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

Prof. C. B. Hughes Chosen to Lead

Just how the switch was brought about was not recorded, but the same letter reports: 4BIO 306.2

Brother Hughes is principal, and he will, I think, do well in this position. He has had experience in managing. I think there will be no trouble. But I have had to speak plainly, and keep out the breezes coming from Battle Creek.—Ibid. 4BIO 306.3

She reported that “Herbert and Brother Hughes get along nicely together.”—Ibid. In this, Lacey showed his true mettle; three days later, June 9, she could write: “Brother Herbert Lacey and his wife are teaching in the school, and are doing good work.”—Letter 33, 1897. 4BIO 306.4

But changes in attitudes and relationships and even in the understanding of principles come slowly. On July 15 Ellen White noted in her diary: 4BIO 306.5

Brother Herbert Lacey called and made a short visit. We engaged in profitable conversation. He stated that while in America at Healdsburg, he engaged in Bible studies. After going to Battle Creek, he went deeper into study but did not take Bible studies at all. Here he has lost much, for the most important of all education is to understand what saith the Scriptures—and yet he was ordained for the ministry when he had not fitted himself at all for such a position.... The Word of God is our lesson book, lying at the very foundation of true education. 4BIO 306.6

He is just beginning to understand that he has everything to learn. The Lord gave me a message for him and he says every word of it is truth and he wants to know himself. 4BIO 306.7

May the Lord mold and fashion him. The very first work he needs is thorough conversion. He is ignorant of the Scriptures and the power of God. This is the great mistake that has been made in this young man's education. Oh, that as a teacher in this school, he may be a learner.—Manuscript 174, 1897. 4BIO 306.8

Lillian Lacey fitted into the school program nicely as the teacher handling the fifteen children in what today would be called the grade school. “I understand,” wrote Ellen White on June 6, “that the children in the primary division are highly pleased with their teacher.”—Letter 140, 1897. 4BIO 307.1