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 notice 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 settlement, 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.DJWW 75.1

And why have none come up with wrongs charged against 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 exposure of their own shame. What fact could more triumphantly vindicate his course and standing?DJWW 75.2

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.DJWW 76.1

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,DJWW 76.2

“Then all the scoffs and scorn I’ve borne
For His dear sake who died for me,
To everlasting joys will turn,
In glorious immortality.”DJWW 76.3

U. SMITH,
G. W. AMADON,
E. S. WALKER,
Committee.

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 capital 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 donated 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 diminution of the capital to the amount of $3,260.06. And if to this we add the above-named ten per cent, and the donations made during the year, we find the real loss to be $7,231.99.DJWW 76.4

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 themselves. 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.DJWW 77.1

As an act of justice to Eld. White, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, at its last annual session, March 15, 1870, adopted the following resolution:DJWW 77.2

“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 efficient management of our publishing department; and we further express our perfect 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.DJWW 77.3

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:DJWW 77.4

“Voted, That we hereby express our confidence in the wisdom and integrity of Bro. White in his management of the Book Fund; and that we request him to continue to have charge of it.”DJWW 77.5

Eld. White, as will be seen by the calls in this pamphlet, has always courted investigation of his course in managing the affairs of this work. While no one 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 insinuations after this public vindication, we shall be forced to conclude that they are more easily swayed by such reports than by positive evidence.DJWW 77.6

In concluding this defense of Eld. White, we cite the following article from the columns of the The Advent-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 of charges and insinuations. We copy it from the Times of Jan. 11, 1870, as follows:DJWW 78.1