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

Chapter 36—(1899-1900) Finishing Touches of Ellen White's Ministry in Australia

As the union conference session closed on Sunday, July 23, and the delegates parted, none realized the changes that would take place during the year ahead or how, in the providence of God, the field was becoming well prepared to cope with these changes. They knew, of course, that they were losing Elder and Mrs. Haskell, for Elder Irwin, feeling America's need, was taking them back with him. They had been a bulwark of strength, both in the school and in evangelism. They would sail within a few weeks. The delegates did not know that A. G. Daniells, who had been in the Australasian field for more than ten years and had developed into a strong leader, would be leaving the coming April for South Africa and then the United States. Nor did they have any idea that Ellen White and her staff would be leaving in August, 1900, just a year away, and of course, W. C. White and his family would be going with her. Not even Ellen White dreamed of such changes. 4BIO 434.1

For her, things would go on, following the union conference session, for some months about as they had. At her Sunnyside home she would continue with her writing, and with her staff continue article and book preparation. She would continue to go out over weekends to meet with the churches and companies of new believers. As summer came she would attend the camp meetings at Toowoomba in Queensland; at Maitland, nearby; and then Geelong, near Melbourne in Victoria. Not until March, 1900, would she make it known that she must return to America, a decision reached reluctantly, motivated by direction from heaven. 4BIO 434.2