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

Back Home at Sunnyside

Back at her Sunnyside home, quite worn from the journey to Queensland and the intensive labor there, Ellen White rested a few days and then turned to her literary work. Arrangements had been made for W. A. Colcord, who had been editing the Bible Echo and other journals published in Melbourne, to join her literary staff. He arrived at Cooranbong on Friday, November 25. She spoke that morning to the students in the summer school program. Sabbath, her seventy-first birthday, she spoke at the church and then early in the new week applied herself to the writing of letters. 4BIO 369.7

The evening after the Sabbath, December 10, the first copies of The Desire of Ages reached Cooranbong and Ellen White's home (12 WCW, p. 356). On December 16 W. C. White hastened off a letter to C. H. Jones, manager of the Pacific Press, telling of receiving copies of the book and extolling it: 4BIO 370.1

We received copies of The Desire of Ages. I am very much pleased with its general appearance, and I think the Pacific Press has done a noble work in the illustrations, in the typographical work, in the press work, and in the binding, and as we see the book completed we are well pleased with its general plan and form.... I am pleased to be able to tell you that Mother is very well pleased with the book.— Ibid., 386. 4BIO 370.2

Thursday, December 15, the American mail brought letters from G. A. Irwin, Mrs. Henry, and Dr. Kellogg. 4BIO 370.3

The letter from Elder Irwin, president of the General Conference, was an invitation to attend the session of the General Conference to be held at South Lancaster in February, 1899. She responded: 4BIO 370.4

You ask me to come to your conference in America. I was 71 years old the twenty-sixth of November. But this is not the reason I plead for not attending your conference. We have done what we could here. We have advanced slowly, planting the standard of truth in every place possible. But the dearth of means has been a serious hindrance. We have had to work at a great disadvantage for want of facilities, we have had to meet and breast many discouragements. We dare not show one particle of unbelief. We advance just as far as we can see, and then go far ahead of sight, moving by faith.... 4BIO 370.5

We strip ourselves of everything we can possibly spare in the line of money, for the openings are so many and the necessities so great. We have hired money until I have been compelled to say, I cannot donate more. My workers are the best, most faithful and devoted girls I ever expect to find. In order to advance the work I have donated the wages that should have been paid them. When the last call was made, my name was not on the list for the first time. The openings are abundant, but we are obliged to move very slowly. The work that ought to have been done has not been done, and I cannot feel at liberty to leave here now.... I have written these particulars that you may understand why I cannot attend your conference.... There is nothing for me to do but to remain here until the work is placed on a solid foundation.—Letter 125, 1898. 4BIO 370.6