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

Establishing the Daily Program

The opening of the council was accompanied by the usual formalities: song; prayer; a welcome from B. L. Whitney, who would serve as chairman of the council; and the appointment of committees. The daily program included an early-morning devotional meeting at half past five, business meetings morning and afternoon, and a practical sermon in the evening. Committee meetings filled the rest of the first day. 3BIO 299.4

With the afternoon devoted to committee meetings, Ellen White for the first time had an opportunity to slip away for a little sightseeing. Of this she wrote in her diary: 3BIO 300.1

We rode out for the first time since coming to Basel. We crossed the Rhine and entered Germany. The bridge across the Rhine was built upon strongly made boats. The Rhine is a swift-running stream. We saw milk cows harnessed up as horses to plow and to draw loads of vegetables and fruits in their wagons. We saw women wheeling heavy wheelbarrows and drawing hand wagons. 3BIO 300.2

We passed by the hotel of the Three Kings. There are three large life-size statues. This is the most noted hotel in Basel. The kings and nobles stop at this hotel. 3BIO 300.3

Wrote twelve pages [eight pages to Elder Butler, two pages to Sister Lockwood, two pages to May Walling].—Manuscript 16a, 1885. (Somewhat rearranged for continuity.) 3BIO 300.4

Ellen White was the devotional speaker at five-thirty Wednesday morning. This was her first meeting with the workers who had come in especially to the council. She directed her remarks to the necessity of cultivating love and tenderness for one another. 3BIO 300.5