Writing and Speaking
217
I love to talk this out and to write it out. My prayers shall be, that
God may bless you at your camp meetings, and that your souls may
be refreshed by His grace. If God bids me leave my writing to attend
these meetings or to speak to the people in different places, I hope to
hear and obey His voice.”
The Signs of the Times, April 5, 1883
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During the spring and summer of 1883, Mrs. White spent much
time in an effort to complete Volume 4 of “Spirit of Prophecy,” known
in later years as “Great Controversy.” Not until early August did she
break away from her writing to attend some of the fall camp meetings
in the East, and the General Conference session following. Of these
public labors in 1883, she wrote:
Visit to Battle Creek
“Sunday, August 12, in company with Sister Sara McEnterfer, I
left the Pacific coast on my way to the East. Although we suffered
considerably from heat and dust, we had a pleasant journey across the
plains. We found conductor and porters ready to do all in their power
for our comfort and convenience.
“From the time that we stepped on board the train, I felt perfectly
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satisfied that I was in the way of duty. I have had sweet communion
with my Saviour, and have felt that He is my refuge and my fortress,
and that no harm can come to me while engaged in the work which
He has given me to do. I have an abiding trust in the promises of God,
and enjoy that peace which comes only from Jesus....
“We reached Battle Creek on Friday, August 17. The following
night I found it impossible to sleep. I had not visited this place since I
left it in great feebleness after my husband’s funeral. Now the great
loss which the cause had sustained in his death, the great loss which
I had sustained in being deprived of his society and assistance in my
work, came up vividly before me, and I could not compose myself
to sleep. I recalled the covenant which I had made with God at my
husband’s deathbed,—that I would not become discouraged under the
burden, but would labor more earnestly and devotedly than ever before
to present the truth both by pen and voice; that I would set before
the people the excellence of the statutes and precepts of Jehovah, and
would point them to the cleansing fountain where we may wash away
every stain of sin.