Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

Uriah Smith Answers Objections to the Visions

The questions and criticisms regarding Ellen White and the Spirit of prophecy were quite widely disseminated by the dissident group. In the June 12, 1866, issue of the Review, on the front page, Uriah Smith began the publication of answers to the objections that had been raised. The back page carries his note of explanation: 2BIO 152.1

We commence this week the publication of “Answers to Objections Against the Visions.” It may be proper here to state that this manuscript was prepared before our late conference [commencing May 16, 1866]; but its publication was withheld till it could be submitted to the ministering brethren who might then assemble, for them to decide upon its merits, and the disposition that should be made of it. It was examined by them, and received their approval, with a decision that it should be published.—The Review and Herald, June 12, 1866. 2BIO 152.2

Smith informed the readers of the Review: 2BIO 152.3

In preparing these answers we have had no consultation whatever with Sister White, nor received any suggestion or explanation from her on any point. We take the visions as they are published, and base our explanation of any apparent discrepancy, on the language as it stands.—Ibid.

The first of the Smith series of six extended articles opened: 2BIO 152.4

Seventh-day Adventists believe in the gifts of the Spirit. They believe that the varied operations of the Spirit of God, having been once expressly set in the church, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, were designed to continue therein to the end.... To them, the doctrine of spiritual gifts, as set forth in the chapters referred to, is as much a special doctrine of revelation as is the Sabbath, the sanctuary, the state of the dead, or the Second Advent. Taking the Scriptures to be in deed and in truth the Word of God, they cannot reject it. They can as easily explain away the Sabbath, baptism, and the Lord's Supper, as the doctrine of spiritual gifts, and hence believe that to reject it is to be guilty of error, and that to receive it is essential to the unity of the faith.—Ibid.

He then took up these objections in numbered answers. Objection 1 was “The Bible and the Bible Alone.” The series closed July 31, 1866, with Objection 39, the supposed suppression of the E. G. White writings. Two years later, in 1868, Smith added thirteen more points, and the material was issued in a widely distributed pamphlet of 144 pages. This was titled The Visions of Mrs. E. G. White, a Manifestation of Spiritual Gifts According to the Scriptures. 2BIO 153.1