Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Her First Vision

About two months after the disappointment of October 22, 1844, she had her first vision. ^‡ She introduces her account of what she saw, with this brief statement: EGWC 30.2

“I was visiting Mrs. Haines at Portland, a dear sister in Christ, whose heart was knit with mine; five of us, all women, were kneeling quietly at the family altar. While we were praying, the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 64. EGWC 30.3

About a week later she had a second vision: EGWC 30.4

“The Lord gave me a view of the trials through which I must pass, and told me that I must go and relate to others what He had revealed to me.... EGWC 30.5

“After I came out of this vision I was exceedingly troubled, for it pointed out my duty to go out among the people and present the truth. My health was so poor that I was in constant bodily suffering, and to all appearance had but a short time to live. I was only seventeen years of age, small and frail, unused to society, and naturally so timid and retiring that it was painful for me to meet strangers.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 69. EGWC 30.6

She struggled against this call to go out and tell others what she had seen in vision: EGWC 30.7

“I coveted death as a release from the responsibilities that were crowding upon me. At length the sweet peace I had so long enjoyed left me, and despair again pressed upon my soul.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 70. EGWC 30.8

She seems to have found some release from this distress of soul in connection with an earnest prayer service, in which a number of persons engaged. EGWC 31.1

Though exceedingly young, she revealed an amazing understanding of the temptations that trouble the human heart. Said she: EGWC 31.2

“One great fear that had oppressed me was that if I obeyed the call of duty, and went out declaring myself to be one favored of the Most High with visions and revelations for the people, I might yield to sinful exaltation, and be lifted above the station that was right for me to occupy, bring upon myself the displeasure of God, and lose my own soul. I had known of such cases, and my heart shrank from the trying ordeal. EGWC 31.3

“I now entreated that if I must go and relate what the Lord had shown me, I should be preserved from undue exaltation. Said the angel: ‘Your prayers are heard, and shall be answered. If this evil that you dread threatens you, the hand of God will be stretched out to save you; by affliction He will draw you to Himself, and preserve your humility.’”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 71, 72. EGWC 31.4