William E (Part II)
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pastor, or leader, while others do not favor it because of his life record,
and also think that those who have dealt with him in the past should
give counsel, and advise as to his becoming elder of the church
.
“The counsel given by brethren acquainted with him, and by a
recent action of the Southern Union Conference Committee, is that he
be not made elder of the church
.
“On December 28, Elder S. E. Wight [new president of the South-
ern Union Conference] held a meeting with the church, at which the
question was quite freely discussed. Elder Wight dealt very carefully
and cautiously with the case and spoke of Brother E’s good traits and
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qualifications, but let the church know that neither he nor I could feel
free to ordain him because of the advice given by those who know
him
.
“The only point upon which we all could agree was to place his
case before the servant of the Lord, and whatever the Lord says, we
have all agreed to stand by
.
“Personally, none of us have aught to say against Brother E, but
love and fellowship him as a brother in the church and so regard him.
The church, with Elder Wight as chairman, asked that I place this
matter before you and see what instruction the Lord has for us
.
“Awaiting an early reply, I am
sincerely your brother in Christ,
(Signed) A. L. Miller
1700 North Seventh Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama
“P. S. This letter was read to the church, and accepted.”
Feeling that his personal appearance before Mrs. White might
gain favorable consideration of his case, Brother E went to St. Helena
during the second week in January, but Sister White did not feel free
to have an interview with him. He then placed in writing the circum-
stances of his case, which were addressed to Sister White under date
of January 13, 1913. On January 14, Elder Miller’s letter of January 8,
as well as Brother E’s letter of January 13, were placed before Sister
White. She made the following statements in connection with their
reading:
]
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