Ellen White’s Assistants
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were given to me again and again. I talked with him by himself in
regard to his freedom and enjoyment in the society of young women
and his frivolous conduct, but he said he had always been sociable
with young ladies and thought it no harm.
We wanted to help him, for he had no money and but very poor
clothing. He has good ability, and might have developed into a com-
petent helper for W. C. [White] or a worker for me. But I dared not
have him remain a member of my family.
He became attached to Fannie Y and the matter was carried on
under a deception before he learned that his wife had obtained a di-
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vorce. When he heard this he seemed greatly relieved, for his heart
was fully weaned from her. But the Lord gave me light in regard to the
matter. I consider that he is far more to blame than his wife in view
of the fact that he claims to believe sacred truth, and she makes no
such profession. He has not been a kind, tender husband; he has not
been patient and forbearing, but very critical and overbearing if his
wife displeased him in any way. I cannot see how his wife, in contact
with his temperament and disposition, could feel drawn toward the
truth. She has opposed him and has made it hard for him, but not a
whit harder than he has made it for her by his course of action. He has
not taken opposition patiently, or as a Christian should. He did wrong
when he left his home and his wife and children. A few months ago I
learned that he had done nothing for their support.
As matters were unfolded to me, it was a most serious matter for
him to allow his affections to center upon another woman when he had
a wife living, whom he had promised to love and cherish as long as
they both should live. Why he should leave his home so long has been
a mystery to us all, until recently I have had divine enlightenment.
He can appear very attractive, and win the confidence and favor
of the girls, but when crossed he has such a temper and disposition
that, unless he is changed, no woman, believer or unbeliever, could
live peaceably with him. He would pursue a course that would make
any woman miserable. He is an intemperate eater, and this is why he
has so little patience.
I felt that the time had come when I should no longer employ him
to transact my business, for warnings kept coming to me from the Lord
concerning his course of action.
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