The Gift of Prophecy (The Role of Ellen White in God’s Remnant Church)

Meeting fanaticism

From the very beginning of her ministry, Ellen G. White had to meet fanaticism and opposition. Some people claimed to be perfect; others that no more work should be done; and some kept on setting times for Christ’s return. GP 68.4

Once, during a time when a group of fanatics in the vicinity of Boston strongly opposed Ellen White’s ministry, she was taken off in vision for more than four hours. In 1859, Otis Nichols described what took place on that occasion: GP 68.5

Sargent, Robbins, and French [leaders among these fanatics] were much exasperated as well as excited to hear Sister White talk in vision, which they declared was of the devil. They exhausted all their influence and bodily strength to destroy the effect of the vision. They would unite in singing very loud, and then alternately would talk and read from the Bible in a loud voice in order that Ellen might not be heard, until their strength was exhausted and their hands would shake, so they could not read from the Bible. GP 69.1

But amidst all this confusion and noise, Ellen’s clear and shrill voice as she talked in vision was distinctly heard by all present. ⁴ GP 69.2

Mr. Thayer, the owner of the house, had heard that one could arrest visions produced by satanic power by opening the Bible and laying it on the visionary person. He took a heavy family Bible and laid it open upon Mrs. White’s chest. While still in vision, she took the Bible and lifted it up as high as she could reach. Holding the Bible in one hand and turning the pages with the other without looking at them, she pointed to a number of Bible passages and, still without looking at them, quoted them correctly. Nichols recalled “Some of the passages referred to were judgments against the wicked and blasphemous; and others were admonitions and instructions relative to our present condition. GP 69.3

“In this state she continued all the afternoon until nearly sundown when she came out of vision.” ⁵ GP 69.4

As a result, the fanatics were silenced, and those who had been unsure were convinced that God was indeed leading the little band of Advent believers through the gift of prophecy. GP 69.5