Chapter 46—Labors in Great Britain and
Scandinavia
The fourth European Missionary Council was held in Great
Grimsby, England, September 27 to October 4, 1886. The reports
of the laborers showed that great difficulties were attending every
branch of the work. One morning, before the meeting, a group of
workers gathered about the stove in the meeting-hall, and related some
of their experiences and disappointments. Good halls for public ser-
vices were very expensive. To the inexpensive halls the class of people
they desired to reach would not come. Tents soon wore out in the
damp climate. In their efforts to do house-to- house work, the doors
of the best homes did not open to the Bible worker; and in the houses
where the doors opened readily, minds were slow to comprehend the
importance of obedience to unpopular truths. “What can be done?”
was the inquiry.
Consecration, Courage, Confidence
During a series of meetings held in Great Grimsby just before the
Council, Mrs. White had given several discourses teaching consecra-
tion, courage, and confidence. In closing a sermon on the experience
of the disciples in connection with the resurrection of Jesus, she said:
“We should improve every opportunity given us day by day to
overcome the temptations of the enemy. This life is a conflict, and we
have a foe who never sleeps, who is watching constantly to destroy
our minds and lure us away from our precious Saviour, who has given
His life for us. Shall we lift the cross given us? or shall we go on in
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selfish gratification, and lose the eternity of bliss? We cannot afford to
sin; we cannot afford to disgrace the law of God.
“The question should not be with us, How shall I make the most
money in this world? The question should not be, Shall I serve God?
Shall we serve God, or Baal? ‘Choose you this day whom ye will
serve;’ ‘as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’
Joshua 24:15
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