendered him donations for his  
own personal benefit, he indorsed these also upon the  
note of Bro. L. until it was all paid, when he gave it back  
to him, Bro. L. not paying one dollar. It should also  
be mentioned that he gave to Bro. L. and family a  
home with him for a season, free of expense. Surely


20  The Defense.  The Defense.  21  
these acts were noble and unselfish. During the years  
in which Eld. L. was quite poor, he was constantly  
sharing the bounty of Bro. White, both in money, and  
in many substantial benefits. Thus, for instance, he  
furnished Bro. Loughborough his excellent team to use  
in his labor in the region round about, for one year or  
more, for which he charged him nothing, though Bro.  
W. met the extra expense of keeping the team. The  
reader is cited to the testimonial of Bro. L. in this  
work. The use of the team was not worth less than one 
hundred dollars.  
The case of Bro. Andrews should also be mentioned.  
Toward this brother Eld. White has ever acted a  
noble and generous part. For nearly twenty years has  
he, in many ways, rendered him assistance and aid.  
He did, for many years of Bro. Andrews' property and  
constant want, very often render him generous aid in  
sums of money, in articles of clothing, and in many  
other things. Thus he did, for several years while the  
Review  was printed in the State of New York, at fre- 
quent intervals, and sometimes, for months at a time,  
furnish Bro. Andrews a home in his family. And  
even during the past two years, Bro. A. has lived in  
his family for many months, for all of which, he has  
absolutely refused any compensation. As Bro. A.,  
while the Office was in New York, was mainly engaged  
in preparation of matter for publication in some form,  
Eld. White thought it proper, during that time, to ask  
the brethren to aid him by donations. This he did  
twice, and each time gave liberally himself, the last  
time $50.  
When, at a later period, a home was purchased for  
Bro. Andrews, not only did Eld. White take the re- 
sponsibility of making the call for that object, but he  
donated for the purpose $50. At a later time,he gave  
him a watch worth some $50, and also a book case 
which cost some $21. In various articles of clothing  
and of usefulness for himself and family, he has, from  
time to time, made generous donations, and has mani-  

fested a spirit of tender care and sympathy wholly un- 
like the spirit of the close, selfish, and covetous. It is  
very manifest that Eld. White has ever had a fatherly  
care for Bro. Andrews, and that he has ever acted a  
noble, generous, and Christian part toward him.  
Time would fail to enumerate the cases scattered all  
over the country, in which Eld. White has acted in  
this same manner, though, of course, from lack of op- 
portunity, he has not always given so largely as in some  
of the cases named. But there are, perhaps, none of our  
preachers who have not been the sharers of his gener- 
ous assistance. And wherever the cases of widows and  
orphans have come under his observation, and he has  
seen suitable opportunity and occasion for action, he  
has manifested his pity and his benevolence.  
Eld. White has, indeed, transacted business more or  
less all the way along, but it has been that he might  
support his family without taking anything but very  
moderate pay from the Association or the Conference,  
and that he might have means to give in the cause of  
God in the manner already indicated.  
What has been said of Eld. Loughborough might  
also be said of Eld. J. II. Waggoner, as Eld. White  
has pursued a similar course, giving largely to aid him  
in the purchase of a home, and inciting others to do  
the same. So, also, has he done in the case of B. F.  
Snook. So, also, in that of Eld. W. S. Ingraham, as  
well as in that of Moses Hull, Eld. Shortridge, and  
others; and so in a less degree of many others.  
During all this time he has paid Systematic Benevo- 
lence on his property, which, with many persons, is  
thought to be too much to do of itself alone. But not  
so with Eld. White. Not only has he given as above,  
besides the paying of Systematic Benevolence, but he has  
given largely on the different Missionary Funds, Book  
Funds, Benevolent and Philanthropic Associations, and  
in many other ways, freely and largely, whenever there  
has been opportunity that has seemed to him to be a call  
from the providence of God. Such is the record of Eld.


RESPONSES TO THE ABOVE.  
From Eld. Joseph Bates.  

22  The Defense.  The Defense.  23  
White. There are few persons whose deeds of benevo- 
lence are so numerous and so disinterested. And if he  
be called covetous and grasping, what shall be said of  
those who fall far short of him in deeds of self-sacrifice ?  
Reference has been made to the call through the  Re- 
view,  Oct. 26, 1869, which we here insert, with re- 
sponses which have been cheerfully given :  
"DEFENSE OF ELD. JAMES WHITE.  
" Justice to Eld. White, and sacred regard for the  
truth and for right, demand that we speak in his de- 
fense against the unjust attacks of his enemies. We •  
do not do this merely as an act of personal justice to  
Eld. W., but mainly because what is said against him  
is used by our enemies as their best weapon with which  
to assail the cause of present truth. We fully believe  
that God has called him to occupy a leading position in 
the work of the third angel's message. We also believe  
that God has given to Sr. White what the New Testa- 
ment calls the gift of prophecy. The importance of  
her position in this work is, therefore, very great. If  
our work is of God, and if the doctrines which we cher- 
ish are the truths of the third angel's message, then,  
surely, ours is a most important and responsible business.  
And those who stand in the fore-front of the work have  
responsibilities upon them which cannot be estimated.  
We have some sense of the importance of the position  
occupied in this work by Bro. and Sr. White. But our  
enemies have, in some respects, a more perfect concep- 
tion of it than we, as a people, have possessed. By the  
word, enemies, we mean those who have made it their  
chief business to attack the character and work of Bro.  
and Sr. White, as the most effectual method of warring  
against this cause. We have never claimed infallibility  
for these faithful servants of Christ; yet we believe  
that God has given them a testimony to bear which  
cannot be disregarded, except at our own peril.  
" It becomes necessary at the present time to make  a  

direct appeal to the readers of the  Review  relative to  
the course of Eld. White in financial matters. It is due  
to him, and he asks it as an act of justice, that every  
person who knows any act of dishonesty, or overreach- 
ing, or fraud, or covetousness, or grasping of means in  
any unbecoming manner, should make a statement of  
the fact in writing, and send it to this Office. We de- 
sign to place before the public a full statement of the  
financial matters of Eld. White, as the most fitting re- 
ply to the attacks which are now being made upon him.  
" We ask every one who can speak of any unjust  
transaction of which he has personal knowledge, to re- 
port the same to this Office. Let us have a full and  
immediate reply to this request. And that we may  
have the whole truth, we ask also that those who have  
been witnesses of, or sharers in, his acts of benevolence,  
shall also give us statements of the facts touching this  
part of the subject. We request an immediate response  
from all concerned.  
" J. N. ANDREWS,  
" G. H. BELL,  Committee."  
"U.  SMITH,  
BRN. ANDREWS, BELL, AND SMITH  :  In compliance  
with your request in  Review for October 26, 1869, I  
wish to say that I have been acquainted with Bro.  
and Sr. White since the autumn of the year 1845,  
during which time I have traveled and been associated  
with them in holding religious meetings in many States  
of the Union, and met with them at about every Gen- 
eral Conference during the last twenty years. There- 
fore I have had opportunity to fully understand his  
management of financial matters the most of the time  
since the publication of the  Review.  It gives me pleas-


24  The Defense.  
ure to say that I have entire confidence in his honesty  
and uprightness. He is still, and ever has been, the  
man of my choice, called of God (as I firmly believe)  
to the place he has so long and faithfully filled.  
I would further say that he has not only made the  
interest of the cause his own, but also the interest of  
those laboring to advance the cause. He has most  
generously donated from his own means to help sustain  
me in this work. As one instance, I will mention the  
fact that at one time he furnished me with a house for  
my family for fourteen months, for which he refused to  
receive rent.  JOSEPH BATES.  
Monterey, Mich., Nov.  1, 1869.  
From Eld. M. E. Cornell.  
BRETHREN OF THE COMMITTEE : It is a pleasure to  
me to have the opportunity of bearing my testimony in  
regard to the reports that are in circulation against Bro.  
White, that he has been unjust in deal, covetous, &e.  
I can say in truth that I know of no man who I believe  
has a higher regard for strict honesty before God, or  
that, considering the amount of business he has trans- 
acted for the cause, can show a cleaner record than Eld.  
James White.  
In regard to liberality ; many of us poor preachers,  
and others, have bountifully shared of it at different  
times. I can truly say that I never knew a more liberal  
man toward those he regards as the worthy poor, or  
the really needy among his brethren.  
But Bro. White has been most liberal and faithful in  
another direction, namely, that of reproving the erring  
without respect of persons. Being most needy, I have  
shared more largely than many others in this direction.  
But for this I feel most grateful to him and to God this  
day. Whatever may be his or my future course, I must  
say, as a matter of simple justice to him and the cause,  
that it is my solemn conviction that those who utter  
such slander are guilty of " speaking evil of the things  

The Defense.  25  
they understand not ;" and I fear in many cases they  
are actuated by the same spirit that moved Cain to slay  
his brother. " And wherefore. slew he him ? because 
his own works were evil and his brother's righteous."  
1 John 3 : 12.  
If I am uncharitable, may God forgive. It has ever  
been the case that those who were unwilling to receive  
correction have .murmured and waxed bitter against  
those who have tried to help them. " A scorner loveth  
not one that reproveth him, neither will he go unto the  
wise." Prov. 15 : 12.  M. E. CORNELL.  
Boston, Mass., Nov.  8, 1869.  
From Bro. Gurney.  
BRN. ANDREWS, BELL, AND SMITH : From the  
spring of 1846, I have been intimately acquainted with  
the course and acts of Elder James White. I unhesi- 
tatingly state that I have ever found him to be a judi- 
cious, consistent believer in the third angel's message.  
I have myself shared in his benevolence, when he has  
come to my home and found me needy.  
I have seen him pursue the same course toward others,  
even sharing his scanty purse when needy himself. My  
intimate acquaintance with him prepares me to speak  
without a doubt concerning the motives which govern  
him. I have ever considered him to be the man to re- 
buke covetousness, being himself free from it.  
H. S. GURNEY.  
A. A. DODGE, of Battle Creek, Mich., after nine- 
teen years' acquaintance, thus testifies : From my first  
acquaintance with Bro. and Sr. White, I have found  
them to be in every way benevolent, always remember- 
ing the needy, and watching for their interest. I have  
known them often to refuse money and presents, hand- 
ing them back to the donors. I have forwarded funds  
to Bro. and Sr. W., requesting that it should be used for 
their comfort, and to my disappointment and surprise,


I have found it placed to some object for the purpose  
of setting the truth of God before the people. In all  
the business of various 'kinds which I have transacted  
with them, I never have witnessed in the least any  
act of overreaching or covetousness, or in any way  
grasping funds for their own benefit. For any little  
favors that I have had the privilege of rendering them, I  
have, with others of my acquaintance, received almost  
double pay. I believe them to be, in heart and life,  
true servants of God.  
From the Church in Ransom Center, Mich.  
We,  the undersigned, having witnessed the dealings  
of Eld. James White with our fellow-men, and some of  
us having had dealings with him ourselves, do cheer- 
fully testify that his conduct has been characterized by  
uprightness, generosity, and  nobleness of soul.  
II. A. ST JOHN, and eight others.  
Ranson Center, Mich., Nov.  7, 1869.  
From Bro. Howe.  
BRN. ANDREWS, BELL, AND SMITH : I have had  
some acquaintance with Bro. White, and have been a  
close observer of his manner of dealing with his breth- 
ren, and have thought him to be very careful always to  
do just right. If he was unjust in any way he was so  
to himself. An instance of this with myself I will  
mention : In September 1868, after camp-meeting at  
Wright, in passing from his place, in Greenville, to  
Battle Creek, he called at my house and found me just  
recovering from typhus fever, and was led to inquire  
into my wants, which resulted in his letting me have  
two hundred dollars, which was not paid, only in part, 
till May, for which he utterly refused to take any in- 
terest. At different times I have seen manifest in him  
great care that none should do more than was right for  
them to do.  FRANKLIN HOWE.  
Orange, Mich.  

From Eld. J. N. Loughborough.  
DEAR BRETHREN : I have been personally and in- 
timately acquainted with Bro. White for over seventeen  
years. For three years of that time, I lived near his  
residence in Rochester, N. Y., and eleven years, as near  
him in Battle Creek, Mich. During that seventeen  
years I have been intimately acquainted with his busi-
ness career, not only in connection with the Office of  
publication, but, having traveled with him extensively  
from State to State, I have witnessed and assisted him  
in a large amount of his business transactions during  
that time, and done business with him myself to the  
amount of several thousand dollars.  
I never saw in him, in his deal with myself, or others,  
anything but the most strict honesty, frankness, and  
liberality. His course, to my certain knowledge, has  
been in every respect the opposite of that of overreach- 
ing or dishonesty.  
I have, while in poverty, been a sharer in his acts of  
disinterested, personal benevolence to the amount of  
over one hundred dollars, and have witnessed his con- 
stant effort to act the part of " the good Samaritan "  
to those in need, giving of his substance to meet their  
wants.  
I have many times witnessed his overpaying needy  
persons who labored for him, in settling with them,  
but never an act of diminishing their just pay.  
J.  N. LOUGHBOROUGH.  
Sebastopol, Cal., Nov.  9, 1869.  
From Bro. and Sr. Clarke.  
DEAR BRN. ANDREWS, BELL, AND SMITH : In re- 
ply to the slanderous attacks of malicious foes, we wish  
to give our testimony, in defense of the character of  
Eld. James White.  
We have, for many years, been more or less ac- 
quainted with the course of Bro. White, and we cheer- 
fully and conscientiously say, that we believe him to be  

26  The Defense.  The Defense.  27


28  The Defense.  
honorable in all his dealings; and that he would sooner  
sacrifice his life, than knowingly wrong any one of his  
just due. Farther, we would say, that we believe that  
God has raised up this man, at this time, to stand in  
the position he now occupies; and that he should go  
forward regardless of the slander of the enemy; and in  
so doing God will sustain him. We have no fears in  
his case, that funds intrusted to him will be misused.  
His past forethought and care have often saved the cause  
from financial disaster, and his liberality and self-sacri-
ficing spirit have been a noble example to the church.  
In his devotion to the cause he has sacrificed his own  
pecuniary interest, and has fairly earned, and richly  
deserves, the sympathy and confidence of the people of  
God.  Yours in hope,  JOSEPH CLARKE,  
SARAH CLARKE.  
BRO. C. C. VAN DOREN testifies : About one year  
ago last July, I sent Eld. James White ten dollars by  
letter to be used as he thought best, which, when he  
knew my circumstances, he returned to me.  
C. C. VAN DOREN.  
Hillsdale Co,, Mich.  
From Eld. A. C. Bourdeau.  
I hereby certify that for more than thirteen years  
past, I have been well acquainted with Eld. White, and  
have had dealings more or less extensive with him;  
and I find in my own experience, that his course in fi- 
nancial matters, has been one of pure, disinterested in- 
tegrity and benevolence, and that there dwells in his  
heart a sincere desire, and an unwavering determina- 
tion to have his dealings with God and man perfectly  
in harmony with truth, wisdom, and justice.  
I have witnessed instances, even in my own experi- 
ence, in which, when money has been offered to Eld.  
White for benevolent purposes, to be applied for his  
own use, or for the cause, he has been very particular  

The Defense.  29  
to weigh circumstances, and look well at the financial  
standing of those who offered the money; and he has,  
in certain cases, not only  utterly refused  to accept the  
means from them, but has  donated of his own means to  
them, to supply their necessities, and to help bear their  
burdens. Never have I known him to be otherwise  
than a generous-hearted and true friend of the poor,  
the needy, and the oppressed.  
I firmly believe Bro. and Sr. White to be honest and  
upright Christians, and especially called of God to the  
important position they occupy in this work. And to  
them I would say : Fear not the malicious attacks and  
boisterous roarings of your enemies. The Lord of hosts  
is well able to lead you safely through the tempest, to  
a peaceful land of rest.  
A. C. BOURDEAU.  
H. W. LAWRENCE, West Bangor, N. Y., testifies :  
Having known and done business at different times with  
Eld. James White for the last seventeen years, I  
would like to say that from first to last I have found 
him, not only fair, but condescending to bestow un- 
solicited favors, even refusing the full amount of money  
I have offered for publications. I have ever felt that  
he was entitled (as much as any mortal could be) to the  
confidence reposed in him by S. D. Adventists.  
ELD. D. M. CANRIGHT testifies : I have known Eld.  
James White for over ten years, and have had consid- 
erable knowledge of his dealings with many persons  
from Maine to Iowa. I have never seen any thing my- 
self like dishonesty, smallness, or covetousness, in him,  
nor have I heard any man who has dealt with him in  
any way charge him with these. I have often known  
of his liberality to others, to different needy ministers,  
to various benevolent objects, &c. I myself have per- 
sonally experienced the liberality of Eld. White on sev- 
eral occasions. From a pretty thorough acquaintance


30  The Defense.  
with him, I have full confidence in his strict, Christian  
integrity of character.  
Monroe, Iowa, Nov.  2, 1869.  
From E1d. Stephen Pierce.  
BRETHREN OF THE COMMITTEE : I have had consid- 
erable deal with Bro. White, in his line of business, for  
more than seventeen years, and therefore freely respond  
to your call, in his defense. In all his deal with me,  
and what I have known of his deal with others, I have  
never witnessed even the  appearance  of anything like  
dishonesty, overreaching, fraud, covetousness, or grasp- 
ing of means in any unbecoming manner whatever; and  
of course no unjust transaction of his has ever come to  
my personal knowledge.  
On the other hand, I have, in many striking instances,  
witnessed in his course things that gave evidence of  
characteristics wholly opposite to the above, such as  
returning donations given to defray traveling expenses,  
by individuals in moderate circumstances; the bestow- 
ment of donations on some in embarrassed circum- 
stances; and also the gratuitous bestowment of books  
on some not able to pay.  
Farther than this, I myself have been the recipient  
of quite a number of benevolent gratuities from his  
hand. Some of these I may not be able to recollect,  
but a few of them I will now introduce. Not long after  
the Publishing Association was legally organized, I  
met with Bro. White, when I was much out of health,  
in deep despair, and destitute of means. But my wife,  
having received a small legacy about that time,  paid  
for a share in that Institution. This awakened such  
emotions of sympathy and pity in Bro. W., that he  
availed himself of a speedy opportunity for a private  
interview, to carefully suggest to me his willingness to  
pay gratuitously a share for me, that I might have a  
share the same as Mrs. Pierce.  
Such manifestations of generous kindness in one who  

The Defense.  31  
had no more cause for doing it than any other man in  
the church, do not easily vanish from my recollection.  
Also, when I was at the General Conference, two years  
ago last May; I visited at his house. He offered me a  
donation of $5.00, which I, at first, refused. But find- 
ing that it would distress his feelings if I did not take  
it, I accepted of it. Why this was offered, I was then  
at a loss to tell. But I found before I got home I had  
need of it. Also at two different times he has given  
me new hymn books.  
In conclusion I would say, such manifestations of re- 
fined generosity I have rarely witnessed in any other  
man.  
Yours for the truth,  STEPHEN PIERCE.  
Stewartville, Olmstead Co., Minn.  
From Sr. C. E. Chipman.  
BRO. ANDREWS: In response to an invitation in a past  
number of the  Review, I embrace with pleasure this op- 
portunity of saying a few words in regard to Bro. White.  
I have been, for the last year and a half, intimately  
acquainted with Bro. and Sr. White and a constant re- 
cipient of their care and kindness. I feel sure that to  
them, under God, I owe my life, and the degree of  
health and happiness I now enjoy.  
In June, 1868, I left my home in Mecosta Co. on  
business which called me to the counties of Montcalm  
and Kent. I was at that time in poor health, and in  
consequence of the extra exertions I was obliged to  
make, became too feeble either to complete my business  
transactions, or to return to my family. In this condi-
tion, I was stopping at a public house in Greenville,  
when the fact came to the knowledge of Bro. and Sr.  
White. They immediately came to me and invited me  
to their own home, and cordially extended to me every  
kindness, assisting me liberally with their means, as  
well as giving me that true, Christian sympathy of which  
I was so much in need.


3i  The Defense.  
When, after consulting with others, Bro. White de- 
cided it was best that I should go to the Health Institute,  
he sent his own team and easy carriage to convey me to  
Battle Creek. After a stay of nearly five months at the  
Institute, where my health was much improved, Bro.  
White brought together my children, of whom himself  
and Sr. White had the care, relieving me entirely of the  
burden during my stay at the Institute, and for some  
time before I went there.  
By their aid, and that of other kind friends here, we  
were enabled to meet again as a family, and settle in  
Battle Creek. Bro. White has since given two of my  
daughters constant employment in the Review Office,  
where they are now engaged as apprentices to the busi- 
ness. My eldest son is provided with a good home in  
the excellent family of Bro. Buck, of' Wright, Mich.  
Having been for some time an inmate of the family of  
Bro. White, and also engaged in a situation where I am  
necessarily cognizant of his mode of transacting busi- 
ness, I know him to be a thorough and competent busi-
ness man, as well as a perfectly honorable dealer. I  
also know him to be extremely liberal in the use of his  
means whenever and wherever he sees any person in  
want.  
I will also say, in conclusion, that my daily prayer  
to God is that he will still spare to his cause Bro. and Sr.  
White; that they may have health; and that strength,  
spiritual and physical, may be abundantly measured to  
them. My highest ambition is, so to live that I may be  
one of those implied when it shall be said, " Inasmuch  
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have  
done it unto me."  C. E. CHIPMAN.  
Battle Creek, Mich.  
ELD. P. WHEELER, of West Monroe, N. Y., testifies  
to the following incidents, which, though some may consid- 
er small in themselves, are, nevertheless, very significant :  
Soon after I embraced the third angel's message, while  

The Defense.  33  
Bro. and Sr. White were residing in Saratoga Co., N. Y.,  
[This was in the days of their poverty.—Co ma some friend  
having given them a turkey for thanksgiving day, instead  
of using it themselves, they sold it and sent the pro- 
ceeds to me to help me out to labor in the cause of God.  
At another time, when residing in New Hampshire,  
Bro. and Sr. 'White being there to hold meetings, they  
kindly furnished me the money to purchase a new buf- 
falo overcoat. And since living in this State, at one  
time when Bro. and Sr. White were in this State la- 
boring, I received from Bro.  - White five dollars to help  
purchase myself a shawl.  
ELD. S. N. HASKELL, of South Lancaster, Mass., who  
from evil influences, was at first induced to watch them  
for evil, is constrained, from experience, to bear the fol- 
lowing testimony :  
After I first embraced the present truth, and heard of  
Bro. and Sr. White, I unfortunately became acquainted  
with those who were their enemies, and my mind became  
very much prejudiced against them, especially against  
Bro. White. He was represented to me as an overbear- 
ing, penurious, grasping person, and one that would hold  
up the cause as an object of giving, while his real object  
was his own advantage. This was some twelve or thir- 
teen years ago. During the time that has elapsed since  
then, I have become acquainted with those who have  
had deal with him in Southern New Hampshire, South- 
ern  - Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and, of late  
years, in Rhode Island. I have also had some deal with  
him myself. My mind was so strongly prejudiced  
against him that I was prepared to look upon every  
move of his with suspicion and jealousy; and when I  
learned of any that had had any acquaintance or deal  
with him, I always inquired for all the particulars.  
(The real object of the inquiry I ever kept to myself.)  
I have also sent money to him to be appropriated, in a  
3


34  The Defense.  The Defense.  35  
way  that he could appropriate to himself if he wished.  
Now I can, from the heart, say, after an experience of  
some twelve or thirteen years, as above alluded to, I  
have never, thus far, been able to detect one single trans- 
action but what has borne the marks of justice and gen- 
erosity. Within the past few years, becoming more  
personally acquainted with him, I have shared in hiS  
disinterested benevolence, and oftentimes, within the  
past eighteen months, have wept when I have thought  
of how much prejudice I formerly had, and with what  
jealousy I watched him; and have yet to find the man  
who I have reason to believe possesses the same disin- 
terested benevolence that he does.  
S. N. HASKELL.  
From Bro. Belden.  
DEAR BRETHREN : I. first became acquainted with  
Bro. White in 1847. In the spring of 1848, himself  
and family moved into a part of my father's house in  
Rocky Hill, Conn., and occupied it through the summer.  
We saw no act of the nature of selfishness or dishonesty  
during this time; but, contrariwise, his uprightness of  
character and walk, and devotion to the cause of God,  
were the ruling features of his life and conversation.  
About the middle of the year 1851, myself and wife  
entered his family and became members of it, laboring  
both in it, and in the Review Office after it was es- 
tablished, until the year 1854. In this daily connection  
with them for three years we saw no selfish or dishonor- 
able act.  
From the year 1854 to 1862, I was brought into more  
close relation to him in my Office labors—having a more  
important part to act in its various changes and loca- 
tions. But, during all this long period of time, I cannot  
recall one such act. His interest in, and anxiety for,  
the cause and work of God, seemed to be the same.  
When all hands moved in the fear of God, and mani-  

fested the same interest in the cause that he evidently  
felt, he was ever joyful and happy.  
But there is another request that you make in this de- 
fense; viz., that those who have been sharers in his acts  
of benevolence should also note it.  
I am one that has been the sharer of such acts of  
benevolence at his hands from time to time, both while  
I was laboring in the Office of publication, and also since  
that time. Whenever I have been thrown into embar- 
rassing and straitened circumstances, and in affliction,  
Bro. and Sr. White have, many times, given me the  
needful aid, and also their sympathy. When they vis- 
ited us on their Eastern tour about one year since, and  
found us in deep affliction, they administered to our  
wants liberally, and to those of the sick one, till we 
were astonished at their kindness. And besides do- 
nations in money and books, &c., to members of our  
family, to a considerable amount, they put a twenty- 
dollar bank note in my vest pocket as they were about  
departing for their other appointments, also urging me  
to let them know of my wants and not feel delicate  
at receiving at their hands.  
My prayer is still for them, that they may receive a  
rich reward in the end. From your unworthy brother  
in hope,  S. T. BELDEN.  
Kensington, Ct., Dec.  7, 1869.  
From Bro. and Sr. Mead.  
DEAR BRN. ANDREWS, BELL, AND SMITH : At  the  
time Bro. and Sr. White came to this place in Dec.,  
1867, we were both in a feeble state of health, and had  
been the most of the time for a number of years. Our 
brethren and sisters and friends had dealt very kindly  
and generously with us; but in consequence of our  
long-continued sickness and afflictions, we were in strait- 
ened circumstances. Bro. and Sr. White manifested  
heartfelt sympathy for us by kind and encouraging  
words and real deeds of love. They not only helped


36  The Defense.  
us themselves, but interested others in our behalf, so  
that what we received from them and through their in- 
fluence, was a great help to us in time of need, for  
which we have ever felt truly grateful to God, to Bro.  
and Sr. White, and to all the other kind donors.  
Truly yours,  S. NEWELL MEAD,  
SARAH P. MEAD.  
Washington, N.  H.  
From the Church at Bowling Green, Ohio.  
We, the undersigned, wish to state in regard to our  
dealings with Eld. James White, of Battle Creek,  
Mich., that we have had financial dealings with him  
for eleven years past, and we have found him to be a  
man of good financial ability and strict integrity in all  
his transactions with us.  
OLIVER MEARS, elder, and seven others.  
From Bro. Cyphers.  
DEAR BRN. ANDREWS, BELL, AND S3IITH : My ex- 
perience with Bro. James White has proved him, in my  
mind, to be a man of tender regard for the needy. I  
have at times thought him generous to me to a fault;  
and I am knowing of others who must acknowledge his  
unsought-for kindness and generosity in influence and  
money, in their behalf. He has helped me as no other 
man ever did; and no one, aside from Bro. J. N. An- 
drews, has ever manifested a tithe of the interest in my  
welfare, that he has. There has ever seemed to be a  
fervent desire with him to live out the truth of God, as  
he understands it. And I feel sure the Lord will vin- 
dicate his cause; and the enemies of God's truth will  
receive their just reward.  M. B. CYPHERS.  
Greenville, Mich.  
BRO. M. S. KELLOGG, of Ionia Co., Mich., writes as  
follows : I would respond to the request of the Committee  

The Defense.  3T  
by relating a circumstance which came under my im- 
mediate notice. While living in Indiana, at the time  
there was a call for means to purchase a home for Bro.  
J. N. Andrews, there was living near me a poor sister  
who wished me to write a letter to the Office for her, in  
which she wished to inclose five dollars as a freewill of- 
fering, to be appropriated as Bro. White thought best.  
I told her that I could not think it was her duty to send  
it; but she insisted, saying that she had promised the  
Lord that-amount and she must send it. After consid- 
ering the matter, I wrote the letter, stating her circum- 
stances to Bro. White, inclosed the five dollars in the  
same, and sent it. I think it was by return mail that I  
received the same letter with a note at the bottom from  
Bro. White, stating that if Sr. - had done her duty,  
he would do his. He had inclosed the five dollars in  
the letter to me for this sister, and gave out of his own  
pocket the amount that she had sent toward purchasing  
a home for Bro. Andrews, and gave her credit for the  
same. I have noticed, for the last fourteen years  
that I have been acquainted with Bro. White, many  
other like incidents of his liberality. And I can truly  
say that his life of burden-bearing, self-sacrifice, and  
true devotion to the cause of God, should draw him very  
close to the hearts of all the friends of truth.  
From Bro. Taber.  
I cheerfully testify to the generosity of Bro. White  
in giving twenty-five dollars to clear me from the draft  
in 1864.  JUDSON TABER.  
Battle Creek, Nov.,  1869.  
From Bro. Sawyer.  
DEAR BRETHREN : I can testify to the fatherly care  
Bro. White has manifested for those in need. He has  
manifested disinterested benevolence, and untiring zeal,  
in the cause of present truth. He made earnest and


38  The Defense.  
effectual efforts to relieve his brethren from the draft,  
He paid Systematic Benevolence monthly for the two  
years that I was treasurer of the s. B. fund at Battle  
Creek, and at the same time preached to the church  
without having any salary. I can come to no other  
conclusion, in the fear of God, but that he is a faithful  
Servant of the Lord, seeking to know and do his will.  
ROBERT SAWYER,  

The Defense.  39  
reaching, or fraud, or covetousness, or grasping of  
means in any unbecoming manner; consequently, I  
have no personal knowledge of any unjust transaction  
of his which I can report. But, on the other hand, I  
have been a witness of, and a sharer in, his acts of be- 
nevolence and liberality; for which I have abundant  
reason for gratitude to God and his devoted servant.  
R. F. COTTRELL.  
Ridgeway, N.  Y.  
From Eld. A. S. Hutchins.  
This is to certify, that  I  have been personally ac- 
quainted with Eld. James White, of Battle Creek,  
Mich., more than seventeen years. And I can cheer- 
fully bear testimony that I have ever considered him  a  
God-fearing man,  a  man of truth,  "hating covetous- 
ness."  
My acquaintance with this Christian brother has not  
been in public life alone, for  I  have known him and  
been with him at his own home, where, as well as in  
other places, his light shines as a man of God. I have  
never witnessed anything in his deal leading me to  
question his integrity or uprightness as a Christian.  
As a witness of, and a sharer in, his liberalities, I am  
confident that naturally he possesses great generosity of  
soul, and disinterested benevolence. These excellent  
traits of character are constantly exemplified by a life  
devoted to the service of God and the happiness of  
man.  A. S. HUTCHINS.  
Wolcott, Vt., Nov.  9, 1869.  
From Eld. R. F. Cottrell.  
I have been personally acquainted with Eld. James  
White between seventeen and eighteen years, have  
seen him frequently during that time, have dealt with  
him to the amount of many hundreds of dollars, and 
have witnessed much of his dealings with others. I  
have never witnessed any act of dishonesty, or over-  

From Bro. and Sr. Tripp.  
We feel called upon to certify to the generosity of  
Bro. and Sr. White, and to acknowledge that we have  
received many kindnesses at their hands. Bro. White 
has indeed manifested a true fatherly care for us; and  
we both feel that this is a blessed privilege we have of  
testifying that we firmly believe that we owe our lives,  
yes, all we have and are, to the timely aid and sympa- 
thy rendered us by these two faithful, self-sacrificing  
servants of God. And we can also truly testify that  
ours are very far from being exceptional cases.  
0. F. TRIPP,  
DELL R. TRIPP.  
Battle Creek, Mich., March  9, 1870.  
From Bro. Bacheller.  
DEAR BRETHREN  : It is  with pleasure that  I respond  
to your call for testimonials in reference to the charac- 
ter and course of Bro. and Sr. White. I first saw them  
in Vermont, while they were on their tour through the  
East in the autumn of 1852. They found me a wild,  
homeless boy, but took me with them to Rochester, N.  
Y., where I found a good home in their family, sharing 
their kindness and care as of a father and mother. And  
since that time, having been intimately acquainted and  
associated with them, laboring in the Review Office, I  
have had the best of opportunities to know in regard to


•  

40  The Defense.  The Defense.  41  
their motives and actions. I believe them to be persons  
having at heart, above every other consideration and  
interest, the prosperity and success of the cause and  
people of God, ready to labor and sacrifice, without re- 
serve, for that end.  
From my acquaintance with Bro. White, I know him  
to be a man of strict honesty and integrity in all his  
dealings with his fellow-men, and I know the charges  
of an overreaching, covetous spirit, to be direct emana- 
tions from the father of lies—as false as false can be.  
I know him to be a man of a largely generous heart to- 
ward the needy and suffering, even to depriving himself  
of things necessary for his own comfort. The same  I  
also know to be true of his wife. I might say more,  
but perhaps this is sufficient.  
Battle Creek, Mich.  
From Sr. Ashley.  
I would esteem it a  great privilege to say that I have  
been acquainted with Bro. and Sr. White for nearly  
twenty-five years, and can say truly that I have never  
known them to extort means from any one ; but on the  
other hand, they have been over liberal, to that extent  
that they have wronged themselves. I have also wit- 
nessed their self-sacrificing spirit and devotion to the  
cause of present truth in its rise and progress; from  
personal experience, I can say that I have ever known  
them to be true friends to the widow and fatherless.  
WIDOW MELORA A. ASHLEY.  
Battle Creek, Mich., March 9, 1870.  
From Bro. Gage.  
Concerning the unjust and wicked charges against  
Bro. White, I esteem it a privilege to say, that I have  
not only experienced his liberality myself, but have  
witnessed his generosity in scores of cases. In his  
deal with others,  I  regard  him as strictly and sorupu-  

lously honest, and perfectly free from the spirit of  
covetousness with which he has been falsely charged,  
and against which he faithfully preaches and warns.  
Among the first peculiarities in his character which  I  
observed in becoming acquainted with him, was his  
scrupulous care with regard to the expenditure of means  
intrusted in his hands. Always ready to give of his  
personal means to aid the needy, his care of the treas- 
ury of the Lord has ever been marked with caution and  
conscientiousness.  
WM. C. GAGE.  
From Sr. Locke.  
I  would esteem it a privilege to acknowledge that  I  
have offered money to Bro. White, and he has refused  
to take it; and he has befriended me in many ways.  
I can say truly that he is purely unselfish, and is a true  
friend to the fatherless and needy.  
LUCINDA LOCKE.  
Battle Creek, Mich.  
To THE COMMITTEE OP THE B. C. CHURCH : A more  
extensive and intimate acquaintance with Bro. White  
for the last seven years, confirms what  I  wrote on this  
subject in 1863. And my position for the last year,  
being more closely connected with him in his labors in  
this cause, greatly increases my confidence in his business  
management and his disinterested devotion to the work  
of God. Wherever he finds a person who is earnestly  
engaged in this work, his heart is strongly drawn  
towards him, while no merely personal considerations  
ever turn him from the interests of the present truth.  
The last three years have, more than all beside, con- 
vinced me that Bro. White's services to the Association,  
and to the cause generally, are valuable beyond com- 
putation. 3Iy earnest prayer is, that no adverse provi- 
dence may ever again remove him from the position  
which he, above all others within my knowledge, is  
qualified to occupy.  J.  II. WAGGONER.  

J. W.  BACHELLER.


42  The Defense.  The Defense.  43  
Inasmuch as Eld. White has been made the subject  
of cruel attack and of malicious slander from many  
persons, particularly as a covetous, overreaching man,  
I feel it to be a privilege to say that, having known him  
intimately for nearly twenty-six years, I am prepared  
to speak in the most decisive terms in testifying that 
the truth is entirely the reverse of this. His life, from 
the time I first knew him till now, is marked all the  
way by deeds of benevolence and self-sacrifice and con- 
secration. I believe him to be a man who truly fears  
God and hates covetousness. He has evinced his love  
for the work of benevolence and sacrifice by a thousand  
acts of noble and disinterested devotion to the good of  
others. He has my entire confidence as an unselfish,  
God-fearing man, who seeks the honor of God, and the  
advancement of his cause, and does not seek his own  
self-interest.  J. N. ANDREWS.  
Feb.  17, 1870.  
All the testimonials, as will be seen, are in Bro.  
White's favor. The call was for anything against him,  
if it existed. In addition to the call of the committee,  
Bro. White made the following remarks in the  Review  
of Jan. 11, 1870. But NO RESPONSE has been made.  
WILL THEY RESPOND ?  
The position and work of Mrs. W. and myself, for  
more than twenty years, have exposed us to the jeal- 
ousies of the jealous, the rage of the passionate, and the  
slanders of the slanderer.. Having consciences void of  
offense toward God and toward men, we have kept at 
our work. But from our almost utter silence in the  
line of defense, accusers have grown impudent and bold,  
so that it has been thought best, for the good of the  
cause with which we hold so intimate connections, to  
meet their slanders with a plain statement of facts,   

which will probably appear in pamphlet form for very  
extensive circulation.  
We have no personal feelings that we wish gratified.  
We have no lack of friends, or of public confidence.  
And it is only for the general good of the cause, to put  
into the hands of our people a means of self-defense  
from miserable slanders repeated by those who are in  
sympathy with the dragon in his general warfare upon  
those who keep the commandments of God, and have  
the faith of Jesus Christ, that a statement of facts will  
be given.  
Will those who know of things in the general course  
of Mrs. W. and myself, during the period of our pub- 
lic labors, worthy of exposure, or unworthy of Christians  
and teachers of the people, be so kind as to make them  
known at this Office immediately. Have any heard un- 
favorable reports of us, they will please make statements  
of these reports, and forward them, with the names of  
their informants. This matter will be closed up soon.  
Those who respond, should do so without delay.  
As to my business career, it is a pleasure to me to  
state that I am not conscious of taking from the gen- 
eral treasury of our people, or from any church, or from  
any person, one dollar unjustly. If I have, I call upon  
my enemies,:as well as my friends, to show when, where,  
and  how,  and I will restore four-fold.  
Our confession in this matter is simply this, that we  
have toiled on in the cause of God for more than twenty  
years unselfishly, and carried out the most rigid indus- 
try and economy, have suffered excessive weariness, cold  
and hunger, to save means to the cause, and have given  
of our scanty purses when we should have used the  
means for our own necessities. We now regret that  
we have robbed ourselves and family to help others, and 
have robbed the cause of God of more efficient service,  
by wearing out too soon, in the exercise of too rigid  
industry and economy.  JAMES WHITE. 
•


I4  The Defense.  
In  1863, an effort was made by certain evil-disposed  
persons to injure Bro. White, by raising reports against  
his integrity in matters of deal. A call was then made  
to all interested to testify on the subject; with an es- 
pecial request to those, if any such there were, who had  
knowledge of anything unfair or dishonorable in the  
course of Bro. White, to make it known. This call  
was kept standing nearly five months before the com- 
mittee reported; but not a single individual came for- 
ward to openly accuse Bro. White of wrong. By re- 
fusing to respond to this call, those who had circulated  
these evil reports stood self-condemned.  
On the other hand, many who had intimately known  
Bro. White for years, who had transacted much busi- 
ness with him, freely came forward to testify to his up- 
rightness and integrity as a man of business, and as a  
Christian. These testimonials have stood uncontra- 
dieted to this day; and we re-publish them entire, in  
connection with those more recently received. The in- 
troductory statement is also re-published, as explanatory  
of the circumstances which called out these testimonials :  
The circumstances which have led to the publication  
of the following pages, are set forth in the resolutions  
therein presented. The undersigned, the committee to  
whose care this matter was intrusted by the church of  
Seventh-day Adventists at Battle Creek, and the Gen- 
eral Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, held at  
Battle Creek, May 20, 1863, have endeavored to fulfill  
the obligations placed upon them, not merely because  
so instructed, but under a sense of duty which they  
owed to the individual whose reputation has been as- 
sailed, as well as to the cause in which he is engaged.  
It is not pleasant that prejudice, enmity, and malice,  
should so far take possession of people as to lead them  
to circulate lying reports, false insinuations, and wicked  
and unjust charges against any individual; but when a  
person is thus assailed, it may be a pleasurable duty, as  

The Defense.  45  
in the case before us, to enter into the work of his vin- 
dication and defense.  
For nearly five months, as the following record will  
show, an earnest invitation has been extended through  
the  Review,  which circulates wherever Bro. White is  
known, to all those who thought that there was any  
ground for the complaints, charges, and murmurs,  
against him, to report their grievances, and have an im- 
partial investigation of the matter. No one has reported  
himself aggrieved. His enemies have thus betrayed  
their own utter want of confidence in the work they  
have been doing. Their silence has sealed their igno- 
miny. Hereafter, in view of this fact, none will be  
willing to place themselves in the contemptible position  
of circulating such reports, except those whose enmity  
and prejudice overcome their convictions of right and  
reason.  
The result of this matter is satisfactory and gratifying  
to the committee, as it must be to all the friends of Bro.  
White, and to every lover of truth and justice.  
U. SMITH,  
G. W. AMADON,  
E. S. WALKER.  
DOINGS OF THE CHURCH IN BATTLE CREEK.  
According to previous notic.e, the members of the  
church of Seventh-day Adventists of Battle Creek,  
Mich., convened at their house of public worship, on  
the 29th of March, 1863, Uriah Smith, one of the eld- 
ers of the church, acting as chairman. The meeting  
was opened with prayer by Eld. Moses Hull. The fol- 
lowing preamble and resolutions were read before the  
meeting, after which they were separately considered,  
and unanimously adopted :  
Whereas,  We have believed that the providence of  
God has called Eld. James White to lead out in the  
proclamation of the truth of the third angel's message,  
especially in the publishing department; and,


1  

46  The Defense.  
Whereas,  The reputation of a man occupying so pub- 
lic a position becomes to him a treasure above all price,  
and not to him only, but to all those who may be con- 
nected with the cause which he is engaged in promul- 
gating; inasmuch as in no more effectual way could  
that cause be brought into disrepute, and its progress  
crippled and hindered, than by destroying the reputa- 
tion of such a man; and,  
Whereas, There are certain reports prejudicial to the  
character of Eld. White, as a man of upright and hon- 
est dealing, being extensively circulated through the  
country, and used to cut off his influence and that of  
his brethren, to shut the ears of the people against the  
truth, and steel their hearts against its reception; there- 
fore,  
Resolved, That we, the church of Seventh-day Ad- 
ventists of Battle Creek, deem it our duty to take 
measures to ascertain the grounds of the charges, com- 
plaints, and murmurs that are in circulation, that they  
may be sustained, and action taken accordingly, or may  
be proved to be groundless, and the envenomed mouth  
of calumny and slander be effectually stopped. To this  
end, be it further  
Resolved, That we appoint Brn. U. Smith, G. W.  
Amadon, and E. S. Walker, a committee to take this  
matter in charge.  
Resolved, That we hereby earnestly request all those,  
far and near, whil think that they have any grounds of  
complaint against Eld. White, all who have handed to  
him means that he has nqt appropriated as directed, all  
who think that he has wronged the aged, the widow,  
and the fatherless, or that he has not in all his dealings  
in temporal matters, manifested the strictest integrity,  
probity, and uprightness, to immediately report their  
grievances, and the grounds upon which they base them,  
to liriah Smith, chairman of the above-named com- 
mittee, that they may be received previous to the mid- 
dle of May next.  
Resolved, That we also hereby invite all those who  

The Defense.  47  
have had dealings, more or less extensive, with Eld.  
White, since the commencement of his public labors, to  
testify in what light they regard his dealings, so far as 
their knowledge or observation goes, and send in their 
testimony as above directed.  
Resolved,  That then this whole matter be laid before  
the approaching General Conference, the last of May  
next, that the brethren then assembled may take such  
action upon it, as in the premises they may deem proper.  
Moved, by Bro. Hull, that the proceedings of this  
meeting be published in the  Review.  Carried.  
Adjourned  sine die.  
URIAH SMITH, Chairman.  
E. S. WALKER,  Ch. Clerk.  
Battle Creek, Mich., March  29, 1863.  
REMARKS.—The above resolutions are of themselves  
sufficiently plain and explicit, yet as chairman of the  
committee above named, I would urge upon all interested  
the necessity of prompt and immediate action upon res- 
olutions 3 and 4. Those who are engaged in the circula- 
tion of the reports referred to in the foregoing proceed- 
ings, if they are acting honestly, think that they have 
grounds sufficient to sustain them. They now have not  
only an opportunity, but a request, to bring them for- 
ward that we may see and examine them. And let it  
be understood by them that if they refuse to do this, it  
will appear that they have been acting without even a  
conviction of truth upon their side, which certainly will  
not place them in a very enviable light; and in this case  
it will not only devolve upon them hereafter to ever  
hold their peace, but it would be well for them if the  
memory of their past course could be blotted from the  
minds of mankind.  
Let those also to whom the course of Bro. White ap- 
pears unimpeachable, and who can from their own  
experience testify in his behalf, not fail to send in their  
testimony. Ample time is given for all to send in what  
documents they may wish, and yet there is none to lose.


48  The Defense.  
It is due to Bro. White, it is due to all sincere lovers  
of the truth, it is due to the precious cause everywhere,  
that this matter be followed to a final settlement.  
U.   
The foregoing report of the doings of the Battle  
Creek church, was published in  Review,  No. 18, Vol.  
xxi. In the next paper, of April 7, appeared the fol- 
lowing call from Bro. White's own pen :  
" FOR THE SAKE OF THE CAUSE.  
" We would call attention to the doings of the church  
at Battle Creek, published last week. The church  
deemed it necessary, for the good of the cause, that  
there should be an investigation of our business career  
connected with the cause, and a printed report made.  
If flying reports be true, we should be separated from  
the cause. If an open and critical investigation proves  
them false, a printed report in the hands of the friends  
of the cause with which we are connected, may, in some  
instances at least, paralyze the tongue of slander.  
" We urge all with whom we have dealt to report.  
If you are in the least degree dissatisfied with our deal- 
ings, we entreat of you to make it known. Are you  
satisfied with our course ? make it known. Have we  
refused means of any of you, or returned means ? state  
the circumstances to Uriah Smith, chairman of the  
committee. Let the facts be known. Read the doings  
of the church in No. 18 again, and be in season. For  
the sake of the cause, have this matter settled."  
One and a half months after this, May 20, 1863,  
General Conference assembled at Battle Creek accord- 
ing to appointment. The following extract from the  
report of its proceedings, shows the action taken by  
that Conference in this matter :  
" The next business brought before the Conference  
was the matter which the Battle Creek Church at a spe- 
cial meeting, March 29, 1863, as reported in the  Re- 
view, No. 18, voted to lay before the General Confer-  

The Defense.  49  
once, in relation to the charges and reports that are in  
circulation concerning Eld. James White. As no one  
had reported any grievances pertaining to the subject  
in hand, according to the request in the  Review,  the  
committee could only report that fact to the Conference,  
and place in its hands the more than threescore and ten  
fervent testimonials which have been received on the  
other side, with the recommendation that, as it seemed  
that no one dared appear to sustain the aforesaid re- 
ports, some action be taken by this Conference to show  
the falsity of these reports, and vindicate before the  
world the character and course of Bro. White. On  
this matter the following resolutions were adopted :  
" Resolved,  That the committee employed by the  
Battle Creek Church, be empowered to act further in  
this matter in behalf of this Conference, and prepare  
for publication a record of the action of the Battle  
Creek Church relative to the accusations against Bro.  
James White, and the substance of the responses re- 
ceived.  
" Resolved,  That this committee shall invite, through  
the  Review, further responses on this subject, for the  
space of two months."  
In the same paper with this report appeared the fol- 
lowing special notice :  
"ANOTHER CALL.  
" It will be seen by the doings of the General Con- 
ference published this week, that the committee ap- 
pointed to receive testimony concerning Eld. James  
White, are invited to extend the time to receive such  
testimonies for two months from date. We therefore  
issue this special notice, that the attention of all con- 
cerned may be again called to it, and that his defamers  
may bring forward their testimony or be left without  
excuse. Be it understood, then, by all concerned, that  
4


50  The Defense.  
two months from the date of this paper are granted for  
further responses to the resolutions passed by the Battle  
Creek Church, and published in  Review,  No. 18."  
The resolutions calling for complaints on the matter  
in hand, if any had any to make, were here again pre- 
sented, and the notice concluded as follows:  
" The case at present stands thus : Accusations and  
charges received, none. Fervent and unqualified tes- 
timonials in Bro. White's favor, seventy-four. The  
matter might justly be closed up here, and the case  
decided according to these facts, as ample time and no- 
tice have been given ; but that none may have even an  
imaginary shadow of ground to claim that haste or un- 
fairness is used in this matter, the time is extended as  
above noticed. At the end of the time specified the  
matter will be closed up, and the committee report as  
instructed. In behalf of the committee.  
" U.  SMITH, Chairman."  
Two months and a half have elapsed since the time  
of the above notice, to the present time of writing, Aug.  
11, 1863, and still no attempts have been made to sus- 
tain charges against Bro. White, or justify complaints.  
Consequently, nothing has been given the committee to  
do in the line of investigating said complaints or charges.  
In obedience to instructions to " prepare for publication  
the substance of the responses received," they can there- 
fore only present some of the testimonials in his behalf,  
to represent the feelings of those toward him who are  
of the day, not of the night, and who do not fear to come  
to the light lest their deeds should be made manifest.  
TESTIMONIALS.  
From Eld. J. N. Andrews.  
BRO. SMITH : Having been intimately acquainted  
with Bro. James White for almost nineteen years, and 
having had opportunity to fully understand his manage- 
ment of financial matters much of the time since the  

The Defense.  51  
first publication of the  Advent Review,  it  gives me sin- 
cere pleasure to testify that I have entire confidence in  
his honesty, integrity, and uprightness. And I may  
add that I believe him to be especially called of God to  
the place which he has so long filled.  
I would also say that Bro. White has ever acted  
toward me a noble, generous, and unselfish part. And  
that he has repeatedly and largely donated from his  
own means to sustain me in this work. It has been my  
privilege to a considerable extent to know his course  
toward others who have been connected with the cause  
of truth. The same unselfish spirit has governed his  
conduct toward them as toward myself.  
J. N. ANDREWS.  Adams Center, N. Y., April 13,  1863.  
From Eld. J. H. Waggoner.  
BRO. SMITH : The proceedings of the meeting of  
the church in Battle Creek are received, and as I heart- 
ily agree with the object and action of the meeting, I  
cheerfully comply with the request of the fourth reso- lution.  
I embraced the present truth in 1852, and commenced  
correspondence with Bro. White that same year; and  
from that time to the present have transacted business  
with him on my own account, and much more for oth- 
ers. I can safely say that there are hundreds in various  
States, for whom I have forwarded money to Bro. White;  
and I have not known of a single instance of his misap- 
plying means, or of diverting them from their specified  
object; nor has any complaint arisen from those for  
whom I have so acted. Were I the only one that could  
thus testify, I should still look upon this as extraordin- 
arily good and careful management, considering our lia- 
bility to mistake, the unfavorable circumstances in which  
the Office of publication has often been placed in past  
years, and especially that Bro. White was filling the  
various offices of editor, publisher, and traveling preacher.  
c enter for Adventist Research  
Andrews University  
%hien SPfings ,   Michigan


•  52  The Defense.  
The wonder with me is, how he has so well succeeded  
in all his duties, without giving occasion for complaint.  
In all my intercourse with believers and professed  
believers in the present truth, for over ten years, I  
have not found one individual who would assert that 
he knew that Bro. White had ever done any wrong in 
his business transactions. In this remark I include the  
" Messenger party," with the leaders of which party I  
was well acquainted. They would throw out suspicions  
and insinuations, but not one of them would attempt to  
point out an actual wrong on the part of Bro. White,  
to even the least amount, notwithstanding their efforts  
were unceasing to criminate him and do him injury.  
Another fact, well worthy of notice, has come under  
my observation. There are careful, faithful friends of  
this cause, whose study it has been, and is, to advance 
the truth with their means, who have at different times  
intrusted money in Bro.  hite's hands as the Office  
needed; these, I have noticed, are willing to trust him  
to any amount. The confidence of such is unmistakable 
testimony to his prudence and integrity.  
Concerning the insinuations against Bro. White, of  
his having a desire to take advantage of individuals for  
his own personal interest or benefit, I can speak from  
positive knowledge and experience. More than once have  
I been partaker of his liberality in time of need, where  
he could have no earthly hope of a return or equivalent  
for such favors. It was through his instrumentality  
that a home was procured for my family, toward which  
he not only donated, but advanced, money in my absence  
without interest, on which I learned he was paying in- 
terest at the time. He has not only made the interest  
of the cause his own, but also the interest of those la- 
boring to advance the cause ; and this so uniformly and  
to suc extent as to satisfy me that all charges or insin- 
uations against him in regard to business dealings, have  
their origin in the selfishness or malice of those who  
make them. Those who circulate these slanders, and  
those who profess to believe them, are not entitled to  

The Defense.  53  
the plea of ignorance, for such facts as I have stated  
above are abundant, and always in the reach of those  
who wish to be informed.  
Yours for truth and justice,  
J. H. WAGGONER.  
Leipsic, Ohio, April  6, 1863.  
From Eld. A. S. Hutchins.  
BRO. SMITH : In compliance with the request made  
in the  Review  of March 31, I would say that I have  
been personally acquainted with Elder James White of  
Battle Creek, Mich., more than ten years. I am ac- 
quainted with his life both at his home and abroad, in  
public and around his own fireside; and I can unhesi- 
tatingly say that I have ever regarded him as a man of  
firm and undeviating Christian principles, possessing an  
undying love for the cause of the Lord, also large and  
disinterested benevolence. I would further say that I  
have had dealings more or less with him from our first  
acquaintance, in which I never saw the least reason to  
question his honesty as a Christian.  
A. S. HUTCHINS.  
Barton Landing, Vt., April  8, 1863.  
From Eld. J.  N.  Loughborough.  
BRO. SMITH : I wish to say to the committee on the  
case of Bro. White, that I have been intimately ac- 
quainted with him for the last eleven years; and for  
about nine years of that time have lived near neighbor  
to him, during which time I have had deal with him,  
while acting as agent for  Review,  &c., to the amount of  
$6000. I have never discovered in his deal with me,  
or with others, anything but the strictest uprightness.  
As I have traveled with him, from place to place, he  
has ever manifested a tender regard for those in distress  
and want, and has often, in my presence, refused means  
from such, telling them that their duty was to their 
families, and not to him. I can say from what I have


54  The Defense.  
seen and know of his manner of managing temporal  
matters, that stories of his dishonesty, wronging wid- 
ows, &c., are only slanderous and infamous falsehoods.  
I would say still further, that during the last ten years,  
Bro. and Sr. White have given me in cash from their  
own purse about one hundred dollars, besides many val- 
uable donations in the line of clothing to myself and  
wife.  
When it was thought best for me to buy a home at  
Battle Creek, Bro. White freely offered and loaned me  
$300 in gold for two years, without interest, while at  
the same time he was paying ten per cent interest on  
$500. I also used his horses and carriage for the most  
of one year, he making no charge for the same. I  
never saw in him a disposition to overreach anybody in  
trade; but have frequently seen him pay poor brethren  
more than they asked for their work, or for articles  
they were selling to him.  
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.  
Allegan, April 14,  1863.  
From Eld. Stephen Pierce.  
BRo. SMITH : Agreeably to the resolutions of the  
Battle Creek church, and your own request, published  
in  Review,  No. 18, I do hereby depose and say : That  
for more than ten years past, I have had, from time to  
time, in various ways, more or less dealings with Eld.  
James White ; and I can cheerfully say I have no  
grounds of any complaint, in the least particular, as it  
respects the uprightness or justice of his deal; unless  
it be that in some instances he has been unjust with  
himself. And here I will mention an instance which  
occurred when the  Review was published at Rochester,  
N. Y. I had previously written a series of questions  
requesting Bro. or Sr. White to answer them, and Sr.  
White, in order to answer them satisfactorily, wrote,  
somewhat densely over several sheets of large foolscap  
paper, for which I sent, to the address of Bro. White,  
five dollars as a compensation for Sr. White's services;  

The Defense.  55  
but instead of applying it thus, he credited it to me for  
the  Review.  
I do not say, " It was not appropriated as directed,"  
but it was not applied as directed, but if I had imputed  
any wrong or unjust motive to Bro. White in applying  
that money as he did, I should expect to meet the  
doom of the slanderer, whom God says he will cut off.  
Ps. 101 : 5.  
And further, I would say, on one of his recent tours  
to the East, I gave him two dollars as my share in de- 
fraying his traveling expenses, which he returned, ut- 
terly refusing to receive it.  
And in all instances in which he has taken money of  
me, it has been in such strict conformity to the laws of  
justice, as has established in my mind an unwavering  
confidence in his tried virtue and integrity of principle  
in all his business transactions.  
Yours in the field of battle,  STEPHEN PIERCE.  
Roxbury, Vt., May  4, 1803.  
From EId. Washington Morse.  
BRO. SMITH : In regard to Bro. White, I would say  
that it is fourteen years last February since I first saw  
Bro. and Sr. White. This was at Waterbury, Vt. At  
this meeting there was quite a purse made up, or money  
handed in, for the messengers ; and, if I mistake not,  
Bro. White did not receive any of it, but suffered  
himself to be wronged, as it seemed to me.  
In Sept., 1851, or '52, I met him again in Sutton,  
Vt., and the November following, if I mistake not, he  
met us in Conference at my house in Royalton, Vt.  
As I was carrying him and wife to the depot to take  
the cars, Bro. White pressed me to know if I had to  
bear the burden of the Conference ; and as I was un- 
willing to tell him the particulars, he said to his wife,  
" How much money have you ?" Said she, " Four dol- 
lars." Bro. White then said, " Ellen, if you will di- 
vide with Bro. Morse, I will give him two dollars more


56  The Defense.  
toward bearing the expenses of the Conference." This 
they did, and I reluctantly accepted it with tearful  
eyes. The next time I saw them was at Johnson, Vt.,  
and as I was about to step into my wagon at the close  
of the Conference, Bro. White gave me two dollars  
more. I have known of his refusing to take. money of  
myself and others, and also I have known of his send- 
ing money to assist those who were poor in Vermont.  
I shall ever remember his kind acts to me and others.  
WASHINGTON MORSE.  
Deerfield, Minn.  
From D. R. Palmer.  
BRO. SMITH: I have been acquainted with Bro.  
White for about fifteen years, and have dealt with him  
in sums, from a few dollars up to about $1000 ; and  
I never have seen anything but the strictest honesty.  
The most of the above has been in connection with the  
cause of truth. Several times he has refused to take  
money when I have offered it to him, and in some  
cases has paid me back what I did not ask nor expect.  
D. R. PALMER.  
Jackson, Mich., April 10,  1863.  
From Eld. Ingraham.  
BRO. SMITH : I am happy to testify in favor of God's  
servants when I can speak from experience, and testify  
to what I know. I have been acquainted with Bro.  
White for eleven years, and have had some deal with  
him, and I have always found him strictly honest in  
every particular; and also I regard him one of the most  
liberal persons with whom I have ever been acquainted.  
Means that have been placed in his hands for his own  
benefit he has liberally bestowed on others, that they  
might be free from all encumbrance, and labor untram- 
meled in the vineyard of the Lord.  
Five years since, I sold my home in Pennsylvania, to  
move West into the State of Wisconsin, Not receiving  

The Defense.  
a sufficient amount for my place to pay my expenses  
West and purchase another, Bro. White advanced money  
on which he was paying ten per cent interest, and re- 
fused to take interest in return. Besides this, Bro. and  
Sr. White donated fifteen dollars for the same purpose.  
In Bro. White's tour in Wisconsin in the year 1861,  
I accompanied him to Mauston and Marquette. At  
Marquette, about twelve dollars were raised' to bear his  
traveling expenses, which he gave me to purchase an  
overcoat. For the interest Bro. White has taken in my  
welfare, I hope never to be guilty of the sin of ingrati- 
tude toward him, believing the motive that prompted  
him was to advance the cause of Jesus Christ, and not  
to serve his own interest.  Wm. S. INGRAHAM.  
Monroe, Wis., April  8, 1863.  
From Hiram Edson.  
BRO. SMITH : I have known something of Bro.  
White's management in his business affairs connected  
with the third angel's message from its rise. I have  
ever regarded him as strictly honest, just, upright,  
manly, and honorable, in all his business transactions.  
I have loaned him money at different times, which he  
has been faithful to repay. I have put money into his  
hands at different times as a donation to publish truth  
and advance the cause. He has at different times  
handed me back a part of what I handed him, refusing  
to keep it all. On one occasion I handed him $70 or  
$75, as a donation to advance the cause, of which he  
handed me back all but $25 or $35. He has some- 
times refused to receive any means from me when of- 
fered.  
The church at Roosevelt authorize me to say in their  
behalf that they have the utmost confidence in Bro.  
White's honesty and integrity, and consider his course  
manly and honorable. On one of his visits to this  
church they handed him ten dollars toward defraying  
his traveling expenses to this place, which he handed 

57


The Defense.  The Defense.  58  59  
back as a donation toward painting our meeting-house.  
Blessed are ye when they shall say all manner of evil  
against you falsely for my name's sake. Rejoice ye,  
and be exceeding glad; for great will be your reward in  
Heaven • for so persecuted they the prophets which  
were before you. All things shall work together for  
good to them that love God, who are the called accord- 
ing to his purpose. The Lord plead Bro. White's  
cause, and bring him through and give him victory over  
all his enemies, is our prayer.  
Yours in much love and estee m, 
HIRAM EDSON.  Palermo, N. 1 7 ., April 30, 1863.  
From Eld. R. F.  Cottrell.  
BRO. SMITH : In compliance with the request of the  
church in Battle Creek, I would say, that I have been  
personally acquainted with Eld. James White for eleven  
years this spring. During this time, I have dealt with  
him frequently, and to the amount of four or five hun- 
dred dollars (probably exceedine,   five hundred). I have  
also been acquainted with his dealings with others, and  
have never seen the least evidence of dishonesty in him,  
but believe him to be upright and strictly honest in all  
his deal. Moreover, I have known him to refuse and  
return a donation of $35, by my hand, not because it  
was not needed, but because the givers were doing more  
than their share.  
I have the utmost confidence in his integrity, and  
should have no fear in trusting any amount in his hands,  
on his fidelity alone. I believe that God's hand is in  
the work in which we, as a people, are engaged, and 
that his Spirit and providence have called Bro. White to  
occupy the place in the work which he occupies, and,  
consequently, as it is sometimes expressed, he is " the  
right man in the right place."  
In love of the truth,  R. F. COTTRELL.  
Olcott, N. V., April  7, 1863.  

From Cyrenius Smith.  
I can testify that I have had dealings with Bro.  
White, more or less extensive, for the last eleven or  
twelve years, and consider his course one of unexcep- 
tionable integrity and benevolence. I have offered  
him money that he has declined to receive. I have  
donated money to the cause when it was needy, which  
Bro. White refunded to me when the publishing de- 
partment was in a condition that he could. Moreover,  
I have labored for him more or less, since his residence  
in Battle Creek; and, as a general rule, he has paid me  
more than I charged, or was willing to receive. I have  
given considerable of my property to the advancement  
of the cause, but none for the personal or individual  
benefit of Bro. White. And during all the time that  
I have been acquainted with them, Bro. and Sr. White  
have repeatedly cautioned me against doing too much.  
I have never had a regret for what I have done. A  
man's own experience is with him the strongest kind  
of evidence ; consequently, those who represent Bro.  
White as overreaching, and endeavoring to secure  
property to his own advantage at the expense of others,  
need not attempt to make me believe their reports. I  
am grateful for the prospering hand of the Lord that  
has been with me, so that I still have a competency  
left.  CYRENIUS SMITH.  
Battle Creek, Mich., Aug.,  1863.  
From J.  S. Day and  0.  B. Jones.  
BRo. SMITH : In response to the call in  Review,  
number eighteen, for testimonies respecting Bro. White's  
character, we, the undersigned, have, for the last seven  
years, had deal with him to the amount of from five  
hundred to five thousand dollars. Therefore, we feel it  
a duty and also a privilege to speak. We have never  
seen any cause for suspicion in any of his deal, either  
private, or in connection with the cause. We believe  
him to  be a man of integrity, and that he will not with-  
did


Rochester.  
Olcott.  
Hamlin.  
Olcott.  
Mill Grove.  
Clarkson.  
Rochester. 
Hamlin.  
Clarkson.  
Olcott.  
Olcott.  
Clarkson. 
Clarkson.  
Rochester.  
Hamlin.  
Rochester.  
Clarkson.  

60  The Defense.  
hold from any one their just dues, nor appropriate means  
put into his hands, with any selfish motive. We have  
known Bro. White to refuse money when urged to take  
it, and also to refund money where it had been paid in,  
for the reason that the donors were unable, or there was  
no special call for means.  J. S. DAY.  
0. B. JONES.  
Monterey, Mich., April  15, 1863.  
From Brethren in Western New York.  
We, the undersigned, are personally acquainted with  
Eld. James White, and have dealt with him, some more,  
some less, and while he resided in our midst, at Roch- 
ester, N. Y., had a good opportunity of learning his  
manner of deal and general course of conduct, and can  
say that we believe him to be strictly upright and hon- 
orable, nay, liberal, in his deal, and, consequently, we  
have unbounded confidence in his integrity.  
J. T. Orton,  
J. M. Lindsay,  
Jonathan Lamson,  
John S. Wager,  
Zerah Brooks,  
D. C. Demarest,  
J. B. Lamson,  
S. B. Craig,  
A. G. Smith,  
Mary Wager,  
Eliza A. Lindsay,  
Jane Demarest,  
Margaret Smith,  
Drusilla Lamson,  
Phebe M. Lamson,  
Caroline Orton,  
Jane Seaman,  
The above was written and subscribed at our Quar- 
terly Meeting at Hamlin, April 12, 1863. There was  
no dissent from this testimony; but some present were  

The Defense.  61  
not personally acquainted with Bro. White, and some  
that were, could not say that they had dealt with him.  
But there is no lack of confidence in Bro. White; at  
least, I do not know of any, and all those that are the  
best acquainted with him, express unbounded confidence.  
R. F. COTTRELL.  
From R.  G. Lockwood.  
BRO. SMITH : In compliance with the request in the  
Review,  I cheerfully add my testimony in justice to Bro.  
White. An acquaintance of fifteen years and more or  
less deal for the past five have satisfied me in regard to  
his honesty and liberality. He has refused money from  
me, and also in some instances has paid me more than I  
asked for my labor. As to his increase of means, I re- 
fer the friends to Prov. 11: 25.  
R. G. LOCKWOOD.  
Perry's Mills, N. Y.  
From Aurora B. Lockwood.  
BEA SMITH : In addition to the above I can say,  
Having been closely connected with the Office during  
the years 1859 and 60, and the last year having spent  
most of my time laboring there, witnessing Bro. White's  
straight, upright and benevolent deal toward the poorer  
class, it has greatly endeared him to me, as a faithful  
servant of God.  
AURORA B. LOCKWOOD.  
Perry's Mills, N. Y.  
From R. S. Rhodes and C. C. Aldrich.  
BRO. SMITH: According to request in  Review,  num- 
ber eighteen, we take the present time to give you our  
testimony in regard to Bro. White's deal with us.  
Whenever we have placed means in his hands to expend  
as he saw proper, he has done it to our entire satisfac- 
tion, every cent.  We have also tried to have him take  
move) ,   of us to use for his own personal benefit, which


4  

62  The Defense.  
he never would do. We believe him to be an  honest,  
upright  man and a  servant of God. Yours, &c.,  
R. S. RHODES,  
CYNTHIA C. ALDRICH.  Addison, Mich., April  20, 1868.  
From H. and D. S.  Gardner, and R. A. Sperry.  
BRO. S3IITH: We hereby testify that we have  
placed means to a considerable amount in the hands of  
Bro. White for the advancement of present truth, and  
he has always made a faithful application of the same  
according to our wishes.  
We have ever had unbounded confidence in his in- 
tegrity and uprightness, and can testify to his benevo-  
lence to the afflicted, and that he has dealt truly and  
kindly with the widow.  H. GARDNER,  
D. S. GARDNER,  
R. A. SPERRY.  Kirkville, N. Y., Apr. 19, 1863.  
From Eld. T.  M. Steward.  
BRO. SMITH: I would say that I have done business  
with Bro. White to some extent for the last eight years,  
and I regard him and believe him to be strictly honest  
in matters of deal, as in matters of faith. I have heard  
charges brought against him, but have met them, and  
never found one substantiated by the least shadow of  
evidence. They being simply generated by prejudice, as  
far as my experience goes, I shall credit no such reports.  
T. M. STEWARD.  
Mauston, Wis., April  28, 1863.  
From Ira Abbey.  
BRO. SMITH: I would add my testimony concerning  
my dealing with Bro. White, which has been about fif- 
teen years. I have sent means to him to be used in 
the cause. It has always been appropriated to my per-  

The Defense.  03  
feet satisfaction. Once I sent him twelve dollars which  
he returned; at another time seventeen dollars, which  
he woultl not accept without paying. This does not  
look like selfishness.  IRA ABBEY.  
Ilubbardsville, N. Y., April 12,  1863.  
From Rhoda Abbey.  
BRo. SMITH : As I see a call in the  Review to those  
acquainted with Bro. White to state facts concerning  
him, I would say that we have been personally ac- 
quainted with Bro. White nearly fifteen years. We  
have dealt much with him, and have always found him 
honest in all his deal. And when we have been dis- 
posed to give something to forward the cause of truth,  
he has been very careful about receiving it, lest we  
should suffer need. When he was in Rochester, I sent  
him five dollars which he returned.  
RHODA ABBEY.  
From J. P.  Kellogg.  
This is to certify that I have had dealings, more or  
less, with Eld. James White for the past ten years, and  
have always found him governed by the strictest in- 
tegrity in his dealings, and appropriation of means, and  
generous beyond what I had expected, or what could be  
required. As an instance, I will mention that on one  
occasion when he visited Michigan, I offered him  
money, which he declined to receive; and after his re- 
turn home to Rochester, N. Y., I sent him $40, intend- 
ing it as a donation; but he afterward refunded the  
whole amount. I also offered a hundred dollars toward  
purchasing the power press; but Bro. White publicly  
plead against my paying it. Again, I lent him several  
hundred dollars, not intending to receive any interest on  
the same ; but, at the time of payment, he persisted in  
handing me back the principal, and the interest.  
Battle Creek, Aug.,  1863.  
J. P. KELLOGG.


64  The Defense.  The Defense.  65  
From David Arnold.  
I have been acquainted with EM. James White, ed- 
itor of the  Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,  for the  
last fifteen years. I have been a contributor to, and  
constant reader of, the paper, and have visited the Of- 
fice of publication at Oswego, Rochester, and Battle  
Creek, and, while the paper was called the  Advent Re- 
view, was on the Publishing Committee. Thus being  
brought into close connection with, and having a deep  
interest in, the paper and its kindred publications of  
present truth, I have watched Fith deep solicitude the 
pecuniary and other interests of said publications, and  
have ever found in the character of the editor, persever- 
ing industry, frugal economy, business tact, sterling in- 
tegrity, strict honesty, and a self-sacrificing devotion to  
the cause of present truth.  DAVID ARNOLD.  
Fulton, H. Y., April 12,  1863.  
From Henry Lyon.  
In view of false reports respecting my course and cir- 
cumstances, it is a pleasure to me to make the following  
statement :  
I sold my property to the amount of $4000, eleven  
years since. I divided with my children $1500, and  
have lived on the remainder most of the time for eleven  
years. I am now in my age happily and comfortably  
situated, free from care and anxiety.  
I have given for the last eleven years, several hun- 
dred dollars to sustain the Sabbath cause, for which I  
have never had a regret. Some of this means has  
passed through the hands of Eld. James White, and I  
have ever found him faithful in applying it as I de- 
signed. As an individual, he has never been benefited  
with a dollar of my money. When he published the  
Review in Rochester, N. Y., I urged him to take one  
hundred dollars, to use as he pleased, which he refused  
to take on such grounds. Nearly eight years since,  
Bro. White was at my house, at Battle Creek, in feeble   

health. I offered him a number of bank notes, without  
stating how the money was to be used, and he refused  
it, and did not take any of it. I have lent him money  
with the express understanding that it was lent without  
interest, and he has paid me the principal and interest.  
HENRY LYON.  
Battle Creek, _Mich.  
We bear cheerful testimony to the correctness of the  
above, and would add that father and mother Lyon are 
able to furnish us with a good home, and we in return  
with pleasure care for them in their age.  
MYRON J. CORNELL,  
C. A. LYON CORNELL.  
From Edward and Sarah Andrews.  
BRO. SMITH : If the following statement can be of  
any service to your investigation of Bro. White's busi- 
ness affairs, the undersigned will feel highly gratified :  
Having had some acquaintance with Eld. James  
White as early as the autumn of 1844, we feel that it  
may be duty to say that we found him then a young  
man, zealously and understandingly engaged in pre- 
senting and defending, by testimony from the word of  
GO, this greatest of all events, the coming of the Lord  
in the clouds of heaven.  
Soon after our sore and great disappointment, we be- 
came more fully acquainted with his labors and his  
character as a man of God, and as a faithful defender  
of those Bible truths by which we had been led out to  
expect, and wait for, the return of our Lord from  
Heaven; laboring to strengthen those who were dis- 
couraged, and meeting, with the strength and firmness  
of one commissioned of God, the distracting showers of  
fanaticism that Satan was permitted to pour upon the  
little remnant that were still waiting for the return of  
their Lord.  
Up to this time, so far as we had become acquainted  
5


66  The .Defense.  
with him, we had the fullest reason to believe him a  
man of the strictest moral uprightness. - About this  
time, I think it was in the spring of 1846, we had ad- 
ditional reasons to regard him as a man commissioned  
of God to defend his truth; for so many were the dif- 
ferent and discordant views held by different brethren,  
that we knew not what to receive, or what was Bible  
truth. At this time of great need, Bro. W. came to us  
with the third angel's message; and so clear and forcible  
was the truth that he presented, that we felt again that 
we were in possession of Bible truth.  
Some time after this, Bro. White came to Paris,  
Maine, and there for several months published the  Re- 
view and Herald.  During this time we had an oppor- 
tunity of becoming acquainted with him as a business  
man, and fully believe that his intention was always to  
deal carefully and uprightly with all men.  
EDWARD ANDREWS,  
SARAH L. ANDREWS.  
Waulcon, lows.  
From Eld: B. F. Snook.  
BRO. SMITH : In answer to the call for statements  
relative to the candor and uprightness of Eld. Jams  
White, I will observe :  
That I have had a personal acquaintance with  
him for the past three years. In that time I have seen  
many things to increase my confidence in him, as an  
upright, noble-minded and honest Christian.  
I have had some considerable dealings with him,  
and find in my experience that he is a man of his word, 
and strictly honest in his dealings.  
He has, in my knowledge, shown a zeal and en- 
ergy for the cause of truth that is truly commendable.  
He is thorough-going, and untiring in his efforts to do  
good.  
He is the poor man's friend, as many can testify  
with grateful hearts. And here let me, for one, ac-  

The Defense.  67  
knowledge, with gratitude to him, that he has been a 
kind-hearted benefactor to me, for which I hope he 
may ever have the choicest blessings of Heaven. I  
think that in his heart dwells a great abundance of  
pure, disinterested, and generous benevolence.  
In relation to complaints and reports of evil  
against him. I most sincerely believe that every thing  
of the kind is unfounded in right, and has its source in  
the evil hearts of the disaffected, and of such as reviled  
Christ and his dear followers. It is natural that he  
should be thus evil spoken of, for he who is led by  
the Spirit has been ever reviled and persecuted by the  
great adversary of his salvation. That Bro. White is  
persecuted and evil spoken of, is to my mind a good  
evidence that he is a man of God. Christ says, " If  
the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before  
it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would  
love his own, but because ye are not of the world, but  
I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world  
hateth you. . . . If they have persecuted me, they will  
also persecute you." John 15 :18-20.  
With many respects, and much love for Bro. White,  
I am,  
Yours in hope,  B. F. SNOOK.  
Lisbon, Iowa, April 16,  1863.  
From Eld. Moses Hull.  
BRO. SMITH : In obedience to the call for those who  
have had business dealings with Eld. White, to testify  
in what light they regard his dealings, I esteem it a  
privilege to say a word. I have dealt with Bro. White  
to the amount of several hundred dollars, and have found  
him strictly honest in every particular.  
But I must be permitted to transcend the limits of  
the call of the Conference, and say that I have, during  
a six years' acquaintance, found him the most liberal  
man with whom I was ever acquainted. To record the  
cases of pure, disinterested benovolence of Eld. White


68  The Defense.  
toward myself and family, would be to commence with 
the V he handed me the first time I ever saw him, and  
write my history from that time to this.  
Suffice it to say that when I first saw Bro. White, I  
bad nothing in this world that I could call my own.  
Now I own a house and lot worth $500, besides having  
plenty in and around my house to render self and fam- 
ily comfortable. To the purse and influence of Bro.  
White I owe it all.  MOSES HULL.  
From Elsa P. Below.  
BRo. SMITH: I wish to say that Bro. White has  
never been benefited by any of my property. While  
the Review Office was in Rochester, N. Y., I at one  
time sent him $35, mentioned in the testimony of Bro.  
Cottrell, which he had an opportunity to keep, had he  
been, as represented, disposed to take every advantage  
to appropriate means to his own use. Instead of this,  
he returned it to me. Since living in Battle Creek, he 
has, with the exception of $1, declined receiving pay  
from me for the  Review,  on the ground that I should  
receive it free. He has ever manifested in my behalf  
a disinterested liberality. I earnestly protest against  
the use that has been made of my name in complaints  
against Bro. White.  ELSA P. BELOW.  
Battle Creek, Mich., Aug.  12, 1863.  
From A. N. Curtiss.  
BRO. SMITH: I have had some personal acquaint- 
ance with Eld. James White since 1850, and also  
through the  Review  have had knowledge of his public  
course. The last time I saw him was at the Roosevelt  
Conference, Aug., 1861, where I made a small donation  
of $2.00 to help pay his traveling expenses on his East- 
ern tour. And although he had received but a few  
dollars since leaving Battle Creek, he declined taking  
it, preferring that I should advance it on the  Review,  as  he said the Office was in need.  

The Defense.  69  
Soon after I returned home I lost a horse. The news  
of my loss reached Bro. White, and he very generously  
returned the $2.00 as he said he thought I needed help.  
I would say that I have been knowing to his return- 
ing much larger donations where he felt individuals  
were doing too much.  
Yours in love,  A. N. CURTISS.  
Camden, N.  Y., May.  14, 1863.  
From G. W. Holt.  
BRO. SMITH: I have been personally acquainted  
with Eld. James White from the commencement of his  
public labors in the publishing department, and have  
had dealings with him to some extent. I can say that  
in all his dealings with me he has manifested the strict- 
est integrity. As far as my knowledge and observation  
extend, every dollar, and even dime, that has been  
handed to him has been appropriated as directed. He  
has always opened his hands wide to the worthy poor  
among us, and the aged, the widows, and fatherless,  
have shared largely of his sympathy. I have reason to  
believe that his motives have not been selfish, but  
purely for the interest of the cause in which he has  
served.  G. W. Hour.  
Lovett's Grove, Ohio, April,  1863.  
From Eld. Joseph Bates.  
BR°. SMITH : In answer to your request, I would  
state that I have not only had extensive dealings with  
Bro. White in the purchase of books, pamphlets, tracts,  
and papers, for distribution, ever since the commence- 
ment of his public labors, but have also had the privi- 
lege of being with him in much of his public ministry,  
and about all the General Conferences during said pe- 
riod of time. In these Conferences his business trans- 
actions in relation to the cause and Office of publica- 
tion, have been spread out before the Conference for 
their investigation and acceptance. Therefore, I un-


70  The Defense.  The Defense.  71  
hesitatingly state that in regard to his business deal- 
ings individually, and my knowledge of his business  
matters, publicly as herein stated,  I  considered it my  
duty, as well as privilege, to assert that I believe him  
to be strictly honest and upright in all his business  
dealings.  JOSEPH BATES.  Monterey, Mich., April  6, 1863.  
From A. B. Pearsall.  
This is to certify that  I  have been acquainted with  
Eld. James White and his course for the past ten  
years ; and in view of the reports that are in circula- 
tion about him, in regard to his obtaining means for  
his own benefit,  I  esteem it a privilege to state an inci- 
dent in my own experience which shows the falsity of  
such charges. Learning that he was coming to Michi- 
gan to hold Conferences, in the summer, I think, of  
1853, I got together a hundred dollars in gold to give  
him to use at his option.  I  tendered it to him; but, to  
my surprise, he declined it on the ground that  I  was  
going beyond my duty in the matter. At my earnest  
solicitation, he did, however, accept about fifteen dol- 
lars, saying that, on his return to Rochester, he would  
place to my credit what he did not use in traveling ex-
penses, which he accordingly did, to the amount,  I  
think, of five dollars. And since that time  I  have  
never seen anything, nor had any reliable information,  
of his taking a course in any respect to give any ground  
for the reports that are in circulation against him.  
A. B. PEARSALL.  Battle Creek, Mich., Tune,  1863.  
From Elder J. B. Frisbie.  
BRO. SMITH: I wish to say in behalf of Bro. White, that  
I have been acquainted with him for nearly ten years, have  
lived a neighbor to him for six or seven years, and have had  
hundreds of dollars of deal with him. I have the utmost con- 
fidence in his honesty. He has always done as he has agreed  
with me, and with others, as far as I have known. And it  
should forever satisfy all who are acquainted with the cir-  

cumstances of his really owning the power press, and having  
in his hands a large amount that he might have legally held,  
had he been so disposed. He freely signed all over to the  
Association, and instead of taking a large salary that many  
could not have objected to, he only asked the small sum of  
seven dollars a week.  J. B. FRISBIE.  
Chelsea, Mich., April  13, 1863.  
From the Church in Washington, N. H.  
Duo. SMITH : Agreeably to your request, we, as a church,  
in Washington and vicinity, having had an acquaintance  
more or less, with Bro. White since the rise of the third an- 
gel's message, do hereby express our fullest confidence in  
his integrity and uprightness. And further, we would ex- 
press the conviction that all this ado about Bro. White's dis- 
honesty is gotten up by the great enemy of good to destroy 
his influence, and thus retard the work of the Lord. We  
deem this expression due Bro. White. It is due the cause of  
truth, and not only do we consider it our duty, but it is our  
highest privilege, to testify in his behalf. He has our warm- 
est sympathy, and our fervent prayers.  
In behalf of the church.  H. P. WAKEFIELD.  
NCUrrt,  V.  IL,  Hay 11, 1863,  

From S.  T.  & S. B. Belden.  
[Since the tongue of misrepresentation and slander has  
even presumed to malign the motives and efforts of Bro.  
White in behalf of his father and mother-in-law Harmon,  
from whom he has never received a dime, we deem it duty to  
present tlie following testimony from those with whom they  
lived, mostly, and who are acquainted with all the circum- 
stances of the case, which they left with Bro. White, previ-  
ous to their removal to the West.—Com.]  
Whereas we have reason to fear that some have wrong im- 
pressions as to the course pursued by Bro. and Sr. White in  
relation to father and mother Harmon, it is a pleasure to us  
to state, that it is our sincere belief that what they have done  
has been with sincerity of heart to make our parents com- 
fortable and happy; and that, to our certain knowledge, Bro.  
White has been to considerable labor, care and expense, in  
building, and in providing for their comfort, for which he  
has received nothing, and asks nothing.  STEPHEN T. BELDEN,  
SARAH B. BELDEN.


72  .  The Defense.  
From E. S. Walker.  
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Eld.  
White for about three years ; and since the formation of the  
Publishing Association, have been closely connected with  
him in business relations in the Office. During that time  
the dealings between him and the Association, including the  
property in his hands, which was passed over to the Associa- 
tion after its organization, and ordinary business transactions  
since that time, have amounted to over $16,000. From the  
position I have occupied in the Office, I have had ample  
means of observing his dealings with others; and it gives 
me pleasure to testify that in all my business relations with  
him, and in what I have seen with reference to his dealings  
with others, I have uniformly found him to be strictly up-
right in all his business transactions.  
E. S. WALKER,  
Sec' y S. D. A. P. Association.  
From Those who Know.  
We, the undersigned, having been connected with the Re- 
view Office, in the employ of, and intimately acquainted with,  
Eld. James White, for the past ten years, deem it our privilege  
to make some statements concerning his general course. We  
consider that if here he has erred at all, it has been in tak- 
ing too much pains to conform to the prejudices of unreason- 
able men, putting the publications down to too low rates, and  
depriving himself of many advantages which he ought to  
have enjoyed. If any think that Bro. White's object in con- 
ducting the publishing department has been to make money,  
let them compare the prices at which publications were offered  
when the business was entirely in his hands, with the prices  
of publications now when the whole business is in the hands 
of the Publishing Association, and which are uniformly  
higher than, and in some cases double, what they were then.  
Again, when Bro. White had plead for the formation of an  
Association to which he might transfer the property in his  
hands, and one had been formed for that purpose, all that the  
friends had contributed to establish the Office of publication  
from first to last, was carefully footed up, and every dollar,  
with an addition of one thousand dollars for the use of ma- 
terial, made over to the Association, together with the hard- 
earned and valuable lists of subscribers for the  Review and  Instructor,  and the right of re-publishing the numerous  
works on present truth, which alone, in a worldly point of  
view, would be considered a handsome property. There  
was still a competency left in Bro. White's hands, How had  

The Defense.  73  
this accumulated ? From the energetic, careful, and judi- 
cious management of the business, carried on to a great ex- 
tent by capital which he had borrowed on his own respons- 
ibility. To whom does this belong ? To the man who had  
thus, for fifteen years, faithfully earned it. Was any one  
wronged by this ? All who had purchased of the Office books  
or papers, had received the value of their money in them at  
low rates ; and all who had donated saw those donations  
transferred, with a large increase, to the Association, where 
they now are, and can be shown to have advanced one-fourth  
in value on the original figures. And here we would take  
occasion to gratefully acknowledge the prospering hand of  
the Lord, which, through the faithfulness of Bro. White, has  
placed the Office in its present flourishing condition in this  
respect. We would say, then, to all those who seem to be  
unwilling that Bro. W. should have a penny unless they  
know where and how he got it, that this is the source from  
which he has fairly, honestly, and, in a worldly point of  
view, dearly, obtained it.  
Systematic Benevolence is another point on which insinu- 
ations have been thrown out against Bro. White, as though  
he had urged this measure for his own personal profit.  
Nothing can be further from the design of that system, and  
from the facts in the case. Bro. W. never designed to re- 
ceive, and never has received, a particle of benefit person- 
ally from that fund. There is not a dime of the means so  
raised, under his control, as every one knows who is at all  
acquainted with the system. While, at the same time, he  
has paid in to the Battle Creek s. B. treasury, since the adop- 
tion of that system in this church, over one hundred dollars.  
In conclusion we would say that, throughout our acquaint- 
ance with him, we have uniformly found him fair and up- 
right in his dealings with all classes, being in his liberalities  
better than his agreements, and in his dealings, going be- 
yond his promises ; and that the longer we have been asso- 
ciated with him, the more occasion we have had to honor  
him as an employer, esteem him as a man, and love him as  
a Christian.  U. SMITH,  
H. N. SMITH,  
G. W. AMADON,  
J. F. BYINGTON,  
J.  W. BACHELLER.  
From Elder Isaac Sanborn.  
To ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN : I hereby affirm that I  
have dealt to the amount of several hundred dollars with


74  The Defense.  
Eld. James White, and believe him to be a strictly honest, 
upright, and honorable man.  ISAAC SANBORN.  
Johnstown Center, Wis.  
To present more testimonials would only unnecessarily  
weary the patience of the reader. We therefore conclude to  
give only the names and addresses of the following individ- 
uals, from whom we have received testimonies similar to the  
foregoing:  
C. Vaughan,  Hillsdale,  Mich.  A. H. Hilliard,  Otsego,  
Geo. Leighton,  ,,  
P. Hunt,  Saginaw,  
E. Pratt,  Battle Creek,  
J. Burroughs,  ,,  
A. Gleason,  Hillsdale,  
J. D. Morton,  Adrian,  
J. P. Rathbun,  New Hudson,  
M. Kunselman,  Parkville,  
J. W. Boyce,  
A. A. Marks,  Burlington,  
Church in Convis,  
L. Kellogg,  Matherton,  C4  
L. Russell,  Cooper,  ,c  
L. Lathrop,  Freeport,  Ill.  S. Myers,  Yankee Hollow,  4C  
H. H. Bramhall,  Braceville,  ,c  
L. 0. Stowell,  Plum River,  if  
S. Robinson,  Girard,  Ind.  H. A. St. John,  Ayersville,  Ohio.  John Clarke,  Lovett's Grove,  "  L. G. Bostwick,  Lynxville,  Wis.  D. A. Smith,  Geneva,  fi  
W. E. Cheesebro,  it  it  
A. E. Dartt,  Baraboo,  GC  
A. G. Carter,  Rubicon,  if  
J. P. Benedict,  Columbus,  ,4  
Wm. Treadwell,  Roosevelt,  N. Y.  H. Hilliard,  Grass River,  it  
Wm. Lawton,  West Winfield,  44  
S.  B. Whitney,  Malone,  44  
C. 0. Taylor,  Perry's Mills,  
L. Haskell,  Norfolk,  li  
Abel Tuttle,  Sandy Creek,  44  
J. A.  Laughead,  Elmira,  C4  

The  
A. Abbey,  Deansville,  N. Y.  
Abbey,  ,,  ii  
H. C. Crumb,  De Ruyter,  44  
F. C. Castle,  Grass River,  44  
M.  C. M. Andrews,  New York City,  ti  
Mary Moody,  ,,  44  ii  
Jane Crump,  CS  IC  tt  
A. Woodruff,  Palermo,  it  
L. Barr,  Wellsville,  ti  
J. T. Mitchell,  Lisbon,  Iowa.  
J. Dorcas,  Tipton,  
Church in Knoxville,  
E. W. Darling,  Chester,  
Timothy Bryant,  North Jay,  Me  
Wm. Bryant,  
N. N. Lunt,  Portland,  
E. Lobdell,  ,,  
S. W. Flanders,  Canaan,  ,,  
E. M. Flanders,  CI  it  
L. J. Richmond,  Vernon,  Vt.  
John Lindsey,  Ulysses,  Pa.  
J. G. Wood,  Brodhead,  Wis.  
TO THE PUBLIC.  
In concluding their labors, and submitting them to the  
church and the public, the committee would again call the  
careful attention of all whom it may concern, to the result  
presented in this vindication. None can claim that the no- 
tice of this matter was not sufficiently definite and extensive,  
and the time given, sufficiently long for all to report their  
complaints against Bro. White, for examination and -settle- 
ment, who were disposed to do so. Yet no one has presented  
any complaint of being wronged by him. None have  
charged him with taking advantage of their circumstances  
to favor himself, or extorting from them means under any  
plea or pretense whatever; while the testimonies herein  
given, show that his course has been almost one continued  
refusal to accept of means that have been urged upon him,  
with repeated cautions to those who in the liberality of their  
hearts desired to contribute to advance the cause of truth  
which they loved, not to go beyond their ability in so doing.  
And why have none come up with wrongs charged against  

Defense.  75


                        

            

76  The Defense.  
Bro. W.? Simply because no such wrongs do in truth exist.  
There are those who would assuredly have endeavored to  
sustain the reports they have been circulating, had they not  
been conscious of the utter impossibility of carrying their  
point, and that an investigation would only result in an ex- 
posure of their own shame. What fact could more triumph- 
antly vindicate his course and standing ?  
Lovers of truth and honesty, what will you do in view of  
these facts ? Will you suffer yourselves to be biased and  
imposed upon by the false reports of unprincipled persons?  
or will you give to such facts as these the weight to which  
they are entitled ? There may be some so lost to every  
principle of honor, as to still endeavor to vilify and abuse  
the innocent ; but we do claim that none who pretend to  
either Christianity or respectability should, and we believe  
that none such hereafter will, give aid or countenance to 
these things.  
Finally, we heartily commend Bro. White to the confidence  
and sympathy of Christians everywhere, believing that the  
time is not far distant of which he can truly say,  
"Then all the scoffs and scorn I've borno  
For His dear sake who died for. me,  
To everlasting joys will turn,  
Iu glorious immortality."  
U. SMITH,  
G. W. AMADON,  Committee.  
E• S. WALKER,    

The Defense.  77  
donations made during the year, we find the real loss to  
be $7,231.99.  
But the result for the financial year ending March  
17, 1870, a period of only ten months, is in marked  
contrast with this. The capital during the year which  
ended May 15, 1869, had diminished to $32,736.53.  
But in marked contrast with this during the financial  
year just past, consisting of only ten months, the capital  
of the Association has arisen to $40,487.69, being an  
increase of $7,751.16. These figures speak for them- 
selves. They plainly indicate the change from the  
management of the past few years of loss, to the present  
prudent management of Bro. White. And lest any  
should say that the valuation of 1869 was made too low,  
and that of 1870 is made too high, it is proper to add  
that the brethren who have had the management for 
the past few years, and whose interest it was to guard  
against each of the errors here mentioned, are the ones  
who have made each of these valuations.  
As an act of justice to Eld. White, the General Con- 
ference of Seventh-day Adventists, at its last annual ses- 
sion
'  
 March 15, 1870, adopted the following resolution :  
"Resolved, That we express our high regard for the  
labors of Bro. James White, not only as a minister and  
a writer, but also for his eficient management of our  
publishing department; and we further express our per- 
fect confidence in his integrity as an honest man and a  
devoted Christian; and we request him to accept the 
oversight of our business affairs for the coming year.  
Of the Book Fund we have spoken in the former  
part of this work. On examination of the subject, the  
Conference made the following expression :  
" Voted,  That we hereby express our confidence in  
the wisdom and integrity of Bro. White in his manage- 
ment of the Book Fund; and that we request him to  
continue to have charge of it."  
Eld. White, as will be seen by the calls in this pam- 
phlet, has always courted investigation of his course in  
managing the affairs of this work. While no one  

  

                

                

                

                

            
In the former part of this. pamphlet (pp. 13, 14), we  
have spoken of the financial workings of the Publishing  
Association for the year ending May, 1869. The capi- 
tal at the close of the previous year was $35,996.59.  
There should have been an increase of not less than ten  
per cent, that is to say, of $3,599.65. There was do- 
nated to the Association during the year, $372.28.  
These two sums would have made the property of the  
Association $39,968.52 at the end of the year. But  
there was not only no increase, but an actual diminu- 
tion of the capital to the amount of $3,260.06. And if 
to this we add the above-named ten per cent, and the  

    

                

              
1  

                        

                        

                        

                        

                        




78  The Defense.  The Defense.  79  
comes forward to impeach him, hundreds stand ready  
to testify to his integrity and uniform fairness in all  
business transactions, and to his kindness and liberality.  
And here we have a gathering of several hundreds of  
the most intelligent and devoted friends of the cause  
from Maine to California, after investigation of the 
facts, not only indorsing his general course, but heartily  
thanking him for doing as he has done, and promising  
to support him in pursuing the same in the future.  
If any still give heed to floating reports or wicked in- 
sinuations after this public vindication, we shall be  
forced to conclude that they are more easily swayed by  
such reports than by positive evidence.  
In concluding this defense of Eld. White, we cite  
the following article from the columns of the  The Ad- 
vent-Christian Times,  written in reply to the charges of  
T. M. Preble. The article sufficiently explains itself, and  
it will be found valuable as an answer to a multitude  ,-f  
charges and insinuations. We copy it from the  Times  
of Jan. 11, 1870, as follows :  
THE ARTICLES OP ELD. T. M. PREBLE.  
To THE EDITOR OP THE ADVENT-CHISTIAN TIMES :  
In the months of July and August last, there appeared  
in the columns of the  Voice of the West  a series of ar- 
ticles from the pen of Eld. T. M. Preble, entitled,  
" Ellen G. White and Her Visions." We have had no  
opportunity to read these articles till now, having both  
been absent from the Office of the  Advent Review  dur- 
ing the summer and until within a few days past.  
Having now carefully read them, we think it our duty  
to speak briefly in reply, and request, as an act of jus- 
tice, that our reply be inserted in the  Voice of the West,  
now bearing the name of  Advent-Christian Times.  
We might justly complain of the spirit which breathes  
through these articles; yet as this harshness of expres- 
sion benefits no man in the estimation of the candid, we  
pass it by. We come, therefore, directly to the state- 
ments of Eld. P. He opens his quotations from the   

Review,  of Nov. 17, 1868. Here is the sentence  as  
given by Eld. Preble :  
" Seventh-day Adventists   regard Sabbath-  
keeping essential to salvation ; therefore, according to  
the principle laid down by Eld. G., they cannot fellow- 
ship those who violate the law of the Sabbath :"  
Here are the words as written by Eld. White :  
" Seventh-day Adventists believe it essential to sal- 
vation to keep all ten of the commandments. Consist.  
ent with their position, that the fourth commandment  
should be obeyed as sacredly as the other nine, they re- 
gard Sabbath-keeping as essential to salvation," etc.  
It is thus seen that Eld. P., by putting parts of two  
sentences into one sentence, wholly hides the real  
ground on which Eld. White bases his argument. No  
man can show any flaw in the reasoning that if obe- 
dience to the ten commandments is essential, then the  
fourth commandment can no more be disregarded than  
can the second. But when we make the ten command- 
ments essential to salvation, we occupy ground held  
substantially by almost every evangelical denomination.  
It is true that these denominations hold that the day of  
the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has been  
changed; but they hold that commandment as still ob- 
ligatory. And hence they occupy ground in common  
with ourselves, that the ten commandments must be  
obeyed.  
Eld. Preble next quotes the words of W. H. Ball,  
from the  Voice of the West,  of Jan. 1, 1867. He gives  
authority to the words quoted by saying that W. H. B.  
" is now a member in good standing among Mrs. White's  
followers." That W. H. B. thought himself doing  
God's service when he wrote the words which Eld. P.  
quotes from the  Voice, we have no doubt : yet when he  
stated that Seventh-day Adventists hold that there are  
now no genuine conversions outside of their own ranks  
or their own teaching, and that no persons but them- 
selves enjoy the favor of God, he stated this on the au- 
thority of his own reasoning or inference, from a single  
A


80  The Defense.  
unguarded sentence in the  Review.  We do not hold  
such sentiments. Eld. Preble does us great injustice  
in thus making us responsible for the  deduction of W.  
H. B. He is • aware that this writer from whom he  
quotes has since made humble acknowledgment of the  
wrong done us in the articles which he wrote in the  
Voice of the West.  He has done all that lay in his  
power to correct his injustice toward us. He made an  
acknowledgment of his wrong through the  Voice,  now  
Times.  As Eld. P. has full knowledge of the frank  
and honorable retraction of W. H. Ball, he cannot be  
justified in the use he makes of his assaults upon us.  
Here are some of the words in which W. H. B. ac- 
knowledges his unjust course toward the Seventh-day  
Adventists. They are taken from the  Review for July  
7, 1868. He says :  
" I have put forth my best efforts to prejudice and  
influence first-day Adventists against this people and  
their views. I now see my mistake, and deeply feel my  
wrong in so doing."  
Eld. P. next proceeds to quote from reproofs con- 
tained in Sr. White's printed testimonies, to show (1)  
that the people who receive her teachings are much  
worse than other religious bodies; (2) that this evil  
condition is the result of her labors. It is very certain  
that much of Sr. White's writings consist of reproof.  
It is also true that her labors in this respect are princi- 
pally confined to those who have some degree of regard  
for her admonitions. Now observe the injustice of Eld.  
Preble's reasoning : Because Sr. White reproves wrongs  
among our own people, and is comparatively silent con- 
cerning the wrongs of other religious bodies, it follows  
in his judgment from her own showing that the people  
who receive her admonitions are much worse than those  
who have no interest in them. But Eld. P. should  
bear in mind that many of the persons thus reproved  
did, at the time of receiving such reproof, think them- 
selves about right; and that they felt concerning their  
own cases very much as do our religious friends who be-  

The Defense.  81  
long to the various denominations around us. The  
Seventh-day Adventists believe that there is danger of  
self-deception ; and that one of the most important rea-
sons why the gift of prophecy is placed in the church  
is that reproof may be given, and wrongs may be pointed  
out in the cases of those who are self-deceived. Are  
there no cases of worldliness, overreaching, and guile,  
among our first-day Advent brethren in which never- 
theless the persons concerned are completely self-de- 
ceived ? Are there no cases of hidden wickedness that  
need to be exposed, that the unwary may be saved from  
ruin ? Are there no churches, nor ministers, nor lay- 
men, among them, deserving of severe and searching  
reproof ? Did there exist in their ranks a reprover like  
Sr. White, we might judge something of the relative  
condition of the respective bodies by the reproofs respect- 
ively given. But whatever may be said against Sr.  
White, or the Seventh-day Adventists, whoever will  
candidly read her writings will be constrained to say  
that they expose and condemn wrongs of every kind,  
and that they do not in a single case justify wrongs  
or evils. It is certainly very unjust to quote her severe  
censure of certain wrongs, and then to treat those wrongs  
as the direct result of her labor.  
Our limits will not admit the notice of everything  
referred to in the articles of Eld. P. We will attend to  
those of chief importance.  
Eld. P. quotes the statement of Sr. White relative to  
the small compensation which she has received for the  
labor of writing, and apparently to cast discredit upon  
this, and to show that she is a worldly, money-loving  
woman, he quotes also the following from Testimony,  
No. 14 : " I have $500 in stock in the Institute."  
Now this looks very bad to the readers of the  Times.  
Yet had Eld. P. quoted the  whole sentence,  it would pre- 
sent a very different aspect. Here it is :  
" I have $500 in stock in the Institute, which I wish  
to donate ;  and if my husband succeeds well with his  
6  

tat


82  The Defense.  The Defense.  83  
anticipated book, he will give $500 more." Page 12.    
Sr. White has donated to the Health Institute the  
above-named sum; and Bro. White, as intimated by  
Sr. W., has done the same. These facts show that Eld.    
P. has, in this case, treated Sr. W. very unjustly.  
Sr. White speaks with great severity of those who  
move to Battle Creek ostensibly to share in its religious    
privileges, but really to promote their worldly inter- 
ests. That such persons have brought evil into that  
church, is very true. But that this is chargeable upon  
the one who reproves the wrong, is entirely untrue.  
These things have to be encountered by other relig  
ious bodies, though they may not be reproved and cor- 
rected by them as they deserve. Let it be borne in  
mind that Eld. Preble is professedly exposing the evil  
influence of the visions over those who embrace them.    
With this view, he quotes, at considerable length, from  
Testimony No. 16, wherein certain persons are strongly  
reproved for selfishness, especially in the case of Sr  
Hannah More. This may, in the opinion of Eld. P.,  
afford proof that the visions tend to evil; but we fail to  
see how any reasonable person can regard it in that    
light. Nor does it aid his cause to say that those who  
were thus reproved were believers in the visions, while  
it is certain that wherein they erred they acted con- 
trary to the uniform teachings of the visions. But it    
may be said that the testimony of Sr. W. proves the    
Battle Creek church to be worse than those who have    
no faith in the doctrines which that church professes to    
believe. But the persons reproved presented to human  
appearance no more selfish conduct than is constantly  
displayed by other classes of professed Christians. The    
testimony presented no contrast; it did not say that 
they "were sinners above all" men who profess godli- 
ness, but faithfully pointed out the wrongs done, that  
more watchfulness might be practiced, and such errors  
be avoided in the future. Surely, if such testimony as  
this stirs up the feelings of individuals, the fault is with   

themselves and not with the testimony which condemns  
the wrong.  
Eld. Preble uses very freely the reproof given the  
Battle Creek church in the case of Sr. More. That  
church is indeed very severely censured for criminal  
neglect in her case. Yet cases of a similar kind are  
transpiring in almost every community around us.  
This does not lessen the guilt of the Battle Creek  
church ; but it does indicate that they are not alone in  
this kind of transgression. The case of Sr. More is as  
follows : While a missionary in South Africa she em- 
braced the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. This  
. closed against her the door for further labor in that  
position. She returned to the United States, and after  
spending a season in Massachusetts and Connecticut  
with our people, and with her own relatives, she came  
to Battle Creek, hoping to find employment as a teacher.  
She was in destitute circumstances, but her modest, re- 
tiring manner caused her to refrain from speaking of  
her wants, and with criminal neglect they were not in- 
quired into. As it was not, at that time, convenient to  
get up a private school for her, the thing was neglected,  
and so this worthy woman left Battle Creek for North- 
ern Michigan, where she died the following winter.  
This neglect on the part of the Battle Creek church was  
very culpable; although many persons in all denomina- 
tions are pursuing a course similar to this their whole  
lives long, and yet supposing themselves good Chris- 
tians. But it is extremely unjust to make Sr. White  
responsible for the wrong which she so pointedly con- 
demns. Such a course on the part of Eld. P. can be  
justified when it is shown that her visions have ever  
sanctioned these wrong things.  
Having placed this matter before the readers o f the  
Voice, Eld. P. terms it a sad tale for those " who claim  
to be the only true church on earth !" The Seventh- 
day Adventists have never put forth this claim. We  
attach great importance to the doctrines which we  
cherish ; but we have ever held that God has true peo-  
A


84  The DefeYt8e.  
ple wherever men are found who are obeying what light  
they have.  
Eld. P. quotes from Sr. W. at some length in con- 
demnation of the spirit of worldliness that has come  
over many of our people. Then he quotes from Bro.  
White to show that he is in favor of this very worldli- 
ness which his wife so pointedly condemns. His quota- 
tion is from an article in the  Review for Feb. 12, 1867,  
in which the worldly prosperity of Sabbath-keepers is  
set forth. He selects and italicizes two of the expres- 
sions, giving them a meaning utterly at variance with  
the whole connection. Thus he quotes : "  What is  
there to hinder from getting rich ?"  And yet another  
sentence : "  This is nearer as it should be."  This de- 
signedly gives the impression that there is, according  
to Bro. White, no evil in accumulating wealth ; in fact, 
that it is a very commendable thing. Now the truth  
is, the question here cited was asked for the purpose of  
showing that the observance of the seventh day is no  
real hindrance to worldly prosperity with the common  
people. It was not written to show that God's word  
approves of laying up treasures. And the last sentence  
was not written to show that adding to one's wealth  
was " nearer as it should be," but that raising their fig- 
ures in the book of Systematic Benevolence was such.  
There can be no excuse for this application of the  
language by Eld. P., for the article closes by " suggest-
ing remedies for that which threatens Seventh-day Ad- 
N'entists ; namely, they are getting rich." And here  
are the last two sentences : " And although it will be  
difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven,  
as illustrated by our Saviour, yet it is possible, if he be  
willing to become poor. Many are called, but few  
chosen of God as his precious jewels; and the heirs of  
the kingdom will finally be of the poor of this world  
who are rich in faith."  
In the conclusion of his article for Aug. 3, he quotes  
again from Sr. White in condemnation of the use .made  
of vocal and instrumental music by Sabbath-keepers in  

The Defense.-  85  
various places. She represents some of them as using  
songs and frivolous ditties. Eld. P. thereupon repre- 
sents the Battle Creek church as a corrupt body, with  
which even a respectable non-professor would not stoop  
to associate. Now, it is only necessary to say in reply  
to this, that the songs to which Sr. White refers are  
such as are sung freely everywhere by the mass of pro- 
fessors of religion. No songs of a kind deemed immoral  
have ever been used, but simply those of a chaffy, frivo- 
lous character. These are what Sr. White so sharply  
censures, and which are now, we believe, laid aside by  
all our people.  
Eld. P. quotes a series of sentences uttered with ref- 
erence to certain persons in our ranks, and gives the  
idea that Sr. White pronounces a sweeping condemna- 
tion of the whole body. He uses this to show that  
we are the worst of people; whereas, in those sen- 
tences no comparison is made with other bodies. How  
others would stand the test of her searching reproof re- 
mains to be seen. One sentence, however, should be  
noticed for its injustice. Here it is : " God has cursed  
the Office [the printing office at Battle Creek], and  
Heaven frowns upon it '—and, as she  says,'  angels are  
in tears' over such a sight."  
Now let us cite the words of Sr. White : " This  
spirit [selfishness] has to quite an extent cursed the  
Office, and Heaven frowns upon it." The candid reader  
will observe that Sr. W. does not say that " God has  
cursed the Office," as Eld. P. makes her say; but it is  
the spirit of selfishness in certain ones that has cursed  
it. Again,  she does not say that Heaven frowns upon  
the Office, but upon this spirit of selfishness that has  
possessed certain persons connected with it. And fur- 
ther, she does not connect the weeping of the angels  
with the Office,  as Eld. P. asserts.  
The case of Sr. More is made the subject of Eld.  
Preble's article for Aug. 10. After quoting largely  
from Sr. White relative to the wrong of the Battle  
Creek church toward Sr. More, yet mutilating it in


86  The Defense.  
such a manner as to do Sr. White injustice, he endeav- 
ors to show that herself and husband are censurable for  
not relieving Sr. M. Let it be understood that Sr. M.  
was in the extreme northern part of Michigan, and that 
what Sr. White speaks of doing for her relief was the  
sending of means for her to come to Greenville. Eld.  
P.'s principal point in showing that Sr. W. makes a  
false statement when she says that herself and husband  
had not [in August, 1867,] means to send for Sr. More,  
is found in that Eld. W., in the  Review for March 2,  
1869, advertises for sale a farm worth $3,800, near  
Greenville. He draws conclusions, however, that are  
incorrect and unjust. When Bro. White purchased  
and built in Greenville, he did it with hired money,  
expecting to be able to sell his property elsewhere. In  
this he failed. He had just passed a protracted and  
dangerous period of sickness from paralysis. During  
that time the larger part of his property was used up.  
When he learned just how his pecuniary matters stood,  
he found that, in consequence of his heavy expenses  
from sickness, he had not sufficient means to pay for  
his house and land in Greenville, even could he sell his  
property at Battle Creek, and use it for that purpose.  
But he was disappointed in not being able to sell, and  
was therefore placed in very straitened circumstances.  
Such was his situation at the time referred to by Sr.  
White. Indeed, the place was offOred for sale because  
of this same heavy indebtedness. The reader will  
therefore see that Eld. Preble's comments are unjust,  
and that Sr. White spoke only the truth in what she  
said.  
But when Bro. and Sr. White returned from Iowa,  
in October, 1867, through the liberality of the brethren 
in the West, they had means sufficient to send for Sr.  
More to come to Greenville. But, as duty seemed  
plainly to call them to the East, they decided not to  
send for her till their return, which was expected to bo  
in one month. Certainly it was a reasonable thing to  
defer sending for her to come to their home till they  

The Defense.  87  
returned themselves. But they were detained some  
three months; and when they returned, they wrote for  
her to come; but the navigation had closed, and Sr. M.  
could not come.  
Eld. P. next proceeds to some very ungenerous re- 
marks, to the effect that they did not want to have her  
come. He quotes what Sr. W. says in showing that  
there were no worldly motives to induce them to desire  
the presence of Sr. M. in her family, as her help was  
not such as they needed, and argues from it that they  
did not feel any real interest in her case. Yet the very 
object of the language was to show that their interest  
in her case was entirely unselfish. Such a method of  
commenting as that adopted by Eld. P., is every way  
unwarrantable and unjust.  
Eld. P., in his fourth article, makes extracts from  
the visions, in which it is stated that a great work must  
be done for Sabbath-keepers; that they must be zealous  
and repent; that many are guilty of acts of oppression  
toward the poor ; and that the True Witness is marking  
their course, declaring that he knows their work. He  
then quotes the following noble and soul-stirring ex- 
hortation :  
" Men and women professing godliness, expecting  
translation to Heaven without seeing death, I warn you  
to be less greedy of gain, less self-caring ! Redeem, by  
noble acts of disinterested benevolence, your godlike  
manhood, your noble womanhood. Gain back true no- 
bility of soul, and heartily despise your former avaricious  
spirit," etc.  
But what is there wrong in all this ? Does Eld. P.  
look complacently upon himself and his people, and say  
that there is no work that needs to be done for them ?  
that they need not be zealous and repent ? that they  
have no wrongs to overcome, or that if they have, it is  
of no consequence whether they are warned thereof or  
not? And should the exhortation last quoted be heeded  
by those to whom it is addressed, what would be the  
result ? Disinterested benevolence, godlike manhood,


88  The Defense.  
noble womanhood, and true nobility of soul. Such  
would be the fruit of the visions if men and women  
would heed this testimony. And it is such divine traits  
as these that Eld. P. denounces when he unblushingly  
declares the fruits of the visions to be unholy and per- 
nicious.  
These remarks aro a sufficient reply to the greater  
portion of the article under consideration. But a few  
items are worthy of particular notice. He endeavors to  
prove that we direct attention to the writings of Sr. White  
to the neglect of the Bible, by the following quotation  
from Eld. White : " The work to be done in which we  
appeal for help at this time is, to induce all Sabbath-keep- 
ers to read these works and inform themselves as to the  
things taught in them, and thus be prepared to judge  
as to the nature of our work." In this short extract,  
Eld. P. twice inserts in brackets the words, " not the  
" not the Bible," thus insinuating that the  
study of the Bible is made of little account. This is  
an unworthy insinuation ; for all who have any acquaint- 
ance with the visions know that they, as well as all  
writers and speakers in the ranks of Seventh-day Ad- 
ventists, at all times, exhort to a careful and unremit- 
ting study of the holy Scriptures. And even a few  
paragraphs before, Eld. P. makes an extract from the  
testimony of the visions in which the young are severely  
censured for not reading the word of God enough.  
Eld. P. continues : " But we will return to the de- 
scription Mrs. White gives of the wickedness of her  
followers." On this he seems to dwell with especial  
glee and intense satisfaction, frequently exclaiming,  
" Who would wish to have any connection with such a  
people as this ?" Now one of two things is here evi- 
dent : If the visions are the false and deceptive opera- 
tions Eld. P. claims them to be, they contain no proof  
that this people are in the low spiritual state described,  
and it is utterly unfair in Eld. P. to try to raise preju- 
dice against them on this account. But, if they are in  
the condition set forth, then it is a good and necessary  

The Defense.  89  
work on the part of the visions to point out these 
wrongs and try to have them put away; and he has no  
right to denounce the visions for such a course. Thus,  
take it which way we will, his work cannot be freed  
from the charge of unfairness and inconsistency. We  
would also call attention to the fact that it is not a  
characteristic of those who are practicing jugglery and  
deceit to be continually reproving wrongs and sins in  
their followers; but, on the other hand, to cater to  
their pleasure, selfishness, and carnal inclination. False  
prophets prophesy smooth things, that please the peo-
ple. In this respect the visions give evidence of being  
just the reverse of what Eld. P. claims them to be.  
We will now hear Eld. P. endeavor to explain the  
cause of " so much wickedness among Mrs. White's  
followers." This he does by giving an extract from an  
article by Eld. White, in the  Review of Nov. 26, 1867,  
as follows : " Satan calls three men to preach the pres- 
ent truth where God calls one." It is true that Eld.  
W. made this remark ; but he did not say that these  
men were ever permitted to enter the ministry.. Eld.  
P. would carry the idea that three out of every four  
who are now preaching the present truth, were sent  
into the field by the devil. But any mind possessed  
with the least power of critical observation will see that  
no such idea is given by the language. Eld. W. was  
speaking of the temptations of those to enter the minis- 
try who were not qualified for the work; and such are  
not employed.  
Again, Eld. P. says : " But let us remember that  
this is the people who condemn others as having the  
mark of the beast if they happen to have chosen to follow  
the teachings of God's word, instead of following Mrs.  
White and her visions." We have over and over again  
explained our position on this question. We do not  
claim that any one has yet received the mark of the  
beast, according to Rev. 14 : 9-12, as the connection  
shows that it will be received under a decree of civil  
authority, as opposed to the authority of God and  his


90  The Defense.  
law. We keep the Sabbath now as a duty in obedience  
to the law of God, warning the people in view of a  
great increase of perils and dangers as we near the com-
ing of the Lord, when faith will be more strongly tested,  
and the judgments of God fall upon the incorrigibly  
disobedient. No one claiming the faith of an Advent- 
ist can reasonably complain of this, seeing the Scriptures  
are so explicit on the increasing perils of the last days.  
This is so well understood by all who are conversant  
with our faith, that we are compelled to believe that any  
one who first becomes acquainted with our views, and  
then represents us as Eld. P. has above, does it either  
from prejudice or  
Eld. Preble closes his articles with extracts from the  
confessions of different individuals, some of whom were  
reproved by the visions. That they believed in the  
visions is enough to set Eld. P. on the track of the  
visions, no matter how just the reproof; and to set him  
to attacking those who confess, no matter how humble  
and meek in spirit the confession may be. If there is 
anything that the true Christian will look upon with  
especial feelings of charity, it is a humble confession of 
errors. And why ? Because it is so perfectly in keep- 
ing with the true spirit of Christianity. Therefore, it 
is no small cause of suspicion in regard to the standing  
of a professed Christian that he is free to find fault with  
the confessions of others; inasmuch as he who cannot  
appreciate the spirit of confession in others, virtually  
acknowledges the lack of it in himself. And it has  
ever been the case, that while the true Christian is  
ready to confess, the Pharisee or egotist is equally 
ready to deride, and to contrast the failings of the peni- 
tent with his own righteousness. The reason is evident  
in the very nature of the Christian life. They who live  
near enough to God to see their own weakness and  
errors in the light of his truth and purity, will be ready  
to confess; while they who live so far from God as to  
walk in darkness, cannot see anything in themselves to  
confess. The language of their hearts is, " God, I thank  

The Defense.  91  
thee that I am not as other men—or even as this publi- 
can !" Isaiah bewailed his leanness, not because he was  
worse than those around him, but because he had a view  
of the glory and the righteous judgments of the Lord.  
Reading the extracts quoted by Eld. P., we are led  
to inquire, What evidence do they present that the vis-  
ions are not of Heaven ? or that they have a bad influ-  
ence ? First, a remark is quoted from the editor of the  
Review, that we all need a new conversion to the work  
of God; that many, at a late camp-meeting, confessed  
to their worldly-mindedness, and the editor remarks :  
" We  presume  it is so in all parts of the field." We  
must say that we fail to see wherein this is against the 
visions, or those who believe in them. The Scriptures  
show that the " cares of this world" will be a great  
snare in the last days, and we fully believe that we are  
in the last days; hence, watchfulness or confessions in  
regard to these are especially called for. We think the  
love of the world is the crying sin of this age : it is that  
which shuts from the heart the love of the truth. We  
also believe it is not peculiar to those who keep the  
seventh-day Sabbath. We could give striking evi- 
dences on this point which would not be flattering to  
those who profess to be looking for the coming of the  
Lord, and who do not keep the Sabbath; but such evi- 
dences did not seem to us to be pertinent to a confession !  
though it might have relieved the acrimonious spirit of  
our accusers to see something of this kind.  
Paul not only died to the world, but confessed that  
in his service to Christ he died daily; and pressed for- 
ward, as not having already attained all he desired.  
We are willing to stand before the world committed to  
this principle, that while we are subject to the weak- 
nesses of this mortal state, beset with the deceptions of  
the enemy, we need to renew our consecration to God,  
or, as the extract quoted says, " a new conversion to the  
work," which we believe to be the work of God. We  
expect the unconsecrated to find fault, but we look  
higher for approval.


92  The Defense.  
Next come three confessions from girls working or  
having worked in the Review Office, that they had not  
been sufficiently consecrated to this solemn and import- 
ant work ; that they had indulged in pride a,nd love of  
the world. All of which argues nothing against the  
visions of Sr. White.  
The confessions of those connected with the Health  
Institute contain nothing of which any one can reason- 
ably complain--nothing to show a destitution of prin- 
ciple either on the part of the visions or of the persons  
confessing. The reading of the extracts is a sufficient  
refutation of the insinuations of Eld. Preble.  
Eld. Loughborough says he has received, read, and  
approved, Testimony, No. 12, and adds : " If ever we  
expect the finishing work to be accomplished in our  
hearts, and ourselves got ready for the judgment, our  
wrongs must be brought to our knowledge, seen, con- 
fessed, and forsaken." The inference is, that the Test- 
imonies tend to purity of life, and aid in the work of  
preparing for the judgment, by pointing out wrongs and  
leading the erring to confess. This is surely no evil  
work, and in doing this they can have no evil influence.  
And this we shall claim is the design and teaching of  
the visions, until their opposers succeed in pointing to  
at least one wrong which they uphold.  
Bro. W. H. Ball confesses his error in opposing the  
visions, and offers his own experience as proof that it  
is spiritual death to doubt or oppose the work in which  
S. D. Adventists are engaged. The quotation ends  
with these words : " My life during the past two years  
has been both an injury and a  disgrace to the cause of  God."  The italics are placed by Eld. Preble, and the  
whole is passed by with the single remark : " For this  
last statement we will give him due credit." But let it  
be remembered that Eld. P. in this article is harping on  
the evil tendency of the visions, and the errors of the  
lives of those who believe in them; and he puts this  
case in the list. Yet he well knows that Bro. Ball was  
opposing the visions during the two years covered by  

The Defense.  93  
the statement—opposing them as bitterly and unreason- 
ably as Eld. P. now is ; and this was what he consid- 
ered so disgraceful. Yet Eld. P. sets this down as  
against the visions 1 His argument is as reasonable as  
it would be to conclude that Eld. P. is now laboring  
under the influence of the visions in his work of oppo- 
sition, and to attribute the harsh, censorious spirit man- 
ifested in his articles to their influence. In this case  
he presents an entirely new phase of responsibility :  
the visions are made to bear the blame of those who  
have done wrong, contrary to their instructions, and  
also of those who disbelieve and openly oppose them I  
Much stress is laid on the confession of Eld. Cor- 
nell ; and if this is erroneous, it is an anomaly in the  
history of error. We can find abundance of cases of  
parties flattering each other, and mutually sustaining each  
other in selfishness; but the main points in this case, as  
shown by Eld. P., are these : (1) Eld. Cornell has  
greatly erred; (2) the vision pointed out and exposed  
his error; (3) Eld. Cornell is a strong friend of the  
visions. These we say are the facts, for Eld. P. does  
not attempt to deny the correctness of the reproof given  
in the visions. And so his argument and conclusion  
run thus : (1) The visions reprove a wrong in Eld.  
Cornell ; (2) Eld. Cornell confesses the wrong and  
accepts the reproof given in the visions ; (3) therefore,  
the visions are bad, and have a bad influence on the  
minds of those who believe them ! This may be hard  
on the visions, or it may be against the logical acumen 
of Eld. Preble. We are willing to leave it to the judg- 
ment of the candid.  
" But," says Eld. P., " the clearest and fullest confes- 
sion of all is from Eld. J. H. Waggoner." Confession of  
what ? that the visions have had a bad influence on him  
or his family ? Let us see. First, an extract is given  
from  a  letter to the  Review confessing that on account  
of wrong impressions received from others, he had not  
fully appoved certain moves of Bro. White, as he (Bro.  
White) was recovering from his illness. The confes-


94  The Defense.  
sion was based on the fact that these statements were  
erroneous, and so proved to be by a certificate of parties.  
Second, an extract is given from an article headed  
" Acknowledgment," wherein is acknowledged the  
mercy of God as shown in a series of meetings just past,  
and his feeling of unworthiness to receive such favors,  
in which is no mention of the visions—no reference to  
them. Third, a long extract is given from an article  
wherein Eld. Waggoner warns of the danger—not of  
believing, but of denying, the visions. And herein  
must be found the ground of offense. The facts in the  
case as referred to in the article are these : (1) Eld.  
Waggoner felt it to be his duty to devote his life to the  
ministry, and in this he received opposition from his  
wife. This was before either of them knew Sr. White,  
or had received anything from her. (2) His wife  
continued to oppose him in his work in the same  
manner, and in the same spirit, after she became  
acquainted with the visions. (3) Her opposition to  
him in the discharge of his duty became so bitter and  
violent as to destroy the peace of the household, and  
divide the interests of the family, as all know who have  
had any observation of the facts. (4) The visions kindly  
pointed out to her the error of her course, and what  
course to pursue to unite her heart and interest to that  
of her husband, and so insure the happiness of both,  
and save her children from the distracting influence of  
her example.  
But this also was rejected. The alternative forced  
upon Eld. W. was, to continue in the discharge of  
his duty to God, and risk the displeasure of his wife,  
or to cease his labors as a minister to conciliate her  
feelings. Those who were acquainted with him, and  
knew his care and affection for his family, can witness  
to the struggle which passed in his mind as he saw 
the inevitable destiny before him, of seeing his family  
go to ruin under the bitter spirit of opposition mani- 
fested by his wife, or to renounce his calling in which  
he had conscientiously engaged, without any hope that  

The Defense.  95  
he would therein retain the favor of God, or better the  
condition of his family.  
(5) In his absence, his eldest daughter, very ten- 
derly cherished and highly prized by him, fell under  
the influence of designing persons, and was induced to  
contract a marriage against the wishes of her father,  
and in which he could see nothing but ruin in her  
pathway. This added greatly to his grief. And no- 
tice, here, that the visions were decidedly outspoken  
against this unscriptural course on the part of chil- 
dren.  
Now, we appeal to all : Is it just, is it honest, to rep- 
resent that the visions have caused the desolation and  
ruin which have come upon the home of Eld. Waggoner ?  
The course pursued by his wife and by their daughter  
was contrary to the warnings of the visions, and would 
have produced the same effect if no vision had ever  
been given. Why, then, does Eld. P. declare that this  
is the " terrible fruit" of the third angel's message and  
of Sr. White's visions ? Nothing could be more unjust 
or more contrary to the facts in the case. And there is  
not a sentence in Eld. W.'s article which gives the least  
countenance to the statements of Eld. Preble. Among  
other things, Eld. P. says : " Mrs. White, foreseeing the  
result, could faithfully point out to the elder that if  
he devoted his life to her third angel's message, peace,  
union, and happiness, would forever depart from his  
heretofore happy family." This is entirely a fabrica- 
tion on the part of Eld. Preble. Sr. White never  
" pointed out" any such thing. Neither Sr. White  
nor Eld. Waggoner ever attributed any of his troub- 
les to his preaching, nor does Eld. W.'s wife, at this  
present time. Mrs. Waggoner freely acknowledges  
that her course is the cause of the trouble, and that  
had she ceased her opposition to her husband, and con- 
sulted his will in regard to their duty, as becomes a wife,  
she might have been happy where she has been misera- 
ble, and saved her husband and family from the evil  
which her course has brought upon them.


96  The Defense.  
In all the quotations given by Eld. P. he has thrown  
in remarks, giving a coloring to the sentences entirely  
foreign to the ideas of the writers, and his conclusions  
are uniformly contrary to the tenor of the truth. In  
looking at his perversions of the facts, we are led to pity  
the man who is so blinded by prejudice that he fails in  
every instance to do justice to those whom he opposes.  
It is not pleasant to meet attacks and personalities  
put forth in such a spirit as is manifested by Eld. P.  
Were it consistent with duty, we would gratify our  
feelings, and pass them by in silence. But where si- 
lence is construed to indicate fear to meet the points,  
and is made the excuse for reviling the cause which is  
dear to our hearts, as we believe it to be the cause of  
God, we feel constrained to notice them, and thereby  
save minds from being injured by groundless prejudice.  
In so doing, we have noticed his articles as briefly as  
possible, too briefly to do full justice to the facts in the  
case, considering the many instances of garbling the lan- 
guage of others, and perversion of facts which were to  
be noticed. And we conclude our remarks with an ap- 
peal to your readers, based on the text with which he 
prefaces his articles : " By their fruits ye shall know  
them." (Matt. 7 : 20.) He starts out by asking, What  
is the fruit of Ellen G. White's visions? Is the fruit  
good ? or is it bad ? This is a pertinent question, and  
one which we would rejoice to see candidly discussed  
in every paper in the land. We invite a fair applica- 
tion of this test to the visions in question. We ask no  
less; their most determined opponents can ask no more.  
And had Eld. P. treated the subject in the manner here  
indicated, we should never have asked the privilege of oc- 
cupying space in your paper with a notice of his effort.  
But from a perusal of his articles we have felt compelled  
to prefer against them certain charges, which we think  
are fully sustained in these pages, such as (1) that the  
reasoning is unfair; (2) that the conclusions are un- 
just; (3) that what is claimed as the fruit of the vis- 
ions is just the reverse; and (4) that the language is gen-  

The Defense.  97  
orally such as would be used by one whose object was  
to sneer and cavil, rather than that of him who was can- 
didly seeking for the truth.  
What can be legitimately taken as the fruit of the  
visions ? He claims that it is bad. Then we think all  
will agree with us in the proposition that, to make his  
claim good, he must show (1) that the visions counsel  
to that which is bad; and (2) that persons have per- 
formed bad acts, or have been led to manifest an un- 
christian disposition by following what the visions have  
taught. Here would be something which could prop- 
erly be set forth as the fruit of the visions, on the  
strength of which the visions could be condemned.  
But suppose, on the other hand, that instances were pro- 
duced where persons had committed sins against which  
the visions had warned them, and pursued a course  
which the visions declared to be abhorrent in the sight  
of God, and manifested evil traits of character which  
the visions told them plainly they must overcome or 
they would never be saved—could such sins, such wrong  
course, and such evil traits of character be taken as the  
fruits of the visions ? Yet, strange to say, it is cases  
like this which Eld. Preble in every instance brings up  
to show the evil fruits of the visions. Wrongs, and  
sins, and evils, which, if the visions had been heeded,  
would never have been committed, are brought forth as  
the fruit of the visions themselves  If such perver-  
sion as this can be surpassed, we have yet to learn the  
instance. As well might we charge the frequent re- 
bellions and sins of Israel upon " Moses and the proph- 
ets" who were sent to reprove and warn them against  
these things.  
If the visions have anywhere counseled that which is  
evil, let the passage be pointed out. If an instance  
can be found where a person has lived in sin, or acted  
anyway contrary to the word of God, or declined in  
piety and devotion, by following the instructions of the  
visions, let it be produced. But if no such case can be  
7


98  The Defense.  
found, and if, on the contrary, the visions are shown  
to exhort to the practice of every virtue, to the shunning ,    
of every sin, to the maintenance of constant watchful- 
ness and earnest prayer; if they expose sin and iniq- 
uity of every form and every degree, and enjoin the  
purest morality, why is such virulent hostility mani- 
fested against them ? Let their opposers answer this in  
the fear of God, as it must be met in the " great day."  
J. N. ANDREWS,  
J. H. WAGGONER.  
Battle Creek, Mich., Dec.,  1869.  
TESTIMONY OF MRS. WAGGONER.  
The following statement of Mrs. Waggoner is offered  
by her in response to the remarks made by Eld. Preble  
touching her case. Eld. P. spoke of her calamities as  
caused by Sr. White's testimonies. Mrs. Waggoner, of  
her own accord, makes the following frank statement :  
To ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN : I feel it to be  
my duty to say that it was not the visions that made  
our trouble. Had I kept near to the side of my hus- 
band, and not given place to the enemy, our hearts  
might now be united in the truth, and our family not  
broken and separated as it is. Do not lay it to Mrs.  
White; for had I lived up to what she taught, it would  
have been a blessing to me and to my family. But I  
rebelled against it, and thought my own way the best,  
whereas the enemy took possession of my mind, and so  
blinded me that I could not see as I should. 0 Lord,  
forgive me, is the prayer of my heart, and be merciful  
to me a sinner.  
Mr. Preble said I could not be duped by Mrs. White's  
visions. But I would have been the gainer if I had  
been a dupe, if that is what he sees fit to call it. I  
should be better off to-day had I not been so rebellious  
and self-willed. It looks like malice or spite on his  
part. It was not the visions, but my own wicked,  

The Defense.  99  
blinded heart, that made us trouble; and I suffer justly  
—I deserve it; and if I suffered alone I could bear it  
better. I have found that the way of transgressors is  
hard. Oh that I had heeded counsel, and kept by the  
side of my husband; then we might have been happy,  
and he might have done more good and been stronger,  
and the cause of God not dishonored as it has been. I 
ask the forgiveness of all whom I have wronged, or  
whose feelings I have hurt. And I ask the forgiveness  
of Mrs. White for thinking and speaking evil of her;  
and of the great God of Heaven, for I have trampled on  
his law, and crucified his Son afresh, and put hiin to an  
open shame. I also ask the forgiveness of my husband  
and our dear children. I have not been the wife and  
mother to them that I should have been. I have not  
set such an example as I should, and wish I had. 0  
Lord, pity me and forgive, and teach me what thou  
wilt have me to do.  MRS. M. H. WAGGONER.  
Burlington, Mich., Feb.  1, 1870.  
DEFENSE OF SISTER WHITE.  
In connection with the labors of her husband, Sr.  
White has done very efficient service to the cause of  
truth. None have devoted themselves more unreserv- 
edly to the work, nor better exemplified the true spirit  
of the gospel in their lives, than she. And, as might  
be expected from the words of the Saviour and his  
apostles, none have been more wantonly assailed by the  
tongue of slander. See John 15 : 18-21 ; 16 : 1-3 ;  
17 :14 ; Acts 14 : 22 ; 2 Tim. 3 :12; &c. Satan well  
knows that their  reputation  is the  capital  of the serv- 
ants of God. They may be devoted to their word, and  
have education and ability; but all these are at once 
rendered nugatory, so far as their work is concerned,  
if their reputation is blasted. While this is true  
of all who labor in the gospel, it is especially so  
if the laborer is a female. False ideas in society make


100  The Defense.  
crimes committed by women more criminal than if  
committed by men ; therefore, they are doubly guilty  
who take advantage of this circumstance to injure the  
reputation of an innocent woman ; and still more so if  
that woman is a laborer in the cause of God. He who  
numbers the hairs of the heads of his servants (Matt.  
10 : 30 ; Luke 21 : 18), and who says to his people :  
" He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye"  
(Zech. 2 : 8), marks every idle word and every evil  
speech (Matt. 5 : 11, 12 ; 12 : 36); and he will re- 
ward it in the day of judgment,. So far as it is a  
personal matter, we are content to refer all to the de- 
cisions of that day. But when these things hedge up  
the way of useful labor, and turn away the ears of the  
people from the truth by which they may be saved, we  
feel a responsibility in the matter, considering it a part  
of the work of vindicating that truth to vindicate those  
who proclaim it.  
Suffer us here to refer to the public labors of Sr.  
White. She has stood before congregations of hun- 
dreds and of thousands, in each of the New England  
States, in the Central States of the North, and  in all  
the Western States, as far as Iowa and Minnesota; and  
many thousands can attest the power with which she  
has presented the claims of the word of God, and set  
forth the sufferings of our Saviour and the value and  
efficacy of his blood, and enforced the purity of the  
Christian life. Scoffers have been silenced, believers com- 
forted, and ministers of the gospel confessed themselves  
instructed by her ministrations. And, as with her speak-
ing, so with her writings. The most exalted consecra- 
tion, the deepest piety, the purest morality, are uniformly  
taught in her writings, with such a fervency of spirit  
and strength and power of expression as can be found  
in the works of no other writer of the day. If, then,  
she were such a person as her enemies represent her to  
be—if her life were not in accordance with her teach- 
ings, that fact would prove her to be a hypocrite of no  

The Defense.  101  
ordinary cast. Let us, then, turn from her public la- 
bors to her private life to inquire on this point.  
We will go to her home, and there behold her as  
a wife and mother, as a daily companion of those resid- 
inc.. 
b  
 there, or of the many who are welcome visitors  
there. If she is such a deceiver as her enemies assert, 
they who behold her daily life, who are brought into  
constant contact with her influence as a wife, a mother,  
and the joint head of an extensive household, must  
have the best opportunities of judging and of detecting  
the deception. And not only her personal friends are  
there, but very frequently we find those at their table  
and their fireside who come as  watchers, with their fears  
and jealousy all aroused, and who will be able to ex- 
pose any wronc , 
b  
 that may be found there. Let all these  
testify if they find evil in her daily walk. We have  
seen the fearful and the skeptical engage in conversa- 
tion with Sr. White; and as she spoke of her own ex- 
perience, of the self-denial and sufferings of Christ, of  
the dangers and perils of the last days, of the duties  
of Christian life and the purity of Christian character,  
the falling tear evinced that prejudice was giving way 
to conviction, and they have afterward confessed that  
she gave evidence of a depth of Christian experience  
and a maturity of judgment in spiritual things, such as  
they had never before known in any person. How  
many, in times of trial and danger, have received coun- 
sel that has prepared them to withstand the tempter's  
wiles—how many, in trouble and deep distress of mind,  
have received consolation and encouragement from her  
words of sympathy and instruction, Heaven only knows.  
But with the facts in the case we are well acquainted.  
" We speak that we do know, and testify that we have  
seen;"  and if " ye receive not our testimony," but  
choose instead that of those who do not know, and  
whose prejudices prevent their knowing that which  all  
may know,  you must answer for your choice to the  
Searcher of all hearts.  
" But," say the objectors, " we have heard reports


102  The Defense.  
coming direct from those who have been acquainted  
with her from her childhood ; and these reports come  
to us from ministers and other good men in whom we  
have the greatest confidence; therefore we cannot doubt  
them."  
But, let us inquire, have you ever traced these re- 
ports to their origin—have you  proved  that those who  
spread these reports are " good men," worthy of your  
confidence ? Or, have you suffered yourselves to be- 
come parties to the circulation of evil reports, of the  
truthfulness or falsity of which you know nothing ?  
This is a serious matter, not only affecting the reputa- 
tion of a professed follower of Christ, but also your  
own standing before Him who has forbidden you to  
take up an evil report against your neighbor, and who  
has uttered a fearful threat against him who " loveth,"  
as well as him who " maketh a lie."  
We have endeavored to trace these reports to their  
source, and shall now give the result of our labor.  
Many are aware that a public call has been made for  
evidence on this subject from any who  knew  of any  
evil or immorality on the part of Sr. White.  No  
one has responded to the call.  But we have not rested  
content with this ; we have taken all possible pains to  
ascertain if any of these reports were true. In this  
you must confess that we have acted honorably, and as  
those who are willing to  come to the light—as those who  
have no desire to fellowship or screen iniquity. But  
this is not the case with the slanderers of Sr. White.  
They have not come forward like men who have confi- 
dence in the correctness of their own course, to make  
good their strong assertions; nor have they manifested  
the Christian principle to acknowledge their errors, nor  
yet even to cease from their secret works of darkness.  
The Lord judge between them and us.  
While we examine these reports, or inquire into their  
origin, we would call your attention to two points : (1)  
They are of such a nature that they could be easily  
proved, if they were true. (2) They are so vile and  

The Defense.  103  
slanderous that, if not true, they betray the deepest de- 
pravity on the part of the originators. And to these  
we might add that they who have a disposition to cir- 
culate such base slanders, are not of a class to hesitate  
to fasten them on the accused if they only had any  
ground to work upon. And if we cannot, by calling  
or searching, find any proof of these reports, we shall  
safely conclude that they who have originated and they  
who circulate them are possessed of a spirit of malice  
and falsehood, such as we hope we may never find  
again with any class of professors of religion.  
When Eld. Cornell lectured at Addison, Vt., in the  
summer of 1869, he found that a report had been put  
in circulation by the wife of Rev. P. B. Morgan, that  
Sr. White, before her marriage, was the mother of two  
children, one of whom she named  Jesus.  The use  
made of this vile slander makes it necessary to publicly  
notice it. In the  Advent Review  for Dec. 7, 1869, ap- 
peared the following call :  
"PLEASE REGARD THIS.  
" Some time since, Eld. M. E. Cornell wrote to this  
Office a statement of a very wicked slander against Sr.  
White, uttered by a woman in Vermont, the wife of an  
Episcopal minister. It was not deemed worthy of any  
notice at that time; but the use since made of it, by  
some persons, seems to demand our attention. We  
therefore request of Eld. C. a definite statement of this  
case, that we may give fit proper attention. And we  
will add to this, an urgent request that all persons  
who know any evil of Sr. W., or who have, as they  
think, good authority from others for believing evil of  
her, to write a definite statement of such things to this  
Office. Such statements shall receive proper attention.  
Will all concerned regard this reasonable request, and  
write me, at this Office ?  J. N. ANDREWS."  
Under date of Boston, Mass., Dee. 16, 1869, Eld.  
Cornell writes, in response to the above, as follows :


104  The Defense.  
" The report, as nearly as I can recollect, was about  
as follows : That before her marriage Sr. White had  
two children ; the elder of which she named Jesus.  
This is the substance of what Mrs. Morgan reported in  
Addison, Vt."  
Eld. Cornell called on Mr. Morgan, located at that  
time in Chelsea, Mass. ; but he declined to make any  
statement beyond giving his authorities in Portland,  
Maine, the place of Sr. White's former residence. These  
were Peter Johnson, and Mrs. Currier, formerly a near  
neighbor to Sr. White's father. Not being able to visit  
Portland himself, Eld. Cornell wrote to S. B. Gowell, a  
merchant of that city, and a personal friend, asking  
him to visit the parties and obtain their statements.  
He gives the following statement of Peter Johnson, un- 
der date of Portland, Dec. 15, 1869 :  
" Mrs. White did not appear to be very bright before  
she was married. Could not say anything against her  
moral character. She run the ministers, but they did  
not take much notice of her, as it came from a woman."  
Under same date he gives Mrs. Currier's statement,  
as follows :  
" I have been acquainted with Mrs. White and the  
whole family since her childhood. Mrs. White was as  
nice a girl as ever I saw. She had no child before hor  
marriage. Such stories as Eld. Morgan's wife is telling  
are an abominable shame. I never told her any such  
thing. Mrs. White came from a very nice family.  
Her father and mother were godly people."  
Under date of Jan. 12, 1870, he gives the testimony  
of Mr. Currier, the husband of the last witness, as fol- 
lows :  
" I know nothing against the moral character of Mrs.  
White. But I have no confidence in her visions, which  
I consider to be mesmerism."  
Such are the statements of the very persons who are  

The Defense.  105  
referred to as the witnesses to substantiate this most  
monstrous story, and it will be noticed from the tenor  
of their testimony, that they have no sympathy with  
the position Sr. White occupies, or the faith she holds.  
But they speak as candid people who are acquainted  
with the facts. Such testimony cannot fail to be satis- 
factory to every candid mind. Were this story true, a  
multitude of witnesses could be furnished to sustain it.  
But we are referred to just two persons to sustain the  
story, and they wholly deny it. So the vile slander  
falls back upon the persons who have given it publicity  
in Vermont.  
We give also the following statement of persons who  
have known Sr. White from early life, that is, for a  
period which extends further back than does this slan- 
derous story :  
" Whereas,  evil-disposed persons have spread abroad  
the statement that Sr. White was the mother of one or  
more children before she became a wife, this is to cer- 
tify that we have been intimately acquainted with her  
since the fall of 1844; that is, from the seventeenth  
year of her age ; and that we declare this statement a  
most wanton and malicious falsehood, having no foun- 
dation in truth, and having no excuse whatever for its  
existence. We have the utmost confidence in the in- 
tegrity, virtue, and purity of character, of Sr. E. G.  
White.  J. N. ANDREWS,  
A. S. ANDREWS,  
H. N. SMITH."  
Noah N. Lunt, now of Allegan, Mich., formerly a  
resident of Portland, Me., the native place of Sr. White,  
bears the following testimony :  
" I was a resident of Portland, Me., from 1836 till  
1865. I have had an intimate acquaintance with Sr.  
White, and with her father's family since 1843. I  
bear cheerful and explicit testimony to the fact that the  
statement reported by Mrs. Morgan to the effect that  
Sr. White was the mother of one or more children be-


106  The Defense.  
fore her marriage, is a wicked falsehood; there being no 
foundation for it whatever. I have never doubted the  
purity of her life during the entire period of my ac-  
quaintance with her.  N. N. LUNT."  
" This certifies, that I have been personally ac- 
quainted with Sr. E. G. White since 1844, and that  
the statement of Mr. Morgan and wife, is a most wan-
ton and inexcusable falsehood.  
"FRANCES HOWLAND LUNT,  
"Formerly of Topsham, Me.  
"Battle Creek, Mich., Feb.  2, 1870."  
The following letter was received from Kansas. It  
explains itself :  
"Mound City, Jan.  18, 1870.  
" In answer to your request in  Review, No. 3, Vol. 35,  
I would state that a report against Sr. White has found  
its way to this part of Kansas, and has been circulated  
quite extensively, and generally believed, except by  
Adventists. Eld. Tapley, formerly from Michigan, a  
Wesleyan Methodist minister, says : Sr. White had a  
vision showing that Bro. White and Bro. King should  
exchange wives. He says that Bro. White was at that  
time very poor, but Bro. King was very rich; intimat- 
ing that the difference in their circumstances was the  
cause of Sr. White's desiring the exchange. And that  
she seizes the vision as a means of accomplishing it.  
He also says Bro. King came very near leaving the  
church on account of it; but they had finally got it  
settled. He says this happened at Bro. King's, near  
the Orleans church, before Bro. White built his house  
in Montcalm ; he thinks about the first trip that Bro.  
and Sr. White made after Bro. White's recovery from  
his long sickness. I asked him if he believed Bro.  
King to be a truthful man ; he said he did. Query  
again : If Bro. King denies this report, will you be- 
lieve it to be false; and if he denies it, will you take  
the trouble to publicly correct this report wherever you  
have given it currency ? To both of which he replied  
in the affirmative.  J. H. COOK."  

The Defense.  107  
Such is the statement, and the following is the re- 
joinder :  
" Whereas,  we have learned from Bro. J. H. Cook,  
of Mound City, Kansas, that one Eld. Tapley, formerly  
of this State, has reported in Kansas that Sr. White  
some time since had a vision in which she saw that  
Bro. S. H. King, elder of this church, should exchange  
wives with her husband, Eld. James White ; this is to  
certify that the statement is unqualifiedly false, there  
being not one particle of truth in the report, nor any  
circumstance of the kind on which to base it.  
" Signed by the entire church of Orleans, Ionia Co.,  
Mich."  
S. II. KING.  MARIET KING.  
WM. WILSON.  AMELIA WILSON.  
AUSTIN HAMILTON.  NELSON R. STAINES.  
MARIETTA GOULD.  CAROLINE STAINES.  
SABINA ECKERT.  SARAH  M. HAMILTON.  
IRVIN BRINK.  JULIAN HALL.  
LEWIS KNEELAND.  MARY KNEELAND.  
I. A. OLMSTEAD.  E. H. OLMSTEAD.  
" Signed also by the Fair Plains church ( ten miles  
from Orleans)."  
A. W. MAYNARD.  PHIDELIA MAYNARD.  
JEROME FARGO.  RACHEL C. FARGO.  
M. B. CYPHERS.  MARTHA C. CYPHERS.  
THOMAS WILSON.  MARY WILSON.  
BETSEY MAYNARD.  BETSEY WILSON.  
ABIJAH NOYES.  S. NOYES.  
IL M. GRAVEL.  JACKSON BANKS.  
In addition to the above certificates, Bro. King says,  
under date of Orleans, Feb. 9, 1870 :  
" The statements said to be made by Eld. Tapley are  
false. Sr. White never had a vision at this place, nor  
in these parts, to my knowledge. Mr. Tapley has been  
in this neighborhood quite a good deal, and has some


108  The Defense.  
acquaintance with me, and" he must know these state- 
ments to be false."  
Whether or not Mr. Tapley knew he was stating a  
falsehood, one thing is certain : he was circulating an  
evil report which was false, and that, no Christian man  
should consent to do. For the sake of the name of  
Christianity we regret that " ministers" are so fre- 
quently found circulating these base slanders.  
In the winter of 1868-9 Eld. J. B. Goodrich held  
some meetings in Plymouth, Maine, and several were  
convicted of the truth and almost persuaded to obey  
God. But a woman—as mentioned in his letter—came  
from Corinna, and circulated reports against Sr. White  
somwhat of the nature of those told by Mrs. Morgan.  
8he asserted them so confidently, giving the names of  
persons in Corinna by whom she said they could be 
proved, that she succeeded in raising such a prejudice  
against Bro. G. and all that he preached, that his meet- 
ings proved a failure. By request he went to Corinna  
to inquire into them, and he states the result as fol- 
lows. His letter is dated Hartland, Me., Feb. 3,1870 :  
" I have just returned from Corinna. In regard to  
the story I heard last winter at Plymouth, I was di- 
rected to Bro. Benjamin Moore, of Corinna. I was  
told he could tell me all about it. I have seen him,  
and he and his wife say they do not believe Sr. White  
to be any such a woman. They also said her visions  
did not lead them into the ' shut door,' as was reported,  
but they thought her visions were mesmerism. They  
said they heard she had been mesmerized for her health,  
and it had not properly been taken off. The woman  
that told me the story was not at home; she was at  
Dexter at work and I could not see her. I cannot find  
one of the old Adventists that will say he thinks Sr.  
White is such a woman.  
" To-day I have been over to Samuel C. Spaulding's.  
I was told he had reported that Eld. James White  
came to his father's, in Palmyra, in 1842 or '43, with two  

The Defense.  109  
girls which he call his spiritual wives; and that the  
brothers of one of them followed him to Augusta, and  
carried her back. Her name was Catharine Daggett.  
The name of the other, he never heard. He said it  
was the common talk at that time, but it was all hear- 
say. I asked him if he could prove it. He said he  
could not; he told it as a hearsay; he did not know  
that there was any truth in it; they had got many re- 
ports about the Adventists which were false.  
" I called on Eld. Damman and wife, and had a talk  
with them. Eld. Damman has an old grudge against  
Bro. White for a letter he wrote him in 1845 or '46.  
He says he censured him to the wrath of God, and he  
thinks he had no reason to do so. And he said the  
next letter he received from him he said, Dear Bro.  
Damman ; and he did not know how he could do it af- 
ter writing him such a letter. That still remains in  
his mind. He says the most he ever saw in Eld. White  
and wife was, that when they were down there after  
the passing of the time (that was before they were mar- 
ried), they made a little more of each other than he  
thought they ought to; it might give the world a  
chance to talk, but they did not think anything of it at  
the time.  
" So I hear reports, and go to those that I am re- 
ferred to, and they prove to be nothing. It is strange  
that people cannot tell the truth. I have traced these  
stories but cannot find any proof.  
" Yours in love,  J. B. GOODRICH."  
The following is from Eld. Charles Stratton, of Corn- 
vale, Me.,  addressed to Eld. Goodrich. It is under  
date of March 7, 1870, from Palmyra, Maine. It ap- 
pears that an Eld. B. P. Reed, a Christian minister (a  
minister, again !) reported as follows—we copy from  
Eld. Stratton :  
" That Sr. Abigail C. Judkins, then of Palmyra, said  
that James White and Ellen Harmon came to their  
house in the night,and wished to stop ; that they sat


110  The Defense.  
up nights and lay abed days; and that their conduct  
was such that she would not have them in her house;  
and that they said the reason they traveled in the night  
was, they were afraid of the authorities, &c. But on  
visiting Bro. and Sr. Judkins, we found them to be  
very good, candid people. And this is the run of their  
statement : That Bro. James White and Ellen Harmon,  
in company with other brethren and sisters, went to  
their house, in Palmyra, and wished to hold a meeting,  
and did so; which was very good. They stayed two  
days and then went to his father's. We saw nothing  
in their conduct that was wrong, nor have we ever  
made such report. We have always known him from  
a boy, and we do not know, nor ever have known, any- 
thing against his moral character."  
These people were residents of Palmyra, the town  
in which Eld. White was born, and were members of  
the same church with him in his younger years, and  
this testimonial is worthy of careful consideration, as it  
fully shows the falsity and maliciousness of the report  
circulated against him.  
Many have supposed that these reports must be true,  
as they came from Maine, the native State of Sr.  
White, and where her early life was spent. But we  
have gone to the State of Maine to trace them out, with  
what success you have seen.  
Some have referred to Eld. Damman as one who  
could authenticate these reports, having traveled with  
Bro. and Sr. White, and been well acquainted with  
their early labors. So he was. If there were any im- 
moralities to expose, he could expose them. But he  
frankly says that he saw or knew nothing that they  
thought anything of at the time. The evil of these  
things was an after thought, brought in by evil-disposed  
persons. While those who have known both Bro. and  
Sr. White from their childhood say they never knew  
anything against their moral character.  
The report that Sr. White was mesmerized for her  
health, is not true—she was never mesmerized.  

The Defense.  111  
In regard to the feelings of Eld. Damman, we only  
need to say, that Bro. White felt that his first letter to  
him was too severe ; and in his second letter, apologized  
for it. And therefore he did not think there was any  
inconsistency in addressing him, " Dear Bro. Damman,"   
as the same letter containe his apology. We are sorry  
that Eld. Damman did not receive this second letter in  
the same spirit in which it was written.  
Another minister in Maine, of some standing (at least  
in his own estimation), has ever been ready to throw out 
insinuations and raise prejudice against the character of  
both Bro. and Sr. White. But when asked to tell what  
he knew against them, replied that he had no confidence  
in their religion ! I We do not object to this. Indeed,  
we can return the compliment by saying we have no  
confidence in his religion ; and this we can say in truth.  
But we should never think of denouncing him as a thief  
or murderer on this account.  
A writer from Marion, Iowa, states that Sr. White  
has acted a false and hypocritical part relative to dress  
reform, in that she denied at one time all purpose to  
enter into any reform of this kind, when it is evident  
that she had such purpose formed in her mind. We 
think the utmost that can be claimed in support of this  
alleged contradiction, is the use of language not suffici- 
ently guarded before those who would make one an of- 
fender for a word; and that words spoken against a cer- 
tain ultra style of short dress have been used to show 
that she condemned all efforts at dress reform.  
And now we ask, What can be the object of these  
slanders ? Why are men and women who make a pre-  
tense to honesty and piety, so assiduous in circulating  
such vile stories, in which there is not one particle of  
truth ? Who is it that instigates them in this base  
work? Whom do they serve in this iniquity? Have  
they questioned with themselves how God regards their  
malicious tale-bearing ?


BX 6158.9  .W55 A52  
Defense of Eld. James White and  
wife: Vindication of their  
moral and Christian character.  
Ilion 0, White Estate Branch Office  
AP1PWS University  
When Springs, Michigan 49104  

112  The Defense.  
In this pamphlet we have given an outline of the  
life and labors of Eld. James White and wife, in the  
cause of the Second Advent faith.  
We have given a history of the publishing business  
as it grew up in his hands, and also a contrast of its  
management in his hands and in the hands of others.  
We have given the facts in regard to the manner of  
his acquiring his property, and a statement of his man- 
agement of funds placed in his hands.  
We have given the call issued for evidence against  
Bro. White, if any may exist, and a large number of  
responses favorable to him, none against him having  
been offered; also responses to a similar call made in  
1863.  
We have given a review of the articles of T. M.  
Preble, in which is noticed many points whereon  
groundless and unreasonable prejudice has been raised  
against Bro. and Sr. White.  
We have also examined into the origin of certain  
shameful slanders which have been used by ministers  
nd others to destroy the reputation of Sr. White. We  
have gone to the State and place of her birth, and traced  
these vile stories from one to another till the fact of  
their falsity has been fully established.  
The reports which have been circulated against these  
devoted servants of God Aare of such.a nature that all  
candid and truth-roving people will readily justify us in  
taking hold of them; while the evidence we have pre- 
sented is so full and clear that we think all will admit  
that nothing but prejudice or  can resist its force.  
It is in our hearts to do strict and impartial justice to  
all; and we commend this, the result of our inquiries  
and labors, to all lovers of truth and justice, with the  
consciousness that we have done only our duty in the  
matter.  
J. N. ANDREWS,  
G. H. BELL,  Committee.  
U. SMITH,