Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

Response of the Committee

As soon as she had finished, Mr. Hansen stood up. “I do not consider these as idle tales,” he responded. “I receive them, and believe the truth has been spoken to us this morning and I thank Sister White for saying them.” EGWE 204.2

Hansen's response was important because, although he had withdrawn for a time from church membership, he was still a very influential man in the church. His own problem had involved Sabbath observance. As a building contractor, he employed many other men, and he had been settling up business accounts on the Sabbath because it was convenient to do so. EGWE 204.3

Ellen White had been writing to Hansen “close, earnest” letters, warning him “in love,” she said, “pleading in Christ's stead for him to save his soul.” EGWE 204.4

After the ordeal of the committee meeting she felt “weak as a child.” EGWE 204.5

“This bearing plain testimonies affects me much. I always dislike to give pain, but when I see evil and its tendency to weaken and destroy the church discipline ... I cannot hold my peace. I have to speak and in the name of the Lord seek to repress the incoming tide of evil.”—Manuscript 66, 1886. EGWE 204.6

At times like this, Willie White knew his mother needed some rest and recreation. He hired a carriage and took her for a two-hour ride through the forest parks owned by the city. There, as they passed the families with their picnic baskets, and drove along the margin of beautiful lakes, she could relax and refresh herself. “We enjoyed this ride very much,” she said. “We felt peaceful and rested” (Ibid.) EGWE 205.1