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

Chapter 15—(1867-1868) Dreams, Testimony No. 13, and the Tour East

When readers of Testimony No. 13 turned the cover to the introduction, they read: 2BIO 205.1

Again I feel it my duty to speak to the Lord's people in great plainness. It is humiliating to me to point out the errors and rebellion of those who have long been acquainted with us and our work. I do it to correct wrong statements that have gone abroad concerning my husband and myself calculated to injure the cause, and as a warning to others. If we only were to suffer, I would be silent; but when the cause is in danger of reproach and suffering, I must speak, however humiliating. 2BIO 205.2

Proud hypocrites will triumph over our brethren because they are humble enough to confess their sins. God loves His people who keep His commandments, and reproves them, not because they are the worst, but because they are the best people in the world. “As many as I love,” says Jesus, “I rebuke and chasten.”—Ibid., 1:569. 2BIO 205.3

The entire pamphlet of eighty pages is an explanation and defense of the Whites’ trying experience from December 19, 1866, the day Ellen White, against the judgment of her friends and brethren in Battle Creek, took her husband north to Wright, to the very day of its publication on Wednesday, October 23, 1867. It recounts ten sad months in the history of the church, as set forth in the preceding four chapters of this biographical account. Ellen saw these agonizing months as a time the great adversary was determined to seriously deter the work of God. In her one-page closing article, penned just before the pamphlet went to press, she declared: 2BIO 205.4

It is the work of Satan to deceive God's people and lead them from the right course. He will leave no means untried; he will come upon them where they are least guarded; hence the importance of fortifying every point. 2BIO 206.1

The Battle Creek church did not mean to turn against us, they are as good a church as lives; but there is much at stake at Battle Creek, and Satan will bring all his artillery against them if by so doing he can hinder the work.... 2BIO 206.2

When my husband was inactive, and I was kept at home on his account, Satan was pleased, and no one was pressed by him to cast upon us such trials as are mentioned in the foregoing pages. But when we started out, December 19, 1866, he saw that there was a prospect of our doing something in the cause of Christ to the injury of his cause and that some of his deceptions upon the flock of God would be exposed. 2BIO 206.3

He therefore felt called upon to do something to hinder us. And in no way could he so effectually do this as to lead our old friends at Battle Creek to withdraw their sympathy and cast burdens upon us. He took advantage of every unfavorable circumstance and drove matters as by steam power. But, thank God, he did not stop us nor fully crush us.—Ibid., 1:628, 629. 2BIO 206.4