Hope for a Broken World
The end of a year brings time for reflection. In the new year, we look forward to better times, better health, better relationships, better finances, and a better understanding of who we are and why we're here.
Elmshaven, a historical residence built in the 1880's has been designated by the Department of the Interior as a National Historical Landmark. Though built by Robert Pratt, a railroad magnate from San Francisco, the home is best known as the final residence of Ellen Gould Harmon White. She named her home “Elmshaven” after the magnificent elm trees surrounding the property when she purchased "Elmshaven" in 1900..
Born in 1827, Ellen Harmon dropped out of school after the third grade. An older girl from school, in a fit of anger, threw a rock at Ellen, striking her on the face and breaking her nose. As a result, Ellen remained sickly for years and had to abandon her hopes for an education.
However,Ellen's love and trust in God deepened because of her accident, Her life became a series of miracles. God strengthened and guided Ellen, impressing her to write of His love and her own experience of His loving care. Ellen wrote, writing forty books during her lifetime. She became known as “God's Messenger.”
In one of her best-known books, The Desire of Ages, Ellen said, “No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus.” She lived what she wrote. The author of 100,000 pages of manuscript, Mrs. White became a highly regarded Christian speaker as well as writer.
Though she died in 1915, Mrs. White's writings live on. Her books are currently published in 160 languages. She is known in the United States as the number one author of non-fictional books. Those who visit Elmshaven, and read her books, continue to be blessed with God's message of hope
