Chapter 33—Stephen Belden
[
W. C. White Statement: “Sister White did not sympathize with
those who took the ground that a person who had separated from a
companion on other than scriptural ground, and married again, that
this second marriage must be broken up if they were to be accepted or
retained in an SDA church
.
“Sister White fully recognized that these people in most cases had
sinned, that some had sinned grievously, and that they should not be
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accepted into fellowship of our churches unless that sin was repented
of. Sister White did not accept the contention that such repentance
could not be genuine without breaking the new bond, and making
an earnest effort to return to former companions. She recognized
the fact that in most instances a reunion with the parties formerly
connected with in marriage would be either impossible or exceedingly
unprofitable. She also recognized that the vows entered into in the
second marriage called for such an action as was most merciful and
kind to the contracting parties
.
“She sometimes referred to the teaching of Paul, who having
reached a certain point in his experience, said, ‘But I spare you.’
He knew there were existing conditions that people were living in
relations resulting from sin. He also knew that Christ would accept
their genuine repentance, and that in many cases it would make matters
worse if existing relations were torn up to prepare a way for a reunion
with the parties who were incompanionable, so Sister White used to
say, ‘But I spare you.’
“Sister White’s next older sister, Sarah Harmon, was married to
Stephen Belden and became the mother of five children. After her
death, in pity for his children, he married a woman who had many
years been a faithful servant in his household. Shortly after this, the
measles visited the vicinity, and she with others had the measles in a
severe form. The measles went to her brain, and she became insane,
and had to be taken to the asylum. Brother Belden struggled along
for some time, trying to care for his five children, then for their sake
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