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

Across the Atlantic on the City of Rome

On board the steamer City of Rome Ellen White Sabbath morning wrote a few letters, one to Jennie Ings. She wanted to tell her that she wished she were on board with them en route to America, but she didn't, for she knew Mrs. Ings was still needed in Europe. This is what she did write: 3BIO 372.5

All right this morning. Had a beautiful night. The water as smooth as a placid lake. Would not think we were on the boat if we did not hear the machinery and feel a little motion. I shall miss you much. I became attached to you and shall feel the loss of your society. The weeks spent together have been very pleasant indeed....—Letter 65, 1887. 3BIO 373.1

The trip across the Atlantic took eight days and was reported as “pleasant and prosperous” (The Review and Herald, August 16, 1887). They encountered one storm, but Ellen White declared, “We had on the steamer a pleasant voyage.”—Letter 50, 1887. She says little of how she occupied her time, but probably did a good bit of writing. 3BIO 373.2

Thursday noon, August 11, the travelers landed in New York. The back-page Review and Herald note reported: 3BIO 373.3

Mrs. E. G. White left immediately for New Bedford, Massachusetts, to attend the New England camp meeting now in session there, and Mrs. M. K. White came on to the [Battle Creek] Sanitarium, her health, we regret to say, being such as to render a stay awhile at that institution advisable.—August 16, 1887. 3BIO 373.4

Before long, Ellen White wrote words of encouragement for the readers of the Review regarding the work in Europe. In her article published on December 6, after naming the countries where the work was advancing, she declared: 3BIO 373.5

A good work has already been done in these countries. There are those who have received the truth, scattered as light bearers in almost every land.... 3BIO 373.6

Some connected with the work in these foreign fields, as in America, become disheartened, and, following the course of the unworthy spies, bring a discouraging report.... 3BIO 373.7

But we have no such report to bring. After a two years’ stay in Europe, we see no more reason for discouragement in the state of the cause there than at its rise in the different fields in America. There we saw the Lord testing the material to be used.... The word has gone forth to Europe, “Go forward.” ...The greater the difficulties to be overcome, the greater will be the victory gained. 3BIO 373.8