Ellen G. White: The Later Elmshaven Years: 1905-1915 (vol. 6)

Confirming Evidence to the Lord's Messenger

As she wrestled with the doubts growing in the minds of physicians and nurses in Battle Creek and with the charge that her writings were manipulated by those around her, she repeatedly reached out for confirming evidence in her own experience. Invariably there came to mind God's special providences of the late 1840s, when the foundations of doctrine were established. This helped her, and she used it to stabilize others. References to this underlying support crept into her conversations, her sermons, and her letters. To “Fellow Workers” at the Sanitarium in Australia she wrote on January 23: 6BIO 76.7

My mind is very much occupied just now in the endeavor to present in the best way the facts in regard to our early experience in the proclamation of the truth that we held. I do not wish to ignore or drop one link in the chain of evidence that was formed as, after the passing of the time in 1844, little companies of seekers after truth met together to study the Bible and to ask God for light and guidance. As we searched the Scriptures with much prayer, many evidences were given us under the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power. What deep importance was attached to every evidence that God gave us! The truth, point by point, was fastened in our minds so firmly that we could not doubt. 6BIO 76.8

She told of how efforts were made by some to introduce erroneous and fanatical teachings. Early believers of the Seventh-day Adventist movement “had the truth so firmly established” in their minds that they “had nothing to fear.” 6BIO 77.1

She cautioned further: 6BIO 77.2

And now, after half a century of clear light from the Word as to what is truth, there are arising many false theories, to unsettle minds. But the evidence given in our early experience has the same force that it had then. The truth is the same as it ever has been, and not a pin or a pillar can be moved from the structure of truth. That which was sought for out of the Word in 1844, 1845, and 1846 remains the truth today in every particular.—Letter 38, 1906.