Life Sketches of Ellen G. White

Development Through Faithful Service

The action of the General Conference Committee in making liberal appropriations for the translation and printing of several large books in German and French at Basel, had given much work to the Imprimerie Polyglotte. This opened the way for the employment of a score of young men and women who were very glad to connect with so educational a work. LS 288.1

Seeing that the young people were eager to study the Bible and the languages, the management arranged classes in Bible, history, Bible doctrines, and English grammar, for those who wished to attend. These classes were usually held from 6:30 to 7:30 in the morning. With marvelous rapidity the French boys mastered both the German and the English language, and the German boys both the French and the English. At the same time they grew in stature and in wisdom. LS 288.2

Several times the morning classes gave place for a week or ten days to a series of religious meetings. In these Mrs. White took a leading part, and she seemed never to weary in her efforts to encourage the young people to fit themselves for efficient service in the cause of Christ. She urged them to improve their opportunities, to be diligent in work and in study; and she told them that it had been shown her that if they were faithful, God would use them to carry the truth to many people near and afar off; that if they kept near the Lord, they would become mighty in His work; and that some of them would be called to positions of large responsibility. LS 288.3

There are many who can bear witness to the remarkable fulfillment of this prediction. In later years, one of these young men held for several terms the presidency of the Latin Union Conference; another, the presidency of the Swiss Conference; another has been superintendent of the Levant Union Mission. Others have been preachers, translators, editors, teachers, and managers of large publishing interests. LS 289.1

[Note.—As reported in 1915, the following positions of trust were held by some of those in that company at Basel, Switzerland:

a. Manager of publishing work in the Latin Union Conference.

b. Manager of the Gland Sanitarium.

c. President of the Latin Union Conference.

d. Superintendent of the Levant Union Mission.

e. Director of the northern France field.

f. Teacher in Latin Union School.

g. Matron of the Gland Sanitarium.

h. Editor and evangelist in Quebec.]