Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

Leroy Nicola to E. G. White, Mar. 24, 1893

Leroy Nicola
Battle Creek, Mich., March 24, 1893.
Mrs. E. G. White,
Auckland, New Zealand.
Dear Sister:-

I have been thinking of writing you for a number of months. I want to tell you that my views of some matters in connection with that Minneapolis meeting have radically changed since I last talked with you. The Lord has mercifully shown me some of the mistakes which I made at that time. I know he has forgiven me. I rejoice in the mercy and great love which he has shown me. MMM 246.1

I went to the Minneapolis meeting simply as an attendant, and was not aware of some of the difficulties that were brooding trouble for myself and others. I was told that the question in of the law in Galatians was to be discussed. It was represented to me that the General Conference Committee had arranged this discussion, and I understood that after Eld. Waggoner had spoken, that “the other side” was to be given, that is, the other side of the law question in Galatians. I listened to Bro. Waggoner, but was in condition of mind to appreciate the best what he had to say directly on the law question. I had no issue with him on his positions on justification by faith, but was rather sorry that that subject had to be brought into what I called the “discussion.” After Eld. Waggoner had spoken, I understood that the General Conference Committee had chosen Eld. Morrison to reply to what had been said, that is; what had been brought out on the real issues of the question, that is, what seemed to me to be the issues. Eld. Morrison seemed it need some one to assist him in writing out his notes, looking up extracts, etc., and I understood that he having failed to get the needed assistance, that he desired that I should assist him. He came to me and asked me to do so. I did not want to do it. I wanted to be free to attend the meetings, to transact what business was necessary with our Iowa Tract Society work; for we had virtually moved our office to Minneapolis during the Conference, and I wanted to be left free to look after some business matters in Minneapolis. But I was urgently requested to assist Bro. Morrison. He was the President of our Conference. It seemed to be the desire of my father, also, that I should help Bro. Morrison if he wanted me to. I consented, and threw myself into the work assigned me. While I did not spend my time arguing the question, I permitted my sympathies to control my actions, and I did not get the good from that meeting that I should have received. When you stated that you did not propose to take sides in the matter, I thought that you were taking the right course. But when you saw the necessity of bearing your testimony in favor of what you considered to be “light” in what Bro. Waggoner had presented, it seemed to me that you were violating some of the excellent principles on the start. I thought you influenced some to decide the question before Eld. Morrison had completed his discourses. This threw me into a peculiar state of mind. I hardly knew what to think. I talked to Bro. White quite decidedly, and blamed him for about all the difficulty that I or any body else was having at that meeting. Not being a delegate, I did not vote on any of the questions that came before the General Conference, but when Prof. Prescott read a certain resolution in the educational meeting, I endorsed it, and voted in its favor, even though you had advised against it. I said that I was a stock-holder in the institution and had a right to vote as it seemed to me proper. But now I can appreciate the fact that I voted on the wrong side of the question, and that I could have been spared such a mistake had I listened to the advice as one in whom I had every reason for imposing perfect confidence. I am so sorry that I did not go directly to you at Minneapolis and learn from you directly the true situation of things. I am now fully satisfied that you were standing in support of valuable principles, of which I, in my state of mind, could not appreciate. I humbly beg your forgiveness for the course I took at that meeting. MMM 246.2

When you came to the Iowa meeting, I was glad to see you, and did feel to appreciate the testimony which you bore. I did not feel that I was in trial with you nor in opposition to your work. Along in the early summer, your letter was received, the one written at Ottawa, Kansas. There was some things about it that I did not understand. I did not make a reply. I am very sorry for this, and ask your forgiveness. I accept everything in your letter, and have for a long time. You spoke of caring for me tenderly when I was sick several years ago. It is a wonder to me that I didn’t respond to the portion at least, referring to your kindly interest for me in my boyhood days. A mother could not have shown more interest and affection than you have always shown for me. I do not forget, and did not forget, your great kindness to me at Dunlap, and State Centre, Iowa. I am surprised that I did not hasten to reply to a letter from one who had done so much for me. Sister White, I love you, and do accept your kindly admonitions. The Lord being my helper, from this time forward, you my know where to find my sympathies and interest. MMM 247.1

It looks to me very plain that you have unflinchingly and most decidedly stood for four or more years, in favor of special principles of inestimable value to our work. How the truth would have been dishonored had some of the counsels at Minneapolis prevailed. This seems very clear to me. I rejoice in the light that has been shining since that meeting. I went to stand in the full light of God’s favor, and not in any of the sparks of my own kindling. Every particle of trial in the matter has left me, and I do feel to accept with all my heart the testimony that God has given you. I shall do everything that it is possible for me to do to restore what I have torn down. And I feel that the work of retracing some of my steps would be very incomplete did I not beg your forgiveness for my indifferent course toward you. MMM 247.2

Pardon me for taking so much of your valuable time. I hope your health is still improving. Assuring you of my fullest confidence, and of the most sincere respect, I remain, MMM 247.3

Your unworthy brother,
(Leroy Nicola)