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

Impressions of Other Eyewitnesses

Uriah Smith was quick to report in the next Tuesday's Review the deep impression that Friday evening meeting made upon others: 2BIO 236.1

The church in Battle Creek have again been graciously favored with the presence of the Lord. Brother and Sister White returned from Monterey, June 10, according to previous arrangement, to spend another Sabbath with this church. At the evening meeting commencing the Sabbath, a large congregation assembled at the house of worship. After some timely and close remarks by Brother White, Sister White arose to free her mind from a great burden resting upon it for this people. 2BIO 236.2

Wrongs were faithfully pointed out and reproved. Two personal testimonies for persons in the congregation were read, followed by most stirring appeals and exhortations. And while Sister White was thus speaking, reaching a point in her remarks of most intense solemnity, instantly, and unexpectedly to all present, she was taken off in vision, and fell to the floor. 2BIO 236.3

Judging from her appearance and occasional expressions, while in vision, scenes of a different character, some terrible to behold, and others of surpassing glory, passed before her. The scene was most impressive. Many were present who had never before had the privilege of witnessing a manifestation of this kind; and to these the privilege was given of coming forward and behold for themselves the various phenomena attending it. 2BIO 236.4

Their testimony is that though they had before no occasion to doubt the visions, now they can look upon them as a reality. They see not how anyone, witnessing the manner in which they are given, can for a moment doubt them to be the work of the Holy Spirit. 2BIO 236.5

People may talk of mesmerism, clairvoyants, and spirit mediums; but this has nothing in common with them. It is something else entirely, as different from anything of that kind, as the heavens are higher than the earth; and those who attribute the visions to any of those sources are only suffering the devil to deceive them.—Ibid., June 16, 1868 2BIO 236.6

Smith wrote of the power of the Holy Spirit in such a manifest way as not to be mistaken. He added, “We doubt if there were many in the house who did not feel that the Lord had drawn near for the especial instruction of His people. It was good to be there.”—Ibid. 2BIO 237.1