The Precipitous Move to Oakland

Ellen White had called for something to be done “now.” These words were written from Bloomfield on Monday morning, April 27, following the quarterly meeting. The rapid movements in the days that followed indicated that her appeal had set the workers on fire for God. Several of the ministers hastened to Oakland to spy out the land. Tuesday, James and Ellen White were at their Santa Rosa home, awaiting a dispatch “to call us to Oakland, where our tent will be pitched.” She added, “Local option is now in strong agitation there. We will do our part by voice and vote to close the liquor saloons in that beautiful city.”—Letter 22, 1874.2BIO 412.1

Wednesday, James and Ellen White were on their way to Oakland, prepared to set up headquarters there. Thursday the tent was up in the heart of the city, and that night Cornell preached on spiritualism. There was a keen interest in the subject because of spirit manifestations in the city. James White had already set to work arranging for the publication of a paper. The Whites had rented the “Fountain Farm” four miles from the city, and Ellen White and two young men were giving the eight-room house (Letter 19h, 1874) a thorough cleaning. Friday afternoon, May 1, they moved in. Lucinda Hall and the Walling children were with them (Letter 19f, 1874).2BIO 412.2