Ellen White: Woman of Vision

The Funeral Service

As had been planned, A. G. Daniells presented the “sketch”; it was more of a history that recounted Ellen White's life and the contribution she had made to the church and the world. S. N. Haskell presented a well-prepared funeral sermon on the surety of the hope of one who dies in Christ Jesus. F. M. Wilcox, editor of the Review and Herald, read the Scripture lesson. His brother, M. C. Wilcox, longtime book editor at the Pacific Press, offered the prayer, thanking God for the light and blessing that had come through His servant. WV 549.1

Following the service, the throng made its way across the city to Oak Hill Cemetery. It was no doubt Battle Creek's largest funeral procession, with more than 100 vehicles. The July 25 Enquirer described it: WV 549.2

Thousands followed the hearse to the cemetery. For this purpose every carriage in the city was used, and there were a number of automobiles. And then besides this, there were nine streetcars. No fares were collected on these cars, as they were provided by the church (DF 758). WV 549.3

The service at the cemetery was brief and impressive. A double quartet sang, I. H. Evans read appropriate scriptures, G. B. Thompson offered prayer, and then “the remains of our dear sister were tenderly and silently lowered into the grave to rest beside the body of her husband, Elder James White, who was buried in the same plot in 1881” (DF 756, In Memoriam, p. 24). WV 549.4