Manuscript Releases, vol. 3 [Nos. 162-209]

Excerpts from E. G. White Letters Concerning the Work in England

England Passed By—Our American missionaries, I have been shown, have stepped or passed by old England to labor at much greater disadvantage among those whose language they were not well acquainted with. The work has not been carried forward as evenly as it should have been. While duties are suffering to be done right in our path, we should not reach out and long and sigh for work at a great distance.—Letter 1, 1879, pp. 1, 2. (To Elder S. N. Haskell, January 27, 1879.) 3MR 19.4

Not One Word of Discouragement—There is need for all of our ministers to be careful in regard to the character of the articles they insert in the paper in regard to matters in Europe, speaking as though not much had been done in Europe. Now my Brother, I do not think I could truthfully say this, for I consider that under the circumstances since Elder _____'s death there has been a good work done in Europe. I think Professor Kunz has not brought a good report and I think your letters have not given very much courage to send means to support the missions. 3MR 20.1

I think even in England a good work has been done. It must be acknowledged to be a hard and trying field, and not one word of discouragement ought to be spoken. The Lord is at the helm and if we do not trust in Him to work, naught will be done. There is a good beginning made. Publications have been and still are doing a good work. 3MR 20.2

Let not one grain of unbelief be sown, for unless we keep a brave front we cannot expect to inspire others with courage. I am telling everything I can in relation to the mission that will inspire confidence. When I think how slowly the work has gone in [New] England and how little done in Massachusetts and Maine and many other places where they have all circumstances in their favor, we need not be discouraged in regard to old England. The same amount of labor expended on old England in a wise manner will produce, I believe, good results. May the Lord work is my prayer. And let us look at every token of good. Acknowledge all the Lord has done with grateful hearts. Because you do not see the same results in old England that you did in Australia you should not demerit that which has already been gained. There are some precious souls in Grimsby, in Ulceby, and others will be gathered in. There are some good souls in Southampton and the brother I met at Brother Jones's and the few who are connected with him are, I judged, good material. Because they do not see every point just as we do requires wisdom in treating their cases, that we should unite wherever we can and not make the breech any greater between us. Sister Griffen (Griffeth?), I believe, will come to the front if wise management is exercised in her case. Such ones must not be left indifferently but efforts should be made to bring them into the noble truth. We want that woman as a worker. All such talent we must understand the faculty of winning to the truth. It is a nice work to hunt up the sheep and to make every exertion to bring them in. It will take time to rid them of all their strange ideas and erratic views, but we must be patient and not drive them from us. God is working with them, and as I look over the past I see discouragements just as great that we have had to master and still have to contend with as in old England, notwithstanding the caste of society and the difficulties to reach the higher classes. Now, my brother, be of good heart and notwithstanding the work may move slowly nevertheless it moves, thank God for that.—Letter 50, 1887, pp. 1, 2. (To Elder S. N. Haskell, September 1, 1887.) 3MR 20.3

Through Simple Means—We received and read your letter with interest. We feel very sad that your health has not been good. We do not cease to pray for you and for Brother and Sister Ings. 3MR 21.1

We have not lost our faith in you or in the work in England. We know that there is a great work to be done. The Lord has revealed to us that by the most simple means He can do wondrously, as in the casting down of the walls of Jericho. His people then were to do as He told them, and God would do the rest. God so planned it that His name should receive all the glory. The same God is willing to work by whom He will. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.” 3MR 22.1

We need faithful Calebs in the work at this time. We need Jesus, the Captain of the Lord's host, to be with us. We need to follow His directions, and to have faith in Him. 3MR 22.2

We are fighting with unseen foes, more formidable than giants. It is hard to conquer the devil. He can not be overcome with any weapon save the sword of the Spirit. Oh, that there were a larger number who would speak for Jesus anywhere, and always act for Him.—Letter 24, 1888, p. 1. (To Elder S. N. Haskell, January 24, 1888.) 3MR 22.3

Aggressive Warfare Called For—I have been very desirous that you should visit us in Australia again. It would be pleasing to us if for a time you could stand as principal of our school. I have hoped that this might be. But again, I have desired that you might stand in the school at Battle Creek. Then Europe with all its necessities has come before me, and I have kept quiet, believing that you are in the place where you are most needed. England has had few enough laborers. It is a place where those who labor need to push at every step. You need to act as if you meant that something should give way and move. Aggressive warfare alone will prove successful. I am really pleased that you are there, and yet I would be so glad could you have carried our school through one term, if no more. God help you, is my most earnest prayer. 3MR 22.4

Present Truth is an important paper, and you are at home in working as best you can with that. The Lord would have advance moves made in England. He desires that a school shall be established there, and this no one can do as well as yourself. 3MR 23.1

Time is short, and that work which is essential must be done quickly. Satan has seen this, and he has worked with his deceptive, intriguing power to entangle everything in America, so that the work that you and others could and should have done, has been made impossible. And the work which should have been done in England has been blocked by the very same power that has swayed things in America. The wisdom of men disconnected and out of touch with the wisdom of God, the spirit of arbitrary authority which has manifested itself so decidedly in America, has not been confined to that country, but has extended its power to leaven other countries. I am afraid of the men who have moved like blind men. The cause and work of God demands men who will attend to the work God has given them; and had this been the case, men would have listened to the counsel of God, and not to the wisdom of fools, wise only in their own conceits.—Letter 71, 1898, pp. 1, 2. (To Brother and Sister W. W. Prescott, August27, 1898.) 3MR 23.2

Handicapped for Want of Facilities—Every soul of the Wessels family may win eternal life, but they need to get away from their associates in Africa and enter different society. You speak of England. Do not encourage yourself to think that this place is the best place for you to begin your work. Nothing is prepared there at present. We have been at work here for seven years, and have been handicapped and unable to do that which should have been done, for want of facilities. We now have earnest workers who have a holding influence, and we say, Australia is all ready for advance moves. It will not now take years to break down the prejudice. 3MR 23.3

There is great need just now of a sanitarium, and a favorable location for the erection of a sanitarium proper. If you were on the ground today, you could take in the situation. Already two offices have been secured in Newcastle, a field where the standard was not lifted until our camp meeting there. We have assurance that this is the place in which to work now. 3MR 24.1

England is the hardest field, the very hardest part of the Lord's vineyard. Prejudice is strong against anything that turns the people out of old paths into new. Success in the work must cost years of persevering labor. Something must be done in that country with means from our own people, and something will be done; but now God would have the work established in this field, Australia, which is ripe for the harvest. He would have memorials raised among His people here, in the shape of sanitariums and schools, to give to the work a character proportionate to its unspeakable importance. 3MR 24.2

Then when we have obtained a standing here, when we have facilities with which to advance, we can prepare workers to carry the same work to England.—Letter 14, 1899, pp. 4, 5. (To Brother and Sister John Wessels, Jan., 1899.) 3MR 24.3

Released February 5, 1987.