Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The Bates Text of the 1848 Dorchester Vision

Now let us see just what Bates copied down while Mrs. White was having her 1848 Dorchester vision. Deficient though his copying was, we believe that he set down some phrases from Mrs. White’s lips that bear a striking similarity to the disputed passage: “Streams of light that went clear round the world.” Following is the whole text of what Bates wrote, with certain phrases placed in italic to indicate their similarity to this passage: ^* EGWC 248.2

“Where did the light break out? Let thine angels teach us where the light broke out! It commenced from a little, then thou didst give one light after another. The testimony and commandments are linked together, they cannot be separated; that comes first the ten commandments, by God. EGWC 248.3

“The commandments never would be struck against if it were not to get rid of the Sabbath commandment. That one that has relaxed it is very foolish. It was very small, and when it rose, though it rose in strength, it was weak back there, when it came up it increase, (or increased.) If they won’t hear it they are as accountable as though they did hear it. EGWC 248.4

“He was well pleased when his law began to come up in strength, and the waste places began to be built up. EGWC 248.5

“Out of weakness it has become strong from searching his word. The test upon it has been but a short time. All who are saved will be tried upon it in some way. That truth arises and is on the increase, stronger, and stronger. It’s the seal! It’s coming up! It arises, commencing from the rising of the sun. Like the sun, first cold, grows warmer and sends its rays. EGWC 249.1

“When that truth arose there was but little light in it, but it has been increasing. O the power of these rays. EGWC 249.2

“It grows in strength, the greatest weight and light is on that truth, for it lasts forever when the Bible is not needed. It arose there in the east, it began with a small light, but its beams are healing. O how mighty is that truth; it’s the highest after they enter the goodly land, but it will increase till they are made immortal. It commenced from the rising of the sun, keeps on its course like the sun, but it never sets. EGWC 249.3

“The angels are holding the four winds. EGWC 249.4

“It is God that restrains the powers. EGWC 249.5

“The angels have not let go, for the saints are not all sealed. EGWC 249.6

“The time of trouble has commenced, it is begun. The reason why the four winds have not let go, is because the saints are not all sealed. It’s on the increase, and will increase more and more; the trouble will never end until the earth is rid of the wicked. EGWC 249.7

“At that time neighbor will be against neighbor. That time has not yet come, when brother against brother and sister against sister; but will come when Michael stands up. EGWC 249.8

“When Michael stands up this trouble will be all over the earth. EGWC 249.9

“Why they are just ready to blow. There’s a check put on because the saints are not sealed. EGWC 249.10

“Yea, publish the things thou hast seen and heard, and the blessing of God will attend. Look ye! that rising is in strength, and grows brighter and brighter. That truth is the seal, that’s why it comes last. The shut door we have had. God has taught and taught, but that experience is not the seal, and that commandment that has been trodden under foot will be exalted. And when ye get that you will go through the time of trouble. EGWC 249.11

“Yea, all that thou art looking at, thou shalt not see just now. Be careful, let no light be set aside which comes from another way from which thou art looking for.”—A Seal of the Living God, pp. 24-26. EGWC 249.12

There are a number of phrases copied down by Bates that provide striking parallels, but for brevity’s sake we focus simply on these: “It arose there in the east, it began with a small light, but its beams are healing.... It commenced from the rising of the sun, keeps on its course like the sun, but it never sets.” EGWC 249.13

When Mrs. White came “out of vision” she restated to her husband a little of what she had seen. In her vision she had exclaimed that the light of the message was like the light of the sun. The sun, as it “keeps on its course,” sends its light “clear round the world.” And so she told her husband afterwards: “It was shown to me to be like streams of light that went clear round the world.” What more need be said on this point! ^* EGWC 249.14