Visit to Waldensian Hideouts
A secondary objective in the visit to Italy was to find a comfortable place where Ellen White could get some rest and relaxation. Her diary entries for three consecutive days open with the words “We are having a beautiful day“: “We have a most glorious morning“: and “It is a beautiful morning“: and of Monday, November 30, she notes that “the sun shines so warm and mild; the doors are open and it seems like spring.”—Ibid.3BIO 334.4
During the week she did some sightseeing, going by carriage to nearby points of special interest. When the carriage could go no farther, several times she climbed the hills to points of historic interest relating to the experience of the Waldenses as they attempted to hide from their persecutors, and where many lost their lives.3BIO 334.5
On Friday, December 4, she did some writing, corrected the transcription of her Sabbath discourse, and prepared for the meeting the next day. Arrangements had been made to print the notice of the meeting at Pinola, a nearby town. When a copy was posted, they found it matched the notice of a meeting to be held by Miles Grant, who apparently had followed her to Torre Pellice. Grant, an Advent Christian minister and editor of the World's Crisis, published in America, was a bitter foe of Seventh-day Adventists. He took pride in what he termed the exposing of the pretended visions of Ellen White. The notice of Grant's meeting carried the declaration that he would do this in Torre Pellice. Totally ignoring this, Ellen White went ahead with her weekend meetings Friday night, Sabbath, and Sunday. Attendance was disappointing; some said that two parties of Adventists had come to quarrel with one another and that the people ought not to go to the meetings of either party (Letter 72, 1886).3BIO 334.6
That Friday night Miles Grant spoke in a hall above the one in which Ellen White was holding her meetings. Although he mentioned Ellen White in his address, he reserved his stronger blasts until Saturday night. Of this she wrote in her diary:3BIO 335.1
In the evening Elder Grant presented his slander he had gathered up—what this disaffected one had said, and those who had been reproved for their wrongs and iniquity—and presented it to the people as condemning evidence that the visions of Mrs. White were not of God.3BIO 335.2
The very same course has Robert Ingersoll pursued against the Bible. Grant has taken some expressions that he could turn and misrepresent and distort. These he has made the most of, and the people who are ignorant of me and my work accept these garbled statements as truth. But as I am a stranger in Italy and unacquainted with the people and the people unacquainted with me and my work, it would be of no use to try to undeceive them.—Manuscript 29, 1885.3BIO 335.3
Ellen White went right on with her meetings, making no reference to Grant, hoping to reach the hearts of those who would hear. But the outlook was bleak. In her diary she noted the position she took:3BIO 335.4
I might answer him and vindicate myself, but I will not even mention his name. I will keep right on seeking to speak the truth in love to those who will hear. I know I ought never to despair when engaged in the work for my Master.... I long to have the people see the truth as it is in Jesus, but all I can do is to pray and work the very best I can, having my will in submission to God's will and feel continually the work is the Lord's—the cause is His.... I am to do my duty. I am only an instrument in the hands of God, to do my part of the work in His love and fear.3BIO 335.5
This truth will triumph, but when, where, and how is for the Lord to decide. These thoughts bring peace and trust and confidence to my soul. I will not be discouraged, for the Captain of our salvation stands at the helm.—Ibid.3BIO 336.1
Again through the next week, as the days turned colder, Ellen White pressed on with her writing. Accompanied by Mary, she continued to do some sightseeing also, guided by Bourdeau.3BIO 336.2
They were now in the very heart of the Waldensian hideouts. Ellen White's heart thrilled as she recounted in her mind the history of God's noble, persecuted witnesses. Some of the surroundings had a familiar look to her, for in visions she had been shown the travails and persecutions of the Waldenses.3BIO 336.3
While Ellen White stayed in the Bourdeau home in Torre Pellice, council meetings were held to give study to the best way to conduct the work in Italy. “We keep asking the Lord,” she wrote, “to open the way for the truth to find access to hearts in these valleys.” On the third Sabbath Bourdeau spoke, giving Ellen White a bit of a rest, but Sunday afternoon she addressed an attentive audience. Grant had left the valley, and tensions were lessening. She spoke again Sunday night, her last meeting there. Of this she wrote:3BIO 336.4
The Lord gave me His Spirit and at the close of the meeting nearly all present shook hands with me. One man understood English and said, “The Lord has been here tonight. You have spoken by the inspiration of His Spirit.” Several expressed an earnest wish for us to remain longer.—Ibid.3BIO 336.5
Tuesday, December 15, Ellen White's visit to Italy came to its close. At half past four in the morning, she and her companions were at the depot to catch the train back to Turin.3BIO 336.6