Visions, at Times, Changed Mrs. White’s Habits and Opinions

At times, Ellen White experienced how Nathan felt when he discovered that he had given King David wrong counsel. ^{201 Chronicles 17:1-15. See p. 35.} In 1902 she had an opportunity to reverse counsel that she had given to the leading officers of the General Conference. At the turn of the century, Edson White was leading out in working for the Blacks in the South, especially through publishing literature in the South for the South. His mother had strongly endorsed his work, primarily because it was the only significant work being done. As Edson’s work developed, plans were made to establish a denominational publishing house in Nashville, Tennessee. But Edson’s strength rested not in finance but in promotion, printing, and writing literature to fit the needs of the South. Debts were mounting dangerously at a time when denominational leaders were trying to stabilize the severe financial crisis that had overtaken the church. And leaders were hesitant to close down the budding Nashville publishing house because Ellen White had been supporting her son generally for his pioneering work. ^{21See “Appeal for the Southern Field,” cited in Daniells, AGP, p. 322.}MOL 153.13

At a special meeting called at Elmshaven on October 19, 1902, church leaders needed counsel regarding denominational debt and the work at Nashville in particular. After Mrs. White heard the facts, she said: “God’s cause must not be left to reproach, no matter who is made sore by arranging matters on a right basis. Edson should give himself to the ministry and to writing, and leave alone the things that he has been forbidden by the Lord to do. Finance is not his forte at all. I want the brethren ... to act just as they would act if my son were not there.... I do not want anyone to feel that I am sustaining Edson in a wrong.”MOL 154.1

A. G. Daniells, General Conference president, satisfied with the interview, returned to Battle Creek with a copy of the interview in his pocket. Leadership was now assured that closing the Nashville establishment was the right thing to do.MOL 154.2

But within twenty-four hours of the Elmshaven interview, Mrs. White wrote a letter that would change the whole picture. Prompted by a vision of the night (or night dream), she saw that closing the Nashville press was not necessary, that consolidation of the denominational publishing interests was not God’s plan, and that “the Southern field [must] have its own home-published books.” ^{22Bio., vol. 5, pp. 187-193; Daniells, Counsels on Diet and Foods, 323-327.}MOL 154.3