Chapter 11—Marriage and Subsequent Labors
August 30, 1846, I was united in marriage to Elder James White.
Elder White had enjoyed a deep experience in the advent movement,
and his labors in proclaiming the truth had been blessed of God. Our
hearts were united in the great work, and together we traveled and
labored for the salvation of souls.
We entered upon our work penniless, with few friends, and broken
in health. My husband had inherited a powerful constitution, but his
health had been seriously impaired by close application to study at
school, and in lecturing. I had suffered ill-health from a child, as I
have related. In this condition, without means, with very few who
sympathized with us in our views, without a paper, and without books,
we entered upon our work. We had no houses of worship at that time.
And the idea of using a tent had not then occurred to us. Most of our
meetings were held in private houses. Our congregations were small.
It was seldom that any came into our meetings excepting Adventists,
unless they were attracted by curiosity to hear a woman speak.
At first I moved out timidly in the work of public speaking. If I
had confidence, it was given me by the Holy Spirit. If I spoke with
freedom and power, it was given me of God. Our meetings were
usually conducted in such a manner that both of us took part. My
husband would give a doctrinal discourse, then I would follow with an
exhortation of considerable length, melting my way into the feelings
of the congregation. Thus my husband sowed and I watered the seed
of truth, and God did give the increase.
In the autumn of 1846 we began to observe the Bible Sabbath, and
to teach and defend it. My attention was first called to the Sabbath
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while I was on a visit to New Bedford, Massachusetts, earlier in the
same year. I there became acquainted with Elder Joseph Bates, who
had early embraced the advent faith, and was an active laborer in the
cause. Elder B. was keeping the Sabbath, and urged its importance. I
did not feel its importance, and thought that Elder B. erred in dwelling
upon the fourth commandment more than upon the other nine. But the
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