One of the most scathing letters in the EG White Estate archives was directed at the beloved church in Battle Creek and involved Hannah More, who came knocking at various doors in July 1867, seeking employment, especially as a teacher, and thus join herself to the fledgling movement.

Alas, although the beloved saints were friendly, courteous and delighted to meet her, a place could not be found for her. Dejected, she left for northern Michigan after eight days, after her funds have been almost depleted. She had a standing invitation from George Thompson and his family whom she met in Liberia, Africa and took up abode with them. She tried to tie herself to the Seventh Day Adventist family but fortuitously found rest with a family who loved her.

Upon hearing of what transpired James White wrote and asked her to come and stay with them, but circumstances would not allow it. She breathed her last in Michigan during the winter of 1868, a mere 60 years old. The Thompsons wrote a letter to the Battle Creek church, informing them of her death and fully expecting that they will come to fetch her, better in death than not at all. Thus they placed her in a temporary grave in Leelanau County, Michigan. Her tombstone inscription reads: "In Memory of Hannah More, Missionary to Africa 59 Years and 3 Months, To be with Christ is far better. Phil. 1:23".

But no-one came... ever. Maybe her temporary grave is a type that should remind us of our pilgrimage, looking forward to the time when our temporary abode will be replaced for the permanent. 

Hannah More was known to and respected by all the saints in Battle Creek. She wasn't pretty, she wasn't witty, she was rough around the edges. She looked forward to a greater reward and spent most of her means on progressing the cause of her Desire, evidenced in her poor sense of fashion. She was the first Seventh Day Adventist missionary to Africa, unofficially and 8 years before JN Andrews crossed the ocean to Europe. While in Africa, working for another denomination, she convinced a fellow missionary, one Dickenson of Australian descent, of the Advent truth. Their church did not take kindly to them spreading the Advent message and released them from their missionary duties. Dickenson returned to Australia and started the advent work there. This was before a party of 11 people was sent to Australia and New Zealand in 1885, to plant a church. (For more information on this party, click here.) Thus Hannah can be credited with starting the work on not one but two continents, even before she was a baptised member.

Outraged, Ellen Write wrote: "In the case of Sister Hannah More, I was shown that the neglect of her was the neglect of Jesus in her person. Had the Son of God come in the humble, unpretending manner in which He journeyed from place to place when He was upon earth, He would have met with no better reception." Read the full letter here.

In turn, the Battle Creek church felt that the Whites were exaggerating.

Hannah More's story must be told. Some research has been done into her life and what a life it is! Read more about her amazing story on 3ABN, the testimonies and on EGW Estate.