A Western Tour

On the return from visits to Monterey, Wright, and Parkville early in 1861, James White, in his report in the Review, outlined general plans for the year.1BIO 440.5

We now design to remain at home but a few weeks, then make a few weeks’ tour in Michigan, then visit the West as the brethren may open the way. Then in July leave for an eastern tour.—The Review and Herald, January 15, 1861.1BIO 440.6

Two weeks later he announced that he, with Ellen White, would be at the conference at Marion, Iowa, commencing on Friday, February 15, and were open for other appointments in the West for ten or twelve weeks. Duties in Battle Creek and bad weather led to a postponement of the Marion meeting till March 16 and 17. There the meetings were held in the courthouse with about two hundred Sabbathkeepers attending. One man walked eighty miles to be present, and felt well repaid (Letter 3, 1861). Although the Whites had expected to be filling appointments in the West till the first of June, they turned back to Battle Creek in early April. The weather was bad and the mud deep; they were disheartened and discouraged (Letter 5a, 1861).1BIO 440.7

Even close relatives had turned against them—her sister Sarah Belden, Sarah's husband, Stephen, and Ellen's own parents, Robert and Eunice Harmon. In a letter written to Lucinda Hall on April 5, Ellen White opened up her heart:1BIO 441.1

We expect fierce conflicts with the powers of darkness. We believe the shaking time has come. My cry is, Stay not Thy hand, O God. Let everything be shaken that can be. Let us know who is upon the sure foundation, who is on the Lord's side.1BIO 441.2

Never, never did I see my husband so discouraged as now. I have feared he would tear himself from the office and have nothing to do with the business matters there. The trials which occurred last summer have so shaken his confidence in his brethren, especially ministers, that I fear he will never recover from it. He calls to mind the disinterested part he has acted in this cause and then the abuse he has suffered, and his courage fails. Some think it strange that Brother White should feel thus discouraged. But there is a cause.—Ibid.1BIO 441.3

She referred to both S. W. Rhodes and G. W. Holt, who were out of the work, and her mind turned to the little testimony pamphlet:1BIO 441.4

We have studied and prayed and spent many hours of anxiety and sorrow to know just what was our duty in regard to these individuals whose names are mentioned in No. 6. We have spoken because the cause of God demanded it. The cause of God is a part of us. Our experience and lives are interwoven with this work. We have had no separate existence. It has been a part of our very being1BIO 441.5

The believers in present truth have seemed as near as our children. When the cause of God prospers we are happy, but when wrongs exist among the people of God we are unhappy, and nothing can make us glad. The earth, its treasures and joys, are nothing to us. Our interest is not here. Is it then strange that my husband, with his sensitive feelings, should suffer in mind?—Ibid.1BIO 441.6

She closed this letter, to one of her closest friends outside of the family, with an expression of determination:1BIO 441.7

My spirit is stirred within me. I will speak. I will not keep silence. I have girded the armor about me. I am prepared for battle. In the name of the Lord of hosts I will go forth and act any part which God may assign me in this work. The cause is the Lord's. Truth will triumph. God will not leave His children to perish. Pray for us, your unworthy friends, that God may lead us forth victorious.—Ibid.1BIO 442.1