The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

Religious Enthusiasm Not Connected to Fanaticism

Nonfanatical religious enthusiasm was relatively common in the years following the Disappointment. Various examples of shouting and exclamations of praise and physical prostration are found in Ellen White's writings from this early era. In one instance Spirit-prompted laughter is mentioned, as a woman was “set entirely free” from her “sunken and discouraged” state.⁵⁴ Such enthusiastic expression should be viewed in the context of a struggling new movement. Early Adventists were willing to give up everything in light of their expectation of the soon coming of Jesus. 1EGWLM 930.4

From her statements it is clear that Ellen White believed physical responses such as shouting, weeping, laughter, and prostration were valid when prompted by the Holy Spirit. While the experiences she described occurred most commonly during the early years following 1844, there are examples at least into the 1870s.⁵⁵ Beginning in the 1850s, however, cautioning statements appeared that became stronger and more numerous over the course of her ministry. For example: 1EGWLM 931.1

1850: “I saw that we should strive at all times to be free from unhealthy and unnecessary excitement. I saw that there was great danger of leaving the Word of God and resting down and trusting in exercises. I saw that God had moved by His Spirit upon your company in some of their exercises and their promptings; but I saw danger ahead.”⁵⁶ 1EGWLM 931.2

1860: “Repeatedly have they been slain by the power of God, and while the impression remains, all is well; but when the impression wears away, the same wrong feelings return, self rises, because they did not make thorough work.”⁵⁷ 1EGWLM 931.3

c. 1861: “I saw that religion does not consist in making a noise. … To be a Christian is to be Christlike, and the habit Brother Hungerford has of shouting is no evidence that he is a Christian, for his shouting is regarded by God as no shouting. Half of the time he himself knows not what he is shouting at.”⁵⁸ 1EGWLM 931.4

1890: “The peace of Christ is not a boisterous, untamable element made manifest in loud voices and bodily exercises. The peace of Christ is an intelligent peace, and it does not make those who possess it bear the marks of fanaticism and extravagance. It is not a rambling impulse, but an emanation from God. When the Saviour imparts His peace to the soul, the heart will be in perfect harmony with the Word of God; for the Spirit and the Word agree.”⁵⁹ 1EGWLM 931.5

1896: “Persons may, under certain influences of the moment, be full of ecstasies; for chords are touched whose vibrations are pleasing to the natural taste. But these persons will have to learn that this is not the religion of Jesus Christ. When the circumstances change which so elated them, the depression and want of stimulus is felt, as the drunkard feels the want of the stimulus of the intoxicating cup.”⁶⁰ 1EGWLM 931.6

1908: “In this stage of our history we must be very careful to guard against everything that savors of fanaticism and disorder. We must guard against all peculiar exercises that would be likely to stir up the minds of unbelievers, and lead them to think that as a people we are led by impulse, and delight in noise and confusion accompanied by eccentricities of action. … Such experiences will come to us from time to time. Let us give no place to strange exercisings, which really take the mind away from the deep movings of the Holy Spirit. God's work is ever characterized by calmness and dignity.”⁶¹ 1EGWLM 932.1