Leadership
457
to the work. The pressure of care and the affliction of disease have
often thrown him into discouragement, and he has sometimes viewed
matters in an exaggerated light. His brethren have taken advantage
of his words, and of his prompt manners, which have been in marked
contrast with their tardy labor and narrow plans of operation. They
have accredited to my husband motives and feelings which were not
his due. The wide contrast between themselves and him seemed like a
gulf; but this might easily have been bridged, had these men of intellect
put their undivided interests and whole hearts into the work of building
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up and advancing the precious cause of God.
We might exert a constant influence in this place, at the head of
the work, which would advance the prosperity of our institutions. But
the course of others who do not do what they might, who are subject
to temptation, and who, if their track is crossed, would reflect upon
our most earnest efforts for the prosperity of God’s cause, compels us
to seek an asylum elsewhere where we may work to better advantage
with less danger of being crushed under burdens. God has given us
great freedom and power with His people at Battle Creek. When we
came to this place last summer, our work commenced in earnest, and
it has continued ever since. One perplexity and difficulty has followed
closely upon another, calling forth taxing labor to set things right.
When the Lord showed that Brother D might be the man for the
place, if he remained humble and relied upon His strength, He did
not make a blunder and select the wrong man. For a time Brother D
had a true interest and acted as a father at the Health Institute. But
he became self-exalted, self-sufficient. He pursued a wrong course.
He yielded to temptation. The excuses which the directors have made
for their neglect of duty are all wrong. Their shifting responsibilities
upon Brother and Sister White is marked against them. They simply
neglected their duty because it was unpleasant.
I saw that help was needed upon the Pacific Coast. But God would
not have us take the responsibilities or bear the perplexities which
belong to others. We may stand as counselors and help them with
our influence and our judgment. We may do much if we will not be
induced to get under the load and bear the weight which others should
bear, and which it is important for them to bear in order to gain a
necessary experience. We have important matter to write out which