«Back «Prev. Pub. «Ch «Pg Pg» Ch» Next Pub.» Forward»
[On November 20, 1895, at an interview with leading workers in Australia, Ellen White answered certain questions placed before her. The report of this interview was published by her son, J. E. White, about 1900, in The Southern Work. In this document for rather general distribution he wisely omitted a sentence concerning the revival of slavery. This statement is all in print except the one sentence in italics, upon which release is sought.—ALW.] 2MR 299
Question: “Should not those in the Southern field work on Sunday?” 2MR 299.1
E. G. White Answer: If they do this, there is danger that as soon as the opposing element can get the slightest opportunity, they will stir up one another to persecute those who do this, and to pick off those whom they hate. At present, Sundaykeeping is not the test. The time will come when men will not only forbid Sunday work, but they will try to force men to labor on the Sabbath. And men will be asked to renounce the Sabbath and to subscribe to Sunday observance or forfeit their freedom and their lives. But the time for this has not yet come, for the truth must be presented more fully before the people as a witness. What I have said about this should not be understood as referring to the action of old Sabbathkeepers who understand the truth. They must move as the Lord shall direct them, but let them consider that they can do the best missionary work on Sunday. 2MR 299.2
Slavery will again be revived in the Southern States; for the spirit of slavery still lives. Therefore it will not do for those who labor among the colored people to preach the truth as boldly and openly as they would be free to do in other places. Even Christ clothed His lessons in figures and parables to 2MR 299.3