Table of Contents

Vindication of the Business Career of Elder James White

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

DOINGS OF THE CHURCH IN BATTLE CREEK

"FOR THE SAKE OF THE CAUSE

"ANOTHER CALL

"TESTIMONIALS

TO THE PUBLIC

Vindication of the Business Career of Elder James White

By

Elder Uriah Smith

STEAM PRESS 1863.

[Editor's Note:  The introduction and the end of this work indicates it was prepared by a committee on which Uriah Smith served. G. W. Amadon and E. S. Walker were also on the committee. And as the work makes evident, it is a compilation of many individuals' statements.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

DOINGS OF THE CHURCH IN BATTLE CREEK 4

"FOR THE SAKE OF THE CAUSE 7

"ANOTHER CALL 8

"TESTIMONIALS 9

TO THE PUBLIC 38

INTRODUCTION

THE circumstances which have led to the publication of the following pages, are set forth in the resolutions therein presented. The undersigned, the committee to whose care this matter was entrusted by the church of Seventh-day Adventists, at Battle Creek, and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, held at Battle Creek, May 20, 1863, have endeavored to fulfill the obligations placed upon them, not merely because so instructed, but under a sense of duty which they owed to the individual whose reputation has been assailed, as well as to the cause in which he is engaged.

It is not pleasant that prejudice, enmity, and malice, should so far take possession of people, as to lead them to circulate lying reports, false insinuations, and wicked and unjust charges against any individual; but when a person is thus assailed, it may be a pleasurable duty, as in the case before us, to enter into the work of his vindication and defense.

For nearly five months, as the following record will show, an earnest invitation has been extended through the Review, which circulates wherever Bro. White is known, to all those who thought that there was any ground for the complaints, charges, and murmurs against him, to report their grievances, and have an impartial investigation of the matter. No one has reported himself aggrieved. His enemies have thus betrayed

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their own utter want of confidence in the work they have been doing. Their silence has sealed their ignominy. Hereafter, in view of this fact, none will be willing to place themselves in the contemptible position of circulating such reports, except those whose enmity and prejudice overcome their convictions of right and reason.

The result of this matter is satisfactory and gratifying to the committee, as it must be to all the friends of Bro. White, and to every lover of truth and justice.

U. SMITH,

G. W. AMADON,

E. S. WALKER.

DOINGS OF THE CHURCH IN BATTLE CREEK

According to previous notice, the members of the Church of Seventh-day Adventists of Battle Creek, Mich., convened at their house of public worship on the 29th of March, 1863, Uriah Smith, one of the elders of the Church, acting as chairman. The meeting was opened with prayer by Eld. Moses Hull. The following preamble and resolutions were read before the meeting, after which they were separately considered and unanimously adopted.

Whereas, We have believed that the providence of God has called Eld. James White to lead out in the proclamation of the truth of the third angel's message, especially in the Publishing Department, and,

Whereas, The reputation of a man occupying so public a position becomes to him a treasure above all price; and not to him only, but to all those who may be connected with the cause which he is engaged in promulgating; inasmuch as in no more effectual way could that cause be brought into disrepute, and its progress crippled and hindered, than by destroying the reputation of such a man; and,

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Whereas, There are certain reports prejudicial to the character of Eld. White, as a man of upright and honest dealing, being extensively circulated through the country, and used to cut off his influence and that of his brethren, to shut the ears of the people against the truth, and steel their hearts against its reception; therefore,

Resolved, That we, the church of Seventh-day Adventists of Battle Creek, deem it our duty to take measures to ascertain the grounds of the charges, complaints, and murmurs that are in circulation, that they may be sustained, and action taken accordingly, or may be proved to be groundless, and slander be effectually stopped. To this end, be it further

Resolved, That we appoint Brn. U. Smith, G. W. Amadon, and E. S. Walker, a committee to take this matter in charge.

Resolved, That we hereby earnestly request all those, far and near, who think they have any grounds of complaint against Eld. White, all who have handed to him means that he has not appropriated as directed, all who think that he has wronged the aged, the widow, and the fatherless, or that he has not in all his dealings in temporal matters, manifested the strictest integrity, probity, and uprightness, to immediately report their grievances, and the grounds upon which they base them, to Uriah Smith, chairman of the above named committee, that they may be received previous to the middle of May next.

Resolved, That we also hereby invite all those who have had dealings, more or less extensive, with Eld. White, since the commencement of his public labors, to testify in what light they regard his dealings, so far as their knowledge of observation goes, and send in their testimony as above directed.

Resolved, That then this whole matter be laid before the approaching General Conference, the last of May next, that the brethren then assembled may take such action upon it, as in the premises they may deem proper.

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Moved, by Bro. Hull that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Review. Carried.

Adjourned sine die.

URIAH SMITH, Chairman.

E. S. WALKER, Ch. Clerk.

Battle Creek, Mich., March 29, 1863.

REMARKS. - The above resolutions are of themselves sufficiently plain and explicit, yet as chairman of the committee above named, I would urge upon all interested the necessity of prompt and immediate action upon resolutions 3 and 4. Those who are engaged in the circulation of the reports referred to in the foregoing proceedings, if they are acting honestly, think that they have grounds sufficient to sustain them. They now have not only an opportunity, but a request, to bring them forward that we may see and examine them. And let it be understood by them that if they refuse to do this, it will appear that have been acting without even a conviction of truth upon their side, which certainly will not place them in a very enviable light; and in this case it will not only devolve upon them hereafter to ever hold their peace, but it would be well for them if the memory of their past course could be blotted from the minds of mankind.

Let those also to whom the course of Bro. White appears unimpeachable, and who can from their own experience testify in his behalf, not fail to send in their testimony. Ample time is given for all to send in what documents they may wish, and yet there is none to lose. It is due to Bro. White, it is due to all sincere lovers of the truth, it is due to the precious cause everywhere, that this matter be followed to a final settlement.

U. S.

The foregoing report of the doings of the Battle Creek church, was published in Review, No. 18, Vol. xxi.

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In the next paper, of April 7, appeared the following call from Bro. White's own pen:

"FOR THE SAKE OF THE CAUSE

"We would call attention to the doings of the church at Battle Creek, published last week. The church deemed it necessary, for the good of the cause, that there should be an investigation of our business career connected with the cause, and a printed report made. If flying reports be true, we should be separated from the cause. If an open and critical investigation proves them false, a printed report in the hands of the friends of the cause with which we are connected, may, in some instances at least, paralyze the tongue of slander.

"We urge all with whom we have dealt to report. If you are in the least degree dissatisfied with our dealings, we entreat of you to make it known. Are you satisfied with our course? make it known. Have we refused means of any of you, or returned means? state the circumstances to Uriah Smith, chairman of the committee. Let the facts be known. Read the doings of the church in No. 18 again, and be in season. For the sake of the cause have this matter settled."

One and a half months after this, May 20, 1863, General Conference assembled at Battle Creek according to appointment. The following extract from the report of its proceedings, shows the action taken by that conference in this matter:

"The next business brought before the Conference was the matter which the Battle Creek Church at a special meeting, March 29, 1863, as reported in the Review, No. 18, voted to lay before the General Conference, in relation to the charges and reports that are in circulation concerning Eld. James White. As no one had reported any grievances pertaining to the subject in hand, according to the request in the Review, the committee could only report that fact to the Conference, and place in its hands the more than threescore and ten fervent testimonials which have been received on the other side, with the recommendation that, as it seemed that no one dared appear, to sustain

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the aforesaid reports, some action be taken by this Conference to show the falsity of these reports, and vindicate before the world the character and course of Bro. White. On this matter the following resolutions were adopted:

"Resolved, That the committee employed by the Battle Creek church, be empowered to act further in this matter in behalf of this Conference, and prepare for publication a record of the action of the Battle Creek church relative to the accusations against Bro. James White, and the substance of the responses received.

Resolved, That this committee shall invite, through the Review, further responses on this subject, for the space of two months."

In the same paper with this report appeared the following special notice:

"ANOTHER CALL

"It will be seen by the doings of the General Conference published this week, that the committee appointed to receive testimony concerning Eld. James White, are invited to extend the time to receive such testimonies for two months from date. We therefore issue this special notice, that the attention of all concerned may be again called to it, and that his defamers may bring forward their testimony or be left without excuse. Be it understood, then, by all concerned, that two months from the date of this paper are granted for further responses to the resolutions passed by the Battle Creek church, and published in Review No. 18."

The resolutions calling for complaints on the matter in hand, if any had any to make, were here again presented, and the notice concluded as follows:

"The case at present stands thus: Accusations and charges received, none. Fervent and unqualified testimonials in Bro. White's favor, seventy-four. The

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matter might justly be closed up here, and the case decided according to these facts, as ample time and notice have been given: but that none may have even an imaginary shadow of ground to claim that haste or unfairness is used in this matter, the time is extended as above noticed. At the end of the time specified the matter will be closed up, and the committee report as instructed. In behalf of the committee.

U. SMITH, Chairman."

Two months and a half have elapsed since the time of the above notice, to the present time of writing, Aug. 11, 1863, and still no attempts have been made to sustain charges against Bro. white, or justify complaints. Consequently nothing has been given the committee to do in the line of investigating said complaints or charges. In obedience to instructions to "prepare for publication the substance of the responses received," they can therefore only present some of the testimonials in his behalf, to represent the feelings of those toward him who are of the day, not of the night, and who do not fear to come to the light lest their deeds should be made manifest.

"TESTIMONIALS

From Eld. J. N. Andrews.

BRO. SMITH: Having been intimately acquainted with Bro. James White for almost nineteen years, and having had opportunity to fully understand his management of financial matters much of the time since the first publication of the Advent Review, it gives me sincere pleasure to testify that I have entire confidence in his honesty, integrity, and uprightness. And I may add that I believe him to be especially called of God to the place which he has so long filled.

I would also say that Bro. White has ever acted

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toward me a noble, generous, and unselfish part. And that he has repeatedly and largely donated from his own means to sustain me in this work. It has been my privilege to a considerable extent to know his course toward others who have been connected with the cause of truth. The same unselfish spirit has governed his conduct toward them as toward myself.

J. N. ANDREWS.

Adams' Center, N. Y., April 13, 1863.

From Eld. Moses Hull.

BRO. SMITH: In obedience to the call for those who have had business dealings with Eld. White, to testify in what light they regard his dealings, I esteem it a privilege to say a word. I have dealt with Bro. White to the amount of several hundred dollars, and have found him strictly honest in every particular.

But I must be permitted to transcend the limits of the call of the Conference, and say that I have, during a six years' acquaintance, found him the most liberal man with whom I was ever acquainted. To record the cases of pure, disinterested benevolence of Eld. White toward myself and family, would be to commence with the V he handed me the first time I ever saw him, and write my history from that time to this.

Suffice it to say that when I first saw Bro. White, I had nothing in this world that I could call my own. Now I own a house and lot worth $500, besides having plenty in and around my house to render self and family comfortable. To the purse and influence of Bro. White I owe it all.

MOSES HULL

From Eld. J. H. Waggoner.

BRO. SMITH: The proceedings of the meetings of the church in Battle Creek are received, and as I heartily

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agree with the object and action of the meeting, I cheerfully comply with the request of the fourth resolution.

I embraced the present truth in 1852, and commenced correspondence with Bro. White that same year; and from that time to the present have transacted business with him on my own account, and much more for others. I can safely say there are hundreds in various States, for whom I have forwarded money to Bro. White; and I have not known of a single instance of his misapplying means, or of diverting them from their specified object; nor has any complaint arisen from those for whom I have so acted. Were I the only one that could thus testify, I should still look upon this as extraordinary good and careful management, considering our liability to mistake, the unfavorable circumstances in which the office of publication has often been placed in past years, and especially that Bro. White was filling the various offices of editor, publisher, and traveling preacher. The wonder with me is, how he has so well succeeded in all his duties, without giving occasion for complaint.

In all my intercourse with believers and professed believers in the present truth, for over ten years, I have not found one individual who would assert that he knew that Bro. White had ever done any wrong in his business transactions. In this remark I include the "Messenger party," with the leaders of which party I was well acquainted. They would throw out suspicious and insinuations, but not one of them would attempt to point out an actual wrong on the part of Bro. White, to even the least amount, notwithstanding their efforts were unceasing to criminate him and do him injury.

Another fact, well worthy of notice, has come under

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my observation. There are careful, faithful friends of this cause, whose study it has been, and is, to advance the truth with their means, who have at different times entrusted money in Bro. White's hands as the Office needed; these, I have noticed, are willing to trust him to any amount. The confidence of such is unmistakable testimony to his prudence and integrity.

Concerning the insinuations against Bro. White, of his having a desire to take advantage of individuals for his own personal interest or benefit, I can speak from positive knowledge and experience. More than once have I been partaker of his liberality in time of need, where he could have no earthly hope of a return or equivalent for such favors. It was through his instrumentality that a home was procured for my family, toward which he not only donated, but advanced money in my absence without interest, on which I learned he was paying interest of the cause his own, but also the interest of those laboring to advance the cause; and this so uniformly and to such extent as to satisfy me that all charges or insinuations against him in regard to business dealings, have their origin in the selfishness or malice of those who make them. Those who circulate these slanders, and those who profess to believe them, are not entitled to the plea of ignorance, for such facts as I have stated above are abundant, and always in the reach of those who wish to be informed.

Yours for truth and justice.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Leipsie, Ohio, April 6, 1863.

From Eld. J. N. Loughborough.

BRO. SMITH: I wish to say to the committee on the

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case of Bro. White, that I have been intimately acquainted with him for the last eleven years; and for about nine years of that time have lived near neighbor to him, during which time I have had deal with him, while acting as agent for Review, etc. to the amount of $6000. I have never discovered in his deal with me, or with others, anything but the strictest uprightness.

As I have traveled with him, from place to place, he has ever manifested a tender regard for those in distress and want, and has often in my presence refused means from such, telling them that their duty was to their families and not to him. I can say from what I have seen and known of his manner of managing temporal matters, that stories of his dishonesty, wronging widows, etc. are only slanderous and infamous falsehoods. I would say still farther, that during the last ten years Bro. and Sister White have given me in cash from their own purse about one hundred dollars, besides many valuable donations in the line of clothing to myself and wife.

When it was thought best for me to buy a home at Battle Creek, Bro. White freely offered, and loaned me $300 in gold for two years without interest, while at the same time he was paying ten per cent interest on $500. I also used his horses and carriage for the most of one year, he making no charge for the same. I never say in him a disposition to overreach anybody in trade: but have frequently seen him pay poor brethren more than they asked for their work, or for articles they were selling to him.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Allegan, April 14, 1863.

From Eld. Stephen Pierce.

BRO. SMITH: Agreeably to the resolutions of the

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Battle Creek church and your own request, published in review No. 18; I do hereby depose and say: That for more than ten years past, I have had, from time to time in various ways, more or less dealings with Elder James White; and I can cheerfully say I have no grounds of any complaint in the least particular, as it respects the uprightness or justice of his deal: unless it be that in some instances he has been unjust with himself. And here I will mention an instance which occurred when the Review was published at Rochester N. Y. I had previously written a series of questions requesting Bro. and Sr. White to answer them, and Sr. White in order to answer them satisfactorily, wrote somewhat densely over several sheets of large foolscap paper, for which I sent to the address of Bro. White, five dollars as a compensation for Sr. White's services; but instead of applying it thus, he credited it to me for the REVIEW.

I do not say "It was not appropriated as directed" but it was not applied as directed, but if I had imputed any wrong or unjust motive to Bro. White in applying that money as he did, I should expect to meet the doom of the slanderer, whom God says he will cut off. Ps. ci, 5.

And further I would say on one of his recent tours to the East, I gave him two dollars as my share in defraying his traveling expenses, which he returned utterly refusing to receive it.

And in all instances in which he has taken money of me, it has been in such strict conformity to the laws of justice, as has established in my mind an unwavering confidence of his tried virtue, and integrity of principle in all his business transactions.

Yours in the field of battle.

STEPHEN PIERCE.

Roxbury, Vt. May 4, 1863.

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From Elder B. F. Snook.

BRO. SMITH: In answer to the call for statements relative to the candor and uprightness of Elder James White, I will observe

1. That I have had a personal acquaintance with him for the past three years. In that time I have seen many things to increase my confidence in him, as an upright noble minded and honest Christian.

2. I have had some considerable dealings with him and find in my experience that he is a man of his word and strictly honest in his dealings.

3. He has in my knowledge shown a zeal and energy for the cause of truth that is truly commendable. He is thorough going and untiring in his efforts to do good.

4. He is the poor man's friend as many can testify with grateful hearts. And here let me, for one, acknowledge with gratitude to him, that he has been a kind hearted benefactor to me, for which I hope he may ever have the choicest blessings of heaven. I think that in his heart dwells a great abundance of pure disinterested, and generous benevolence.

5. In relation to complaints and reports of evil against him. I most sincerely believe that every thing of the kind is unfounded in right, and has its source in the evil hearts of the disaffected and of such as reviled Christ and his dear followers. It is natural that he should be thus evilly spoken of, for he who is led by the Spirit has been ever reviled and persecuted by the great adversary of his salvation. That Bro. White is persecuted and evil spoken of, is to my mind a good evidence that he is a man of God. Christ says "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the

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world but I have chosen you out of the world; therefore the world hateth you, "If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you." John xv, 18-20.

With many respects, and much love for brother White, I am,

Yours in hope.

B. F. SNOOK.

Lisbon, Iowa, April 16, 1863.

From Elder Isaac Sanborn.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I hereby affirm that I have dealt to the amount of several hundred dollars with Eld. James White, and believe him to be a strictly honest, upright and honorable man.

ISAAC SANBORN.

Johnstown Center, Wis.

From Elder J. B. Frisbie.

BRO. SMITH: I wish to say in behalf of Bro. White that I have been acquainted with him for nearly ten years, have lived a neighbor to him for six or seven years, and have had hundreds of dollars of deal with him. I have the utmost confidence in his honesty. He has always done as he has agreed with me, and with others, as far as I have known. And it should forever satisfy all who are acquainted with the circumstances of his really owning the power press, and having in his hands a large amount that he might have legally held, had he been so disposed. He freely signed all over to the Association; and instead of taking a large salary that many could not have objected to, he only asked the small sum of seven dollars a week.

J. B. FRISBIE.

Chelsea, Mich., Apr. 13, 1863.

From Eld. Washington Morse.

BRO. SMITH: In regard to Bro. White, I would say that it is fourteen years last February since I first saw

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Bro. and Sr. White. This was at Waterbury, Vt. At this meeting there was quite a purse made up, or money handed in, for the messengers; and, if I mistake not, Bro. White did not receive any of it, but suffered himself to be wronged, as it seems to me.

In Sept. 1851, or '52, I met him again in Sutton, Vt., and the November following, if I mistake not, he met us in Conference at my house in Royalton, Vt. As I was carrying him and wife to the depot to take the cars, Bro. White pressed me to know if I had to bear the burden of the Conference; and as I was unwilling to tell him the particulars, he said to his wife, "How much money have you?" Said she, "Four dollars." Bro. White then said, "Ellen, if you will divide with Bro. Morse, I will give him two more toward bearing the expenses of the conference. This they did, and I reluctantly accepted it with tearful eyes. The next time I saw them was at Johnson, Vt., and as I was about to step into my wagon at the close of the Conference, Bro. White gave me two dollars more. I have known of his refusing to take money of myself and others,and also I have known of his sending money to assist those who were poor in Vermont. I shall ever remember his kind acts to me and others.

WASHINGTON MORSE.

Deerfield, Minn.

From Elder Ingraham.

BRO. SMITH: I am happy to testify in favor of God's servants when I can speak from experience, and testify to what I know. I have been acquainted with Bro. White for eleven years, and have had some deal with him, and I have always found him strictly honest in every particular, and also I regard him one of the most

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liberal persons with whom I have ever been acquainted. Means that have been placed in his hands for his own benefit he has liberally bestowed on others, that they might be free from all encumbrance, and labor untrammeled in the vineyard of the Lord.

Five years since I sold my home in Pennsylvania to move west into the State of Wisconsin. Not receiving a sufficient amount for my place to pay my expenses west and purchase another, Bro. White advanced money on which he was paying ten per cent. interest, and refused to take interest in return. Besides this, Bro. and sister White donated fifteen dollars for the same purpose.

In Bro. White's tour in Wisconsin in 1861, I accompanied him to Mauston and Marquette. At Marquette about twelve dollars were raised to bear his traveling expenses, which he gave me to purchase an overcoat. For the interest Bro. White has taken in my welfare, I hope never to be guilty of the sin of ingratitude toward him, believing the motive that prompted him was to advance the cause of Jesus Christ, and not to serve his own interest.

Wm. S. INGRAHAM.

Monroe, Wis., April 8, 1863.

From Eld. A. S. Hutchins.

BRO. SMITH: In compliance with the request made in the Review of March 31st, I would say that I have been personally acquainted with Elder James White of Battle Creek, Mich. more than ten years. I am acquainted with his life both at his home and abroad, in public and around his own fireside; and I can unhesitatingly say that I have ever regarded him as a man of firm and undeviating Christian principles, possessing an undying love for the cause of the Lord, also

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large and disinterested benevolence. I would further say that I have had dealings more or less with him from our first acquaintance, in which I never saw the least reason to question his honesty as a Christian.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Barton Landing, Vt. April 8, 1863.

From Eld. R. F. Cottrell.

BRO. SMITH: In compliance with the request of the church in Battle Creek I would say, that I have been personally acquainted with Eld. James White for eleven years this spring. During this time, I have dealt with him frequently, and to the amount of four or five hundred dollars, (probably exceeding five hundred) I have also been acquainted with his dealings with others, and have never seen the least evidence of dishonesty in him, but believe him to be upright and strictly honest in all his deal. Moreover I have known him to refuse and return a donation of $35, by my hand, not because it was not needed, but because the givers were doing more than their share.

I have the utmost confidence in his integrity and should have no fear in trusting any amount in his hands, on his fidelity alone. I believe that God's hand is in the work in which we as a people, are engaged, and that his Spirit and providence has called Bro. White to occupy the place in the work which he occupies, and, consequently, as it is sometimes expressed, he is "the right man in the right place."

In love of the truth.

R. F. COTTRELL.

Olcott, N. Y. April 7, 1863.

From Elder T. M. Steward.

BRO. SMITH: I would say that I have done business with Bro. White to some extent for the last eight years,

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and I regard him and believe him to be strictly honest in matters of deal, as in matters of faith. I have heard charges brought against him, but have met them, and never found one substantiated by the least shadow of evidence. Being simply generated by prejudice, as far as my experience goes, I shall credit no such reports. T. M. STEWARD.

Mauston, Wis., Apr. 28, 1863.

From Elder Joseph Bates.

BRO. SMITH: In answer to your request I would state that I have not only had extensive dealings with Bro. White in the purchase of books, pamphlets, tracts and papers for distribution, ever since the commencement of his public labors, but have also had the privilege of being with him in much of his public ministry, and about all the General Conferences during said period of time. In these Conferences his business transactions in relation to the cause and Office of publication, have been spread out before the Conference for their investigation and acceptance. Therefore I unhesitatingly state that in regard to his business dealings individually, and my knowledge of his business matters publicly as herein stated, I consider it my duty, as well as privilege, to assert that I believe him to be strictly honest and upright in all his business dealings.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Mich., April 6, 1863.

From the Church in Washington, N. H.

BRO. SMITH: Agreeably to your request, we, as a church, in Washington and vicinity, having had an acquaintance more or less with Bro. White since the rise of the third angel's message, do hereby express our

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fullest confidence in his integrity and uprightness. And further, we would express the conviction that all this ado about Bro. White's dishonesty is gotten up by the great enemy of good to destroy his influence, and thus retard the work of the Lord. We deem this expression due Bro. White. It is due the cause of truth, and not only do we consider it our duty, but it is our highest privilege, to testify in his behalf. He has our warmest sympathy, and our fervent prayers.

In behalf of the church.

H. P. WAKEFIELD.

Newport, N. H., May 11, 1863.

From Henry Lyon.

In view of false reports respecting my course and circumstances, it is a pleasure to me to make the following statement:

I sold my property to the amount of $4000, eleven years since. I divided with my children $1500, and have lived on the remainder most of the time for eleven years. I am now in my age happily and comfortably situated, free from care and anxiety.

I have given, for the last eleven years, several hundred dollars to sustain the Sabbath cause, for which I have never had a regret. Some of this means has passed through the hands of Eld. James White, and I have ever found him faithful in applying it as I designed. As an individual, he has never been benefited with a dollar of my money. When he published the review in Rochester, N. Y., I urged him to take one hundred dollars, to use as he pleased, which he refused to take on such grounds. Nearly eight years since, Bro. White was at my house, at Battle Creek, in feeble health. I offered him a number of bank notes, without stating how the money was to be used, and he refused

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it, and did not take any of it. I have lent him money with the express understanding that it was lent without interest, and he has paid me the principal and interest.

HENRY LYON.

Battle Creek, Mich.

We bear cheerful testimony to the correctness of the above, and would add that father and mother Lyon are able to furnish us with a good home, and we in return with pleasure care for them in their age.

MYRON J. CORNELL,

C. A. LYON CORNELL.

From R. G. Lockwood.

BRO. SMITH: In compliance with the request in Review I cheerfully add my testimony in justice to Bro. White. An acquaintance of fifteen years, and more or less deal for the past five has satisfied me in regard to his honesty and liberality. He has refused money from me, and also in some instances has paid me more than I asked for labor. As to his increase of means, I refer the friends to Prov. xi, 25.

R. G. LOCKWOOD.

Perry's Mills, N. Y.

From Aurora B. Lockwood.

BRO. SMITH: In addition to the above I can say, Having been closely connected with the Office during the years 1859 and 60, and the last year having spent most of my time laboring there, witnessing Bro. White's straight, upright and benevolent deal toward the poorer class, it has greatly endeared him to me, as a faithful servant of God.

AURORA B. LOCKWOOD.

Perry's Mills, N. Y.

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From H. and D. S. Gardner and R. A. Sperry.

BRO. SMITH: We hereby testify that we have placed means to a considerable amount in the hands of Bro. White for the advancement of the present truth, and he has always made a faithful application of the same according to our wishes.

We have ever had unbounded confidence in his integrity and uprightness, and can testify to his benevolence to the afflicted, and that he has dealt truly and kindly with the widow.

H. GARDNER,

D. S. GARDNER,

R. A. SPERRY.

Kirkville, N. Y., Apr. 19, 1863.

From G. W. Holt.

BRO. SMITH: I have been personally acquainted with Eld. James White from the commencement of his public labors in the publishing department, and have had dealings with him to some extent. I can say that in all his dealings with me he has manifested the strictest integrity. As far as my knowledge and observation extends, every dollar, and even dime, that has been handed to him has been appropriated as directed. He has always opened his hands wide to the worthy poor among us, and the aged, the widows, and fatherless, have shared largely of his sympathy. I have reason to believe that his motives have not been selfish, but purely for the interest of the cause in which he has served.

G. W. HOLT.

Lovett's Grove, Ohio, April, 1863.

From F. H. Marshall, (Book Binder), Rochester, N. Y.

THIS is to certify that I have been personally acquainted with Elder James White since the year of

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1853, and have had an account and done business with him since that time - have never heard his character questioned as to truth or honesty. As to myself, I consider him the most honest and upright man that I ever did business with, and above suspicion.

F. H. MARSHALL.

Rochester, N. Y.

From A. N. Curtiss.

BRO. SMITH: I have had some personal acquaintance with Elder James White since 1850, and also through the Review have had knowledge of his public course. The last time I saw him was at the Roosevelt Conference, Aug. 1861, where I made a small donation of $2,00 to help pay his traveling expenses on his Eastern tour. And although he had received but a few dollars since leaving Battle Creek, he declined taking it, preferring that I should advance it on the Review, as he said the Office was in need.

Soon after I returned home I lost a horse. The news of my loss reached Bro. White, and he very generously returned the $2,00 as he said he thought I needed help.

I would say that I have been knowing to his returning much larger donations where he felt individuals were too much.

Yours in love,

A. N. CURTIS.

Camden, N. Y., May 14, 1863.

From Elsa P. Below.

BRO. SMITH: I wish to say that Bro. White has never been benefited by any of my property. While the Review Office was in Rochester, N. Y., I at one time sent him $35, mentioned in the testimony of Eld. R. F. Cottrell, which he had an opportunity to keep, had

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he been, as represented, disposed to take every advantage to appropriate means to his own use. Instead of this, he returned it to me. Since living in Battle Creek, he has, with the exception of $1, declined receiving pay from me for the Review, on the ground that I should receive it free. He has ever manifested in my behalf a disinterested liberality. I earnestly protest against the use that has been made of my name in complaints against Bro. White.

ELSA P. BELOW.

Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 12, 1863.

From Ira Abbey.

BRO. SMITH: I would add my testimony concerning my dealing with Bro. White which has been nearly fifteen years. I have sent means to him to be used in the cause. It has always been appropriated to my perfect satisfaction. Once I sent him twelve dollars which he returned. At another time seventeen dollars which he would not accept without paying. This does not look like selfishness.

IRA ABBEY.

Hubbardsville, N. Y. Apr. 12, 1863.

From Rhoda Abbey.

BRO. SMITH: As I see a call in the Review to those acquainted with Bro. White to state facts concerning him, I would say that we have been personally acquainted with Bro. White nearly fifteen years. We have dealt much with him, and have always found him honest in all his deal. And when we have been disposed to give something to forward the cause of truth, he has been very careful about receiving it, lest we should suffer need. When he was in Rochester, I sent him five dollars which he returned.

RHODA ABBEY.

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From Cyrenius Smith.

I CAN testify that I have had dealings with Bro. White more or less extensive, for the past eleven or twelve years, and consider his course one of unexceptionable integrity and benevolence. I have offered him money that he has declined to receive. I have donated money to the cause when it was needy, which Bro White has refunded to me when the publishing department was in a condition that he could. Moreover, I have labored for him more or less, since his residence in Battle Creek, and as a general rule, he has paid me more than I charged, or was willing to receive. I have given considerable of my property to the advancement of the cause, but none for the personal or individual benefit of Bro. White. And during all the time that I have been acquainted with them, Bro. and Sr. White have repeatedly cautioned me against doing too much. I have never had a regret for what I have done. A man's own experience is with him the strongest kind of evidence, consequently those who represent Bro. White, as overreaching and endeavoring to secure property to his own advantage at the expense of others, need not attempt to make me believe their reports. I am grateful for the prospering hand of the Lord that has been with me, so that I still have a competency left.

CYRENIUS SMITH.

Battle Creek, Mich. Aug. 1863.

From J. P. Kellogg.

THIS is to certify, that I have had dealings more or less with Elder James White for the past ten years, and have always found him governed by the strictest integrity in his dealings, and appropriation of means and generous beyond what I had expected, or what

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could be required. As an instance I will mention that on one occasion when he visited Michigan, I offered him money which he declined to receive; and after his return home to Rochester, N. Y., I sent him $40, intending it as a donation, but he afterward refunded the whole amount. I also offered a hundred dollars toward purchasing the power press; but Bro. White publicly plead against my paying it. Again, I lent him several hundred dollars not intending to receive any interest on the same, but at the time of payment he persisted in handing me back the principal, and the interest.

J. P. KELLOGG.

Battle Creek, Aug. 1863.

From Edward and Sarah Andrews.

BRO. SMITH: If the following statement can be of any service to your investigation of Bro. White's business affairs the undersigned will feel highly gratified.

Having had some acquaintance with Elder James White as early as the Autumn of 1844, we feel that it may be duty to say that we found him then a young man, zealously and understandingly engaged in presenting and defending by testimony from the word of God this greatest of all events, the coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven.

Soon after our sore and great disappointment, we became more fully acquainted with his labors and his character as a man of God, and as a faithful defender of those Bible truths by which we had been led out to expect and wait for the return of our Lord from heaven; laboring to strengthen those who were discouraged, and meeting, with the strength and firmness of

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one commissioned of God, the distracting showers of fanaticism that Satan was permitted to pour upon the little remnant that were still waiting for the return of their Lord.

Up to this time, so far as we had become acquainted with him, we had the fullest reason to believe him a man of the strictest moral uprightness. About this time, I think it was in the Spring of 1846, we had additional reasons to regard him as a man commissioned of God to defend his truth; for so many were the different and discordant views held by different brethren that we knew not what to receive, or what was Bible truth. At this time of great need, Bro. W. came to us with the third angel's message, and so clear and forcible was the truth that he presented, that we felt again that we were in possession of Bible truth.

Some time after this, Bro. White came to Paris, Maine, and there for several months published the Review and Herald. During this time we had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with him as a business man, and fully believe that his intention was always to deal carefully and uprightly with all men.

EDWARD ANDREWS.

SARAH L. ANDREWS.

Wawkon, Iowa.

From A. B. Pearsall.

THIS is to certify that I have been acquainted with Eld. James White and his course for the past ten years; and in view of the reports that are in circulation about him, in regard to his obtaining means for his own benefit, I esteem it a privilege to state an incident in my own experience which shows the falsity of such charges. Learning that he was coming to Michigan to hold conferences, in the summer I think of 1853, I got together

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a hundred dollars in gold to give him to use at his option. I tendered it to him; but to my surprise he declined it on the ground that I was going beyond my duty in the matter. At my earnest solicitation he did, however, accept about fifteen dollars, saying that on his return to Rochester he would place to my credit what he did not use in traveling expenses, which he accordingly did, to the amount, I think, of five dollars. And since that time I have never seen anything, nor had any reliable information, of his taking a course in any respect to give any ground for the reports that are in circulation against him.

A. B. PEARSALL.

Battle Creek, Mich., June, 1863.

From Hiram Edson.

BRO. SMITH: I have known something of Bro. White's management in his business affairs connected with the third angel's message from its rise. I have ever regarded him as strictly honest, just, upright, manly and honorable, in all his business transactions. I have loaned him money at different times, which he has been faithful to repay. I have put money into his hands at different times as a donation to publish truth and advance the cause. He has at different times handed me back a part of what I handed him, refusing to keep it all. On one occasion I handed him $70 or $75, as a donation to advance the cause, of which he handed me back all but $25 or $35. He has sometimes refused to receive any means from me when offered.

The church at Roosevelt authorize me to say in their behalf that they have the utmost confidence in Bro. White's honesty and integrity, and consider his course manly and honorable. On one of his visits to this

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church they handed him ten dollars toward defraying his traveling expenses to this place, which he handed back as a donation toward painting our meeting-house. "Blessed are ye when they shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name's sake. Rejoice ye, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." "All things shall work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to his purpose." The Lord plead Bro. White's cause, and bring him through and give him victory over all his enemies, is our prayer.

Yours in much love and esteem.

HIRAM EDSON.

Palermo, N.Y., Apr. 30, 1863.

From D.R Palmer.

BRO. SMITH: I have been acquainted with Bro. White for about fifteen years and have dealt with him in sums of a few dollars up to about $1000,00 and never have seen anything but the strictest honesty. The most of the above has been in connection with the cause of truth. Several times he has refused to take money when I have offered it to him, and in some cases has paid me back that I did not ask nor expect.

D. R. PALMER.

Jackson, Mich. April 10, 1863.

From Brethren in Western New York.

We, the undersigned, are personally acquainted with Elder James White, have dealt with him, some more, some less, and while he resided in our midst, at Rochester, N.Y., had a good opportunity of learning his manner of deal and general course of conduct, and can say that we believe him to be strictly upright and honorable,

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nay liberal, in his deal, and we consequently have unbounded confidence in his integrity.

J. T. ORTON, Rochester.

J.M. LINDSAY, Olcott.

JONATHAN LAMSON, Hamlin.

JOHN S. WAGER, Olcott.

ZERAH BROOKS, Mill Grove.

D. C. DEMAREST, Clarkson.

J. B. LAMSON, Rochester.

S. B. CRAIG, Hamlin.

A. G. SMITH, Clarkson.

MARY WAGER, Olcott.

ELIZA A. LINDSAY, Olcott.

JANE DEMAREST, Clarkson.

MARGARET SMITH, Clarkson.

DRUSILLA LAMSON, Rochester.

PHEBE M. LAMSON, Hamlin.

CAROLINE ORTON, Rochester.

JANE SEAMAN, Clarkson.

The above was written and subscribed at our Quarterly Meeting at Hamlin, Apr. 12, 1863. There was no dissent from this testimony; but some present were not personally acquainted with Bro. White, and some that were could not say that they had dealt with him. But there is no lack of confidence in Bro. White; at least, I do not know of any; and all those that are the best acquainted with him express unbounded confidence.

R. F. COTTRELL.

From J. S. Day and O. B. Jones.

BRO. SMITH: In response to the call in Review No. 18 for testimonies respecting Bro. White's character, we, the undersigned have for the last seven years had deal with him to the amount of from five hundred to

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five thousand dollars. Therefore we feel it a duty and also a privilege to speak. We never have seen any cause for suspicion in any of his deal, either private or in connection with the cause. We believe him to be a man of integrity, and that he will not withhold from any one their just dues, nor appropriate means put into his hands, with any selfish motive. We have known Bro. White to refuse money when urged to take it, and also to refund money where it had been paid in, for the reason that the donors were unable, or there was no special call for means.

J. S. DAY.

O. B. JONES.

Monterey, Mich. Apr. 15, 1863.

From R. S. Rhodes and C. C. Aldrich.

BRO. SMITH: According to request in Review No. 18. we take the present time to give you our testimony in regard to Bro. White's deal with us. Whenever we have placed means in his hands to expend as he saw proper, he has done it to our entire satisfaction, every cent. We have also tried to have him take money of us to use for his own personal benefit, which he never would do. We believe him to be an honest, upright man and a servant of God. Yours etc. R. S. RHODES. CYNTHIA C. ALDRICH. Addison, Mich. April 20, 1863.

From David Arnold.

I HAVE been acquainted with Elder James White, editor of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, for the last fifteen years. I have been a contributor to, and constant reader of, the paper, and have visited the office

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of publication at Oswego, Rochester and Battle Creek, and while the paper was called the Advent Review, was on the publishing committee. Thus being brought into close connection, and having a deep interest in the paper and its kindred publications of present truth, I have watched with deep solicitude the pecuniary and other interests of said publications, and have ever found in the character of the editor, persevering industry, frugal economy, business tact, sterling integrity, strict honesty, and a self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of present truth.

DAVID ARNOLD.

Fulton, N. Y. April 12th, 1863.

[2.7]

From E.S. Walker.

I HEREBY certify that I have been acquainted with Eld. White for about three years; and since the formation of the Publishing Association, have been closely connected with him in business relations in the Office. During that time the dealings between him and the Association, including the property in his hands, which was passed over to the Association after its organization, and ordinary business transactions since that time, have amounted to over $16000. From the position I have occupied in the Office, I have had ample means of observing his dealings with others; and it gives me pleasure to testify that in all my business relations with him, and in what I have seen with reference to his dealings with others, I have uniformly found him to be strictly upright in all his business transactions.

E. S. WALKER,

Sec'y S.D.A.P. Association

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From S. T. & S. B. Belden.

[Since the tongue of misrepresentation and slander has even presumed to malign the motives and efforts of Bro. White in behalf of his father and mother-in-law Harmon, from whom he has never received a dime, we deem it duty to present the following testimony from those with whom they lived, mostly, and who are acquainted with all the circumstances of the case, which they left with Bro. White, previous to their removal to the West. - COM.]

WHEREAS we have reason to fear that some have wrong impressions as to the course pursued by Bro. and sister White in relation to father and mother Harmon, it is a pleasure to us to state, that it is our sincere belief that what they have done has been with sincerity of heart to make our parents comfortable and happy, and that to our certain knowledge Bro. White has been to considerable labor, care and expense in building, and in providing for their comfort, for which he has received nothing, and asks nothing.

STEPHEN T. BELDEN.

SARAH B. BELDEN.

From Those who Know.

WE, the undersigned, having been connected with the Review Office, in the employ of, and intimately acquainted with, Eld. James White, for the past ten years, deem it our privilege to make some statements concerning his general course. We consider that if here he has erred at all, it has been in taking too much pains to conform to the prejudices of unreasonable men, putting the publications down to too low rates, and depriving himself of many advantages which he ought to have enjoyed. If any think that Bro. White's object

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in conducting the publishing department has been to make money, let them compare the prices at which publications were offered when the business was entirely in his hands, with the prices of publications now when the whole business is in the hands of the Publishing Association, and which are uniformly higher, and in some cases double what they were then.

Again, when Bro. White had plead for the formation of an Association to which he might transfer the property in his hands, and one had been formed for that purpose, all that the friends had contributed to establish the Office of publication from first to last, was carefully footed up, and every dollar, with an addition of one thousand dollars for the use of material, made over to the Association, together with the hard-earned and valuable lists of subscribers for Review and Instructor, and the right of re-publishing the numerous works on present truth, which alone, in a worldly point of view, would be considered a handsome property. There was still a competency left in Bro. White's hands. How had this accumulated? From the energetic, careful and judicious management of the business, carried on to a great extent by capital which he had borrowed on his own responsibility. To whom did this belong? To the man who had thus for fifteen years, faithfully earned it. Was any one wronged by this? All who had purchased of the Office books or papers, had received the value of their money in them at low rates; and all who had donated, saw those donations transferred, with a large increase, to the Association, where they now are, and can be shown to have advanced one-fourth in value on the original figures. And here we would take occasion to gratefully acknowledge the prospering hand of the Lord, which,

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through the faithfulness of Bro. White, has placed the Office in its present flourishing condition in this respect. We would say, then, to all those who seem to be unwilling that Bro. W. should have a penny unless they know where and how he got it, that this is the source from which he has fairly, honestly, and in a worldly point of view, dearly, obtained it.

Systematic Benevolence is another point on which insinuations have been thrown out against Bro. White, as though he had urged this measure for his own personal profit. Nothing can be further from the design of that system, and from the facts in the case. Bro. W. never designed to receive, and never has received, a particle of benefit personally from that fund. There is not a dime of the means so raised, under his control, as every one knows who is at all acquainted with the system. While, at the same time, he has paid in to the Battle Creek S.B. treasury since the adoption of that system in this church, over one hundred dollars.

In conclusion we would say that throughout our acquaintance with him, we have uniformly found him fair and upright in his dealings with all classes, being in his liberalities better than his agreements, and his dealings going beyond his promises; and that the longer we have been associated with him, the more occasion we have had to honor him as an employer, esteem him as a man, and love him as a Christian.

U. SMITH,

H. N. SMITH,

G. W. AMADON,

J. F. BYINGTON,

J. W. BACHELLER.

To present more testimonials would only unnecessarily weary the patience of the reader. We therefore conclude to give only the

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names and addresses of the following individuals, from whom we have received testimonies similar to the foregoing.

I. C. Vaughan, Hillsdale, Mich. A. H. Hilliard, Otsego " Geo. Leighton, " " J. P. Hunt, Saginaw, " E. Pratt, Battle Creek " D. J. Burroughs, " " A. Gleason, Hillsdale, " J. D. Morton, Adrian, " J. P. Rathbun, New Hudson, " M. Kunselman, Parkville, " E. J. W. Bovee, " " A. A. Marks, Burlington, " Church in Convis, " " L. Kellogg, Matherton, " L. Russell, Cooper, " L. Lathrop, Freeport, Ills. S. Myers, Yankee Hollow, " H. H. Bramhall, Braceville, " L. O. Stowell, Plum River, " S. Robinson, Girard, Ind. H. A. St. John, Ayersville, Ohio. John Clarke, Lovett's Grove, " L. G. Bostwick, Lynxville, Wis. D. A. Smith, Geneva, " W. E. Chesebro, " " A. E. Dartt, Baraboo, " A. G. Carter, Rubicon, " J. P. Benedict, Columbus, " Wm. Treadwell, Roosevelt, N. Y. H. Hilliard, Grass River, " Wm. Lawton, West Winfield, " S. B. Whitney, Malone, " C. O. Taylor, Perry's Mills, " L. Haskell, Norfolk, " Abel Tuttle, Sandy Creek, " J. A. Laughhead, Elmira, " A. Abbey, Deansville, " D. Abbey, " "

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M. C. Crumb, De Ruyter, N. Y. F. C. Castle, Grass River, " M. C. M. Andrews, New York City, " Mary Moody, " " Jane Crump, " " A. Woodruff, Palermo, " E. L. Barr, Wellsville, " J. T. Mitchell, Lisbon, Iowa. J. Dorcas, Tipton, " Church in Knoxville, " E. W. Darling, Chester, " Timothy Bryant, North Jay, Me. Wm. Bryant, " " N. N. Lunt, Portland, " E. Lobdell, " " S. W. Flanders, Canaan, " E. M. Flanders, " " L. J. Richmond, Vernon, Vt. Jno. Lindsey, Ulysess, Pa. J. G. Wood, Brodhead, Wisc.

TO THE PUBLIC

IN Concluding their labors and submitting them to the church and the public, the committee would again call the careful attention of all whom it may concern, to the result presented in this Vindication. None can claim that the notice of this matter was not sufficiently definite and extensive, and the time given, sufficiently long for all to report their complaints against Bro. White, for examination and settlement, who were disposed to do so. Yet no one has presented any complaint of being wronged by him. None have charged him with taking advantage of their circumstances to favor himself, or exhorting from them means under any plea or pretense whatever; while the testimonies herein given show that his course has been almost one continued refusal to accept of means that have been

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urged upon him, with repeated cautions to those who in the liberality of their hearts desired to contribute in advance the cause of truth which they loved, not to go beyond their ability in so doing.

And why have none come up with wrongs charged against Bro, W.? Simply because no such wrongs to in truth exist. There are those who would assuredly have endeavored to sustain the reports they have been circulating, had they not been conscious of utter impossibility of carrying their point, and that an investigation would only result in an exposure of their own shame. What fact could more triumphantly vindicate his course and standing!

Lovers of truth and honesty, what will you do in view of these facts? Will you suffer yourselves to be biased and imposed upon by the false reports of unprincipled persons? or will you give to such facts as these the weight to which they are entitled? There may be some so lost to every principle of honor, as to still endeavor to vilify and abuse the innocent; but we do claim that none who pretend to either Christianity or respectability should, and we believe that none such hereafter will, give aid or countenance to these things.

Finally, we heartily commend Bro. White to the confidence and sympathy of Christians everywhere, believing that the time is not far distant of which he can truly say,

"Then all the scoffs and scorn I've borne

For His dear sake who died for me.

To everlasting joys will turn,

In glorious immortality."

U. SMITH. )

G. W. AMADON. ) Committee

E. S. WALKER. )