James White's report at the end of the seven-week tour in midwinter was optimistic: 1BIO 226.3
We reached home the thirteenth, and found our friends in good health and spirits. Sister [Annie] Smith, who has had the care of the paper in our absence, seems happy with her charge. Our health is improved by traveling. We are all very happy to see the cause of truth rapidly advancing.—Ibid., February 17, 1852 1BIO 226.4
On the back page of the same issue he makes an interesting proposition regarding the work of publishing the message: 1BIO 226.5
We think the time has come when a press should be owned by Sabbathkeepers. Now our work is being done on the Sabbath, which is very unpleasant and inconvenient. It also costs much more than it would if we had an office of our own. Will the committee take this matter in hand?—Ibid. 1BIO 226.6
He called a conference to be held in the vicinity of Saratoga Springs, and to commence Friday, March 12, 1852. The next issue pinpointed the matter, calling it to convene at the house of Jesse Thompson, two miles from Ballston Spa, New York, at 10:00 A.M. 1BIO 226.7