Charismatic Experiences In Early Seventh-day Adventist History

Part 1—Revivals-the Time When God and Satan Work

Chapter 1—Something Went Wrong

But some things went wrong, and a few months later as Ellen White was able to assess the situation and as God gave her light in regard to it, she wrote to the church at Healdsburg: CEESDAH 29.6

“The Lord has wrought in your midst and Satan who is ever active watching for a favorable opportunity, has intruded himself to mingle fanaticism with God’s work, to sow tares with the good seed.”—Letter 21, 1886 to the Healdsburg Church.

And she admonished: CEESDAH 29.7

“We need to live very close to Jesus in order to discern the precious from the spurious.”—Ibid.

While God was able to use Elder Daniels in an effective way, Satan took advantage of some of his weaknesses. Ellen White speaks of these as she writes to a conference leader dealing with the delicate situation as the revival progressed. CEESDAH 29.8

Describing Elder Daniels she said: CEESDAH 29.9

“He is hasty; he feels strongly and acts impulsively.... He is not a perfect man, but I know how God regards him,—as a man of erring, impulsive disposition, but one who loves and fears Him, and one who will reach hearts if he has those in whom he can have confidence as counselors to help him.”—Letter 10, 1885, written Nov. 4, 1885.

Unfortunately, as the revival got well started Daniels was carried away with the success for which God should have had the glory. There are no evidences of excesses. No ecstatic experiences, such as the speaking in tongues, were reported. But unbalanced elements came in. Under the fervor of the new experience certain pet concepts were brought to the fore. Daniels did not favor the taking up of Sabbath school offerings. This became a point of excited emphasis, with resulting antiestablishment reactions. Meetings were held, the attendance of which was confined strictly to those who enjoyed the revival experience. CEESDAH 29.10

Another matter that was greatly exaggerated was the fact that Daniels allowed the members of the Healdsburg church who were so wrapped up in the revival experience to give him personal financial support. He was known by his ministering brethren as one who was rather irresponsible in money matters. CEESDAH 29.11