254
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
men who had been in the council of the night before arose and testified
regarding their committee meeting.
One said: “I was in the meeting last night, and I am sorry to say
that I was on the wrong side. And I take this early opportunity to place
myself on the right side.”
The president of the National Religious Liberty Association bore
a clear testimony. He said that the night before, a number of brethren
had met in his room at the Review Office, and there discussed the
very matters just referred to by Mrs. White. Their deliberations had
continued till after one o’clock in the morning. He said he would not
undertake to describe the meeting. That was unnecessary, because the
description as given by Mrs. White was correct, and more exact than
he could give it. He freely acknowledged that the position he had held
was not right, and that he could now see his error.
Another brother stated that he had been in the meeting, and that
the description given by Mrs. White was true and correct in every
particular. He was profoundly thankful that light had been given,
because the differences of opinion had created a very serious situation.
He believed that all were honest in their convictions, and sincerely
desired to do what was right, yet their views were at variance, and they
could not agree. Others who had been present at the late committee
counsel over the Sentinel, bore testimony that the meeting had been
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correctly described by Mrs. White.
Other testimonies were borne, expressing thankfulness that light
had been given on this question which was attended with so much
perplexity. They also expressed their gratitude that the message had
been given in such a way that all could see not only the wisdom of
God in the message, but also the goodness of God in sending it at such
a time that none could doubt its being a message from Heaven.
This experience confirmed the faith of those who believed, and
deeply impressed those who had felt that their own experienced judg-
ment about business matters was safer to follow than the plans for the
distribution of responsibility and the establishment of many centers of
influence that had been called for by their brethren in the field and by
the Testimonies.
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