Chapter 34—William E (Part I)
[
William E. was born in Melborn, Quebec, in 1856. After at-
tending Battle Creek College he labored as a minister or colporteur in
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and Alabama
.
His first marriage ended in divorce, after which he fathered a child
by a second woman without marrying her. Then, on August 5, 1892,
he married a third woman, who was still his companion when he died
in 1934
.
In 1901 William E’s father and brother insisted that he should
divorce his wife and return to an earlier companion. His first wife
had remarried but the second woman, who was the mother of his
illegitimate daughter, was anxious to marry him
.
Edson White wrote his mother on October 30, 1901, and asked if
it was necessary for Brother E to leave his current wife in order to get
right with God. Ellen White’s response follows.
]
I have just read your letter concerning Will E. I regard the matter
in the same light that you do, and think it a cruel, wicked thing that
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the father of Will E should take the course that he is taking, but I have
not dared to answer his letters. If anything can come from me through
you to him, I would say that his case cannot be improved by leaving
the present wife. It would not better the case to go to the other woman
in the question....
I have not written to Will E, but know that if the father would
repent before God and do his first works, and cease to consider himself
as one that can help his son, he would ask himself the question, “Is my
name written there, on the page white and fair?” He might well begin
to humble himself before God, and leave Will E with God.
Let the father and brother make diligent work for themselves. They
both need the converting power of God. May the Lord help these poor
souls to remove spot and stain from their own characters, and repent
of their wrongs, and leave Will E with the Lord.
I am so sorry for the man, for his course is in such a shape that
it will not answer to be meddled with, for there are difficulties upon
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