Positive Counsel Received

“We have felt from what has occurred during the last two years, and the counsels you have given, that the time had come to move from that place. But we do not want to do this unless it is right, and we felt that we would like to place the matter before you, and receive any counsel and light you could give us. “General Conference Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 6.AGP 346.3

In no uncertain language Mrs. White spoke in response to this inquiry. She referred to the recent burning of the Review and Herald publishing house, and said:AGP 346.4

“The very worst thing that could now be done would be for the Review and Herald office to be once more built up in Battle Creek.” Idem.

She was no less specific regarding the transfer of the General Conference headquarters. She said:AGP 346.5

“In reply to the question that has been asked in regard to settling somewhere else, I answer, Yes. Let the General Conference offices and the publishing work be moved from Battle Creek.” Idem.

The decision to leave Battle Creek came as a great surprise and as a shock to many residents of the city, especially to some who owned homes of their own. Some of these rented rooms to employees in the sanitarium and the publishing house, or to teachers and students in the college, and were largely dependent for their support upon the rent they received. The property owners were especially perturbed at the prospect of the financial losses that would accrue to them. Some of them entered into aAGP 346.6

campaign of active opposition. They declared the proposal to be folly, and openly declared their disbelief that it was the Lord who was calling for the move.AGP 347.1

Other communications were received from Mrs. White after the Conference, encouraging us to carry forward as quickly as possible the plans for removal. Those who recognized the divine source of the messages accepted them despite the adverse outlook, and did all they could to inspire confidence in others. Meetings were held in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, and while we were unable to secure a unanimous agreement, yet a majority voted to follow the counsel received through Mrs. White.AGP 347.2

A committee was appointed to search for a location in the East. We wrote to Mrs. White of this action, and asked her if she could give us specific light as to the exact place we should go. To this she responded that she had not been shown the locality, but made special reference to our duty to work the large cities in the East.AGP 347.3

We had all thought of New York City as the most likely place that would be suitable; for that was the port from which we were sending practically all our missionaries at that time. So we began our search, and spent a number of weeks investigating various properties that were brought to our attention. But we found nothing that seemed satisfactory.AGP 347.4