Diversified Activities In New England

But James and Ellen White felt they must press on, so after a few days of relaxation in the comfortable Howland home, they left for Massachusetts. Adelia described their departure:WV 98.4

The children accompanied their parents to the depot, and before the family parted, Henry, Edson, and Willie, by request, sang “The Evergreen Shore,” much to the gratification of the crowd waiting for another train. The whistle was heard, the “good-by” and “farewell” were said, and away sped the train, bearing the parents on their mission of love, and leaving the children again without their watchcare (An Appeal to the Youth, 22, 23).WV 98.5

For the next three months Adelia and the children were at the Howland home. Although James and Ellen White considered this their headquarters while in the East, their time was divided, Ellen with her writing and James working on the charts, with weekends at the churches.WV 98.6

Ellen was endeavoring to complete the third volume of Spiritual Gifts,, which was dealing with Old Testament history. So dedicated was she to this goal that James recounted this story about her:WV 98.7

At Adams Center she wrote early and late, and between meetings. And First-day afternoon she wrote six pages of testimony while Brother Andrews was preaching, which she afterwards read with other matter before the State conference. She sat within four feet [1 meter] of the pulpit and used her Bible for a writing desk. When asked what she thought of Brother Andrews as a speaker, she replied that she could not say, as it had been so long since she had heard him. When the sermon was finished she arose and addressed the congregation twenty minutes (The Review and Herald, December 8, 1863).WV 98.8

James was eager to introduce the new charts into the field. In the Review of October 6 he reported:WV 99.1

The charts are both in the hands of the artist, and the work on them is progressing as fast as possible. We shall probably have some of them ready by the middle of October.WV 99.2

The prophetic chart will be much improved in arrangement from the one in use. The sanctuary and angels will be larger and bolder, so that all the figures upon the chart can be seen equally plain. From what we have already seen of the work, we judge that it will be a beautifully executed thing (Ibid., October 6, 1863).WV 99.3

He projected a price of $2 for the prophetic chart and $1.50 for the one of the law. He commented that if the chart had been done two years earlier the cost of production would have been less than half: the cotton cloth, “the principal item of expense, that could have been bought two years since for 10 cents, is now 30” (Ibid.).WV 99.4

On October 21, “having obtained a large trunk full of finished charts,” the Whites left Maine for the Newport, New Hampshire, meeting by way of Boston. Their itinerary took them by train, stages, and private conveyance to meet various appointments.WV 99.5

They were both in good health and good spirits. The Civil War had changed the economy considerably. The same issue of the Review that carried James White's report on the charts presented the financial statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association rendered at its third annual meeting, October 2, 1863. It showed receipts for operations to be $20,104.84 as against expense of $18,956.36. Association assets of $19,649.41 were offset by liabilities of only $4,377.53, leaving a net worth of $15,271.88. How different from a few years before!WV 99.6

There were also noticeable changes in attitudes since they had been in Adams Center two years before when nearly all the brethren had been opposed to organization. “Thank God for what He has done for the cause and for us,” observed James.WV 99.7

Interesting things had been happening at Adams Center. As White reported: “Here nearly a whole Seventh Day Baptist church, meetinghouse and all, has been converted to the Seventh-day Adventists” (Ibid., November 24, 1863).WV 99.8

J. M. Aldrich, the conference secretary, reported of the conference: “The attendance was large, there being a good representation of brethren from all parts of the state” (Ibid., December 1, 1863). Both James and Ellen spoke a number of times to very appreciative audiences.WV 100.1

Considering so many encouraging factors, the Whites offered to extend their work in the East for six months, one year, or longer, saying that to do so would be a considerable sacrifice, but that they were prepared to make such a sacrifice so that the work might advance.WV 100.2