Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

82/212

Chapter 14—The First Visit to Italy

Attack by “friend” and foe

Arriving back in Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday evening, November 20, Ellen White found Mary K. White healthy, but granddaughter Ella,* now almost four, was ill, but not seriously. So it was good to be “home” again. EGWE 133.1

Many times in the months ahead she would return to her home base in Basel, then venture forth as God's messenger to deliver His word to the people. This was the pattern of her labors in Europe. EGWE 133.2

W. C. White, who arrived in New York a week after his mother's return to Basel, wrote instructions to Mary his wife: “I suppose Mother will be let down after her long, hard journey. You must help her rest. Make dresses, ride out, walk around, kill time, and give nature a chance to strengthen her for another campaign.”—W. C. White, November 28, 1885. But Willie's hope that his mother might get some rest before another “campaign” had been thwarted long before he even wrote about it. On her first full day in Basel, B. L. Whitney told her she was needed in Italy immediately. A. C. Bourdeau, who went there just after the European Council, badly needed encouragement and help. EGWE 133.3

The very next evening Whitney returned for another long interview, this time about the spiritual health of the workers in the office, especially the younger ones. Sister White's work was cut out for her before she had any chance to think of making dresses, riding, walking, or resting. EGWE 134.1