The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

Extreme Literalization

A second type of fanaticism Ellen White was forced to confront was extreme literalization. This included such views as extreme voluntary humility. Some believed that to follow Jesus’ command to become as little children, they should show their humility by creeping upon the ground. Some began to creep rather than walk when they went on errands into town. In South Paris, Maine, Cyprian Stevens got down in front of a stagecoach full of passengers. It frightened the horses and angered the driver, who plied the whip on Stevens so severely that he ended up bruised and bleeding.⁴¹ 1EGWLM 927.4