Ellen G. White: The Early Years: 1827-1862 (vol. 1)

Special Significance Disclosed by Vision

The letter to the Howlands recounting the harrowing experiences in confronting the great adversary was written on Thursday, August 15. On Sabbath, August 24, she was shown in vision more of what was back of the experience, and its fuller significance. She made reference to still another attempt on their lives. Beginning with the healing of Edson: 1BIO 183.5

I saw our acting out faith and sending for Brother Rhodes after he had started on his journey saved the life of the child, for God heard the prayers of Brother Rhodes and healed Edson. I saw the child was not afflicted because I held him dear as an idol, but Satan wanted to sadden our hearts and cause the nominal Adventists to triumph and say “Where is their God?” and to hinder the work of God in papers coming out.... 1BIO 183.6

I saw it was the work of the enemy, as we were going from Oswego to Volney, to destroy us on the way by our being thrown from the wagon. I saw the angels of Satan triumphed as they were carrying out their purposes. But I saw the angels of God were around, and as we fell, their arms were beneath us that we might not be injured. I saw the hands of one of the angels were busy at work and wrought for us or we should have been destroyed by Satan.... 1BIO 184.1

I saw these efforts of Satan were to hinder the paper coming out, for the lines that were being republished were written in the Spirit of God and would rejoice the hearts of the trusting ones.... I saw that the paper would strengthen the things that remain and would help build up God's people in the most holy faith.—Manuscript 7, 1850. 1BIO 184.2

Ellen White was also shown in the vision that much of the same type of conflict was still before God's people. She had been warned: 1BIO 184.3

We must buckle on the whole armor and take the shield of faith and we should be enabled to stand and the fiery darts of Satan could not move us.—Ibid. 1BIO 184.4

Four issues of the Advent Review were published at Oswego during August and September. The type was saved, and a forty-eight-page combined number was issued as a “Special” almost immediately. During the next few years it was given a wide distribution. 1BIO 184.5