In Confirmation of Confidence
249
and perplexed, she thought to retire to her room and pray. Climbing
the stairs, she knelt by the bed, and before the first word of petition
had been offered she felt that the room was filled with the fragrance
of roses. Looking up to see whence the fragrance came, she saw the
room flooded with a soft, silvery light. Instantly her pain and weariness
disappeared. The perplexity and discouragement of mind vanished,
and hope and comfort and peace filled her heart.
Then, losing all consciousness regarding her surroundings, she was
shown in vision many things relating to the progress of the cause in
different parts of the world, and the conditions which were helping or
hindering the work.
Among the many views presented to her, were several showing the
conditions existing in Battle Creek. In a very full and striking manner,
these were laid out before her.
Tuesday forenoon, November 4, was the time set for the departure
from Salamanca. In the morning Elders A. T. Robinson and W. C.
White called to see what Mrs. White had decided to do. Then she told
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them of her experience of the evening before, and of her peace and
joy through the night. She said that during the night she had had no
inclination to sleep; for her heart was so filled with joy and gladness.
Many times she had repeated the words of Jacob: “Surely the Lord is
in this place; and I knew it not.” “This is none other but the house of
God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Genesis 28:16, 17
.
She was fully decided to attend the meetings according to appoint-
ment. Then she proposed to tell the brethren what had been shown her
regarding the work in Battle Creek; but her mind immediately turned
to other matters, and she did not relate the vision. Not until the General
Conference held in Battle Creek the following March, did she relate it.
The remainder of November and the month of December were
spent in the Eastern States, at meetings in Washington and Baltimore,
and in Norwich, Lynn, and Danvers, Mass. January and February were
spent in labors at Battle Creek, and in preparation for the General
Conference.
Proposals Regarding Centralization
During the year 1890, much thought had been given by leading men
connected with the management of the Review and Herald Publishing