A Transition Evidencing the Maturity of the Church

There were substantial brethren of good judgment in both Vermont and Michigan capable of assuming most of the responsibilities of which James White felt he must divest himself. The decision having been made that the press would go to Battle Creek, Michigan, the men there went into action. The Review of October 2 placed before the church the steps the Michigan brethren were taking:1BIO 320.1

1. The Advent Review office would remain the property of the church.1BIO 320.2

2. It would be moved to Battle Creek, Michigan.1BIO 320.3

3. A financial committee of three would be chosen, whose duty it was to move the office, and publish the Advent Review.1BIO 320.4

4. The church-at-large would be called upon to send their freewill offerings to defray the expenses of moving.1BIO 320.5

5. There was a call for a plan on which the editorial department of the Advent Review would be conducted (Ibid., October 2, 1855).1BIO 320.6

The next issue of the Review, published two weeks later, carried two significant back page items:1BIO 320.7

Special Notice. Change of Address. For the future, until further arrangements are made, all letters for the Review office should be addressed to Elder James White, Battle Creek, Michigan.1BIO 320.8

General Conference. Providence permitting, there will be a general conference at Battle Creek, Michigan, November 16.1BIO 320.9

The response from the field was uniform and favorable. The month of November was given over to erecting the little publishing house on the southeast corner of Washington and Main streets in the western edge of Battle Creek, and to moving both the press and the families connected with the Advent Review office. The White family moved into a little cottage that they rented for $1.50 a week. The general conference, which had been called for Friday, November 16, met in the newly constructed house of worship, a building eighteen by twenty-four feet, provided for the Battle Creek congregation of twenty-four (Ibid., August 22, 1935). It was one of three church buildings erected in 1855.1BIO 320.10

Actions of the conference included the appointment of Henry Lyon, David Hewitt, and William M. Smith, all of Battle Creek, to be a committee to investigate the financial condition of the Review office; and the appointment of Uriah Smith as the resident (or managing) editor, and five corresponding editors. These were J. N. Andrews, of Iowa; James White and J. H. Waggoner, of Michigan; R. F. Cottrell, of New York; and Stephen Pierce, of Vermont. The minutes also recorded:1BIO 321.1

8. That a vote of thanks be tendered to Brother White for his valuable services as an editor, in spreading the light of present truth.—Ibid., December 5, 18551BIO 321.2

William C. White, who was a child of 14 months when the move was made but grew up knowing well the personnel and hearing the story from his parents, described the beginnings of the publishing work in Battle Creek:1BIO 321.3

James White, now freed from the cares and responsibilities of ownership, was asked to act as manager of the growing enterprise. Uriah Smith, whose approved ability as a writer and author was generally recognized, was chosen resident editor, which responsibility he carried for many years. Stephen Belden continued to act as superintendent, and foreman of the typeroom. George Amadon and Warren Bacheller set type and did the presswork.1BIO 321.4

And now for the first time the workers were granted a stated salary. Before this, they had worked for room and board, a small allowance for clothing, and such other expenses as were deemed absolutely necessary. But so eager were they that the printing office should pay its way, that they cheerfully accepted only $5 a week for their services.1BIO 321.5

In the same spirit, and to help make the newly established enterprise a success, James White at first accepted only $4 a week. Later, he drew $6, and when the success of the work was assured, $7 a week.1BIO 321.6

With the financial responsibility of the paper in the hands of the publishing committee ... the work began well. The paper was changed from a biweekly to a weekly, [Through 1855, up to the time of the conference, for lack of adequate financial support, the Review, Although a weekly through much of 1854, lapsed to a biweekly (see Ibid., January 9, 1855).] and the subscription price was fixed at “one dollar for a volume of twenty-six numbers” ($2 a year), with special concessions to the ministers and the poor. The paid subscription list, which stood close to 2,500 at the time of the move, grew rapidly, and the enterprise in its new location was assured of success.—WCW, “Sketches and Memories of James and Ellen G. White,” Ibid., August 22, 19351BIO 321.7