Beginning The Review and Herald

Present Truth, in 10 issues published over a period of 11 months, heralded the third angel's message, with the Sabbath truth as the focal point. But the eye of the Lord saw a need extending beyond this. Far beyond. Present Truth was the forerunner of the paper that would be known by a number of names until the present day: Advent Review, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Review and Herald, and Adventist Review.WV 51.8

God had shown Ellen White in vision the need for those now studying the prophecies to understand that the work done by the leaders in the Advent movement of 1844 was the work of God.WV 52.1

James said, “Now this is my first work. I expect to get out a journal called the Advent Review, sixteen pages, the size of the Present Truth”. He declared his intention to republish the writings of the leaders of the Advent cause and to “show that they once boldly advocated, and published to the world, the same position ... that we now occupy.”WV 52.2

In August 1850 the Whites moved from the Belden home in Connecticut to the Harris home at Port Byron, New York. There James began his new journal, and had it printed in nearby Auburn. He explained the object of the paper in an opening editorial statement:WV 52.3

Our design in this review is to cheer and refresh the true believer, by showing the fulfillment of prophecy in the past wonderful work of God, in calling out, and separating from the world and the nominal church, a people who are looking for the second advent of the dear Saviour (AR, August 1850).WV 52.4

As James began to publish, Ellen was given advance warning that although Satan would try to hinder, they must continue, and struggle for the victory. What took place in rather quick succession came as no surprise but showed that the great adversary would do all in his power to block the spread of truth:WV 52.5

1. One-year-old Edson was afflicted to the point of death.WV 52.6

2. Ellen was tempted to think that God had left her or the child would have been healed when they first asked God to heal him.WV 53.1

3. Clarissa Bonfoey was overcome by depression.WV 53.2

4. James was prostrated by cholera, and lay helpless on his sickbed until they sought God with special anointing.WV 53.3

5. James and Ellen were thrown out of a wagon in which they were traveling, but were saved from injury by angels of God.WV 53.4

The Whites believed that these attempts to destroy them showed how important was their work in publishing the Advent Review. Ellen was shown that “it was as necessary for the paper to be published as for messengers to go,” and “that the paper would go where messengers could not go” (Letter 28, 1850).WV 53.5

It was soon apparent that the Advent Review was doing an effective work and fulfilling its God-appointed mission. Significant changes could be noted:WV 53.6

1. Greater contributions from the followersWV 53.7

2. New names in correspondenceWV 53.8

3. Larger numbers attending the conferencesWV 53.9

4. Preaching forces materially increasedWV 53.10

5. A “brighter turn” in reporting the conferencesWV 53.11

6. An increased spirit of unity among the brethrenWV 53.12

Four issues of the Advent Review were published at Oswego during August and September. The type was saved, and a 48-page combined number was issued as a “Special” almost immediately. During the next few years it was given a wide distribution.WV 53.13

In late October 1850 the Whites took up residence in Paris, Maine, for the purpose of publishing the three angels’ messages. James had suspended the publication of Present Truth while they made an itinerary to Vermont, Canada, and Maine from mid-May to mid-July, and while he was publishing the first four numbers of the Advent Review at Auburn, New York. In early November at Paris he picked up the Present Truth again and put out number 11. In this he stated, “The brethren may now expect to receive a few numbers,” and he called for those who could do so to write for the paper. He also brought out number 5 of the Advent Review, the final issue. It was devoted entirely to a reprint of portions of Joseph Bates's Second Advent Way Marks and High Heaps, a significant pamphlet reviewing the 1844 experience.WV 53.14

Within a few days publishing plans changed. At the conference in Paris on Sabbath and Sunday, November 16 and 17, it was decided to combine Present Truth and the Advent Review. The new periodical would be called The Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald.WV 53.15

The page size was 9 1” x 13” (24 centimeters x 33 centimeters), as compared to the 7 3” x 10” (20 centimeters x 25 centimeters) for Present Truth and the Advent Review. The masthead carried four names as the Publishing Committee (Joseph Bates, S. W. Rhodes, J. N. Andrews, and James White), and the subscription terms were “gratis, except the reader desires to aid in its publication.”WV 53.16

If any are not able to send means, we beseech them not to let this stop them from writing. We greatly desire to hear from such and will cheerfully pay the postage on their letters (The Review and Herald, November, 1850).WV 53.17

Very early in his many years of publishing James White demonstrated a selfless generosity and commitment that was not always realistic.WV 53.18