Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
📖

James S. White

philosophy religion Maturity 5-7 religion death dying Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: religion, death_dying. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

James White was a very important leader. He helped start the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

James and Ellen White family (1865) (unframed)
James and Ellen White family (1865) (unframed)

He worked closely with his wife, Ellen G. White. Together, they helped many people learn about their faith. James was a writer and a preacher too. He also helped organize how the church would work. He spent many years helping this group grow into a large community.

James S. White signature
James S. White signature

James's life began in Palmyra, Maine. He was born on August 4, 1821. He was the fifth child in a family of nine. As a young boy, James was often sick. He also had trouble seeing well. This made it hard for him to go to school. He had to work on his family farm instead. Later, his eyesight improved. He went to a local academy at age 16. He even became a teacher for a short time.

Historic Adventist Village - Home of James and Ellen White (lateral)
Historic Adventist Village - Home of James and Ellen White (lateral)

James decided to become a preacher. He heard special messages at a camp meeting in Exeter, Maine. In 1843, he became a minister. He was a very powerful speaker. One winter, 1,000 people joined his group because of his words. He met Ellen Harmon while he was traveling. They married on August 30, 1846. They had four sons named Henry, James, William, and John.

James and Ellen White family (1865) (unframed)
James and Ellen White family (1865) (unframed)

James used writing to help his church. In 1849, he started a paper called The Present Truth. In 1850, it became the Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. This paper helped people share their ideas.

James S. White signature
James S. White signature

In 1855, he moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. He helped start Battle Creek College in 1874. He also led the church in many ways. He served as president several times. He wrote many books, like Life Incidents in 1868.

Life was not always easy for James. He had a stroke in 1865. Later, he decided to retire from his work. In 1881, he became very sick with a fever. He went to the Battle Creek Sanitarium for help. A doctor named Kellogg tried to help him. Sadly, James died on August 6, 1881.

Oak Hill Cemetery - James and Ellen White
Oak Hill Cemetery - James and Ellen White

He is remembered for everything he built for his church.

344 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:James S. White signature.svg
James S. White signature.svg
File:James and Ellen White family (1865) (unframed).jpg
James and Ellen White family (1865) (unframed).jpg
File:Historic_Adventist_Village_-_Home_of_James_and_Ellen_White_(lateral).jpg
Historic_Adventist_Village_-_Home_of_James...
File:Oak_Hill_Cemetery_-_James_and_Ellen_White.jpg
Oak_Hill_Cemetery_-_James_and_Ellen_White.jpg
More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.