James Springer White

James Springer White
James Springer White
	James White
Personal details
Born	August 4, 1821; Palmyra, Maine
Died	August 6, 1881 (aged 60); Battle Creek Sanitarium, Battle Creek, MI
Spouse	Ellen G. White
Children	Henry Nichols ; James Edson White ; William C. White ; John Herbert
Occupation	President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Author; Teacher; Preacher; Co-founder adventist movement

James Springer White (August 4, 1821 – August 6, 1881), also known as Elder White, was a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and husband of Ellen G. White. In 1849 he started the first Sabbatarian Adventist periodical entitled "The Present Truth", in 1855 he relocated the fledgling center of the movement to Battle Creek, Michigan, and in 1863 played a pivotal role in the formal organization of the denomination. He later played a major role in the development of the Adventist educational structure beginning in 1874 with the formation of Battle Creek College.

Early life

James White was born on August 4, 1821 in the township of Palmyra in Maine. The fifth of nine children, James was a sickly child who suffered fits and seizures. Poor eyesight prevented him from obtaining much education and he was required to work on the family farm. At age 19 his eyesight improved and he enrolled at a local academy. He earned a teaching certificate in the common branches and briefly taught at an elementary school. He was baptized into the Christian Connexion at age 15. He learned of the Millerite message from his parents and after hearing powerful preaching at an advent camp meeting in Exeter, Maine, White decided to leave teaching and become a preacher. Consequently, he was ordained a minister of the Christian Connexion in 1843. White was a powerful preacher and it is recorded that during the winter of 1843, 1000 people accepted the Millerite message owing to his preaching. At times however, White was met with angry mobs who hurled snowballs at him.[1] During these early travels he met Ellen G. Harmon whom he married on August 30, 1846. James White and Ellen G. White had four boys, Henry Nichols (b. Aug 26, 1847, d. Dec 8, 1863), James Edson (b. Jul 28, 1849, d. Jun 3, 1928), William Clarence (b. Aug 29, 1854, d. Aug 31, 1937) and John Herbert (b. Sep 20, 1860, d. Dec 14, 1860).[2]

Adventist service

Historic Adventist Village-Home of James and Ellen White (lateral)

Oak Hill Cemetery-James and Ellen White

The paper which James White initially started, "The Present Truth", was combined with another periodical called the "Advent Review" in 1850 to become the "Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald", still published as the "Adventist Review" today.[3] This periodical became the main source of communication for the Sabbatarian Adventist movement regarding points of doctrine and organization. It also became a venue for James and Ellen White to quickly and efficiently share their views to like-minded believers. James White served as editor of the periodical until 1851 when he invited Uriah Smith to become editor. He played a senior role in the management of church publications as president of the Review and Herald Publishing Association. He also served on several occasions as president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.(1865–67; 1869–71; 1874–80).

In 1865 White suffered from a paralytic stroke. White eventually determined that he should retire from the ministry and live out his days gracefully. In 1880, G. I. Butler replaced him as General Conference president. During the summer of 1881, White came down with a fever and was taken to the Battle Creek Sanitarium. Despite the efforts of Dr. Kellogg, White died on August 6, 1881.

Publications

White was a prolific writer and publisher for the Adventists. Some of his most popular publications include:

Life Incidents (1868). Republished by Andrews University Press with an introduction by Jerry Moon (publisher's page)
Word to the Little Flock, 1847 Pamphlet
Signs of the Times, 1853
Life Incidents, 1868 Steam Press
Selections from Life Incidents, 1868 Steam Press
Sermons on The Coming and Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 1870 Steam Press
Sketches of the Christian Life and Public Labors of William Miller, 1875 Steam Press
The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets of Revelation 8 & 9, 1875 Steam Press
The Second Coming of Christ, Matthew 24, 1876
Early Life & Experiences of Joseph Bates, 1877 Steam Press
Biblical Institute, 1878 Steam Press
Life Sketches, 1880 Steam Press

References

Schwarz, Richard W.; Greenleaf, Floyd (2000) [1979]. "The Millerite Movement – 1839–1844". Light Bearers (Revised ed.). Silver Spring, Maryland: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Department of Education. p. 43. ISBN 0-8163-1795-X.
"Person Page 1570". Archived from the original on 2005-11-03. Retrieved 2006-04-28.
"Adventist Review". Seventh-Day Adventist Encyclopedia. Review & Herald Pub. Assn. pp. 25–29.

Resources

Gerald Wheeler. James White: Innovator and Overcomer. Review and Herald, 2003

External links

Biography on www.whiteestate.org
Marriage to Ellen G. White
Life Incidents at Making of America
Adventist Archives – Contains many articles written by James White
Original "The Present Truth" Articles – Published by James White, known later as the Advent Review

Preceded by John Byington	President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 1865–1867	Succeeded by J. N. Andrews
Preceded by J. N. Andrews	President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 1869–1871	Succeeded by G. I. Butler
Preceded by G. I. Butler	President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 1874–1880	Succeeded by G. I. Butler
Preceded by (Founder)	Editor of the Adventist Review 1851–1855	Succeeded by Uriah Smith
Preceded by Uriah Smith	Editor of the Adventist Review 1861–1864	Succeeded by Uriah Smith
Preceded by Uriah Smith	Editor of the Adventist Review 1871–1872	Succeeded by Uriah Smith
Preceded by Uriah Smith	Editor of the Adventist Review 1873–1877	Succeeded by Uriah Smith
Preceded by Uriah Smith	Editor of the Adventist Review 1880–1881	Succeeded by Uriah Smith

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[1] Schwarz, Richard W.; Greenleaf, Floyd (2000) [1979]. "The Millerite Movement – 1839–1844". Light Bearers (Revised ed.). Silver Spring, Maryland: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Department of Education. p. 43. ISBN 0-8163-1795-X.

[2] "Person Page 1570". Archived from the original on 2005-11-03. Retrieved 2006-04-28.

[3] "Adventist Review". Seventh-Day Adventist Encyclopedia. Review & Herald Pub. Assn. pp. 25–29.