Firm Counsel in the Crisis Hour

It was only the firm, unwavering counsel that came from Mrs. White that finally led the committee to proceed with the enterprise. When the unfavorable report of the Government fruit expert was received, W. C. White and I were requested by our associates to inform Mrs. White. This was a painful and embarrassing task, but we endeavored to do our duty. When we had made our statement, she calmly said: “Is there no God in Israel, that ye have gone to the god of Ekron for counsel?” She reminded us of the experience of prayer and healing on the occasion of her visit to the place, and assured us that from that time she had felt no anxiety.AGP 314.2

On one occasion she quoted words from the heavenly messenger spoken to her for our assurance, “They have borne false witness against the land.” Repeatedly she assured us, “God will spread a table in the wilderness.”AGP 314.3

Some years later, addressing those bearing responsibilities in the Avondale school, she related an incident that had given her courage. She wrote:AGP 314.4

“We are much pleased to have the privilege of hearing how greatly the blessing of the Lord is resting upon the Avondale School. How pleased I should be to see the grounds as they are now, looking as I was instructed they might look under proper, intelligent cultivation.

“In the darkest hour of the establishment of the Avondale School, when the outlook seemed the most discouraging, I was sitting in the hotel in Cooranbong, then used by our people, completely wearied out by the complaints made regarding the land. My heart was sick and sore. But suddenly a great peace came upon me. Angels seemed to be in the room, and then the words were spoken, ‘Look ye.’ And I saw flourishing, cultivated land, bearing its treasure of fruit and root crops. Many resources were spread out before me, and wherever my eye was directed, I saw prosperity.

“I saw the school filled with promising students. All seemed to be helped, by the inspiration of well-organized efforts, to stand and work upon a high platform. There was so large a number of pleasant faces that I could not fail to understand that the light of the Lord’s countenance was lifted upon them.

“A great light and peace came upon me. I was so blessed that I praised the Lord aloud, saying, His word is fulfilled, ‘God will spread a table in the wilderness.” E. G. White Letter 36, 1907.

It was Mrs. White’s letters that caused the Foreign Mission Board to withdraw their objections; and, upon receipt of this word, we in Australia went forward with our plans to establish the school at Cooranbong.AGP 315.1