1862

RH VOL. XX. - SUPPLEMENT

James White [CD-ROM Editor’s Note: This undated, two-page supplement appears to have been published after the August 12 issue, based on the dates mentioned (August 4 letter by J. H. Waggoner; upcoming August 20 meeting by Isaac Sanborn).]

IT is humiliating to be under the necessity of publishing the facts contained in this leaf. But duty demands that they should be known, that justice may be done, as far as possible, to those who have been abused, and that all may be instructed by the painful lessons which we are learning.ARSH 1862, page 88.29

The deep interest which the true friends of the cause take in its advancement, has often led them too for, to trust too much in the hands of the inexperienced and untried. This has been especially true in the case of ministers. When a minister of some talent has joined our ranks, there has been too much rejoicing over the fact and too little caution lest he be injured by influence and means being at once put into his hands.ARSH 1862, page 88.30

Some seem over anxious to exchange those who have long been true to the cause for comparative strangers. This has injured them, and in some cases ruined them, while it has grieved and almost discouraged those who are wearied and worn by faithful labor in the cause.ARSH 1862, page 88.31

There is a spirit of murmuring against the old hands, especially with those of little experience, who know least relative to matters on which they so freely pass judgment, which is wonderful. Nothing can be done at the Office, or by the old hands that is as it should be. And come talk and act as though it was their highest religious duty to murmur and raise the spirit of rebellion against their best friends as high as possible. We say such persons have not the Spirit of God. They give the best proof that they have unfortunately fallen under the strong power and inspiration of that first great jealous rebel, Satan. Where this spirit is indulged in, it is almost sure to get hold of our inexperienced preachers, and in two cases out of three, ruin them. We might here mention the names of Case, Bezzo, Hall, Stephenson, Phelps, Rhodes, Holt, Butler, and others. E. W. Shortridge has also fallen murmuring against Bro. Waggoner, and well nigh crushing Bro. Snook, who have ever been his best friends. It was Bro. Snook who first urged us raise means to lift the mortgage from E. W. Shortridge’s home, and at the same time Bro. Snook had no home of his own, and did not ask for one. It was mainly through the influence of Bro. Snook that Mrs. W. raised $441,46, and sent it to E. W. S. to lift the mortgage from his home. Bro. Snook has since erred in giving E. W. S. so much influence in Northern Iowa, and in bearing with his folly too long. Now as a reward for loving E. W. S. better than himself, he has suffered the crushing influence of divisions and jealousies among his own dear people in Northern Iowa, caused by the unrighteous conduct of E. W. S., and he and Bro. Waggoner have been compelled to lay up the tent for the season, and try to save something out of the ruin caused by E. W. S. and others in Iowa.ARSH 1862, page 88.32

Bro. Waggoner went to Southern Iowa to labor with E. W. S. the Tent season of 1861, in hope of helping him come into the message as he did Bro. Hull the summer of 1858. But he could not help E. W. S. for the very reason that he did not feel his need of help. And after Bro. Waggoner had suffered much with him, and toiled beyond his strength to build up the cause in Iowa, E. W. S. took advantage of the influence given him in being acknowledged as a tent preacher, and made a powerful strike for sympathy at Bro. Waggoner’s expense, reporting that Bro. W. had received much, and he but a trifle. Figures show that E. W. S. has received for the past eighteen months more than twice the amount that any other preacher among us received in the same time, and his numerous letters all the time have been speaking in a murmuring style of his poverty, and the small amount he has received held up in deceptive contrast with what Bro. W. has received. Bro. Waggoner bore a pointed testimony in Southern Iowa. The elements of rebellion were there. The cry of many was, Down with Systematic Benevolence and the Gifts, and give us tobacco, tea, coffee, hoops, and let us have our own way. In this state of things, the strike of E. W. S. for sympathy was well timed to crush the pure testimony and weaken the cause. These are the fruits of rebellion.ARSH 1862, page 88.33

But something will be saved in Iowa. There are hearts there that bleed for the cause. The time has come for them to take their stand against this wicked murmuring against the old experienced hands in this cause.ARSH 1862, page 88.34

Iowa has had the labors of our ablest preachers, and the reports in the several sheets of the Good Samaritan show that about $625 has been given by Eastern [original illegible] to help preachers while laboring there, and the [original illegible] in that State, besides the $441,46 to E. W. S. [original illegible] all this the old friends of the cause are paid [original illegible] jealousies and murmurings against the Office and the old hands. Some of these favored ones have indulged in contemptible talk about speculation at the [original illegible], etc. Do they think the old friends in Michigan and the East, who have so freely handed out their money have no care for the cause? Do they think that the responsibility of the cause rests upon those of little experience in Iowa, who are least prepared to judge in these matters? Thank God that the Office is among its friends, who have from year to year assembled at Battle Creek in General Conference, and know how things are going. These men and women who know how these things go, and have freely given of their means to help the cause in new fields, raise not a single murmur against these who have long and devotedly given themselves to the interests of the Office, and the cause. We shall hail the national crisis with joy, for it will put an end to this rebellion. God will humble those who under the guise of the present truth wickedly murmur against men who have consecrated all to God, and are laboring with all their powers to advance the cause of truth, and they will yet weep the bitterest tears for their unparalleled rebellion against the faithful servants of Jesus Christ, which must result in the ruin of many souls. God will punish the rebels.ARSH 1862, page 88.35

J. W.

Conference In Lisbon, Iowa

JWe

PURSUANT to appointment in the Review, a conference of the Seventh-day Adventists of Iowa convened at Lisbon, July 29, 1862. Bro. J. T. Mitchell was chosen moderator, and Bro. D. E. Smith Secretary. Prayer by Bro. Waggoner. Delegates appeared as follows, according to invitation.ARSH 1862, page 88.36

NORTHERN-IOWA COMMITTEE.—T. Hare, Marion; D. Andre, Lisbon.ARSH 1862, page 88.37

SOUTHERN-IOWA COMMITTEE.—J. Landes, Fairfield; Wm. McPheter, Knoxville; Noah Hodges, Sandyville; A. B. Hanner, Decatur City; H. J. Bonifield, Osceola.ARSH 1862, page 88.38

SOUTHERN-IOWA COMMITTEE of 1861.—H. C. Whitney, Knoxville; Benn Auten, Pleasantville; and N. Hodges, of present committee.ARSH 1862, page 88.39

OTHERS DELEGATES.—C. R. Ross, Marion; H. E. Carver, Iowa City; H. Nicola, Dayton and Richmond; Wm. Snook, S. C. Conrey, Pleasantville; A. A. Fairfield, G. J. Sharp, Mt. Pleasant; Wm. Garretson, Oskaloosa; W. V. Field, D. Weaver, Fairview; J. Dorcas, Tipton.ARSH 1862, page 88.40

ELDERS PRESENT.—J. H. Waggoner, B. F. Snook, Wm. H. Brinkerhoof, and E. W. Shortridge. After the organization of the meeting, it was adjourned till 7 o’clock A. M. of the 30th.ARSH 1862, page 88.41

Wednesday morning, 7 o’clock. Prayer by Bro. Snook. Bro. Waggoner called up the complaints against himself, which were, that he had not carried out the resolutions of the spring conference of Southern Iowa; Bro. Brinkerhoof was included in this complaint. On investigation it was decided that these complaints were wrong; unjust to brethren Waggoner and Brinkerhoof, and injurious to the cause. The complaints were referred to the Southern Iowa tent committee, with instructions to deal with those who had burdened the brethren in these matters.ARSH 1862, page 88.42

Complaints against Bro. Snook were then called for. A letter was read, written by Elder Shortridge, stating that murmurings were in circulation against Bro. Snook for pride, extravagance, etc. On inquiry it was ascertained that no complaints existed in the church against Bro. Snook, except on the part of a few individuals who were prejudiced against him by the insinuations of the writer of the above named letter. These charges were dismissed as unfounded.ARSH 1862, page 88.43

Also a charge in the same letter that Bro. Snook had injured Elder Shortridge by influencing the brethren not to bestow means or assistance on Elder Shortridge toward building him a house. Bro. Snook explained that he had said to brethren that Eld. S. ought to give a satisfactory account of the money he had received of Bro. White from the church at large before he was further assisted. The conference decided that the charge was not just, but that Bro. Snook had only discharged his duty in so doing.ARSH 1862, page 88.44

Those matters being disposed of, it was moved to adjourn till after the arrival of the cars in hope that Bro. and sister White might be with us at the next session. Adjourned till 12 o’clock.ARSH 1862, page 88.45

12 1/2 P.M. Meeting called, Bro. and sister White being present. Prayer by Bro. White.ARSH 1862, page 88.46

A list of charges against Elder Shortridge, signed by J. H. Waggoner, B. F. Snook, and Wm. H. Brinkerhoof, was called up for investigation. The charges were as follows:ARSH 1862, page 88.47

1. Unfaithfulness, and breaking of his word, to Bro. Snook, whereby Bro. Snook become involved in difficulty with Bro. White.ARSH 1862, page 88.48

2. Breach of trust is using money raised to secure property in Mt. Pleasant.ARSH 1862, page 88.49

3. Deception practiced on Bro. St. Clair to get possession of the tent horse and wagon.ARSH 1862, page 88.50

4. False statements about the horse and wagon.ARSH 1862, page 88.51

(1.) That the committee gave them to him, and the conference took them away unjustly.ARSH 1862, page 88.52

(2.) That no reason was given to him for taking them away, and that he knew no reason.ARSH 1862, page 88.53

5. Deception and hypocrisy.ARSH 1862, page 88.54

(1.) Writing first to Bro. White contradicting the Northern Conference Report, and then blaming Bro. Snook for burdening Bro. White about the same matter.ARSH 1862, page 88.55

(2.) Deceiving the brethren about the Conference Report, by changing the issue in regard to the censure resting upon him is Southern Iowa.ARSH 1862, page 88.56

(3.) Getting resolutions passed at Eddyville under false pretenses, and carrying wrong ideas concerning it to Battle Creek and elsewhere.ARSH 1862, page 88.57

6. Disregard of sister White’s testimony, and deception concerning it.ARSH 1862, page 88.58

(1.) Justifying self and family for extravagance.ARSH 1862, page 88.59

(2.) Continuing his trifling, clownish method of preaching, though reproved by the testimony.ARSH 1862, page 88.60

(3.) Neglecting to make suitable acknowledgment for wrongs reproved by the testimony.ARSH 1862, page 88.61

(4.) Justifying himself in using means given for the Mt. Pleasant property.ARSH 1862, page 88.62

7. Accusing tent committee and J. H. Waggoner of plotting against him.ARSH 1862, page 88.63

8. Unchristian conduct with females.ARSH 1862, page 88.64

9. False statements about pay of tent laborers in Southern Iowa for 1861.ARSH 1862, page 88.65

(1.) That E. W. Shortridge received only $18,50 over traveling expenses.ARSH 1862, page 88.66

(2.) That J. H. Waggoner received $400.ARSH 1862, page 88.67

[REMARKS. The wording of some of the above charges has been slightly altered for the benefit of those who did not hear the proofs, to avoid lengthy explanations. The exact substance of the charge is preserved. It appeared on the first charge that Eld. S. promised to write to Bro. Snook, and Bro. Snook was to write to Bro. White relative to sending the money to Eld. Shortridge: but instead of doing so, Eld. Shortridge wrote to Bro. While urgent appeals for the money, and blame fell on Bro. Snook that did not belong to him, and that would not have come upon him if Eld. Shortridge had kept his word. Charge 6 was founded on the fact that he professedly received the testimony. Charge 7 referred to facts which transpired in 1861, while J. H. W. was laboring with, and for, him.]ARSH 1862, page 88.68

The proofs offered to sustain these charges were mostly drawn from a large number of letters produced in the investigation, written by Eld. Shortridge and others. The proof on charge 8 was oral testimony of J. H. Waggoner, B. F. Snook, and others.ARSH 1862, page 88.69

After a long, patient, and careful investigation of the above charges, they were separately called up, and it was unanimously voted that all the charges were sustained.ARSH 1862, page 88.70

The testimony of Bro. and sister White on this case was pointed, and very acceptable to the conference. Especially when sister White referred to her exertions in behalf of Eld. Shortridge, to his abuse of her confidence, to her disappointment, and the influence this case was calculated to exert over the churches in regard to her testimony, there was much feeling manifested, and all deeply sympathized with sister White in this affliction.ARSH 1862, page 88.71

Bro. Snook moved that E. W. Shortridge be deposed from the office of minister among us, and that his credentials be called for by this conference. Unanimously carried.ARSH 1862, page 88.72

Bro. Waggoner moved that the boundary line between the Northern and Southern Iowa Conferences be hereby abolished, and that the two be hereafter united in one Conference.ARSH 1862, page 88.73

After considerable discussion it was adopted, and the committees of the two Conferences were instructed to take the necessary steps to carry this resolution into effect.ARSH 1862, page 88.74

Bro. White moved that this conference request Eld. Waggoner and Snook to visit and labor with the brethren in Iowa, north and south, during the months of August and September. Carried.ARSH 1862, page 88.75

Bro. White moved that the appointment of the General Conference for Iowa be left to the conference committees, and Elds. Waggoner, Snook, and Brinkerhoof.ARSH 1862, page 88.76

Bro. Brinkerhoof moved that this Conference hold the church at Lisbon responsible for the conduct of those members who have taken part in impugning Bro. Snook by circulating injurious reports, and making unchristian remarks about him. Carried.ARSH 1862, page 88.77

Bro. Hare conned that Elds. Waggoner, Snook, and White be appointed a committee to prepare the minutes of this Conference for publication.ARSH 1862, page 88.78

After some remarks the Conference adjourned. Meeting closed by prayer by Bro. White.ARSH 1862, page 88.79

To the Churches In Iowa

JWe

It having been reported in this State that I kept Bro. and sister White “posted” in regard to E. W. Shortridge last summer, by which means she know before the things contained in her testimony to him, I wish to make the following statement:ARSH 1862, page 88.80

When I found at Oskaloosa, that his course was likely to prove on injury to the cause, I wrote to Bro. White stating the facts and my convictions. He briefly answered that he reared S. would prove only a curse to the cause, and added, “I fear those things will kill my wife.” I immediately replied that I would no more burden their minds with the matter, but would do the best I could to effect a reform in him. From this time I entirely ceased to correspond with Bro. White, writing to the Office on business, and for the Review, but no private letters. When I went to Michigan it was some time before I saw sister White, and then not to exceed five minutes, and most of that time conversed on other matters. So far from the report above referred to being true, it seemed as though Providence had hedged up the way to prevent the possibility of such a report having any foundation. I never saw her testimony to him till short time before I came to Iowa this spring, and E. W. S. said there were things in it which were true which I did not know and could not have known. These facts should put that matter beyond all doubt.ARSH 1862, page 88.81

It having also been extensively circulated by Mr. Shortridge that he received only $18,50 for his last season’s labor, and that I received $400, I wish to make a statement of the facts in regard to that matter, believing it is due both to myself and the churches. I have examined the Treasurer’s book. and also my expense book, and find the following to be the facts:ARSH 1862, page 88.82

During the season embraced in tent labor he received $64,50, and I $44—$20,50 less than he. From July 10 to Aug. 8, he was at home with his family, during which time I visited Vernon, Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, Oskaloosa, and Knoxville, making my traveling expenses larger than his, while only receiving two-thirds as much. His whole time of tent service was one month and twenty-five days. I left home on the 13th of May, and returned home the 1st of November. The whole amount that I received from the treasury was $232,48; my whole expenses were $78.27, excluding my expense going home, which was about $10 more. This would leave, for nearly six months’ hard labor, $144.21. But this I could not have received had I not consented to take property; so the brethren, especially Bro. Whitney, made an effort to get up a team for me to drive home. After turning in the tent pledges as far as possible at that time, Brn. Whitney Hodges, and Courey, made a private donation in the horses and wagon of about $90, making in all $234. But E. W. S. made no account of private donations, and the facts are now before us that he received for more than I during the same length of time, though doing nothing at all, but much worse than nothing for the cause.ARSH 1862, page 88.83

My old wagon I still have on hand. My team I had to keep through the winter, and then sold it for $190, only half of which I have received and used; the remainder is not yet due. Thus it will be seen that I was not so very extravagantly paid an E. W. S. wound make you believe, nor have I been extravagant in the use of the means bestowed. Though I labored long and hard in Iowa, I always considered that I was liberally paid. A less sum in available means would have been of more benefit to me, as I needed means last winter, but I got enough this spring to pay up my debts, and supply the immediate wants of any family, and have some in reserve, and I have abundant reason to be thankful that I am thus free from care and anxiety about temporal matters. May the Lord help me to be “more abundant” in my labors for his precious cause.ARSH 1862, page 88.84

J. H. Waggoner
Marengo, Iowa, Aug. 4, 1862

Letter to E. W. Shortridge

No Authorcode [CD-ROM Editor’s Note: See EGW CD-ROM, “August, 1862 Letter to E. W. Shortridge” ]

Explanation

JWe [CD-ROM Editor’s Note: This brief 4-paragraph note from E. G. White is included here as it is missing from some editions of the EGW CD-ROM.]

I wish to say to those who received my Circular calling for help for E. W. Shortridge, that I now deeply regret that I sent it to you. In it I did not state all that I had seen relative to E. W. S., as my testimony to him in this sheet, dated Nov. 22nd, 1861, shows. I did state in the Circular that “with experience” he “would make a successful laborer.” He has had an opportunity to obtain that experience, but has either neglected or despised the admonitions and advice of experienced brethren. I had no thoughts when I first saw E. W. S., of calling for aid for him, but Bro. Snook urged the necessity of his having immediate help.ARSH 1862, page 88.85

At the Conference at Battle Creek, April 26-29, E. W. S. being present, the subject of what I had done to raise means for him was fully discussed, when it wasARSH 1862, page 88.86

“Moved by Bro. Hull that the Conference take the responsibility in this case, and free sister White from further care in the matter. Carried.” See Review, Vol. xvii, No. 24.ARSH 1862, page 88.87

But the matter is still a great care and burden to me, and it will be a pleasure to me to pay back to the faithful donors the money freely given to, and foolishly squandered by, E. W. S. All who apply during the present month will immediately receive the amount of their donation by mail.ARSH 1862, page 88.88

ELLEN G. WHITE.

PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet the brethren at Elmwood, August 20, and remain with them over Sabbath and first-day. Hope to meet our brethren from Princeville at Elmwood on the Sabbath, and I will return with them, and preach once in Princeville on Monday night, the 25th, as I go to Chillicotha.ARSH 1862, page 88.89

ISSAC SANDBORN.