Ellen G. White and Her Critics

2. “End of the 2300 Days”

FIRST PRINTING

First part of a second letter to Enoch Jacobs, entitled simply “Letter from Sister Harmon. Falmouth, Mass., Feb. 15, 1846.” Published in his paper, the The Day-Star, March 14, 1846, page 7. Describes events occurring in connection with the ending of the 2300 days. EGWC 623.6

SECOND PRINTING

In the April 6, 1846, broadside. The opening lines are deleted as follows: EGWC 623.7

Deletion

“Bro. Jacobs:— EGWC 624.1

“My vision which you published in the Day-Star was written under a deep sense of duty, to you, not expecting you would publish it. Had I for once thought it was to be spread before the many readers of your paper, I should have been more particular and stated some things which I left out. As the readers of the Day-Star have seen a part of what God has revealed to me, and as the part which I have not written is of vast importance to the Saints; I humbly request you to publish this also in your paper. God showed me the following, one year ago this month.” EGWC 624.2

Comment on Deletion

It is evident why these opening lines would be deleted when the letter was reprinted by and for our early Sabbathkeeping forebears. The lines were irrelevant. In their place the following introductory line is used: “In February, 1845, I had a vision of events commencing with the Midnight Cry.” EGWC 624.3

THIRD PRINTING

In Experience and Views, pages 43, 44 (Early Writings, 54-56), with the following further deletions: EGWC 624.4

Deletions

(1) “There [in “the Holy of Holies”] I saw thrones that I had never seen before.” EGWC 624.5

(2) “Then Jesus shew[ed] me the difference between faith and feeling.” EGWC 624.6

(3) “I saw one after another leave the company who were praying to Jesus in the Holiest, and go and join those before the throne, and they at once received the unholy influence of Satan.” EGWC 624.7

Comments on Deletions

(1) This is but a description of what Seventh-day Adventists have believed from the first; namely, that when the Ancient of Days went into the holy of holies, at the end of the 2300 days, as Mrs. White is here describing, “the thrones were cast down [“placed”].” Daniel 7:9. EGWC 624.8

(2) There is no possible doctrinal question involved in this deletion. Neither it nor number 1 is cited by critics as an example of suppression. EGWC 624.9

(3) This deletion is the closing sentence of the vision. If the reader will turn to Early Writings, 55, 56, he will see that this deletion is merely a restatement of what has already been said in that vision. We have not noted that any critic cites this passage. EGWC 624.10