Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 85, 1912

Interview/Regarding Br. Burden

April 8, 1912

See Lt 16, 1912. Previously unpublished.

An Interview Between D. E. Robinson and Ellen G. White, April 8, 1912

[Ellen G. White:] I know there should be a way to raise means, but it should be done in a way that will not leave a censure upon them—if they did not get proper men to come in and stand by them. If this is to be the first of their changing the order of things, it should be so that no censure should rest upon them; for I have been here time and again, and I have seen and witnessed and felt the Holy Spirit of God. As I have tried to work, I have seen it working through them. They seemed to understand what they were about, but perhaps I have not got the right hang of the thing. I do not know what this matter all means. Does it mean that they are sending Brother Burden away from the institution? 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 1

[D. E. Robinson:] Here is the statement of just what has been planned. If you will read that over, you will see just what they are planning for Brother Burden. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 2

(Reads the document.) 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 3

[Ellen G. White:] It ought to be a relief to Brother Burden—the things of a perplexing matter, the managing. That is the way it ought to be. I cannot see anything where they have crowded him out, I cannot see [it]. I do not want to give wrong impressions at all. I do not see anything particular. It will have to rise afterward. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 4

(After reading paragraph regarding the work of Elder Burden when he returns to the sanitarium:) That places him here, doesn't it? 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 5

(After reading the direct question:) No, I think it is perfectly right. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 6

I cannot see anything in this but a unity in a variety of ways, so as to widen and strengthen the work [in] every way. I cannot see anything objectionable. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 7

The work is broadening all the time, and [there] has got to be a sufficiency of workers to work understandingly, to carry this increasing work all the time. I cannot see that Brother Burden is left out of the consideration, but this is brought in to give him relief. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 8

I do not see that there is anything in this that makes him in any way discredited. Only it is a relief. He must not look at it as though he was discredited, but he must unite with the helpers to carry out the plan that is a consistent one. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 9

As I look over the interest which not only Brother Burden but others have taken, we should blend together to carry out this very work. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 10

You make it just as plain as you can. You know, because some may take exceptions, but I cannot see a thing that is in it. Something has got to be done and I cannot see anything better that could be done. 25LtMs, Ms 85, 1912, par. 11