Ellen G. White and Her Critics

7. “The Sealing”

FIRST PRINTING

On the January 31, 1849, broadside. EGWC 628.5

SECOND PRINTING

In The Present Truth, August, 1849 (volume 1, number 3), pages 22, 23, with the following deletion: EGWC 628.6

Deletion

“I saw the state of some who stood on present truth, but disregarded the visions,—the way God had chosen to teach in some cases, those who erred from Bible truth. I saw that in striking against the visions they did not strike against the worm—the feeble instrument that God spake through; but against the Holy Ghost. I saw it was a small thing to speak against the instrument, but it was dangerous to slight the words of God. I saw if they were in error and God chose to show them their errors through visions, and they disregarded the teachings of God through visions, they would be left to take their own way, and run in the way of error, and think they were right, until they would find it out too late. Then in the time of trouble I heard them cry to God in agony—‘Why didst thou not show us our wrong, that we might have got right and been ready for this time?’ Then an angel pointed to them and said—‘My Father taught, but you would not be taught.—He spoke through visions, but you disregarded his voice, and he gave you up to your own ways, to be filled with your own doings.’” EGWC 628.7

Comment on Deletion

We have never read of any charges preferred on account of this deletion. And why should there be? The passage teaches what the denomination still believes as to the danger of disregarding the visions. Similar counsel is given in variant form in later writings of Mrs. White. EGWC 629.1

As to the reason that prompted the elimination of the passage in this particular connection, we know not. We do know that in the earliest days there was much opposition to the very idea of visions, even on the part of devout Adventists. Because of certain fanatical persons who claimed to have visions and whose unreasonable conduct brought Adventism into disrepute in a few places, it is easily understandable why the very idea of visions would be suspect. The warning by Mrs. White, which might have had a proper timeliness for the limited number to whom it first went in broadside form, was perhaps considered not expedient as a message to appear in the paper that was to have much more general circulation. We think it no twisting of Paul’s words to say here that “all things are lawful..., but all things are not expedient.” Solomon says there is a time to speak and a time to keep silence. And may not prophets avail themselves of that inspired counsel? But if you “speak” on paper, the only way you can “keep silence,” if a later “time” demands it, is by deleting that part on which you should “keep silence.” EGWC 629.2

THIRD PRINTING

In Experience and Views, pages 19-21. (Early Writings, 36-38.) The text of the second printing is used. EGWC 629.3