Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891 (vol. 3)

An Overwhelming Burden for Battle Creek

Suffering from the excessive heat of the summer, early in July Ellen White proposed to seek a climate where she could work to better advantage, most likely Colorado (The Review and Herald, July 19, 1881). Then a sense of the condition of the cause in Battle Creek, and especially of the youth, rolled upon her with such force that she gave up any plan to leave. She determined to devote her strength to the work there. Smith states: 3BIO 164.4

On making this decision, she felt at once a marked return of bodily and mental vigor, giving good evidence that this determination was in the line of duty.—Ibid. 3BIO 164.5

Taking the lead, she spoke in the Tabernacle on Thursday evening, July 14, and again Friday evening. She also took the Sabbath services both morning and afternoon. “The Lord gave me a message for the people,” she wrote to William and Mary in Oakland. “They were stirred.”—Letter 8a, 1881. 3BIO 164.6

She mentioned what, under the circumstances, must have been a significant meeting that most likely took place late Sabbath afternoon, July 16, or the evening after the Sabbath. Of this she said, “I read a large number of pages to Dr. Kellogg and Father.”Just what she read and said is not disclosed, but no doubt she told of the dream wherein they had gathered stones to be used in stoning each other. She gave an interesting account of the momentous week that followed in Battle Creek: 3BIO 165.1

Sunday night I spoke to the office workers. Here I had special freedom. Monday night, meetings again in Tabernacle; Tuesday night I called all the responsible men of church and institutions and read the document I had written expressly for the benefit of Dr. Kellogg and Father; Wednesday night, meeting in Tabernacle.—Ibid. 3BIO 165.2

As Uriah Smith brought to a close his Review and Herald report of the good work done in Battle Creek, he exclaimed: 3BIO 165.3

Oh, that all might be enabled to heed the good words of counsel and admonition! Then would the spirit of religion revive in all our hearts, and the cause of Christ would flourish in our midst.—The Review and Herald, July 19, 1881. 3BIO 165.4

Ellen White gave an account of her personal experience in a letter to her children in the West: 3BIO 165.5

Up to the time I had commenced this work I was sick, but the Lord gave me strength. I did not get to rest until near midnight, and labored all through the day, writing. Wednesday night I felt I must have rest. A nervous twitching seized my thumb and I could have no control over it. It jerked continually. I feared paralysis.—Letter 8a, 1881. 3BIO 165.6