Ellen G. White Estate

“When I first found myself in a state of helplessness, I deeply regretted having crossed the broad waters [to Australia]. Why was I not in America? Why at such expense was I in this country [Australia]? Time and again I could have buried my face in the bed quilts and had a good cry. But I did not long indulge in the luxury of tears. I said to myself, “Ellen G. White, what do you mean? Have you not come to Australia because you felt that it was your duty to go where the Conference judged it best for you to go? Has not this been your practice?” I said “Yes.” “Then why do you feel almost forsaken, and discouraged? Is not this the enemy’s work?” I said, “I believe it is.” I dried my tears as quickly as possible and said, “It is enough; I will not look on the dark side any more. Live or die, I commit the keeping of my soul to Him who died for me.” I then believed that the Lord would do all things well, and during this eight months of helplessness, I have not had any despondency or doubt. I now look at this matter as a part of the Lord’s great plan, for the good of His people here in this country and for those in America and for my good. I cannot explain why or how, but I believe it. And I am happy in my affliction; I can trust my Heavenly Father.”

—Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 7 (1891-1892), Lt 18A, 1892, par. 4

If Satan can so deceive human minds as to change the day God has pronounced blessed and holy, then there is no sacred day. The Lord's memorial is of no value, for it ceases to be a memorial that He is the Creator of the world, its Lord and Sovereign. Satan claims to have the possession of the world, and he offered it as a bribe to Christ if He would fall down and worship him, but the Lord Jesus rebuked him. Satan hated Christ because He was preferred before him. He hated Him because he saw Him rolling back the hellish darkness of the hellish shadow he had thrown over the Sabbath, which loaded it with traditions and customs. It became of no force, but was a rigorous burden in the place of being regarded as “a delight, the holy of the Lord,” and “honourable.” [Isaiah 58:13.] If he made the Sabbath to be dishonored, then the Lord would be dishonored. Christ came to reveal God, to place the Sabbath free from the human traditions and rubbish under which it had been buried, and place it on its eternal basis.

—Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 7 (1891-1892), Ms 43B, 1891, par. 11