Charismatic Experiences In Early Seventh-day Adventist History

Introduction

Down through the years there have been times of special revival among Seventh-day Adventists as a result of which great blessings have come to the church. In connection with some of these experiences fanaticism intruded its ugly head, which led to misunderstandings, criticism, and restraints. To avoid the counterfeit some rejected the genuine. CEESDAH 28.1

The counsels that Ellen White gave in connection with some of these experiences are worthy of review, for she indicates that revivals similar to some of the past must come to the church if it is to be prepared to receive the latter rain. Clearly she depicts the manner in which Satan works to neutralize the work of God. Two notable experiences of revival concerning which there is ample documentation are those that took place in Healdsburg in 1885 and at Battle Creek College in 1892 and 1893. CEESDAH 28.2

The Healdsburg Experience. The Healdsburg church was one of the early California churches. The establishment of the college there in 1882 made it a denominational center, which it remained until the college was moved to Angwin in 1909. The school at Healdsburg was our second educational institution, pioneering several important lines of educational endeavor. It was at Healdsburg that we had our first boarding house, or dormitory. It was at Healdsburg that Bible classes first became a part of the regular school curriculum. It was at Healdsburg that we launched out in certain lines of industrial training. CEESDAH 28.3

Ellen White purchased a home within four blocks of the school and resided there until she went to Europe, some three years later. In the summer of 1885, being deeply concerned for the welfare of the church, she made earnest appeals, calling the members to a deeper religious experience. But the response was less than what she had expected and hoped and prayed for. She earnestly longed for the church at Healdsburg—the church with which the one training center on the Pacific Coast was connected—to triumph and set an example. CEESDAH 28.4

In early July, 1885, Ellen White left to begin her journey to Europe. Six weeks later Elder E. P. Daniels (not to be confused with Elder Arthur G. Daniells), who because of certain indebtedness had asked to be excused from his work in the ministry and was conducting a school in stenography in Oakland, spent the weekend in Healdsburg with his family. Daniels was a man of somewhat unstable character, but a good speaker and an earnest man. Prof. W. C. Grainger, the principal of our Healdsburg school, invited him to take the Sabbath morning service in the Healdsburg church. CEESDAH 28.5

Reporting the meeting in a letter to Ellen White, Grainger says: CEESDAH 28.6

“I noticed that the people seemed greatly moved, so I invited him to speak again in the evening. He consented. We then appointed meetings for Sunday and Sunday evening. Sunday a call was made for those who desired to seek the Lord. When nearly the entire church came forward, I said to Brother Daniels, ‘It will never do to stop these meetings. What shall we do?’ He said he would go down to Oakland and make arrangements with his classes so that he could come back and remain through the week and carry forward the interest. That was five weeks ago. The interest still continues.”—W. C. Grainger to Ellen G. White, Sept. 17, 1885.

Earlier in his letter Grainger wrote: CEESDAH 29.1

“We have had a glorious revival in our church. It has not been surface work, but I feel sure it is deep and lasting. Confessions were full and free. The Lord has given us another opportunity and we have not slighted His mercy. I feel sure brighter days are coming for Healdsburg church. The cloud has lifted.”—Ibid.

In describing the meetings, he pointed out that— CEESDAH 29.2

“There is no excitement or noisy demonstrations, but there has been a quiet but earnest seeking of God. I never witnessed a more earnest movement than this has been. All old troubles have been fully settled and that without any pressures other than the straight preaching of the Word of God.”—Ibid

He closes his letter with the news that— CEESDAH 29.3

“There are better times for us at the students’ home and in the school. To God belongs the glory. I pray God we may never get under such a cloud of darkness again.... There is a good interest among outsiders. Quite a number of new converts have been made. Among those who have united with the church are my wife’s mother and cousin.”—Ibid.

Another, I. L. Decker, writing to Ellen White reports: “Oh, such an awakening as this church has had! The Spirit of the Lord has been with him [E. P. Daniels] with might and power until everyone in the house felt the presence until they could not resist it. Old hardened sinners that have resisted all their lives have broken all to pieces.”—Letter to Ellen G. White, Sept. 7, 1885. CEESDAH 29.4

Decker further reports that there were children’s meetings, old folks’ meetings, and young people’s meetings all going on at the same time. Others gave similar reports of the revival. CEESDAH 29.5