Ellen G. White: The Australian Years: 1891-1900 (vol. 4)

The New Experience of James Edson White

Responding to his mother's appeal in which she recounted his perils shown to her as one endangered by the undertow, Edson White enjoyed a thorough reconversion and desired again to enter the service of the Lord. She understood well the attacks the enemy would attempt to make to regain his lost prey. She wrote him often. 4BIO 132.4

Edson's heart had been stirred as he read in Battle Creek his mother's appeal for something to be done among the neglected blacks in the Southern States. His exuberant letters told of his plans to build a missionary boat and sail it down the Mississippi River as a base for work among the blacks. Knowing Edson's proclivity for adventure and his weakness in handling business matters, Ellen White entertained misgivings. She wished he and his wife, Emma, could be with her in Australia. She wrote on May 2: 4BIO 132.5

In regard to the boat, I can only say, “The will of the Lord be done.” If this is the Lord's plan, I have not a sign of an objection to it; but I feel deeply over the fact that you are not with us in the work. I am more disappointed than I can express.... I have not been able to get over this disappointment without tears.—Letter 79, 1894. 4BIO 132.6

She followed with deep interest and many prayers the building, launching, and sailing of the Morning Star and its evangelistic and educational thrust along the rivers flowing through the Southern part of the United States. 4BIO 132.7