Counsel and Encouragement

One day Ellen White went over to see the progress being made in this second building, which would provide a dining room, kitchen, and storeroom for the school. (Letter 33, 1897). Taking in the overall situation, she had some questions to ask!4BIO 295.1

“What place have you prepared for the boys to room in?” I asked.4BIO 295.2

“The chamber above the sawmill,” they answered. “Many students can sleep there, and we will also secure tents.”4BIO 295.3

“Is that the best plan you have?”4BIO 295.4

It is the best we can do. When the building is enclosed, our money will be expended.”4BIO 295.5

“Have you thought of how much money it would take to run this building up another story?”4BIO 295.6

Several were present. “We cannot do that,” Brother Hare said, “but I wish we could.” “You must do it, Brother Hare,” I said. “What would the cost be?”4BIO 295.7

“Not less than £100,” he answered.4BIO 295.8

“Then I advise you to put up the second story, and so provide sleeping rooms for the boys, and a meeting room for the church.” ...4BIO 295.9

“What shall we do?” they asked.4BIO 295.10

“Why,” I said, “am I too late with my suggestions? Have the preparations gone so far that it would be a sacrifice to change now?”4BIO 295.11

“As to the matter of that,” was the answer, “had your suggestions been a day later, we would have been at some loss.” ...4BIO 295.12

“I said, “I will be responsible for the change made. If any censure comes, let it fall on me. You will be at expense of getting tents, and to the labor of pitching them. The students should not be put in the room over the mill. The influence would be demoralizing.”—Letter 141, 1897.4BIO 295.13

“Now,” she wrote, “we have this two-story building nicely enclosed.” The expansion provided “a room for Sabbath meetings” and “sleeping rooms for the young men” (Letter 33, 1897).4BIO 295.14

She confided in a letter to Willie:4BIO 296.1

Be sure that Brother Hare is consulted in everything, and he will not move out in anything without consulting me. We move harmoniously in all our plans. Brother Haskell says it will not do for anyone to speak questioningly of anything I propose, for Brother Hare raises his right arm and says, “What Sister White advises to be done shall be done, without any ifs or ands about it.”—Letter 141, 1897.

She also stated:4BIO 296.2

All who see the upper story of the second building say, “Whatever could you do without it?” Brother Hare says he would not have taken the responsibility of changing anything if Sister White had not been right on the ground to say what was most needed. But that added story does Brother Hare lots of good.—Ibid.