Earlier text: **Law and Prophet’s Message.**“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. . . . But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” 1 Thess. 5:2-5. To the people who are not in the dark concerning the coming of the Lord the apostle gives the following weighty exhortations: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Verses 16-21. It is evident from this language that if the Spirit of the Lord is allowed to work as God designs, there will be among the believers of the second advent, good and true manifestations of the prophetic gift. Murdock’s Syriac translation of this text reads, “Despise not prophesying.” Greenfield, in his Greek lexicon, gives as the meaning of the word here rendered “prophesyings,” “the exercise of the gift of prophecy in this sense. 1 Thess. 5:21.” With this, also, agree the lexicons of Parkhurst, Robinson, and Liddell and Scott. When writing to the Corinthians the apostle speaks of those who will be waiting for Christ’s second coming,42 and says: “Ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:7, 8. Of the church waiting for Christ’s second coming we read in Revelation: “And the dragon [the devil] was wroth with the woman [the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. This phrase, “testimony of Jesus,” is clearly defined in Revelation 19:10, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Here, then, is the last of the church in her probationary state, two features being prominent in her work,—the keeping of all the commandments of God, and having the spirit of prophecy. It is the purpose in this part of this pamphlet to call attention to some facts showing how the Lord has been and is manifesting the spirit of prophecy among the people who are waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Part One was presented quite fully the scriptural evidence for spiritual gifts in the gospel church, as well as the proofs that the gifts will be found with the last phase of the church in her probationary state. It was not the Lord that put the gifts out of the church, but the apostasy of the church—separating from God—which limited these manifestations. All the way along the Lord has been ready to show forth His power and His gifts with those who have fully sought Him. That it was the Lord’s pleasure to manifest His power is shown in the great gospel commission, where the Saviour said, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20. In Mark’s record of the same commission a statement is given of some of the ways the Lord’s presence among His servants would be known: “These signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17, 18. There were some wonderful displays of the Lord’s power and manifestations of the gift of prophecy during the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and in the times following. D’Aubigne speaks of the prophecies of John Huss. Charles Buck, in his religious anecdotes, tells of the prophesying of George Wishart, in 1546. John Wesley, in his works, tells of the prophecies of Jonathan Pyrah, and their fulfilment. Elder J. B. Finley, in his autobiography, tells of a remarkable vision and healing in his own person, in the summer of 1842. The Christian Advocate (Methodist) published an interesting account of a remarkable vision and its results, as given to Doctor Bond, of that church, during his ministry. These were tokens to those humbly seeking the Lord that He had not changed, and that He still would speak to His people through the prophetic gift. About 1833, but more especially since 1840, a message has been sounding through the earth proclaiming44 the coming of Christ near at hand, “even at the door.” In connection with this proclamation the Lord has been pleased to manifest the power of His Spirit in various ways, and in a marked manner. In many instances, not only in America, but in other countries, the Lord has been gracious to His people who have been engaged in heralding the glad tidings of our returning Lord, by speaking to them through the gift of prophecy. Attention is here called to some instances of this character in America. The first to be noticed is that of a godly man,—a well-educated and talented minister by the name of William Foy, who resided in Boston, Mass. At two different times during the year 1842, the Lord came so near to him that he was wrapped in holy vision. One of these occasions was on January 18, and the other was on February 4. By invitation he went from city to city to tell of the wonderful things he had seen; and in order to accommodate the vast crowds who assembled to hear him, large halls were secured, where he related to thousands what had been shown him of the heavenly world, the loveliness of the New Jerusalem and the angelic hosts. When dwelling upon the tender, compassionate love of Jesus for poor sinners, he exhorted the unconverted to seek God, and scores responded to his tender entreaties. Mr. Foy’s work continued until the year 1844, near the close of the twenty-three hundred days of Dan. 8:13. Then he was favored with another manifestation of the Holy Spirit,—a third vision was given,—one which he did not understand. In this he was45 shown a pathway of the people of God through to the heavenly city. He saw a great platform, on which multitudes of people gathered. Occasionally one would drop through this platform out of sight, and of such a one it was said to him, “apostatized.” Then he saw the people rise to a second platform, and some of these also dropped through the platform out of sight; and finally a third platform appeared, which extended to the gates of the holy city. A great company gathered with those who had advanced to this platform. As he expected the Lord Jesus to come in a very short time, he failed to recognize the fact that a third message was to follow the first and second messages of Revelation 14. Consequently the vision, to him, was inexplicable, and he ceased public speaking. After the close of the prophetic period, in the year 1845, he heard another relate the same vision, with the explanation that “the first and second messages had been given, and that a third was to follow.” Soon after this, however, Mr. Foy sickened and died. Another instance of the manifestation of the gift of prophecy is found in the case of a young man who resided in Poland, Maine, by the name of Hazen Foss. He was a man of fine appearance, pleasing address, with a good academic education. In the month of September, 1844, about six weeks before the close of the twenty-three hundred days, the Lord gave him a vision, in which he, like Mr. Foy, was shown the “three platforms” in the heavenly pathway. Some messages of warning to individuals were also given him, which he was instructed to deliver. In connection46 with this he was shown the trials and persecutions that would follow if he was faithful in relating what had been shown to him. As he was also expecting the Lord to come “in a few more days” (as they then sang), he did not understand the third step (“platform”) in the journey; and, shrinking from the cross, he refused to relate the vision. The view was repeated to him; and in addition to the first, he was told that if he still refused to tell what had been shown him, the burden would be taken from him, and given to one of the weakest of the Lord’s children, one who would faithfully narrate what God would reveal. Again he refused. A third vision was given him, a very short one, in which he was told that he was released, and was shown the person upon whom the Lord had laid the burden, “one of the weakest of the weak, who would do the Lord’s bidding.” This startled the young man, who at once appointed a meeting on McGuire Hill, Poland, Maine, for the purpose of relating what had been revealed to him. The people crowded together to see and hear him. He carefully related his experience,—how he had refused to relate what the Lord had shown him, and what would result from the refusal. “Now,” said he, “I will tell you the vision.” But, alas! it was too late! It had gone from him. Not a word could he recall. He wrung his hands in anguish, saying, “God has fulfilled His word. He has taken the vision from me. I am a lost man.” From that time the man lived without hope, and died in 1893. Within two months after the close of the twenty-three47 three hundred days (about Jan. 1, 1845), Miss Ellen G. Harmon, of Portland, Maine, then a little past seventeen years of age, began to receive revelations from the Lord. She was at that time in a very critical condition of health, being, indeed, as Foss was told, the instrument God would choose, “THE WEAKEST OF THE WEAK.” From a wound received when about nine years of age, she nearly bled to death, and ever afterward was unable to attend school. For several weeks before her first revelation she had scarcely been able to speak above a whisper. One physician diagnosed her case as dropsical consumption, with the right lung decayed, and the left one considerably diseased; and, to aggravate her condition, her heart was also affected. All this made her recovery doubtful; in fact, he thought she could live but a very short time at most, and was liable to drop away at any moment. It was with great difficulty that she could breathe when lying down, and at night rest could only be obtained by being bolstered up in bed in an almost sitting posture. Frequent spells of coughing and hemorrhages from the lungs had greatly reduced her physical strength. Her weight at that time was only seventy pounds. In this weakened condition, she was instructed, in vision, to go and relate to others what the Lord had made known to her. She was directed to go to Poland, Maine,—the place where Foss had failed when trying to relate the vision given to him. Here she related what the Lord had shown her. In an adjoining room, Foss heard the narration; and after meeting48 he remarked to others, “The vision Ellen related is as near like what was shown to me as two persons could tell the same thing.” The next morning, on seeing Miss Harmon, he said, “That is the instrument on whom the Lord has laid the burden.” To Miss Harmon he said, “Be faithful in bearing the burden laid upon you, and in relating the testimonies the Lord shall give you, and you will get through to the kingdom;” and then, in anguish, he said, “Oh, I am a lost man!” The gift of prophecy, as manifested through Miss Harmon (now Mrs. E. G. White, she having been married to Elder James White in August, 1846), has been connected with the third angel’s message for about fifty-five years. The Scriptures show clearly that such a gift is to be connected with the last work of the people of God; that it is to go before in preparing the way for the development of all the gifts, so that the church will “come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Such a gift of prophecy was to be connected with a message proclaiming obedience to all God’s commandments. The students of Scripture prophecies have ever claimed that “when the time comes for the fulfilment of a prophecy, the genuine fulfilment is there, and not a counterfeit.” The Lord’s time came for the third angel’s message,—for a people to arise teaching the observance of all the commandments of God,—a message with which should be connected the spirit of prophecy. There is just such a message now being given to the world, and the gift of prophecy is connected49 with it; not to give a new revelation to take the place of the Scriptures, but simplifying and making clear the truths taught therein, and urging the importance of more earnest study of the sacred Word. Paul exhorts those who are called the “children of the light,” those who are looking for the second coming of Christ, to “despise not prophesyings [the exercise of the gift of prophecy]. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:20, 21. The apostle well knew that in the last times there would be so much of Satan’s work, the spurious gifts, that the people of God would be in danger of rejecting the genuine manifestations of the prophetic gift, of “despising,” before duly considering, the gift; hence the exhortation, “Despise not prophesyings. . . . Hold fast that which is good,” which is equivalent to saying there will be some good manifestations of the gift of prophecy connected with the last church. Do not allow prejudice to arise, and lead to a despising of such a gift before a candid and careful investigation. Do not at once cast aside a genuine manifestation because you have met something bearing Satan’s mark. Exercise care; for there is to be a true work. Prove it, test it, that the good may be discovered. “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” 1 Cor. 14:32. The same spirit that actuates one true prophet of God controls and actuates another. So in the true manifestation of the Holy Spirit there must be a similarity in the visions now given with those described in the Bible. It may be well, however, briefly to notice some scriptural accounts50 of true visions from God, comparing them with the “open visions”—visions given before the people—of Mrs. E. G. White. It is the special object, in these few pages, to present some of the reasons why we consider this gift of Mrs. White’s as the genuine work of the Spirit of God. In tracing these proofs it seems proper to speak first of the visions themselves, and to inquire, Are her visions like the visions described in the Bible? It has been the privilege of the writer to witness this manifestation through Mrs. White nearly fifty times during the last forty-eight years, and to learn, in the year 1858, from the lips of those conversant with the beginning of this manifestation through her, the history of the same. It may be well, however, before making the comparisons, to describe the manifestation itself as seen in Mrs. White. In the particulars which I now endeavor to give, there was never a variation in all the numerous visions that the writer has witnessed. As the blessing of the Lord’s Spirit would fall upon her in power, she would give three shouts, speaking the word, “Glory!” The first shout, as nearly as can be described, sounded as if coming from the upper part of the room, and was accompanied by thrills of the power of the Lord, affecting all present whose hearts were susceptible to the Spirit of God. The second shout sounded still further off, and the impress of the Spirit on those present was deeper. The third shout resembled that of a voice in the distance, like one just going out of hearing. With this the presence of the Spirit would be felt in a still greater degree, reminding one of the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit “filled all the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:2. After the third shout, for half a minute or more, there was a complete loss of strength. If the power of the Spirit came upon her when standing, she appeared gradually to settle down to the floor, as if being gently let down by unseen hands. When fairly in vision, the action of the heart and pulse was natural, but the closest tests by medical men failed to discover a particle of breath in her body. The color of the countenance was natural, the eyes were open, always looking upward, not with a vacant stare, neither in a stationary position, but turning from side to side in different directions, the only difference from the natural look being like that of one looking intently at some object in the distance. After a moment of weakness, a superhuman power came upon her. While she would sometimes rise to her feet, and walk about the room, gracefully moving her arms to the right or left, yet in whatever position the arm might be placed, it was impossible for strong men to move it an inch. When we look at the Scripture record of visions given to God’s servants, we find many particulars relative to the physical condition of the entranced person. In the case of Paul, as recorded in his letter to the Corinthians, he says, “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 12:1. That he speaks of himself and his own visions is evident from the seventh verse, where he says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the52 revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” Verse 7. Paul says of his visions: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I can not tell; or whether out of the body, I can not tell; God knoweth); such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I can not tell; God knoweth); how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful [“not possible,” margin] for a man to utter.” Verses 2-4. When the veil was drawn back, and Paul was permitted to look upon heavenly scenes, it appeared to him as if he went up to heaven. The same was true in John’s case. Rev. 4:1. Paul was lost to everything around him. While the vision continued, he knew nothing of his surroundings, and so he could only testify of what he saw while in the vision. The closest tests applied to Mrs. White while in vision have led the most skeptical to decide that she was oblivious to all her surrounding. Pricking the hands with needles would not occasion the slightest resistance. A lighted candle brought suddenly so near her eyes as to singe her eyebrows, or even the tip-end of the finger touched to the pupil of the eye, failed in causing her to flinch, or to produce the least resistance. Those thus experimenting have exclaimed, “She does not know anything of what is taking place around her.” The next comparison will be in the case of Daniel’s53 vision as recorded in chapter 10. He said to the angel: “For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man [by reference to Dan. 9:21 we learn that the one who appeared to him before was the man Gabriel], and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not; peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.” Verses 17-19. Here are five points in the description of his vision: Loss of strength; sees an angel; the angel puts his hand upon him; he is supernaturally strengthened; and no breath in his body, though he is talking to the angel at the same time. As before stated, the first thing, as Mrs. White went into vision, was loss of consciousness of earthly things, and loss of strength. The first thing she sees is a bright, glorious angel, who lays his hand upon her. She is then clothed with strength, sometimes rising to her feet, walking about the room with a great Bible open on her left arm; and while her eyes are turned upward, and away from the book, with her right hand the leaves of the book are turned from page to page, the fingers pointing to texts, which she repeats verbatim, though her eyes are never once turned toward them. While thus talking and quoting Scripture, the closest test of skilful physicians has failed to detect54 breath in her body. So, in these five particulars, her visions are precisely like the visions of Daniel. While in vision, physicians have held a lighted candle as close to her lips as possible without burning her, and notwithstanding she was speaking with much force in the voice, not a single flicker was made in the blaze of the candle. Such a test was made by two physicians in Rochester, N. Y., June 24, 1854. After the experiment they said: “That settles it! There is not a particle of breath in that woman’s body!” On another occasion, in 1853, a physician seeing her recover her breath on coming out of vision, said, “The action is precisely like that of the new-born infant drawing its first breath, and is POSITIVE proof that while in the vision she has not been breathing.” Another feature in connection with visions recorded in the Bible is found in the case of Balaam. We read: “Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open [“who had his eyes shut, but now opened,” margin, Hebrew] hath said; he hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.” Num. 24:3, 4, 16. Boothroyd translates it, in verses 4, 16, “entranced, but with open eyes.” As previously said, Mrs. White’s eyes are always open during the entire vision. We have now presented seven points in which this manifestation through Mrs. White is in accord with Bible visions. The question will now naturally arise, How can a person talk without breath? Such a phenomenon is a miracle of God’s power. Indeed, it is thrilling to55 listen to the voice of an angel speaking through the vocal organs of a human being. How did the ancient prophets speak without breath? In Peter’s second epistle we read, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21. The Spirit of God did the talking through the prophet. We will look at another testimony, one in regard to David’s prophecies: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue.” 2 Sam. 23:2. The Spirit of God did the speaking, using the tongue of David. Another testimony concerning David’s prophesying is found in Peter’s testimony, “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.” Acts 1:16. The Holy Spirit spake, using David’s mouth. So, in the case of Mrs. White, when in holy vision, although there is no breath, the Holy Spirit speaks in an audible voice, using her organs of speech. A ninth point of comparison is in relation to the writing of what has been previously shown in vision. In the first book of Chronicles we have an account of David preparing for his son Solomon to build the temple at Jerusalem. He speaks of many particulars concerning the building,—its chambers, treasuries, parlors, furniture, and service. Of this he says it was “the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit.” 1 Chron. 28:12. The Lord had shown him, by the Spirit, as He showed to Moses, a pattern of this building which56 was “a shadow of heavenly things.” And everything must be made as exact as the pattern. This must all be written out for Solomon’s instruction. David tells us how this was done. “All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.” 1 Chron. 28:19. The Lord had shown him these things in vision. As he set himself to write them, the Spirit of God brought them clearly before his mind, and thus he wrote them out. It is in this manner that Mrs. White is enabled to commit to writing the many things previously shown her in vision. She says: “I have been aroused from my sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to my mind; and have written, at midnight, letters that have gone across the continent [of America], and arriving at a crisis, have saved great disaster to the cause of God.” Again, she says: “Sometimes, when special dangers threaten the cause of God or particular individuals, a communication comes to me from the Lord, either in a dream, or a vision of the night, and these cases are brought vividly to my mind. I hear a voice saying to me, ‘Arise and write; these souls are in peril.’ I obey the movings of the Spirit of God, and my pen traces their true condition.”—Testimony for the Church, No. 33, p. 213. Practical Working of the Gift.
We now have nine points in which Mrs. White’s visions are like those described in the Bible. It may57 be well to note next the harmony of the practical working of her gift with like work described in the Scriptures. In considering the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, it is well to keep in mind the order of the development of the gifts, as the Lord has marked it out in His Word. This will aid in deciding whether a professed manifestation of the prophetic gift is genuine, or whether it is from a false source. Paul refers to this order in his letter to the Corinthians, where he says, “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets.” 1 Cor. 12:28. When we look at the apostle’s statement respecting the relation of these gifts in the gospel work, we shall see at once why this order is observed. When comparing these gifts, he says: “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not; but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” I Cor. 14:22. From this statement it is evident that the Lord’s order is that His special messages to the world shall be brought forth from His Word; and accordingly He moves men to search the Scriptures, and to go forth as apostles, burdened with the Lord’s messages, proclaiming them from the Bible, which has stood the test of ages. All ministers are not classed as apostles; but that term seems to be applied to those who lead out in a reform or a new development of gospel truth. As believers are raised up, the gift of prophecy comes in, “secondarily,” accomplishing its part “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Eph. 4:12. When a movement claims as its chief foundation a professed gift of prophecy, and teaches, on the strength of such manifestation, things contrary to the Bible, we may conclude at once that such manifestation is not one of the Lord’s gifts; for in the genuine the gift of prophecy does not take the precedence of the Word of the Lord, but comes in “secondarily,” inculcating and illuminating the Word. We have a striking illustration of the Lord’s manner of working in the case of Cornelius, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. An angel of God appeared to him, and gave him a vision in his own house. That angel knew the facts of the gospel. He was sent to minister for one who was an heir of salvation in giving Cornelius a vision. He assured him that his devotions and consecrations were accepted by the Lord. He did not preach the gospel to him, but told him to call for Peter, who was lodging with Simon the tanner, at Joppa. Peter came, and from the Scriptures proclaimed to Cornelius the gospel of Christ. The work of Miss E. G. Harmon, under the guidance of the prophetic gift, from January, 1845, to the spring of 1846, almost eighteen months, was with the “believers” in Christ’s near coming, with whom she had previously associated. After the close of the twenty-three hundred days (Oct. 22, 1844), until the cause of their disappointment and the nature of the event that then occurred should be understood, there would be danger of the believers drifting into erroneous views, or giving up entirely their past experience.59 Her message to such was: “The past movement was of God. Hold fast your faith. The Lord has still a work for His people. Study the Bible. Search the Word, and you will find the light.” This is in harmony with the Lord’s plan, to have His special messages in their time brought forth from His Word, and the gift of prophecy comes in “secondarily,” to confirm and build up the believers. While Miss Harmon was busily engaged in one part of New England, Elder Joseph Bates, who was consecrated to God, and was a man of great faith (not acquainted with Miss Harmon), was working in another part, bringing forth from the Scriptures the light of the Sabbath truth and the third angel’s message. His work was to raise up believers in these truths. In fact, it was from him that, in 1846, both Miss Harmon and Elder James White received the Sabbath truth. She never had a vision on the Sabbath question until after the Bible evidences for the Sabbath had been given her by Elder Bates. In the fall of 1846 (after Miss Harmon’s marriage to Elder James White), as believers in the third angel’s message and the Sabbath were raised up, the Lord’s time came for the gift of prophecy to be connected with the third angel’s message. Elder Bates became fully convinced that the manifestations of Mrs. White were from heaven. From that time this prophetic gift has acted its part for “believers,” “for the work of the ministry,” and for the “edifying [building up] of the body [church] of Christ.” So we say of the gift of prophecy, as connected with the60 third angel’s message, that it started right, and has wrought in a manner in harmony with God’s order of placing His gifts in the church. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he speaks of what may sometimes be seen in connection with the manifestation of the gift of prophecy. He says of one coming in where the gift is in exercise: “Thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” 1 Cor. 14:25. Boothroyd’s translation reads, “God is among you.” As an illustration of this text, attention is called to a vision given to Mrs. White, and witnessed by the writer. The first Sabbath in October, 1852, in Rochester, N. Y., she saw a man who, so she told us, was traveling away from home on business. He had much to say about the law of God and the Sabbath, but was at the same time breaking one of the ten commandments. She said he was a person whom she had never met, yet she believed she would see him sometime, as his case had been unfolded to her. One of the Rochester company, whom Mrs. White had never seen, was at that time in Michigan. About six weeks after this vision, he returned to Rochester. As soon as Mrs. White looked upon his countenance, she said to one of the sisters, “That is the man I saw in vision of whom I told you.” The vision being related to this man in the presence of his wife and other persons, Mrs. White said to him, as Nathan said to David, “Thou art the61 man.” The brother at once dropped upon his face before his wife, and said, “God is with you of a truth.” Then, still upon his knees, he made a full confession of his course while in Michigan, in violating the seventh commandment, as revealed to Mrs. White, who was over five hundred miles away at the time. He frankly told how he had been trapped into sin, and said it was the first transgression of the kind in his life, and should be the last. Will be a feature connected with the vision of Daniel, recorded in chapter 10 of his prophecy. We read: “I Daniel alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.” Verse 7. These men in company with Daniel were Chaldeans, and worshipers of idols. When the power of God came upon Daniel, they were as anxious to get away from it as was Adam, after his transgression, to hide from God’s presence. A parallel circumstance occurred in Parkville, Mich., Jan. 12, 1861. It was the day of the dedication of the Parkville meeting-house, and a large audience had assembled. Elder White and his wife, Elder J. H. Waggoner, and the writer were present. At the close of the service, Mrs. White gave an exhortation, and the blessing of God rested upon her in a remarkable degree. After sitting down, she was taken off in vision, and remained seated. There was present a Doctor Brown, a hale, strong man physically, who62 was a Spiritualist medium. As was afterward learned, he had said that Mrs. White’s visions were the same as spirit mediumship, and that if she had one where he was, he could bring her out of it in one minute. Elder White gave an invitation for all who desired to do so to come forward and by examination satisfy themselves as to her condition while in vision. Some one said, “Doctor, go ahead, and do as you said you would.” Elder White then asked, “Is there a doctor in the house? We always like to have physicians examine Mrs. White in vision.” The doctor started quite bravely; but before he got half way to Mrs. White, he turned deathly pale and shook like a leaf. He was urged to go on and make the examination. As soon as this was completed, he made his way rapidly to the door, and seized hold of the knob to go out. Those standing by prevented him, saying: “Go back, and do what you said you would do. Bring that woman out of the vision.” Elder White, seeing the doctor trying to get out of the door, said, “Will the doctor please report to the audience?” He replied, “Her heart and pulse are regular, but there is not a particle of breath in her body.” Then, in great agitation, he again grasped the knob of the door. The people near him said, “Doctor, what is it?” He replied, “God only knows; let me out of this house.” And out he went. It was evident that the spirit that influenced him as a medium was no more at rest in the presence of the power that controlled Mrs. White in vision than were the demoniacs who inquired of the Saviour, “Art Thou come hither to torment us before63 the time?” And, like the Chaldeans mentioned above, he fled to “hide” himself. Angelic Influence Illustrated.
In the Bible we have numerous accounts of the power and influence of angels. One angel, passing through the camp of the Assyrians, slew one hundred and eighty-five thousand men. 2 Kings 19:35. Of the angelic being that came to Christ’s sepulcher, we read: “The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” Matt. 28:2-4. Nor is man the only creature that has experienced the influence of angelic presence. Ferocious animals have been tamed by their presence, as in the case of the hungry lions when Daniel was thrown into their midst. Those lions were calmed by the presence of an angel, and became as peaceable as domestic animals. By way of comparison, we cite an instance where the influence of the angel who is ever present when Mrs. White is in vision, calmed the temper of an unruly, vicious horse. In the fall of 1846 Elder and Mrs. White wished to go from Topsham to Poland, Me., a distance of about thirty miles. Elder White obtained the use of a partly-broken colt and a two-seated market wagon which was constructed without a dashboard. There was a step across the front of the wagon, and an iron step from the shafts. It was64 necessary that extreme care be taken in driving the colt; for if the lines or anything touched his flanks, he would instantly kick furiously; and he had to be held in continually with a “taut rein” to keep him from running. The owner of this colt lived in Poland. As Elder White had been used to managing unbroken colts, he thought he would have no serious trouble with this one. Had he known, however, that during its frantic demonstrations it had previously killed two men, one by crushing him against the rocks by the roadside, he might have been less confident. On this occasion there were four persons in the wagon,—Elder White and his wife on the front seat, and Elder Bates and a Mr. Israel Damon on the back seat. While Elder White was giving his utmost care to keep the horse under control, Mrs. White was conversing about the truth, when suddenly the power of God came down upon the company, and she was taken off in vision while seated in the wagon. The moment she shouted, “Glory!” as she went into vision, the colt stopped perfectly still, and dropped his head, looking like a sleepy old horse. At the same time, Mrs. White arose, and, with her eyes turned upward, stepped over the front of the wagon, down onto the shafts, with her hand on the colt’s haunches. Elder Bates called out to Elder White, “The colt will kick that woman to death.” Elder White replied, “The Lord has the colt in charge now; I do not wish to interfere.” The colt stood as quietly as an old horse. By the roadside was a bank about six feet high, and beyond, next the fence, was a grassy place. Elder Bates said that the bank was steeper than the roof of a house, and that they65 could not ascend it. Mrs. White, with her eyes still upward, not once looking down, went up the bank as readily as if she was going up a flight of stairs. She walked back and forth on the grass-plot for a few minutes, describing the beauties of the new earth. Then, with her eyes in the same posture, she came down the bank, and walking up to the wagon, stepped upon the step of the shafts, again laying her hand on the colt. She then stepped on the shafts, and into the wagon. The moment she sat down upon the seat, she came out of the vision; and that instant the horse, without any indication from the driver, started up, ready to go on his way. While Mrs. White was out of the wagon, Elder White thought he would test the horse, and see if he were really tame. At first he just touched him with the whip; at other times the horse would have responded with a kick, but he did not move. Elder White then struck him quite a blow, then harder, and still harder. The colt paid no attention whatever to the blows, but seemed as harmless as the lions whose mouths the angel shut the night Daniel spent in their den. “It was a solemn place,” said Elder Bates, “and it was evident that the same power that produced the vision, for the time being subdued the wild nature of the colt.” They had no more trouble with the colt in completing the journey.