Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891 (vol. 3)

Others Confess and Turn About

It was in 1893 also that several other leading men repented of their attitude at Minneapolis and made confessions: Isaac Van Horn, Leroy Nicola, J. H. Morrison, and Madison Miller. It would be saying too much to declare that all of those who at one point after the Minneapolis session confessed their failure to walk in the light always held to their good intentions, but they left the ranks of opposers and were counted among those who lived and worked with an understanding of righteousness by faith. 3BIO 474.3

Writing in 1899, Ellen White defined the period of particular difficulty mentioning the “confusion that came into Battle Creek from the Minneapolis meeting.” Two years of opposition were brought in, and at two General Conferences [1889, 1891], [Even though the 1891 conference was marked with positive circumstances, quite different from the 1888 meeting, some still held out in opposition.] a spirit prevailed among some of our leading men which was not inspired by God.—Letter 183, 1899. 3BIO 474.4

The two men used mightily by God at Minneapolis and in the decade that followed, Waggoner and Jones, became the special point of attack of the great enemy of God and man. In time they were misled and their positive testimony was hushed. [See appendix B in Thirteen Crisis Years for an account of “what became of A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner?”] With a seeming premonition of this, Ellen White wrote in 1892: 3BIO 474.5

It is quite possible that Elder Jones or Waggoner may be overthrown by the temptations of the enemy; but if they should be, this would not prove that they had had no message from God, or that the work that they had done was all a mistake. But should this happen, how many would take this position, and enter into a fatal delusion because they are not under the control of the Spirit of God.... 3BIO 474.6

I know that this is the very position many would take if either of these men were to fall, and I pray that these men upon whom God has laid the burden of a solemn work may be able to give the trumpet a certain sound, and honor God at every step, and that their path at every step may grow brighter and brighter, until the close of time.—Letter 24, 1892. 3BIO 475.1

In her many articles in the Review and Herald and Signs of the Times, and in her many books, Ellen White has kept that light shining. Others have joined her in this important mission. 3BIO 475.2