Name James White Role Ellen G. White's husband | Grandchildren Arthur L. White | |
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Born August 4, 1821 ( 1821-08-04 ) Palmyra, Maine Occupation President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Author
Teacher
Preacher Died August 6, 1881, Battle Creek Sanitarium Spouse Ellen G. White (m. 1846–1881) Children William C. White, Edson White, Henry Nichols White, John Herbert White Books A Word to the "little Flock", Life Incidents, The Biblical Institute, Christian Temperance and Bible, Life Incidents - in Conne Similar People Ellen G White, Joseph Bates, J N Andrews, Uriah Smith, William Miller | ||
James White
James Springer White (August 4, 1821 in Palmyra, Maine – August 6, 1881 in Battle Creek, Michigan), 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" (now the Adventist Review), 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 (which is now Andrews University).
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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 and briefly taught at an elementary school. He was baptized into the Christian Connexion at age 16. 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. During these early travels he met Ellen G. Harmon whom he married on August 30, 1846. James and Ellen 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).
Adventist Service
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. 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 author. A list of some of his most notable publications is below: