EGW PROPHET OR NOT
A) INTRODUCTION.
B) ELLEN GOULD WHITE CLAIMS.
C) THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHET MUST AGREE WITH THE BIBLE.
D) THE PROPHETS’ PREDICTIONS MUST COME TRUE.
E) CHRIST’S INCARNATION MUST BE RECOGNIZED.
F) THE PROPHET MUST BEAR GOOD FRUIT.
G) PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS MUST OCCUR WHILE THE PROPHET IS IN VISION.
A) INTRODUCTION
Included is my Bible Study: “PROPHET, TESTS OF A TRUE” which is below.
Before we get started, it is well known that Ellen White never claimed to be a “prophet.” I’ll let you look up the hundreds of quotes. Also, search under, “The Bible and the Bible alone.”
Second Peter 1:20-21: “(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophets came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” See also Acts 1:16; First Peter 1:10-11.
SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS: Why are so many false prophets so successful? Because false prophets know their audience. They know what sort of guarantees to make to them in order to make them believe they will get what they want (and he/she -- the false prophet -- gets what they want).
There is a certain stigma that is attached to ANYONE who claims to be/have a message from the Lord. In fact, all who have claimed this status have been derided by their contemporaries. The Bible even points this out in Acts 7:52: “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?” Therefore, before any true judgement can be made, let’s follow the Bibles advice: “Doth our Law judge any man, before it hear him?” John 7:51.
Regardless of anyone’s opinion, consider how God has protected His Word, The Bible. Then consider that, “Ellen G. White is the most translated female non-fiction author in the history of literature, as well as the most translated American non-fiction author of either gender across the globe.” Adrienne Morris, February 5, 2015.
To test her prophetic abilities, one would need to reed everything she has ever written. She has written over 5,000 articles, 40 books (I have read them all), and 50,000 pages of manuscripts (I have read what I think is all of them). Therefore, I am qualified to come to the conclusions/results below.
STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN G WHITE
(From The General Conference Statement Of Beliefs 2022)
“As delegates to the 2021 General Conference Session in Indianapolis, Indiana, we express our deep gratitude for God’s prophetic guidance of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Aiming to live ‘by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matt 4:4, NKJV; cf. Luke 16 10:16), we take seriously the biblical passages that teach the abiding nature of the gift of prophecy (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:10, 28; Eph 4:11-14) and promise its end-time manifestation (Joel 2:28-31; Rev 12:17; 19:10; 22:9). We recognize the gift of prophecy in the life and ministry of Ellen G White (1827-1915).
“We believe that the writings of Ellen G White were inspired by the Holy Spirit and are Christ centered and Bible based. Rather than replacing Scripture, they uplift its normative character, safeguard the Church from ‘every wind of doctrine’ (Eph 4:14), and offer an inspired guide to Bible passages without exhausting their meaning or preventing further study. They also help us to overcome the human tendency to accept from the Bible what we like and to distort or disregard what we do not like.
“We commit ourselves to prayerfully study the writings of Ellen G White with hearts willing to follow the counsels and instructions found therein. Whether individually, in the family, in small groups, in the classroom, or in the church, we believe that the study of her writings brings us closer to God and His infallible Word -- the Scriptures -- providing us a transforming and faith-uplifting experience.
“We rejoice in the Lord for what has already been accomplished in the global and local circulation of the writings of Ellen G White in both printed and electronic formats, including egwwritings.org and related apps. We encourage the continued development of both worldwide and local strategies to foster the circulation and study of her writings in as many languages as possible. The study of these writings is a powerful means to strengthen and prepare God’s people to face the challenges of these last days as we approach Christ’s soon return.”
B) ELLEN GOULD WHITE CLAIMS
“I have had no claims to make, only that I am instructed that I am the Lord’s messenger; that He called me in my youth to be His messenger, to receive His Word, and to give a clear and decided message in the name of the Lord Jesus.
“Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord’s messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. My Saviour declared me to be His messenger. ‘Your work,’ He instructed me, ‘is to bear My Word.’ ” 1SM:32; RH, July 26, 1906 paragraphs 4 & 5.
“When I was last in Battle Creek [Battle Creek, MI. October 2nd, 1904], I said before a large congregation that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Twice I referred to this matter, intending each time to make the statement, ‘I do not claim to be a prophetess.’ If I spoke otherwise than this, let all now understand that what I had in mind to say was that I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess.” 1SM:35.1.
“[35] During the discourse, I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Some were surprised at this statement, and as [36] much is being said in regard to it, I will make an explanation. Others have called me a prophetess, but I have never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty thus to designate myself. Those who boldly assume that they are prophets in this our day are often a reproach to the cause of Christ.” 1SM:35-36.
“For half a century I have been the Lord’s messenger, and as long as my life shall last I shall continue to bear the messages that God gives me for His people. I take no glory to myself. In my youth the Lord made me His messenger, to communicate to His people testimonies of encouragement, warning, and reproof. For sixty years I have been in communication with Heavenly messengers, and I have been constantly learning in reference to Divine things, and in reference to the way in which God is constantly working to bring souls from the error of their ways to the light in God's light.” 3SM:71.1.
“I have written as the Lord’s messenger to persons who ought to help them.” 20MR:257.1.
“I am instructed, as the Lord’s messenger, to tell you to make God your trust, and to leave your perplexities in His hands.” GH, April 1, 1905 paragraph 1.
“My brother and sister, this is a life and death question with you. As the Lord’s messenger, I urge you to free yourselves from the snare of Satan, and place yourselves on the platform of eternal truth. I cannot let you take this step without warning you of your danger. If I should do this, I could not be clear before God.” LLM:277.3.
“I am ‘only waiting till the shadows are a little longer grown.’ But my books will testify when my voice shall no longer be heard. The truths committed to me, as the Lord's messenger, stand immortalized, either to convict and to convert souls, or to condemn those who have departed from the faith and have given heed to seducing spirits.” Lt:350 (1906); PM:359.1.
“As the Lord’s messenger, I ask you to help the Madison school now.” PH119:4.2; SpM:426.1.
“I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. I have not stood before the people claiming this title, though many called me thus. I have been instructed to say, ‘I am God’s messenger, sent to bear a message of reproof to the erring and of encouragement to the meek and lowly.’ With pen and with voice I am to bear the messages given me. The Word given me is, ‘You are faithfully to reprove those who would mar the faith of the people of God. Write out the things which I shall give you, that they may stand as a witness to the truth till the end of time.’ ” RH, January 26, 1905 paragraph 18.
“When I was last in Battle Creek, I said before a large congregation that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Twice I referred to this matter, intending each time to make the statement, ‘I do not claim to be a prophetess.’ If I spoke otherwise than this, let all now understand that what I had in mind to say was that I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess.” RH, July 26, 1906 paragraph 19.
“Before I went to the Conference, the Lord declared to me: ‘In going to Battle Creek, and bearing your testimony in clear, decided lines, all who hear the instruction given by you, the Lord’s messenger, will be left without excuse. I will put My Words in your lips.’ I went, and the Lord gave me a message to bear before the thousands assembled.” SpM:333.6.
“This message I am given to bear, as the Lord’s messenger.” SpTB07:45.1.
C) TESTS OF A TRUE PROPHET BEGINS NOW:
THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHET MUST AGREE WITH THE BIBLE
Isaiah 8:20: “To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.”
Deuteronomy 13:1-5: “(1) If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, (2) And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; (3) Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (4) Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear Him, and keep His Commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him. (5) And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God Commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.”
The Holy Spirit never contradicts His previously given testimony, for God: “with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17. See also: Numbers 23:19; Psalm 89:34 & 102:27; Ecclesiastes 3:14-15; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 1:11-12 & 13:8; First Peter 1:23; for these show that our Lord is NEVER changing.
The teachings of a true prophet will always harmonize with all that the former true prophets have spoken (Acts 3:22-24; 24:14; 26:22 (27); 28:23; 1Co. 14:32; 1Pe. 1:11; Rev. 19:10).
For false messages to be aware of, see Proverbs 14:15; Jeremiah 5:31 & 29:8-9; Matthew 7:15-16; Romans 16:18; Second Peter 2:1.
EGW: Not Her Voice, But God’s: “The voice that spoke to Israel from Sinai is speaking in these last days to men and women, saying, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me’ (Exo. 20:3). The Law of God was written with His Own finger on tables of stone, thus showing that it could never be changed or abrogated. It is to be preserved through the eternal ages, immutable as the principles of His government.” LHU:142.
“In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it.” 1SM:37.
“I write all that the Lord gives me to write.” Letter 52, 1906, page 9. (To Brother and Sister Farnsworth, January 29, 1906.); 8MR:33.
“. . .the Lord partially removed the restriction, and I write what I do. I dare not say more now, lest I go beyond what the Spirit of the Lord has permitted me.” 3SM:69; PH117:50.
“The object of all ministry is to keep self out of sight, and to let Christ appear. The exaltation of Christ is the great truth that all who labor in word and doctrine are to reveal.” 1SM:156.
“I have been shown faces that I had never seen, and years afterward I knew them when I saw them. . . In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write one article in the paper, expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision -- the precious rays of light shining from the Throne.” 1SM:27.
From 15MR:66: “At another time at a meeting held at brother Curtis’ in Topsham, Maine, she was taken off in vision, and arose to her feet, took the large family Bible from the table, and held it on her hand some time at an angle of forty-five degrees, and said the hidden book was not there. When some one asked if the Apocrypha was not in the Bible, brother Curtis remarked it was not. She talked sometime about the hidden book. No one knew but bro. Curtis family that the Apocrypha was not there.”
“As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of His Word, and the scenes of the past and the future, I have been bidden to make known to others that which has thus been revealed.” GC:x, xi.
D) THE PROPHETS’ PREDICTIONS MUST COME TRUE
Deuteronomy 18:20-22: “(20) But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in My Name, which I have not Commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. (21) And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? (22) When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
See also Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Isaiah 41:22; Jeremiah 14:14-15; 23:13-15 & 31; 27:15; 28:1-17; Ezekiel 13:6; Zechariah 1:5-6; Matthew 7:15; John 10:35; Acts 1:16; Second Peter 2:12.
“I was shown that your brother had been convinced of the truth for some time, but influences had held him back. His wife had hindered him from obeying his convictions. But in her affliction she sought the Lord, and He was found of her. Then she felt an anxiety that her husband should embrace the truth; she repented that she had opposed him, that her pride and love of the world had so long kept him from receiving the truth.” 2T:49. There are many, “I was shown” visions. Look them up.
EGW: “Tobacco is a slow, but sure poison,” 17MR:42. Proven later of course. Many other visions upon diet have proven to be true years later.
Based on account of Ellen G. White in Spiritual Gifts, Volume 2, pages 75-79, and the account of Otis Nichols in “White Estate Files,” as found in “Campfire Junior Stories From The Days Of S.D.A. Pioneers,” pages 13-14: “[13] While Mrs. White was in vision, she spoke concerning the experience of Mr. Sargent and Mr. Robbins. They did not want the people to hear what she was saying, and so they said, ‘Let’s sing.’ And the people sang very loud until they were weary. Then they said, ‘We will read the Bible.’ And so in a loud voice, they read from the Bible, until they were worn out and their hands were shaking and they couldn’t read any more. Some [14]
“of their friends told them to stop doing what they were doing, but Mr. Robbins said, ‘You are bowed to an idol. You are worshiping a golden calf.’ Mr. Thayer who was the owner of the house was not sure in his own heart that the vision was from Satan as Mr. Robbins said that it was, and he wanted to test it in some way. He had heard that visions which were given by Satanic power would be stopped if a Bible were placed on the person who was in vision. And so he picked up the large family Bible from the table and he started to hand it to Mr. Sargent and asked him if he would lay the Bible on Ellen Harmon to test the matter. ‘Oh no!’ said Mr. Sargent. He would not have anything to do with it. ‘All right,’ Mr. Thayer said, ‘I will do it.’
“Then Mr. Thayer took the large Bible that was lying on the table and he opened it. Sister White was reclining at this time and he laid the Bible upon her. Immediately, as the Bible was placed upon her, she arose to her feet, picked up the Bible and balanced it on one hand and held it as high as she could reach and with her eyes looking upward and away from the Bible, she declared, ‘This is the inspired testimony from God.’ Then she began to turn the leaves of the Bible with her other hand. She placed her finger on a certain passage and she quoted the words. Brother Nichols and some of the others climbed up on chairs to see if she were quoting the texts correctly. They found that she was.
“Some of the texts which she read referred to the judgments of God against the wicked, and some of the texts related to the experience of these men. For quite a period of time, Sister White turned the pages of the Bible and pointed to the texts and quoted them. Then as the vision came to a close, Mrs. White took a deep breath, filling her empty lungs. She paused about a minute, and then she breathed again, and soon she was breathing naturally. As she began to see what was going on about her, she observed that the candles were lighted. During the whole winter afternoon, she had been in vision. This was the longest vision which was given to her. It lasted for nearly four hours. During these four hours, she didn’t breathe once, although she spoke much of the time. Now the people could see for themselves. They could see that God was guiding in the experience of Ellen White and they could see the true nature of Mr. Sargent and Mr. Robbins. Thus God, through the visions, helped His people to understand and to choose that which was right.”
The Vision of January 3, 1875: “[34] When Mrs. White and her party reached the publishing house, Elder Whitney said, ‘Look at our meeting-hall before going upstairs.’ It was a fine room on the first floor, well lighted and well furnished. Mrs. White looked searchingly at all features of the place, and then said: ‘It is a good meeting-hall. I feel that I have seen this place before.’
“Not long after this, those parts of the building occupied by the printing business were visited. When the pressroom was reached, the press was running, and Mrs. White said, ‘I have seen this press before. This room looks very familiar to me.’ Soon the two young men who were working in the pressroom came forward, and were introduced to the visitors. Mrs. White shook hands with them, and then inquired, ‘Where is the other one?’
“ ‘What other one?’ Elder Whitney asked.
“ ‘There is an older man here,’ Mrs. White replied, ‘and I have a message for him.’
“Elder Whitney explained that the foreman of the pressroom was in the city on business.
“It had been a little more than ten years since Mrs. White, in relating before a large audience in the Battle Creek church what had been shown her in vision regarding the work to be done in many foreign lands, had said that she had seen printing presses running in many foreign countries, printing periodicals and tracts and books on present truth for the people of these countries. At this point in her narrative, Elder James White had interrupted her, asking if she could name some of these countries. She said she could not, because they had not been named to her, ‘except one; I remember the angel said Australia.’ But she [35]
“stated that although she could not name the countries, she would recognize the places should she ever see them, because the picture was very distinct in her mind.
“In the pressroom of the new publishing house at Basel she recognized one of these places. A few months after this, during her visit to Norway, she recognized in the pressroom of the Christiania publishing house another of these places; and six years later, during her visit to Australia, she saw, in the Bible Echo Office in Melbourne, still another pressroom where she recognized the place and the presses as among those she had seen in the vision at Battle Creek, Jan. 3, 1875.” PM:35.1.
“[250] I was then taken to see this property {IN VISION, RIGHT?}, and as I walked up the hill in front of it, I heard distinctly a voice that I well know. Had this voice said, ‘This is the right place for God’s people to purchase,’ I should have been greatly astonished. But it said, ‘Encourage no settlement here of any description. God forbids. My people must get away from such surroundings. This place is as Sodom for wickedness. The place where my institutions are established must be altogether different. Leave the cities, and like Enoch come from your retirement to warn the people of the cities.’
“The words were spoken: ‘The Divine hand is not guiding in the steps that have been taken in regard to this property. The spiritual vision of men has been darkened. Plans have been made that the Lord has not inspired.’
“I was afterward instructed that the whole matter was inspired by human wisdom. Men have followed their own wisdom, which is foolishness with God, and which, if they continue to follow it, will lead to results that they do not now see. The spiritual eyesight has been blinded. [251]
“ ‘The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light’ (Matthew 6:22). The Lord calls upon those in charge of His work in Southern California to have their eyes anointed with the Heavenly eyesalve. This is their only safety. I am astonished that our brethren should have thought of purchasing the property on Hill Street. . . After I had seen its situation, I knew that I could not for a moment give my consent to the establishment there of an institution of any kind.” 1MR:250-251.
E) CHRIST’S INCARNATION MUST BE RECOGNIZED
First John 4:1-3: “(1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
See also John 16:13-15; First Corinthians 12:3; First Timothy 3:16.
EGW: From one book alone (too many to list): “Christ’s office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and daughters. He intercedes in behalf of those who receive Him. With His Own blood He has paid their ransom. By virtue of His Own merits He gives them power to become members of the royal family, children of the Heavenly King. And the Father demonstrates His infinite Love for Christ by receiving and welcoming Christ’s friends as His friends. He is satisfied with the atonement made. He is glorified by the incarnation, the life, death, and mediation, of His Son.” CT:14.
“The incarnation of Christ, His Divinity, His Atonement, His wonderful life in Heaven as our Advocate, the office of the Holy Spirit -- all these vital themes of Christianity are revealed from Genesis to Revelation.” CT:425.
F) THE PROPHET MUST BEAR GOOD FRUIT
Matthew 7:15-20: “(15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
See also Matthew 3:8-12 & 12:33; Luke 3:9 & 6:43-44; John 15:4-7; James 3:12.
EGW: Many things could be posted here. Try this one: “I once knew a woman whose husband was a drunkard, and she was obliged to wash for a living. She used to wish that she had riches so that she could help the cause. And the Lord tested her with riches, but she did not remember the cause of God. She built a fine house, and furnished it with every luxury. She added land to land, and kept promising herself that she would give to the cause as soon as she had accomplished this or that. I visited her.
“One of her sons was intemperate and wild. I said, ‘You should give your means to God while you can. You do not know what may happen. Don’t wait. It will prove a perfect loss to you if you do, for you will be tested again with poverty, if you cling to your earthly possessions.’ She promised that she would give to the cause. She said she meant to do it, but she never gave anything. She became a poor woman, poorer even than she had been in the beginning. When she died, she had nothing to leave to the cause of Christ. It is much safer to be tested with poverty than with wealth; but if God gives you riches, He intends that you shall use them for his glory, to save souls for whom Christ has died. God has given us all that we have, and we should not consider that it is ours at all. All we enjoy is ours, only because of the righteousness of Christ. We should say, ‘All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own do we give unto thee.’ We should not rob God, but let His means flow into the treasury.” ST, October 14, 1889.
G) PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS MUST OCCUR WHILE THE PROPHET IS IN VISION
A. His eyes are open (Numbers 24:2-4).
B. He does not breath (Daniel 10:9 & 15-17).
C. He retains no strength (Daniel 10:8-9 & 16-17; Revelation 1:17).
D. He prepares to speak the words of the Lord in the vision (Numbers 12:6 & 24:2-4; Daniel 10:16-19).
E. He shall be given strength (Psalm 138:3; Ezekiel 2:2 & 3:24; Daniel 10:10 & 18-19).
From 1BIO:303, originally found in RH, June 14, 1906 (see also 3SM:38): “Sometimes while I was in vision, my friends would approach me, and exclaim, ‘Why, she does not breathe!’ Placing a mirror before my lips, they found that no moisture gathered on the glass. It was while there was no sign of any breathing that I kept talking of the things that were being presented before me. These messages were thus given to substantiate the faith of all, that in these last days we might have confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy.”
Signed Certificate by R.C. Castle, in 1853, “A physician was present, and made such examination of her as his wisdom and learning dictated, to find the cause of the manifestation. A lighted candle was held close to her eyes, which were wide open; not a muscle of the eye moved. He then examined her in regard to her pulse, and also in regard to her breathing, and there was no respiration. The result was that he was satisfied that it could not be accounted for on natural or scientific principles.”
Testimony of D. H. Lamson, June 26th, 1854, “I was then seventeen years old. It seems to me I can almost hear, those thrilling shouts of ‘G-l-o-r-y!’ which she uttered. Then she sank back to the floor, not falling, but sinking gently, and was supported in the arms of an attendant. Two physicians came in, an old man and a young man. Brother White was anxious that they should examine Sister White closely, which they did. A looking-glass was brought, and one of them held it over her mouth while she talked; but very soon they gave this up, and said, ‘She doesn’t breathe.’ Then they closely examined her sides, as she spoke, to find some evidence of deep breathing, but they did not find it. As they closed this part of the examination, she arose to her feet, still in vision, holding a Bible high up, turning from passage to passage, quoting correctly, although the eyes were looking upward and away from the Book.”
Quoted in J. N. Loughborough’s, “The Great Second Advent Movement,” (1992 edition), page 210: “June 28, 1857, I saw Sister Ellen G. White in vision for the first time. I was an unbeliever in the visions; but one circumstance among others that I might mention convinced me that her visions were of God. To satisfy my mind as to whether she breathed or not, I first put my hand on her chest sufficiently long to know that there was no more heaving of the lungs than there would have been had she been a corpse. I then took my hand and placed it over her mouth, pinching her nostrils between by thumb and forefinger, so that it was impossible for her to exhale or inhale air, even if she had desired to do so. I held her thus with my hand about ten minutes, long enough for her to suffocate under ordinary circumstances; she was not in the least affected by this ordeal. Since witnessing this wonderful phenomenon, I have not once been inclined to doubt the Divine origin of her visions.”
From “Life Incidents,” edited in “Battle Creek, Mich.: Steam Press,” 1868), page 272: “She is utterly unconscious of everything transpiring around her. . . She does not breathe. . . [This] has been repeatedly proved by pressing upon the chest, and by closing the mouth and nostrils. . . Immediately on entering vision, her muscles become rigid, and joints fixed, so far as any external force can influence them. . . On coming out of vision, whether in the daytime or a well-lighted room at night, all is total darkness. Her power to distinguish even the most brilliant objects, held within a few inches of the eyes, returns but gradually.”
A critic of Ellen White, Doctor M. G. Kellogg, M.D., Battle Creek, Michigan, December 28, 1890, in a signed document stated: “I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision, nor in any of several others which she has had when I was present. The coming out of the vision was as marked as her going into it. The first indication w=e had that the vision was ended, was in her again beginning to breathe. She drew her first breath deep, long, and full, in a manner showing that her lungs had been entirely empty of air. After drawing the first breath, several minutes passed before she drew the second, which filled the lungs precisely as did the first; then a pause of two minutes and a third inhalation, after which the breathing become natural.”
From a signed document by A. F. Fowler & Mrs. A. F. Fowler, Hillsdale, Michigan, January 1, 1891, “We were present when (in February, 1857) Sister E. G. White had a vision in Waldron’s Hall, Hillsdale. Dr. Lord made an examination, and said, ‘Her heart beats, but there is no breath. There is life, but no action of the lungs; I cannot account for this condition.’ ”
From a document signed by Drusilla Lamson, from Clifton Springs, New York, March 9th, 1893, “I remember the meeting when the trial was made, namely, to test what Brother White had frequently said, that Sister White did not breathe while in vision, but I cannot recall the name of the doctor who was present. . . It must have been Doctor Fleming, as he was the doctor called sometimes for counsel. He is, however, now dead. I can say this much, that the test was made and no sign of breath was visible on the looking-glass.”
At the General Conference session in 1893 J. N. Loughborough said: “I have seen Sister White in vision about fifty times. She has been examined while in vision by skillful physicians, and we have testimonials from them which declare that the phenomena of her visions are beyond their comprehension.” General Conference Daily Bulletin,January 29, 1893.
From 2BIO:234: “ ‘Now,’ Brother White said, ‘we must see if there is any breath in her body.’ There didn’t seem to be any. Everything looked all right, only there was no breath. Brother White said, ‘Now we will send out and get a mirror, and we will test it.’ So someone went to the next door and got a mirror, and it was held close to her face, but no moisture gathered. So there was no breathing.”
From “Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White,” page 89 (J. N. Loughborough writing): “I have seen her in vision a number of times, and also in Topsham, Maine; and those who were present during some of those exciting scenes know well with what interest and intensity I listened to every word, and watched every move to detect deception or mesmeric influence. And I thank God for the opportunity I have had with others to witness these things. I can now confidently speak for myself. I believe the work is of God.”
From, “The Abiding Gift of Prophecy,” page 273: “So, in a number of Mrs. White’s visions, there were manifestations of great strength. In fact, in a vision given to her at her own home in Portland, she picked up the large family Bible, weighing over eighteen pounds, and held it on her extended left hand for approximately half an hour.”
From CET:252-253: “[252] Especially during the early years of her work, Mrs. White’s visions were often given in the presence of many witnesses. During these manifestations she was entirely unconscious of her earthly surroundings. Yet she would frequently walk about, making graceful gestures, while describing the scenes she was witnessing. Her strength at such times was phenomenal. Strong men have endeavored to move her hand or arm from the position in which it was held, but failed. On one occasion, at the home of Mr. Curtis, in Topsham, Maine, in 1845, she took from a bureau a large family Bible Weighing about eighteen pounds, and, holding this at arm’s length above her head with her left hand, she turned the pages with her right hand. Then, with her eyes directed upward away from the Book, she read correctly many passages of Scripture, pointing to the verses with the index finger of her right hand. With her ordinary strength she would have had difficulty even in lifting this heavy volume; but while supernaturally strengthened in vision, she [253]
“held it aloft with outstretched arm for more than half an hour. In relating her visions, Mrs. White frequently spoke of the one who had instructed her, as ‘my accompanying angel,’ or ‘my instructor,’ or ‘my guide.’ By these expressions, she referred to a bright, glorious angel, who invariably acted as her guide or instructor. Although Mrs. White often spoke while in vision, yet no breath came from her lips. June 26, 1854, in Rochester, New York, while she was in vision two physicians endeavored to show that there must be breath in her lungs. Among other tests, a lighted candle was held as close to her lips as was possible without burning her; yet, although she was at that time speaking with force, there was not a flicker of the blaze.”
Testimony of George I. Butler, 1874: “All we ask is that people shall be reasonable. We are prepared to support by hundreds of liv-ing truthful witnesses all that we shall claim, so far as facts are concerned, of the manifestation itself, for this thing has not been done in a corner. For nearly thirty years past these visions have been given with greater or less frequency, and have been witnessed by many, oftentimes by unbelievers as well as those believing them. They generally, but not always, occur in the midst of earnest seasons of religious interest while the Spirit of God is specially present, if those can tell who are in attendance. The time Mrs. White is in this condition has varied from fifteen minutes to one hundred and eighty. During this time the heart and pulse continue to beat, the eyes are always wide open, and seem to be gazing at some far-distant object, and are never fixed on any person or thing in the room. They are always directed upward. They exhibit a pleasant ex-pression. There is no ghastly look or any re-semblance of fainting.
When she goes into this condition, there is no appearance of swooning or faintness, her face retains its natural color, and the blood circulates as usual. Often she loses her strength temporarily and reclines or sits; but at other times she stands up. She moves her arms gracefully, and often her face is lighted up with radiance as though the glory of Heaven rested upon her. She is utterly unconscious of everything going on around her while she is in vision, having no knowledge what-ever of what is sail [?] and done in her presence. A person may pinch her flesh, and do thing which would cause great and sudden pain in her ordinary condition, and she will not notice it by the slightest tremor.”
From David Seeley, Fayette, Iowa, August 29, 1897, as recorded in 1BIO:303.3-303.4: “This is to certify that I have read the above testimonials of David Lamson and Mrs. Drusilla Lamson, concerning the physician’s statement when examining Mrs. E. G. White while she was in vision, June 26, 1854. [1BIO 303.3]
“I was present at that meeting, and witnessed the examination. I agree with what is stated by Brother and Sister Lamson, and would say further that it was Doctor Fleming and another younger physician who made the examination. After Mrs. White rose to her feet, as they have stated, quoting the texts of Scripture, Doctor Fleming called for a lighted candle. He held this candle as near her lips as possible without burning, and in direct line with her breath in case she breathed. There was not the slightest flicker of the blaze. The doctor then said, with emphasis, ‘That settles it forever; there is no breath in her body.’ Signed, David Seeley, in GSAM, pages 208-209.” 1BIO:303.3-4.
Testimony of. M. G. Kellogg, M.D., as given at a meeting held in Tyrone, Livingston County, Michigan, May 29, 1853: “Sister White was in vision about twenty minutes or half an hour. As she went into vision every one present seemed to feel the power and presence of God, and some of us did indeed feel the Spirit of God resting upon us mightily. We were engaged in prayer and social meeting Sabbath morning at about nine o’clock. Brother White, my father, and Sister White had prayed, and I was praying at the time. There had been no excitement, no demonstrations. We did plead earnestly with God, however, that He would bless the meeting with His presence, and that He would bless the work in Michigan. As Sister White gave that triumphant shout of “Glory! G-l-o-r-y! g-l-o-r-y!’ which you have heard her give so often as she goes into vision, Brother White arose and informed the audience that his wife was in vision.
“After stating the manner of her visions, and that she did not breathe while in vision, he invited any one who wished to do so to come forward and examine her. Dr. Drummond, a physician, who was also a First-day Adventist preacher, who (be-fore he saw her in vision) had declared her visions to be of mesmeric origin, and that he could give her a vision, stepped forward, and after a thorough examination, turned very pale, and remarked, ‘She doesn’t breath!’ I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision, nor in any of several others which she has had when I was present. The coming out of the vision was as marked as her going into it. The first indication we had that the vision was ended, was in her again beginning to breathe. She drew her first breath deep, long, and full, in a manner showing that her lungs had been entirely empty of air. After drawing the first breath, several minutes passed before she drew the second, which filled the lungs precisely as did the first; then a pause of two minutes, and a third inhalation, after which the breathing became natural. Signed, M.G. Kellogg, M.D., Battle Creek, Michigan, December 28, 1890.”
Uriah Smith, published in “The Review and Herald,” Battle Creek, Michigan, December 25, 1866, that a spiritualist claimed he would expose Ellen White as a fraud. “I saw a noted Spiritualist and mesmerizer present once, when she had a vision at Parkville, Michigan. He had given out before she came that if she should have a vision there, as it was nothing but mesmerism, he could bring her out of it. When he saw her in vision he came forward where she was, but instead of trying to bring her out, he went staggering toward the door, saying to the congregation, ‘She don’t breathe,’ and declaring that he did not know what it was, turned deadly pale and left the room.”
“Review and Herald, August 29, 1899:” “There was present a Dr. Brown, a hale, strong man physically, who was a Spiritualist medium. As was afterward learned, he had said that Mrs. White’s visions were the same as spirit mediumship; and that if she had one where he was, he could bring her out of it in one minute. Brother White gave an invitation for all who desired to do so to come forward, and by examination satisfy themselves as to her condition while in vision. Some one said, ‘Doctor, go ahead, and do as you said you would.’ Brother White then asked, ‘Is there a doctor in the house? We always like to have physicians examine Mrs. White in vision.’ The doctor started quite bravely; but before he got half-way to Sister. . .” Testimony cut off.