Ellen White: Woman of Vision

Why The Messages Came When They Did

On receiving these communications from Elder Daniells, Ellen White wrote to him explaining why she had sent the messages just when she did: WV 443.6

Shortly before I sent the testimonies that you said arrived just in time, I had read an incident about a ship in a fog meeting an iceberg. For several nights I slept but little. I seemed to be bowed down as a cart beneath sheaves. One night a scene was clearly presented before me. A vessel was upon the waters, in a heavy fog. Suddenly the lookout cried, “Iceberg just ahead!” There, towering high above the ship, was a gigantic iceberg. An authoritative voice cried out, “Meet it!” There was not a moment's hesitation. It was a time for instant action. The engineer put on full steam, and the man at the wheel steered the ship straight into the iceberg. With a crash she struck the ice. There was a fearful shock, and the iceberg broke into many pieces, falling with a noise like thunder upon the deck. The passengers were violently shaken by the force of the collision, but no lives were lost. The vessel was injured, but not beyond repair. She rebounded from the contact, trembling from stem to stern, like a living creature. Then she moved forward on her way. WV 443.7

Well I knew the meaning of this representation. I had my orders. I had heard the words, like a living voice from our Captain, “Meet it!” I knew what my duty was, and that there was not a moment to lose. The time for decided action had come. I must without delay obey the command, “Meet it!” WV 444.1

This is why you received the testimonies when you did. That night I was up at one o'clock, writing as fast as my hand could pass over the paper (Letter 238, 1903). WV 444.2

During the crisis of 1903 and in the years that followed, Ellen White wrote warnings concerning pantheism to the church and to individuals who were drawn to it. WV 444.3

On September 18, in a letter to Elder Daniells, she referred to Kellogg's experience as a young man back in 1882: WV 444.4

The Lord presented this matter to me, revealing that the result of such teaching was a subtle beguiling of the mind, and that the doctor himself did not foresee this result of his extreme views in regard to God in nature.... I told him that the Lord was greatly dishonored by being thus represented, and that such ideas would lead the people into spiritualism ^* (Letter 271a, 1903). WV 444.5

Writing on October 2 to Dr. E. J. Waggoner, she said: WV 444.6

I am authorized to say to you that some of the sentiments regarding the personality of God, as found in the book Living Temple, are opposed to the truths revealed in the Word of God.... Had God desired to be represented as dwelling personally in the things of nature—in the flower, the tree, the spear of grass—would not Christ have spoken of this to His disciples? (Letter 230, 1903). WV 444.7