Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

A Disappointing Board Meeting

As the week progressed, she and Willie tried to walk out twice a day, going often to the king's palace and gardens. But her labor with the church was not over. On Monday she had a very pleasant interview with the Hansens, who invited her to come to their home later in the week. But that evening a church board meeting was held in order to discipline the members who had persisted in their criticism and faultfinding. Matteson, who had delayed so long to take this step, had difficulty in handling the situation. EGWE 205.2

“There was not the wisest course taken. These offending ones were cut off while a spirit of harshness and severity was manifested, rather than a spirit of sorrow and pity and love for them” (Ibid.). This naturally aroused the offenders, and they became defiant and combative. The situation was anything but pleasant, and when the vote was taken, a few voted in favor of disfellowshiping, but several did not vote at all. Even some who had been grieved by the slander of the offenders remained silent. EGWE 205.3

Matteson was so upset when so few supported him that he hastily resigned as president of the publishing association and as an elder of the church. “Thus matters were in a bad jumble,” Ellen White said, and the next day she and Willie had to have a long talk with Matteson to persuade him to reconsider his emotional decision (Ibid.). EGWE 205.4