Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

On to the Continent

The journey from London to Dover by train took several hours, but Ellen White enjoyed the fresh green countryside, noting what a contrast it made to the “dry, brown fields of a rainless California autumn.” EGWE 45.5

The channel crossing was rough enough to produce considerable seasickness. But she was not sick at all herself. At Calais, France, after an hour-and-a-half crossing, they met Brother Brown, a local literature evangelist, who supplied them with a welcome basket of pears, grapes, peaches, and nuts. EGWE 45.6

Bound for Basel, W. C. White tried to get a sleeping car for his mother, but the eleven dollars extra charge discouraged that idea. The Whites—mother and son—were frugal in their use of the Lord's money. Fortunately, however, they were able to get a through car. EGWE 46.1

At six o'clock the next morning, September 3, they reached Basel, Switzerland, where she was to make her headquarters for two eventful years. Soon after her arrival she wrote: EGWE 46.2

“Here we are in Europe at last. We have come through safely and have had a pleasant journey—no accident or harm has come to any of us.”—Letter 22, 1885. EGWE 46.3