Chapter 35—William E (Part II)
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On August 15, 1911, Elder C. F. McVagh, president of the
Southern Union Conference, wrote W. C. White:
“Dear Brother: in Alabama the Conference officers are much
perplexed about the case of William E, and I have been asked to write
for a copy of what has been written [by Ellen White] bearing upon his
public labor as a minister, and also for present advice, or instruction
from the Lord. You are acquainted with his past. His life has been
straight so far as is known for several years, and he has sold books and
Bibles. But he feels a burden to preach and wherever he goes he soon
has opportunity to preach. He has wonderful ability and soon there
is an interest. He gives outward evidence of deep consecration and
people accept the truth under his labors
.
“A little over a year ago he moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and
soon was taking an active part in church work. The church at that
time was very much run down. He became elder, and soon had some
work started and several families interested. The interest grew and
during the winter he held Sunday night meetings in a theater with a
large attendance, and some accepted the truth. He had the confidence
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of the church members who were naturally much encouraged, and
so, as he had to devote much of his time to taking care of the interest
(he is an indefatigable worker), the Conference Committee voted him
$8 a week to assist him. Of course he cannot live on that, and he
thinks the interest demands full time, and he is really looking to the
restoration of his credentials and complete recognition as a minister
of the Conference. His present experience no one doubts, but the past
has marked him and his family
.
“His wife is a nervous wreck and her confidence has been so shaken
that while she wants him to preach, there is constant danger that as he
becomes popular and mingles with the people that she will become
jealous, whether [there] is any cause or not, and herself bring on a
scandal by talking and telling of the past which she is prone to do
when she becomes suspicious of him. All would be greatly relieved if
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