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

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The Assurance Finally Came

Then something, to her quite remarkable, took place: 3BIO 289.4

Although I had prayed for months that the Lord would make my path so plain that I would know that I was making no mistake, still I was obliged to say that God hangs a mist before my eyes. But when I had taken my seat on the cars, the assurance came that I was moving in accordance with the will of God.... The sweet peace that God alone can give was imparted to me, and like a wearied child, I found rest in Jesus.—Ibid., September 15, 1885.

This was her twenty-fifth trip to or from the West Coast. On Monday, July 20, they reached Battle Creek and were met by Edson and taken to his home for lunch. Tuesday was very warm, but she rode out to Oak Hill Cemetery, took a treatment at the Sanitarium, and visited the Review and Herald office. In the room there that had been set aside for her use and that of her husband, she “looked over my books,” and “took such as I wanted” (Manuscript 16a, 1885). She visited here and there in Battle Creek, and was often drawn in with the brethren for counsel. On Sabbath morning she spoke in the Tabernacle. 3BIO 290.1

Sabbath afternoon she spoke again for about forty minutes. She declined an invitation to speak on temperance on Sunday in the public square, but she took an evening meeting at the Sanitarium, addressing about four hundred. Tuesday evening she read a manuscript of thirty pages to the faculty, physicians, and workers at the Sanitarium. It related to physicians, physician training, and other matters having to do with the institution. This was later published in a tract and is on file as Manuscript 4a, 1885. 3BIO 290.2

Closing up her activities in Battle Creek Wednesday morning, she took her noonday meal at the Sanitarium and was off to Massachusetts on the two-thirty train. Once settled in the car, she wrote a letter to A. R. Henry concerning matters at the Sanitarium. She was very weary when she arrived at Worcester, where she was to spend a few days joining D. M. Canright and R. S. Webber in their evangelistic tent meetings. Friday night, Sabbath morning, and again Sunday night, she spoke to large audiences. On Monday she drove the seventeen miles to South Lancaster, arriving in time for dinner. She noted in her diary that “dinner was acceptable, for we were hungry.”—Manuscript 16a, 1885. 3BIO 290.3

Here she was supposed to rest at the Harris home, but writing articles for the papers and letters to individuals she had begun at Worcester demanded her attention. On Friday, after writing for a few hours, at ten in the morning she left for Boston, where she and those traveling with her were to take ship for Southampton, England. As the S.S. Cephalonia was to leave Sabbath afternoon, the party embarked Friday afternoon so as to be settled before the Sabbath. She noted that “we accomplished this nearly.” Her stateroom was large enough for the company to gather for Friday evening worship. She reported, “All take part. The Lord seems very near, and I feel peaceful and restful.”—Ibid. 3BIO 290.4

More than a week was spent in crossing the Atlantic; most of it was pleasant, but one storm was encountered, followed by foggy weather. Ellen White was able to do quite a bit of writing—articles and letters, with the help of Mary and Sara McEnterfer. She noted: “We used the calligraph [typewriter] with good effect.”—Ibid. 3BIO 291.1