From the time that the property passed into the
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hands of the Association, to the time of Eld. White's sickness, for his entire
services as President of the Association, having the care of all its business, and a
portion of the time being editor of the Review, and for his labors in the ministry,
preaching almost every Sabbath, and having many other cares and labors for the
church and cause generally, he received the small compensation of from $7 to
$10 each week. The books of the Association show that from June 3, 1861, to
April 24, 1863, Eld. White received $7 per week. From April 24, 1863, to October
30, 1863, he received $8 per week. From Oct. 30, 1863, to April 14, 1865, he
received $9 per week. From April 14, 1865, to Aug. 15, 1865, he received $10
per week. On the last-named day he was stricken down with paralysis.
During all this time, Sr. White received nothing for her services. She labored
efficiently with her husband from place to place and with the church at Battle
Creek, and did a great amount of important writing in the form of epistles to
individuals and to churches throughout the entire field. No preacher among us
labored more ardently and efficiently than Sr. White. In consequence of their
house being a home for visiting brethren, she had to keep two hired girls - one in
the kitchen, and one to do general housework and sewing; yet no provision was
made for the expense of hired help in the family, and the extra wear and tear of
clothing in traveling. And, to say nothing of these expenses, Eld. White's limited
wages met only in part his general expenses, and the expenses of so large a
family.
In this state of things, Eld. White resorted to the sale of Bibles,
Concordances, Bible Dictionaries, Bible Atlases, and works of this kind, as a
means of support. He sent these books out by mail and express to all parts of the
country. He took them with him, East and West, and his sales were very large, so
that the profits were probably more in a year than his entire wages. This enabled
him to meet his large expenses, and give for benevolent and charitable
purposes. In this he
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wronged himself. In connection with his other arduous labors, this extra effort
was very taxing. But there was a wrong back of this. It was the neglect on the
part of our people to pay Sr. White for her valuable services.
When Eld. White removed to Battle Creek, he lived for a considerable time in
a hired house. After this, by the assistance of friends, rather by their direct
donation, he obtained one acre and a half of land, still covered with forest trees,
and situated in the extreme western part of Battle Creek. On this piece of land,
by the aid of the friends in Battle Creek and some other places, he erected a
moderate-sized cottage house, which cost some $500; and with the same
friendly aid he cleared off his new land, and converted it into a garden and a
small orchard of fruit trees. Here he lived several years. During this time this
increased in value by the rise of property so that he sold it for $1500. It has since
been sold for $2000.
Wishing to live nearer the Office, and having a chance to purchase a suitable
place at a very reasonable price, at the corner of Washington and Champion
streets, he bought the same for $1300. Here he lived at the time of his paralytic
shock. He made improvements upon the house, and upon the grounds in fruit
trees, grapes, and small fruits, amounting to about $1200. The rise of property in
the city opened his way again to sell to advantage. This place sold for $4500.
Soon after this he invested his means in the purchase of a house and eleven
acres of land, a little way out of the city, which cost him, after some additions
made to the house, and the building of a small barn, some $5000.
In the spring of 1867, on account of his great prostration, and that he might be
free from Office burdens, he removed to Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich. In
consequence of this removal, he sold the place last purchased in Battle Creek;
for this he was to receive $6000. But failing to obtain the payments as they
became due, he has suffered much embarrassment. A very large part of his
entire property is thus seen to be
