The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement

How It Looked To Men Of The World

Men who knew nothing of our view of the Spirit of prophecy saw a building-up influence in the work of the agent of the gift that left its visible mark on this cause. Many years later, in 1932, I was riding with one of our business brethren in Victoria. He said to me: SPIAM 66.4

“Some time ago I met one of Australia’s leading businessmen, now largely retired from affairs. Knowing that I had become a Seventh-day Adventist, he said to me: ‘Do you know, Mr. Sandeman, I hold it as one of the cherished memories of my life that it was my privilege, in representing the business community, to welcome Mrs. E. G. White to Australia when she arrived from America many years ago. She impressed me as a remarkable woman; and we recognize the fact that her stay in this country contributed much to the development of the work your people have built up. I shall always count it a privilege that I had a part in welcoming that gifted lady to this country.’” SPIAM 66.5

We think of the quiet, retiring woman, not given to appearing before the general public—save, perhaps, at times speaking by invitation in a town hall on Christian temperance or the Christian life and Christian home. And yet we know how, by the gift given her, she encouraged the administrative leaders and guided helpfully in the upbuilding of the work. Men of affairs, looking on, saw in it the work of a woman to whom they attributed unusual natural gifts. SPIAM 67.1

In 1915 the leading religious magazine of America, then the New York Independent, had occasion to refer to the widespread work of Seventh-day Adventists and to the solid achievements of the denomination in the way of educational, publishing, and medical institutions in many lands. The editor said: “And in all this Ellen G. White has been the inspiration and guide. Here is a noble record, and she deserves great honor.” SPIAM 67.2

The Lord honors faithfulness in service. “Them that honor Me,” He says, “I will honor.” While religious prejudice has attacked, seeking to belittle the work done through a humble agent, unprejudiced observers of the world have often given expression to admiration for the results they saw accomplished. We, too, honor the memory of a godly woman and mother in Israel, who was faithful to the divine call to service. Her life was lived before all, and never was there an incident, in all the long years, out of character with the high dignity and Christian humility of a true prophet of God. SPIAM 67.3