President of the North American Division Conference
ANOTHER untiring worker for God and for the enlargement of his kingdom has been called to cease from her labors, and to lay down the heavy burdens borne so long and faithfully. Death is man’s enemy. Its work is to destroy, to tear down, to reduce to decay. It takes from us the physical forms of those we love; it desolates homes, and cuts short the life work of all mankind; yet in a fuller sense it cannot destroy nor end the influence of the weakest. So it seems to us in the death of Mrs. Ellen G. White. Her personal presence is taken from us; but her influence still lives, multiplied in the lives of those whom she has led to Christ, and in those to whom her life has ever been an inspiration.
The older members of our church communion know the value of the life and work of this messenger of the Lord. They know her sacrifices, her constant and indefatigable toil for the extension of the kingdom of God; but some who have more recently come to the faith, not having been associated with her in her labors, will be glad for word concerning her writings and influence.
Sister White was in the first advent movement of 1844, and tasted all the bitter disappointment of those who looked for the second coming of Christ at that time. She, with others, suffered all the reproach cast upon that movement by the scoffers of that day. While many became confused, and in their disappointment gave up their belief in the 1844 movement, she with a few faithful associates searched the Scriptures till light came to them, showing the error in their prophetic interpretation.
When the new light came to her and her husband, Elder James White, they gladly received it, and at once began preaching it to their disappointed brethren. Little by little God lifted the curtain of darkness; and as they saw rays of light, they followed on to know the Lord, and more and more they were led to acknowledge the hand of God in leading them all the way. As time passed, the message grew, both in its doctrines and in its scope5and world-wide proportions. Neither Sister White nor any of the believers in that early day comprehended the greatness of the work set before them. Still the message has grown till it has attained its present proportions, and now encircles the earth.
During those early years of development, much depended upon the unity and faith of the believers. On many occasions when the little companies were uncertain of their course, or were divided in their councils, Sister White presented what God had shown her in dream or vision, and plainly marked the way this people should go. The church has ever tried and intended to follow this instruction; because of it strong men have changed their viewpoint; policies have been modified to harmonize with it, that unity might prevail. Here and there from time to time some have broken from the denomination, under the leadership of those who refused to accept the instruction given; but all this breaking away has come to naught, and most of those who departed from the light given have made sad shipwreck of their faith.
Sister White has never claimed to be the leader of the Adventist Church. Again and again she has defined her work as merely a voice,—a messenger bearing a message from God to his people to bring them to Christ. She has never assumed the rôle of a dictator to the church. She has publicly and in her writings proclaimed Christ as the head of his church on earth, and always urged the people of every communion to make him their counselor and guide.
The influence of Sister White on our denomination has been marked and strong. She continually so called the church to a deeper consecration, so urged the ministry to a more holy life and active service, and so exalted Christ as the mediator between God and man, that she was a great spiritual factor in holding the church to a spirit of sacrifice and missionary endeavor. Her voice ever called for advance moves.
Her writings have been before the public for many years. She was the author of more than thirty volumes, some of which have had a large sale. She has been a constant contributor to our periodicals, and nearly every Seventh-day Adventist has felt something of her influence through her writings.
Her Christian life was marked by deep personal piety; she had great faith in prayer, and was zealous in her spiritual devotions. Her charities were liberal beyond her means; she was ever impoverishing herself by her gifts to the cause she loved and by her care for the poor and needy.
MRS. ELLEN G. WHITE, WHO DIED JULY 16, 1915
She believed in the divine inspiration of the Bible. Of this Word she was a constant student all her life; to her it was the voice of God. Modern criticism and piecemeal dissection had no place in her heart or faith. Her voice was ever uplifted to exalt her Saviour, and she proclaimed Christ as the divine Son of God, the Saviour of sinners. No one ever more firmly preached righteousness by faith than she. She exalted Christ as the sinner’s only hope. She loved this Saviour, and did what she could to bring others to a knowledge of him.
Her active work continued until near the close of her long life. The last few years were occupied largely in preparing manuscripts for publication. She felt that the people needed what God had given to her; and she diligently toiled till she was too feeble for further service. In her last weeks, when unable to write, she found great satisfaction in the realization that the people had her writings to read.
To us who remain to finish the work, much valuable instruction is left, which we need to heed carefully, and to search for light as for hidden treasure. This great advent movement cannot fail. It is founded on the Word of God. We may fail, for we are human; but our leader is Christ. He now is at the right hand of God, making intercession for all who repent and believe. As he has been with us during the early rise and progress of this work, so will he remain with us to its finish, if we seek him with all our hearts.
While we mourn the loss of one so strong and true as Sister White, still Christ lives, and in him we must unite in a renewed consecration of life and means to complete his work on earth.
