Ellen White: Woman of Vision

Chapter 13—Time Of Mellowing

As the work proliferated, Ellen and James faced the problem of where they should most profitably devote their time and add their presence. They could not be in Battle Creek and California at the same time. They could not be in New England and pioneer the work in Texas and Kansas. No wonder Ellen on their caravan trip questioned, “Was all this necessary and in the line of duty?” And no wonder James inquired again and again, “Where are the men to do the work?” WV 198.1

They had not been in the West since 1878. Now reports were coming from California that since Loughborough had been assigned to the newly opened work in England proper provision had not been made for the growing work in the West. Help was needed. It was thought advisable to send S. N. Haskell and WV 198.2

W. C. White to spend a few months in California. Two weeks later these men, accompanied by Ellen White, were on their way to California.

James remained in the East to care for the many administrative duties he had willingly accepted at the General Conference session, to pastor the church and to push ahead with such publishing interests as the issuance of Life Sketches of James and Ellen White. WV 198.3

After her arrival in Oakland, Ellen threw herself into the program of strengthening the church. She spoke that first Sabbath in the Oakland church, and the San Francisco members were invited to attend. WV 198.4

Two camp meetings were planned for late spring in the North Pacific Conference, which comprised the state of Oregon and the Washington Territory. The first was to be east of the Cascade Mountains at Milton, May 20 to 31; the second, west of the mountains, June 9 to 15, in the vicinity of Salem. “Mrs. E. G. White will be present at both our camp meetings,” read the notice in the April 22 issue of the Signs of the Times. “It will be a most favorable opportunity for all our brethren and sisters to become acquainted with her, and receive the valuable instruction she is able to give.” After wrestling with the matter of the proposed trip for some days, she wrote to James: WV 198.5

If the Lord places the burden on me, I must go however unpleasant I may regard the matter. I do not want to move one step farther than the Lord shall direct by His Holy Spirit. I fear sometimes it is a cowardly dread of the water that makes me not decide at once to go to Oregon. But I mean not to study my will but the will of God.... Oh, I tremble for myself, lest after I have preached to others, “I myself should be a castaway” (Letter 22, 1880). WV 198.6

The Lord did place the burden on her. Three days later she wrote: “I shall go to Oregon the sixth of May—shall remain two months unless I see more clear light” (Letter 24, 1880). She made the trip, accompanied by Mary White and S. N. Haskell. They sailed from San Francisco on the steamer California, Thursday, May 6, arriving at Portland Sunday morning, May 9 (The Signs of the Times, May 13, 1880). Then they hastened on up the Columbia River to eastern Oregon and Walla Walla. For a few days she and Haskell held meetings there, speaking Sabbath and Sunday, May 15 and WV 199.1

16. She also spoke in Walla Walla on three nights. Other meetings followed—one at Milton, Oregon, and another at Salem. Haskell then returned to California. Ellen and Mary left a few days later. Between meetings she was busy writing. WV 199.2