James Springer 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).

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).

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.

White was a prolific author. A list of some of his most notable publications is below:

• 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

• 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.