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Adventist Pioneer Library

Adventist Pioneer Narrator

Sketches and Memories of James and Ellen G. White

Introduction

01 - The man who couldn’t wait

02 - The young woman who was homesick

03 - A messenger of heaven

04 - Meeting fanaticism

05 - Laying a sure foundation

06 - Publishing the message

07 - The least of all seeds

08 - The home in Oswego, New York

09 - Publishing the Advent Review

10 - Days of affliction

11 - The publishing at Paris, Maine

12 - Removal to Saratoga Springs

13 - A forward move

14 - Beginnings in Rochester

15 - The Master printer

16 - A visit to Michigan

17 - Meeting the rising tide of spiritualism

18 - Bereavement and distress

19 - Healing, encouragement, and deliverance

20 - In the valley of despair

21 - The shadows lifting

22 - A lesson of faith in God

23 - East or West

24 - Settling in Battle Creek

25 - Confidence and united action

26 - The conference of 1856

27 - The Laodicean message

28 - A perilous venture across the Mississippi

29 - Securing a power press and building a new meetinghouse

30 - Early memories of our first home

31 - A view of the age-long conflict

32 - Jottings from Ellen G. White’s diary of 1859

33 - Evidences of divine guidance

34 - Steps toward the establishment of church order

35 - The issue over organization

36 - The movement for organization consummated

Chapter XXXI. A View of the Age-Long Conflict. Printed in the Review and Herald. February 20, 1936. The winter of 1857-58 was spent by James and Ellen White in their new home at Battle Creek. Frequently they drove with horse and sleigh or carriage to spend Sabbath and Sunday in meetings with some church within a radius of 50 miles. Because of its relation to a short-lived opposition movement, an incident in connection with one of these weekend meetings is worthy of mention. In company with J. N. Loughborough, father and mother filled an appointment at Otsego for December 19 and 20, 1857. As mother was praying at the beginning of the first meeting, she was taken off in vision and shown some matters relating to certain individuals present. One of those for whom she had a message was a Mr. Blank. He had formerly been a minister of another denomination, but was now observing the Sabbath. He was much interested, as he saw Mrs. White in vision, and publicly expressed himself as being satisfied that she was under divine control. And again, after she had related to the people what she had seen regarding Mr. Blank, he declared that she, a total stranger to him, could not have known without divine revelation what she had spoken of his own life. How could she indeed have known that, while exhorting his brethren to abstain from the use of tobacco, he himself was using it secretly? How could she have known that, through fear of his family, he was accustomed to go by himself to the barn when he read the Scriptures or prayed? How could she have known that if he could gain the victory over these weaknesses, he would be able to do acceptable work as a minister? This was the burden of her message to him. Yet she had never met the man before, and none of the brethren could have told her, for they themselves did not know of these things. He was deeply affected by her exhortation to overcome his weaknesses, and expressed his purpose of going home to carry out the instruction given and gain these victories that he might, in the strength of the Lord, proclaim the truth. It is sad to relate that carry out these good resolutions. Yet a few weeks later he appeared in Battle Creek and requested James White to grant him a letter of commendation as a minister. In answer to a direct question, he admitted that he had not ceased his use of tobacco, nor had he set up the family altar in his home. However, he again expressed his purpose to go home and reform on these points. Elder White assured him that when he had given evidence of such reform, his request for a letter of commendation would receive consideration. It was not long, however, before he changed his attitude and became an active opponent of the leaders in the work. He declared that he had been refused permission to preach, because he did not believe in Mrs. White's visions, and sought to gain adherence in his opposition to the manifestation of spiritual gifts in the remnant church. He no longer sought to conceal his use of tobacco, and eight other Sabbath observers united with him. These were all users of tobacco, and some of them had been disfellowshipped from the church. With these followers and a few others, he purchased a second-hand press, the one that had for a time been used by the now-scattered messenger party, and started a paper. But the movement did not prosper, and in 1863 the publication ceased. The press that had now been used twice in opposing the third angel's message was again laid up, later to reappear again, in a similar effort. Some good came to the cause through this movement, for it was the means of establishing a few persons in Sabbath-keeping who later withdrew from the disaffected group because of the laxity of discipline among the followers of Mr. Blank, and who united with Seventh-day Adventists. Among these was O. R. Horton, who later served for many years as a minister in the Michigan Conference. The Brethren in Ohio planned to hold a conference in Green Springs, Feb. 25, 1858, to be followed by weekend meetings in Gilboa and Levitt's Grove, now known as Bowling Green. Elder and Mrs. White were asked to attend these meetings, and in the review of Feb. 18 announced their intention to visit Ohio for this purpose. Gilboa and Levitt's Grove were country places, and from the meeting at Green Springs they were driven to the later meetings by Brother and Sister Tillotson in their comfortable carriage. Arriving at Levitt's Grove, they found about forty Sabbath-keepers who had recently accepted the message through the labors of George W. Holt. Meetings were held on Sabbath and Sunday forenoon. That afternoon, March 14, there was a funeral in the schoolhouse where they were holding meetings, and Elder White had been asked to preach the sermon. This he did, speaking with much freedom and power. When he sat down, Mrs. White felt urged by the Spirit of the Lord to speak about the coming of Christ and the resurrection. The cheering hope of the Christian filled her soul, as she sought to present to the hearers the joys of heaven. While speaking, she was wrapped in a vision of the glory of God. For two hours all things earthly were lost to her view, and many, many things were revealed to her regarding the conflicts through which the Christian must pass to final victory. There flashed before her many scenes in the great controversy being carried on between Christ and Satan over the souls of men. This subject had been revealed to her ten years before, and it was now repeated with much additional detail, and she was bidden to write it out for publication. After Mrs. White had come out of the vision, the body of the deceased young man was borne to the grave, and a large congregation, which had more than filled the schoolhouse, returned to their home, saying, We have seen strange things today. Regarding this experience, Ellen White wrote, In the vision at Lovett's Grove, most of the matter which I had seen ten years before concerning the great controversy of the ages between Christ and Satan was repeated, and I was instructed to write it out. I was shown that while I should have to contend with the powers of darkness, for Satan would make strong efforts to hinder me, yet I must put my trust in God, and angels would not leave me in the conflict. Monday the 15th of March, James and Ellen White began their homeward journey in company with Brother Tillotson, who took them to Fremont, where they boarded the train for Jackson, On the train they reviewed their recent experiences, and discussed plans for writing out the vision and the publication of that portion relating to the great controversy. This, it was decided, should be Mrs. White's first work after reaching home. Little did they realize the anger of Satan because of this revelation of his character and wiles, or the intensity of his determination to defeat the plans for the writing and publication of the proposed book. Arriving at Jackson, they visited their old friends at the home of Daniel R. Palmer. At this time Mrs. White was in usual health, and the following experience, as given in her own words, came as a complete surprise. As I was conversing with Sister Palmer, my tongue refused to utter what I wished to say, and seemed large and numb. A strange, cold sensation struck my heart, passed over my head, and down my right side. For a time I was insensible, but was aroused by the voice of earnest prayer. I tried to use my left limbs, but they were perfectly useless. As she realized that this was the third shock of paralysis that she had experienced, Mrs. White for a time lost hope of recovery. She thought that she would not be able to travel the remaining fifty miles that lay between her and her children at home. The brethren continued in earnest prayer for her recovery, and their prayers were answered in a remarkable manner. Mrs. White continues her narrative. Soon a prickling sensation was felt in my limbs, and I praised the Lord that I could use them a little. The Lord heard and answered the faithful prayers of His children, and the power of Satan was broken. Though there was a marked improvement in her physical condition, there was yet before her a severe test of faith and fortitude. That night she suffered intensely. She, however, was sufficiently strengthened to enable her to return to her home the following day. Of her physical condition for several weeks, she says, I could not feel the pressure of the hand or the coldest water poured upon my head. In rising to walk, I often staggered and sometimes fell to the floor. Under such circumstances, unusual physical or mental exertion would seem impossible. But the views of the great controversy between good and evil, as opened to her mind at Lovett's Grove, also, the command to write them out, could not be forgotten or ignored. Assembling paper and pen, she began to write, despite the seemingly insurmountable difficulties. She says, At first I could write but one page a day, and then rest three days. But as I progressed, my strength increased. The numbness in my head did not seem to becloud my mind, and before I closed that work, the effect of the shock had entirely left me. Beginning May 21, 1858, an important conference was held in Battle Creek, attended by about four hundred from abroad. During this conference period, Mrs. White, with others, engaged in earnest prayer for a Sister Hutchins who was very sick. Visions had frequently been given to Mrs. White while she was praying, and so it was on this occasion. The power of the Spirit rested upon her. She says, In that vision I was shown, that in the sudden attack at Jackson, Satan designed to take my life to hinder the work I was about to write, but angels of God were sent to my rescue to raise me above the effects of Satan's attack. I saw, among other things, that I should be blessed with better health than before the attack at Jackson. At the conference, Mrs. White spent a large portion of a day in relating the substance of the vision given at Lovett's Grove. The power that accompanied this rehearsal is graphically reported by Uriah Smith, who says of the morning meeting, During the forenoon, Sister White related a portion of the views she had concerning the fall of Satan, the plan of salvation, and the great controversy between Christ and His angels, and Satan and His. It abounded in startling facts and vivid descriptions. And when the course of the narration had brought us down to the days of the first advent, the humiliation, the suffering, and finally the crucifixion of the Savior, especially then did not only the silent tears, but even the audible sobs of many in the congregation, announce that their hearts were touched by the suffering of the Son of God for rebellious man. In the evening, Mrs. White resumed the narration of the story of the great controversy. She spoke till nearly ten o'clock, but though the hour was late, the people did not retire. There was then such a crowding in of testimonies that not till after five ineffectual attempts did Brother White succeed in closing the meeting. He told the congregation at length that if they would suffer him a few remarks, he would then give them all an opportunity to express their feelings. He did so by requesting all those who were determined to press onward to Mount Zion to manifest it by rising. The whole congregation were on their feet with abound, and thus at about the hour of eleven closed the religious exercises of the conference. One month later, in the issue of the Review for June 24, an announcement appeared that the great controversy was now in the press, and on September 9, 1858, a note in the Review stated that it was printed, bound, and ready to be sent forth. It contained 219 pages and sold for fifty cents. Spiritual Gifts was the cover title, and also the title of its twelve-page introduction, which was written by R. F. Cottrell. This little volume has been reprinted several times, and now constitutes the last portion of the book Early Writings. In this first presentation of the great conflict between Christ and Satan, there were set forth in brief, comprehensive chapters the fall of Lucifer, the fall of man, the plan of salvation, the mission and teaching of Christ and His apostles, and the high points of the conflict of the Christian church from the ascension of Christ to our day. Of special interest are those chapters dealing with the work of William Miller, the Advent movement illustrated, the sanctuary, and the firm platform. The manifest approval of heaven was placed upon the system of truth that had been unfolding before the Sabbath-keeping Adventists until they were represented in holy vision as standing upon a solid, immovable platform. See Early Writings, page 259.

William C. White

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Sketches and Memories of James and Ellen G. White

31 - A view of the age-long conflict

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Other Teachings in Series

Introduction

01 - The man who couldn’t wait

02 - The young woman who was homesick

03 - A messenger of heaven

04 - Meeting fanaticism

05 - Laying a sure foundation

06 - Publishing the message

07 - The least of all seeds

08 - The home in Oswego, New York

09 - Publishing the Advent Review

10 - Days of affliction

11 - The publishing at Paris, Maine

12 - Removal to Saratoga Springs

13 - A forward move

14 - Beginnings in Rochester

15 - The Master printer

16 - A visit to Michigan

17 - Meeting the rising tide of spiritualism

18 - Bereavement and distress

19 - Healing, encouragement, and deliverance

20 - In the valley of despair

21 - The shadows lifting

22 - A lesson of faith in God

23 - East or West

24 - Settling in Battle Creek

25 - Confidence and united action

26 - The conference of 1856

27 - The Laodicean message

28 - A perilous venture across the Mississippi

29 - Securing a power press and building a new meetinghouse

30 - Early memories of our first home

31 - A view of the age-long conflict

32 - Jottings from Ellen G. White’s diary of 1859

33 - Evidences of divine guidance

34 - Steps toward the establishment of church order

35 - The issue over organization

36 - The movement for organization consummated

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