Charismatic Experiences In Early Seventh-day Adventist History

Introduction

On Thursday morning, November 12, 1908, Ellen White was at her Elmshaven home busy in her writing room. Here her son, W. C. White, found her and told her there were two persons in the living room below who wished to talk with her. Joining him, she went downstairs to meet Mr. Ralph Mackin and his wife. She found a well-dressed and seemingly very sincere couple in their middle thirties. Mrs. White soon learned that her visitors were earnest students of the Bible and the Testimonies and had come to California from Ohio for the express purpose of learning whether their unusual experience of a few months past was endorsed by the Lord. CEESDAH 19.1

They had called on W. C. White the day before, hence he was alert to their mission, but had not disclosed it to his mother. As he left the office to go over to the home, he took Clarence Crisler, Mrs. White’s leading secretary, with him to report the interview. CEESDAH 19.2

A newspaper story appearing in the Mansfield (Ohio) “Daily Shield” on August 22, not yet seen by Mrs. White or her son, concerning the Mackin experience at the Ohio camp meeting three months before, gives some historical background. The extended bold-face heading reads: CEESDAH 19.3

“Gift of tongues causes trouble. Mackin claims to be master of Chinese jargon, which he says came to him from God while his mother became an expert in Yiddish as the result of a vision. Dissension at camp meeting results in the arrest of Mackin, wife and daughter, and two lady companions—they hold services behind prison bars and seem quite proud of distinction.”

But now by way of the stenographic report of the interview, let us join the group by the open fireplace in the living room of the Elmshaven home. Most is a verbatim report. In a few instances Elder Crisler summarized, as he did the introductory remarks. One point we will soon observe is that although Mrs. White repeatedly warned concerning deception in religious matters, it will be so subtle and disguised that if possible the very elect will be deceived. In her approach to this case she listens patiently, asks meaningful questions, but is slow either to accept or to condemn. As we listen attentively we observe her carefully weighing the evidence employing certain criteria. Only as we allow the several participants in the interview to speak at length and in detail can we pick up the full impact. CEESDAH 19.4