The Confession of A. G. Daniells

As workers came to visit the school in progress, they were well pleased. Of one such occasion she wrote:4BIO 313.5

I am very glad that these brethren came up. All who had not before seen the grounds were delighted with the situation. Elder Daniells was surprised at the improvement that had been made in the buildings and on the land. All were free to acknowledge that this was the place where the school should be located.—Letter 149, 1897.4BIO 313.6

In connection with this visit, Daniells promised to work for the school with all his power (Letter 140, 1897). But that which brought the greatest satisfaction to Ellen White was what took place a few weeks later as he again visited the school. Of this she wrote on June 24:4BIO 314.1

Brother Daniells made a most thorough acknowledgment to me. He confessed that he had not helped at all, either by his faith or his influence, but had permitted Willie and me to drag the load uphill. He said he saw that he had been wrong, and he now had to confess that the Lord had been leading step by step, but that he had had no part in it. “I am thoroughly convinced,” he said, “that this is the place for our school, and I am going to work with all my heart and strength to advance and build up the school interest, and I may repair, as far as possible, that harm I have done.”—Letter 132, 1897.4BIO 314.2

Elder Daniells has had little faith that a school would ever be in successful operation here, but he has been thoroughly converted on this subject.—Ibid.4BIO 314.3

As winter gave way to spring and the end of the first school year at Avondale was in sight, Ellen White entertained one growing concern—the need of a house in which to worship God. Could one be built by the close of the school year, now only seven weeks away? Such an accomplishment would crown this year that marked a new start in Christian education.4BIO 314.4