A Prophet Among You

Publishing the First Testimony

Of her experience at a meeting on the day following the close of the conference, Mrs. White wrote: “November 20, 1855, while in prayer, the Spirit of the Lord came suddenly and powerfully upon me, and I was taken off in vision.” Testimonies for the Church 1:113. The matters seen in the vision were written out and read to the church at Battle Creek. A footnote at the close of the testimony, as later printed, gives the reasons for the publication of the contents of the vision. APAY 318.1

“We, the undersigned, being eyewitnesses when the above vision was given, deem it highly necessary that it should be published, for the benefit of the Church, on account of the important truths and warnings which it contains. APAY 318.2

Joseph. Bates APAY 318.3

M. E. Cornell APAY 318.4

J. H. Waggoner APAY 318.5

J. Hart APAY 318.6

G. W. Amadon APAY 318.7

Uriah Smith APAY 318.8

“Note.—The above vision was read before thirty-six members of the Battle Creek Church, on the evening of Nov. 24th, who gave their unanimous vote for its publication. It can be had by addressing E. G. White, Battle Creek, Mich. Those who would encourage the circulation of such matter, can do so by assisting in its publication. S. T. Belden.” Testimony for the Church, 1855, page 8. APAY 318.9

While it was not known at the time that this was to be the first of many testimonies to be sent to the church and to individuals, and later published, in due time it came to be designated as Testimony Number One. With the eight pages of this testimony were bound eight additional pages of testimony matter, making a sixteen-page pamphlet. Circulation of the pamphlet was small, and it was sent free to believers in many states. One of the notices in the Review of Dec. 18, 1855, said: APAY 318.10

“I have sent out (postpaid) to brethren in different States about 150 copies of ‘Testimony for the Church.’ It can be had by addressing me at Battle Creek, Mich. I shall be happy to hear from those who may receive it. Those who would encourage the circulation of such matter, can do so by assisting in its publication. E. G. White.” APAY 318.11

No one among the men and women receiving those little pamphlets could have envisioned the nine volumes of Testimonies for the Church that would eventually achieve such a wide circulation in the church as they enjoy today. When volume 9 was published in 1909, it brought the total to approximately five thousand pages, made up of Testimonies, Nos. 1-37. APAY 319.1

In the spring of 1856 another annual conference was held at Battle Creek, and again important matters were revealed to Mrs. White in vision. Again she wrote out what had been shown her, and read it to the group. Once more those to whom it was read felt that it should be printed and distributed for the benefit of others. At the close of this second testimony for the church is this note of explanation by two local church leaders: APAY 319.2