Reflections on Historic Basel

Ellen White spent the first of the next week, September 7 and 8, writing about her journey to Basel for publication in the Review and Herald, and preparing for the European Council meeting. Her thoughts also turned back to Reformation times in Switzerland, about which she had written two years before in her popular book Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4 (The Great Controversy). But while in Switzerland, she wrote:EGWE 53.1

“The city of Basel was an important place to the Protestant reformers. Switzerland was one of the first countries of Europe to catch the light of morning, and to announce the rise of the Reformation. And Basel was one of those points on which the light of day concentrated its rays, and whence they radiated over the surrounding country. It was not, however, until years of waiting and conflict had passed that the Reformation was fully established here.”—Ibid., 169, 170.EGWE 53.2

She was shown that the literature of the Reformation period was important to the success of the Lord's work at that time.EGWE 53.3

“Being the seat of a university, Basel was the favorite resort of scholars. It also had many printing-offices. Here Zwingle received his early education; here Erasmus published the New Testament which he had translated from the original Greek into Latin; here Frobenius, the celebrated printer, published the writings of Luther, and in a short time spread them in France, Spain, Italy, and England; and here, too, John Foxe spent a portion of his exile in getting some of his books through the press.... While here he issued the first installment of the ‘Book of Martyrs.’”—Ibid., 171.EGWE 53.4

Then Mrs. White's mind turned to the modern church with its present opportunities to print and publish God's last message.EGWE 53.5

“In the providence of God, our publishing house is located on this sacred spot [Basel]. We could not wish for a more favorable location for the publication of truth in the different languages. Switzerland being a small republic, that which comes from here is not looked upon with the suspicion that it would arouse if passing from one to another of the large rival powers. Three languages are spoken here,—the French, the German, and the Italian; therefore it is a favorable place for issuing publications in these languages.”—Ibid.EGWE 53.6