Pacific Union Recorder
1911
January 12, 1911
A Visit from Mrs. E. G. White
The teachers and students of the Pacific Union College greatly appreciated a visit from Mrs. E. G. White a few weeks ago. She came on Friday and remained until Sunday, speaking Sabbath afternoon for an hour, with old-time clearness and power. She began by reading very impressively, from the second chapter of Daniel, the account of the loyalty to principle of Daniel and his three friends. Dwelling upon the seventeenth verse, she said with voice tremulous with emotion, “Every time I read this verse I can hardly contain myself to think how the Lord of Heaven guards His children, if they are true to Him.” PUR January 12, 1911, par. 1
She dwelt upon the lesson of temperance. “We should not in our day of necessity eat the same substances they did; but our food should be plain and simple. The effect will be placidity of temper and undisturbed condition of mind and heart. Most of our people have decided that the use of meat is not wise. I began speaking when I was fifteen years of age, and have continued to speak and write until the present time. At first my health was very poor; again and again they thought I was going to die. Physicians said, ‘You must have a meat diet.’ But God opened to me the importance of a simple diet, and assured me that He would sustain me if I were careful; and for sixty-five years His promise has been fulfilled.” PUR January 12, 1911, par. 2
The speaker read from chapter two, and said, “All these chapters I desire you to read, and see how the Lord wrought.” Referring to the trial of the fiery furnace, in the third chapter, she said, “I want to tell you, just as certainly serious times are before those who keep the commandments of God. For a long time I have not been able to have a good night's rest because of the scenes that are presented before me. God's people are not doing the work He would have them do for the cities. I have borne this testimony again and again until it seemed as if God's people were not going to do the work; but the cities must be entered. We must not let the people perish that do not know the binding force of God's law. We are responsible. The Lord wants us to awake. We must go forward, or the judgments of God will certainly come upon us. During the past few months the good work has begun among the great cities of the land. As soon as the cities began to be entered, the pain in my heart was relieved.” PUR January 12, 1911, par. 3
Speaking directly to the teachers, she encouraged them by saying: “You want means for the buildings. I can see the need of them in the near future. You should labor to the utmost of your ability; but do not sacrifice your health, which God will bestow upon those who will trust in Him. I have learned to trust Him in the past. Once for eleven months I never walked a step, and yet they said to me, ‘We always see you smiling.’ I could not move at all, except my right arm; but they made a form for my arm, and in this way I wrote 2500 pages in Australia. I think I ought to acknowledge this here. There are some present who know how my strength began to recover. The first step I took, an attendant burst out crying. They had to carry me to the congregation and carry me home six miles. But God works for us if we do our best. I have proved the Lord, and He has been true to me. PUR January 12, 1911, par. 4
“Two nights ago I never slept a wink. I lay awake for hours praying. The world is going to be surprised by the Lord's coming. Your work here will convince others that we are in earnest. Take hold here with all your heart. Let no evil work go from your hands. The world is going mad, stirred up by Lucifer, who is working upon the minds of men. We must hold up our banner. I could never feel free until I stood here and tested whether I had the strength to speak.” PUR January 12, 1911, par. 5
The foregoing is only a brief sketch of the speaker's remarks, but it will serve to show the fervent spirit of the aged servant of God. her effort was greatly appreciated, and the zeal of students and teachers was stimulated by her noble example. PUR January 12, 1911, par. 6
C. C. L.