Ellen White: Woman of Vision

The Bible School Opens

At opening exercises for the school, A. G. Daniells and G. C. Tenney spoke first, then Mrs. White, who had to be carried onto the platform. She seemed to lose sight of the small constituency, of the adverse financial conditions, and the mere handful of students. With a vision of an unfinished task in a world with many continents yet untouched by the third angel's message, she declared: WV 283.7

The missionary work in Australia and New Zealand is yet in its infancy, but the same work must be accomplished in Australia, New Zealand, in Africa, India, China, and the islands of the sea, as has been accomplished in the home field (The Bible Echo, Supplement, September 1, 1892 [quoted in Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 338]). WV 283.8

W. C. White followed with a review of the development of school work among Seventh-day Adventists and set forth some of the conditions of success and some of the elements of danger. WV 284.1

One month after the school opened Mrs. White reported joyfully: WV 284.2

The school is certainly doing well. The students are the very best. They are quiet, and are trying to get all the good possible. They all like Elder Rousseau and his wife as teachers (Letter 54, 1892). WV 284.3

Three months later she wrote to Elder Olsen: WV 284.4

The faculty have made few rules, and have not had one case where discipline was required. Peace and harmony have reigned from first to last. The presence of Jesus has been in the school from its beginning, and the Lord has wrought upon the minds of teachers and pupils (Letter 46, 1892). WV 284.5

As she wrote to another of this, she explained: WV 284.6

They [the students] would never have been able to enjoy the advantages of the school unless someone did help them, and as no one assumed the responsibility, it dropped on me. I carried several through the first term of school, and am paying the expenses of six during the present term, and the number may swell to eight (Letter 65, 1893). WV 284.7