Ellen White: Woman of Vision

The Move To Washington, D.C.

To move the General Conference offices from their rented quarters in the West Building of the Review and Herald would be quite simple. But to close up the business of the publishing house in Battle Creek and reestablish it elsewhere would involve legal and deeply emotional factors. WV 428.2

The Review and Herald constituency meeting that convened in Battle Creek from April 21 to 29, 1903, was far from tranquil. Church leaders and the majority of the constituency favored the move from Battle Creek, but a relatively few constituent members bitterly opposed it. The Spirit of Prophecy counsels were clearly the deciding factor. The final vote was overwhelmingly in favor of moving. But the vote did not resolve legal matters. The General Conference and the publishing house had been closely connected through the years, and now in the proposed move, both were involved and both must be considered at the same time. The question was whether the move was to be to one location or two. WV 428.3

On May 15 Elder Daniells addressed a letter to Ellen White in which he indicated his need for divine guidance. This appeal for divine help was typical of his letters during the next five months. To this appeal Mrs. White replied immediately: WV 428.4

Dear Brother Daniells,

We have received your letter in regard to the selection of a place for the Review and Herald publishing house. WV 428.5

I have no special light, except what you have already received, in reference to New York and the other large cities that have not been worked. Decided efforts should be made in Washington, D. C.... WV 428.6

May the Lord help us to move understandingly and prayerfully. I am sure that He is willing that we should know, and that right early, where we should locate our publishing house. I am satisfied that our only safe course is to be ready to move just when the cloud moves (Letter 95, 1903). WV 428.7

The committee that was appointed in mid-June to seek a suitable location found two promising sites. One was a 97-acre (39-hectare) tract 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of New York at Fishkill, New York, on the Hudson River, where a retired businessman had built a 40-room hotel with many attractive features. It was for sale for $12,000. WV 428.8

A portion of the locating committee, including Elder Daniells, mindful of Ellen White's instruction to give careful consideration to the advantages of Washington, spent four days there and were immediately impressed that the environs of that city possessed many favorable qualities as headquarters for the church. WV 429.1