Labors of love
"We part with tender feelings," Ellen White said of the farewells on Wednesday after the Third European Council (Manuscript 24, 1885). Some workers lingered on a few days, and on Friday she had a visit with George Drew about how to begin work in London. She wrote:
"After much prayer, it is thought best to have select colporteurs to commence labor in that field in a quiet way and see what can be done with our publications.... If the chosen and accepted will pattern after Christ's example to instruct the people in all humility and kindly interest, the blessing of the Lord will be given.... The large cities can be entered if you will watch unto prayer. When rough speeches are made, be not offended. Consider that you have a soul-saving message and that you can only obtain victories by walking humbly with the Lord Jesus."--Ibid.
Serious work was not begun in London until much later, but Ellen White ever showed her concern for the salvation of souls in the large cities. Whether in London or in Basel the Lord's messenger was always alert to give help where it was needed. Both young and old were the objects of her concern.
In time a score or more of the youth came to work at the printing house in Basel. Morning classes were held from six-thirty to seven-thirty to give them a chance to study the Bible, history, and English. Sometimes these were devotional meetings. Mrs. White took a leading part in these meetings, and she seemed never to weary in her efforts to encourage the youth to fit themselves for efficient service in the cause of Christ, to improve their opportunities, and to be diligent in work and study. She told them it had been shown her that if they were faithful, God would use them to carry the truth to many people near and afar off; that if they kept near the Lord they would become mighty in His work; and that some of them would be called to positions of large responsibility.
In succeeding years many bore witness to the remarkable fulfillment of this prediction. One of these young men held the presidency of the Latin Union Conference for several terms; another, the presidency of the Swiss Conference; another was superintendent of the Levant Union Mission. Others were preachers, editors, teachers, and managers of large publishing interests
The Sickness of Edith Andrews
The week following the European Council was a sorrowful time for Ellen White in several ways. First, she had a "painful operation" on her teeth Friday morning. The pain lasted over the Sabbath, October 3, and by Sunday morning she was suffering severely but hot fomentations brought some relief. Her own health problems were over-shadowed, however, by those of Edith Andrews, a niece of J. N. Andrews, and the oldest daughter of Martha Andrews Bourdeau. Edith had come to Europe with her uncle in May, 1879, just after J. N. Andrews' young daughter, Mary, had died of tuberculosis.*
The disease had taken J. N. Andrews in 1883, and now the vivacious 22-year-old Edith was showing its effect. Ellen White wrote in her diary during the European Council: "The condition of Edith Andrews is a grief to us all. She seems to be failing in health. What shall be done in her case?"--Manuscript 16a, 1885.
When the council had decided to send A. C. Bourdeau and Edith's mother, Martha, to Torre Pellice, Italy, it was suggested that Edith go along for her health's sake, but she wanted to stay and work or, if she had to, go to America.
Edith was quiet a leader among the young people in the publishing house, but her example was not always the best. W. C. White sized up the situation: "Her influence in the office is not the best. It is to center her affections on a choice few, and care but little for the rest of the world." The influence of Edith's "clique" was not good in a situation where so many people, young and old, had to live and work together day after day.
Counselor in the Sickroom
During the council Ellen White began to talk to Edith about her spiritual health: "In the afternoon [Wednesday, September 23] had a long, plain, pointed talk with Edith Andrews. She seemed to have some sense of her condition. We prayed together. I feel deep pity for this child." *--Manuscript 16a, 1885.
On Sabbath, October 3, Edith sought out Ellen White, and the two had another long talk about Edith's religious experience. After seeing both her cousin and uncle wasted by tuberculosis, Edith no doubt sensed what was ahead, and wanted to make sure she was ready to go and that she had made everything right.
Then followed two months of suffering for young Edith. During those two months Mrs. White visited the Scandinavian countries and Italy. When she returned to Basel in December, Edith appealed to her for assurances that the Lord had accepted her. Tenderly the Lord's servant spoke with the dying girl, pointing out that God had pledged to pardon every transgression if we would only return to Him with true repentance.
"I believe, Edith, that you have done this, and wherein you are too feeble to do the work as thoroughly as if you were well, Jesus' precious mercy and merits supplies the deficiencies on the part of His repenting, humble ones."--Letter 26, 1885.
Then she quoted from Exodus 34:6, 7: "The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."
She asked Edith:
"Will you, my dear child, believe Him? What sins can be too great for Him to pardon? Every soul is precious in His sight. He is merciful, infinitely more willing to pardon than condemn. He is gracious. He is touched with the feelings of your infirmities."--Letter 25, 1885.
Sister White continued, telling of the great love of Jesus, reminding the ailing young woman how He saved Peter when he was sinking in doubt. Tears came to Edith's eyes and ran down her feverish cheeks. "I believe He accepts me," she said, "I believe He loves me and I all undeserving, have His peace."
On Sabbath, December 19, the messenger of the Lord spoke twice, and that night she recorded in her diary, "I am impressed that this is the last Sabbath Edith will ever see."--Manuscript 30, 1885.
Finally, on Thursday, December 24, at 5:30 A.M. the converted girl fell asleep. Blessed sleep! Sister White was confident about her salvation. "She has fallen asleep in Jesus."--Letter 72, 1886.
On Christmas Day Mrs. White wrote in her diary:
"There is a great solemnity upon my mind. Edith is dead in the house. Her record is in the books of heaven, unchangeable. What a solemn thought is life, and how we live that life! We have evidence that Edith's life is not what it might have been, but her last days were days of penitence, repentance, and confession. We have reason to believe that the pitying Redeemer accepted Edith."--Manuscript 30, 1885.
On the twenty-sixth Mrs. White had a bad day. Under the painful stress of Edith's death her mind turned back to the time only a few years before when James White, her husband of 35 years,* was snatched away from her by a sudden attack of malaria, then before that to the death of her firstborn, Henry, at the age of 16, and her baby boy, Herbert, at three months (see Manuscript 30, 1885).
But sorrow does not last forever, and on Sunday, she walked in the fresh snow and felt "much refreshed." "It is not clear," she wrote, "but the sun is trying to struggle through the mist and fog." So she, like everyone else, had her good days and her bad days--struggling as all mortals do in a world full of sunshine and shadow.
Then she said cheerily in a note about her granddaughter, "Ella has a fine time trying to snowball her mother and grandmother."--Ibid.