Ellen G. White: The Later Elmshaven Years: 1905-1915 (vol. 6)

Advance! Advance! Advance!

Ever alert to what is required of a Christian, Ellen White sensed the importance of a positive attitude. Crisler wrote of this to W. C. White the evening of December 2. 6BIO 413.5

She says she does not wish to make any great noise about having courage continually, although she has; and she adds that the very fact that members of the household are waked up at times hearing her repeating the promises of God and claiming them as her own is proof that she still has battles of her own to fight against Satan. The enemy is still in the land of the living, and we must needs plead the promises; but we may have strong faith in God's power to deliver, and our hearts may be filled with courage. 6BIO 413.6

The next day, as Crisler went over another chapter for the Old Testament history, Ellen White told him of a recent experience. Here is how he reported it: 6BIO 414.1

Sister White says that during the night season she hears voices saying, “Advance! Advance! Advance! Press the battle to the gate!”—CCC to WCW, December 3, 1914. 6BIO 414.2

Crisler commented, “She seems to apply this to the completion of the work of the Lord in all parts of the earth, also to the completion of important book work.... I believe the Lord would have us all take courage, and press forward steadily.”— Ibid. 6BIO 414.3

A few days later he wrote of the words spoken by Sister White that kept ringing in his ears, “Advance, advance, advance!” This was also true of others who learned of the experience.—CCC to WCW, December 8, 1914. 6BIO 414.4

On Monday, December 14, Crisler reported to W. C. White that Ellen White's day-to-day condition remained about the same. He tried to visit her, he wrote, “as often as she is able to consider matters with zest,” which was, as a rule, sometimes once, sometimes twice, daily. He had skipped days, but he said such was exceptional. On this particular day and the day before, he went over the Daniel portion anew with Sister White. She seemed to enjoy rehearsing the Daniel story, the reading of which revived old memories on her part. The visit gave Crisler an opportunity to do additional work on the manuscript (CCC to WCW, December 14 and 17, 1914). 6BIO 414.5

Mid-December seemed to mark an encouraging rallying point in Ellen White's physical condition, and for several weeks she was able to give more attention than usual to the literary tasks. On one Sabbath afternoon, Crisler called to see her, and of the visit reported: 6BIO 414.6

We had a good visit, and by the time we were through, it was about the close of Sabbath, so we had worship. She united with us in the prayer service, and had freedom.... 6BIO 415.1

Your folks came in to see your mother just as we were closing worship.—CCC to WCW, December 20, 1914. 6BIO 415.2

Crisler also reported on his Sunday visit to the Elmshaven home: 6BIO 415.3

This afternoon, when I went into the sitting room to see your mother, I found her reading the Review. She was much interested in the various articles and reports; and afterward in the course of our conversation she said she believes that God is blessing our writers and others who write for our periodicals.

She feels also that the Lord will continue to work through these writers, if they do their part in taking a living interest in the advancement of the work, and labor earnestly to strengthen the faith of all in the Advent Movement. “The Lord will take a special interest,” she declared, “in those who do His work in such a way as to bring glory to His name.”— Ibid. 6BIO 415.4