III. The Watson Letter

We now turn to the “Watson letter”, for in this letter we learn that Ellen White occasionally gave some of her tithe directly to a designated project or individual.EGWCPT 12.4

“During the greater part of the time since my connection with Mother’s business in 1881, a full tithe has been paid on her salary to church or conference treasurer.” ^{34Quoted by Arthur L. White in Ellen G. White : The Early Elmshaven Years, 1900-1905, p. 393} So wrote W. C. White, Ellen White’s son, late in her lifetime. However, there were some exceptions to this rule. At times Mrs. White gave a portion of her tithe funds directly to Adventist ministers who were in dire financial straits. Why did she do this, when her consistent counsel to others was to return their tithe through the church treasury?EGWCPT 12.5