The General Conference Session Of 1913

The thirty-eighth session of the General Conference was scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C. from May 15 to June 8, 1913. As with the 1909 session held four years before, meetings would be in a large tent pitched on the grounds of Washington Missionary College in Takoma Park, Maryland. The expectation was that Ellen G. White, now 85 years of age, would not attempt to attend. In early May she made her final decision, writing to Edson on the seventh, “I shall not attend. I desire to save my strength for the work here that is essential to be done” (Letter 9, 1913). W. C. White wrote that she was quite content with the decision (WCW to AGD, May 1, 1913). She did, however, prepare two messages to be read to the session and sent them with her son.WV 538.1

On the first Sabbath afternoon of the session W. C. White was called upon to read Ellen White's message of greeting to the delegates. It contained a challenge to face the work with hopefulness and courage and venture to undertake by faith the work called for—a work they could not fully understand; as they went forward in the fear of God, they would receive rich blessing. She was referring to evangelizing the cities.WV 538.2

Ellen White had a continuing burden for the cities. In September 1909 Testimonies for the Church, volume 9, carried a section titled “The Work in the Cities,” with a strong appeal to ministers and laymen.”Behold the cities,” she urged, “and their need of the gospel!” (p. 97). She told of how the need of earnest laborers among the multitudes of the cities had been kept before her for more than 20 years (Ibid.).WV 538.3

The General Conference Bulletin reported the response to Ellen White's message:WV 538.4

The reading of this letter brought forth many hearty “amens” from the brethren on the rostrum and throughout the congregation. Tears flowed freely as Sister White's expressions of confidence in her brethren and in God's leadership of His people were read (The General Conference Bulletin, 1913, 32).WV 538.5