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

The Angels Don't Sing That Way

One summer evening, while Ellen White was making a short visit to the Health Retreat, she spoke at the prayer meeting. She selected a certain hymn that fitted her subject. The hymn was announced. The congregation stood and in the warm evening began to sing listlessly. The music dragged monotonously. Then Ellen White held up her hand. “Stop!” she ordered. “Stop!” 3BIO 384.1

I have heard the angels sing. They do not sing as you are singing tonight. They sing with reverence, with meaning. Their hearts are in their expressions of song. Now, let us try again and see if we can put our hearts into the singing of this song. 3BIO 384.2

When they began again, the singing was with expression and with feeling, as if they really meant the words that came from their lips. [As told the author by A. P. Guyton, longtime painter at the sanitarium, who was present.] 3BIO 384.3

August brought announcements of the General Conference session to be held in Minneapolis, to open on October 17. Ellen White would attend. 3BIO 384.4

Before long, accompanied by Sara McEnterfer and her son, W. C. White, she was on the train, en route to Minneapolis. 3BIO 384.5