Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

Chapter 30—First Adventist Camp Meeting In Europe

Hundreds flock to Moss, Norway

When Ellen White reached Copenhagen en route to Moss, Norway, and the first camp meeting in Europe, she was surprised to find Danish royalty and dignitaries at the station. “Men dressed in scarlet ... were brilliantly flashing everywhere,” and a Brussels carpet was laid down ceremoniously from the car to the station. EGWE 297.1

Why all the excitement? Someone said that the Crown Prince of Denmark had been on the train. The crown prince, later to be King Frederick VII, was indeed at the station, but had not been on the train. EGWE 297.2

The crown prince's brother, Valdemar, and his wife, Marie, were there, as well, for Marie's mother, the Duchess of Chartres, had been traveling on the train with Ellen White. The Danish royal family was intermarried with most of the royal houses of Europe at this time, and it is little wonder that the people were confused and Mrs. White misinformed. EGWE 297.3

The Danish king at this time was called the “Father-in-law of Europe.” ^* Crown Prince Frederick was married to a Swedish princess; the oldest daughter, Alexandra, married the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England; the next son, William, became King George I of Greece; Valdemar, the other prince Ellen White saw, was married into the French nobility. Dagmar, the next oldest child, was married to Czar Alexander III of Russia; and finally, the youngest girl, Thyra, was married to the British Duke of Cumberland. EGWE 297.4

The royal entourage passed through an arched doorway to a carriage surrounded by plumed soldiers and was soon on its way to the palace. Ellen White left in a hack and went to much more humble quarters. EGWE 298.1

No Brussels carpet was spread for her, no assemblage of royal figures received her with honor, but the humble saints of God, the royalty of Heaven's kingdom, were waiting in Copenhagen for her and the message she would bring from the King of kings. EGWE 298.2

On Friday she took dinner with Edward G. Olsen and his wife, Elizabeth. Olsen, the younger brother of O. A. Olsen, had been in Copenhagen since the previous October. Under his ministry, the church had grown until it now numbered more than fifty members. The Olsens had a new week-old baby, their first child. With such important visitors, Elizabeth did not want to be thought lazy, so she was up and working much earlier than was customary in those days. Ellen White appreciated her loving interest but was genuinely concerned about her “imprudence.” EGWE 298.3