Should the Lord speak to his people by visions in these last days, would we not expect that in the manifestation itself there would be evident tokens of the divine? These tokens are apparent in the visions of Mrs. E. G. White. The phenomenon of the visions themselves, as shown in Chapter XIII, is simply miraculous; but there are many wonderful features connected with her earlier views, which you will notice as you further peruse this work; and could we expect it to be otherwise in a gift of this character designed of God to attract the attention of the people, and lead them to say, like Moses, “I will turn aside, and see this great sight”? The simple statement of a poor, sickly, feeble girl, apparently on the brink of the grave, that the Lord had given her a vision, would not have been enough to do this. The wonderful manifestations connected with the visions did create an interest in them, and a call was made for the girl to go from place to place and relate what the Lord had bidden her to make known to others.
Remarkable Demonstrations in the Third Vision
I will here state some facts respecting her third vision, the one given in her father’s house, mentioned in Chapter XIII, page 212, as related to me by Mrs. White’s father and mother, by her sister, Mrs. Sarah Belden, and others.
In the room where the vision was given, there was lying on the bureau a very large family Bible. It was one of an edition printed in Boston by Joseph Teale, in the year 1822. The book is eighteen by eleven inches, four inches in thickness, and weighs a little over eighteen pounds. While in vision, she arose, and took this heavy Bible on her left arm, the book237lying open, and held it out at right angles with her body; and then for over half an hour, with her right hand, turned from place to place, and pointed to different texts of Scripture, which she repeated while her eyes were looking upward, and in an opposite direction from the book. Her sister Sarah (afterward the wife of Stephen Belden), or, at times, some other person present, looked at every text to which her finger pointed, and saw clearly that in every instance she was repeating the scripture upon which her finger was resting. Mother Harmon said her daughter Ellen in her natural condition “was unable, for lack of strength, to lift that heavy Bible from the bureau; but in the vision she held it as easily, apparently, as though it were only a pocket Testament.”
Here, indeed, was a wonder!—a delicate girl, weighing only seventy pounds, holding a heavy Bible for over half an hour in a position in which a strong man could not hold it for two minutes; again, turning from place to place to texts of Scripture which proved in every instance to be the text she repeated, while her eyes were turned upward and in an opposite direction from the book; and lastly, a voice emanating from a person with no movement of the lungs or breath in the body, and repeated correctly the designated texts of Scripture,—this surely is above the charge of being produced by human agency, or as being the effect of disease. Those who saw it regarded it as most clearly a manifestation of the Spirit of Him who spake from the burning bush. Such manifestations as these in Miss Harmon’s third vision, where known, carried convincing proof that a power more than finite was in the visions.
The Topsham Vision
Very soon after this occurrence the company of Adventists at Topsham, some thirty miles northeast of Portland, Maine, hearing of the Lord’s dealings with Miss Ellen G. Harmon, invited her to that place. The invitation was accepted, and thus her first visit was made to Topsham. The238Adventist meetings at that time were held in the house of Mr. Curtiss. Mrs. Frances Lunt (formerly Miss Frances Howland), of Oakland, Cal., gave me the following statement, dated Jan. 19, 1890:—
“I, with my father’s family, attended the meetings of Sister Harmon in Topsham, in 1845, and during these meetings she had a vision. It was the first time we ever saw her in vision. One of those old-fashioned Bibles [the Teale Family Bible, weighing eighteen pounds] was owned by Brother Curtiss. This big Bible was taken from the bureau by Sister Harmon while in vision, and texts of Scripture were pointed out by her as she turned from leaf to leaf, while her eyes were looking upward, and away from the book. The texts she repeated were either words of instruction, encouragement, or reproof. Another peculiarity of the manifestation at that time was the position of the book. It was held on her open hand at an angle of forty-five degrees, and no one else was able to hold any book at a similar angle without its slipping at once from the hands; but Sister Harmon held this Bible at that angle for several minutes, as firmly as though it was stuck to her hand, she passing meanwhile from one to another in the room.”
Mrs. Truesdail’s Testimony
Another statement respecting this same vision is from Mrs. M. C. Truesdail, of Trenton, Mo., dated Jan. 27, 1891. She says:—
“I was fifteen years old in 1845, and was present at the time of Sister Harmon’s first visit to Topsham, when she had the vision at the house of Brother Curtiss, where she took up the great family Bible and held it up in a position in which none of the others could hold a book on the hands without its slipping off at once.
“Sister Harmon was in vision over two hours. It was the most wonderful manifestation of the power of God I ever witnessed, and I have seen her in vision more than one239dozen times. These were always occasions of deep solemnity and self-examination, but this exceeded them all. O! how we trembled as the Majesty of heaven instructed us through his feeble instrument; as she read to us passages so comforting and appropriate in our trying position; such as Heb. 2: 2, 3; James 5: 7, 8; Heb. 10: 35, 39; 1 Peter 1: 7; Luke 12: 32–37, besides many others, holding the large family Bible so high that I was obliged to stand on a chair to read where she was pointing. I do not think Sister Harmon was over two inches the taller.”
Such manifestations convinced the candid that some power more than human was controlling the humble instrument, and calls came from various parts of New England for her to come and deliver her testimony.
Manual Labor a Sin
Soon after this Miss Harmon was instructed, in vision, to visit Paris, Maine, where were individuals who believed it a sin to follow manual labor. Elder Stephens, of Woodstock, Maine, was the leader in this error, and exerted a strong influence over others. He had previously been a Methodist preacher, and was considered a humble, faithful Christian. He had won the confidence of many by his zeal for the truth, and his apparently holy living, which caused some to believe him specially directed of God. The Lord gave Miss Harmon a reproof for him. She stated that he was going contrary to the word of God in abstaining from labor, in urging his errors upon others, and in denouncing all who did not receive them. He rejected all the evidences which the Lord gave to convince him of his error, and refused to acknowledge his wrongs. He followed impressions, and went weary journeys, walking great distances, where he would only receive abuse, and considered that in all this he was suffering for Christ’s sake. His reason and judgment were laid aside.
Concerning the testimony of Miss Harmon and the outcome of the case, I will quote from a letter received from240Mrs. M. C. Truesdail, who then resided in Paris, Maine. After giving some particulars in harmony with the above, she says:—
“Confessions came from all except their leader, Jesse Stephens. Sister Harmon warned him that unless he humbled himself by confessing his errors, he would soon end his career. All understood this to be a prediction that he would in some way commit suicide.”
The following is the sequel in his case:—
“After his little flock left him, he became melancholy, and soon after lost his reason, refusing to eat anything cooked by the wicked. He had not heard of my return from Massachusetts when I carried him his dinner. He inquired, as he reached out his skeleton hand through a small opening in a window, ‘Did God send you with this, Sister Marion?’ Noticing my hesitating reply, he refused to taste it. His pitiful condition, confined in a small room at his brother’s (an unbeliever), reminded me of the warning which had been so kindly sent him from heaven, and which he so stubbornly rejected. He was taken to his family two days after this sad visit, where he soon ended his life by suicide, making a rope of his bedclothes.”
A Prediction Fulfilled
In the summer of 1845, by invitation of Otis Nichols, Miss Harmon visited Massachusetts, her sister Sarah accompanying her. They made their home with the family of Mr. Nichols. He and his wife would go with their carriage, and take them to different places to hold meetings, where Miss Harmon delivered her testimonies. Thus she was able to visit Boston, Roxbury, and Carver. At the time of their second visit to Boston, Mass., a very interesting incident occurred.
There was in Boston and vicinity a company of fanatical persons who also held that it was a sin to labor, their principal message being, “Sell that ye have, and give alms.”241They said they were in the jubilee, that the land should rest, and that the poor must be supported without labor. Sargent, Robbins, and some others were leaders. They denounced the visions as being of the devil, because their own errors had been shown. They were severe upon all who did not believe with them.
While Miss Harmon and her sister were visiting at the house of Mr. Nichols, Sargent and Robbins came from Boston to obtain a favor of him, and said they had come to have a visit, and to tarry over night with him. Mr. Nichols replied that he was glad they had come, for Misses Sarah and Ellen Harmon were in the house, and he wished them to become acquainted with them. They changed their minds at once, and could not be persuaded to come into the house. Mr. Nichols asked if Ellen could relate her message in Boston, and if they would hear, and then judge. “Yes,” said they, “come into Boston next Sabbath [meaning Sunday, as they had not yet received the Sabbath]; we would like the privilege of hearing her.”
Mr. Nichols related this to me at his house, in Dorchester, in 1858. He said that he had made all his calculations to go to Boston on Sabbath morning with his carriage to take Miss Harmon to the proposed meeting. That evening, during family prayers, she was taken off in vision. After coming out of it, she said, “Brother Nichols, I am not going to Boston to-morrow; the Lord has shown me that I must go to Randolph. He has a work for me to do there.” Mr. Nichols had a great regard for his word. He had promised to take her to Boston the next day, and he anxiously inquired, “What shall I do with my word to Sargent and Robbins?” “Never mind that,” said Miss Harmon, “the Lord has bidden me go the other way.” “Well,” said Mr. Nichols, “I do not understand it.” “The Lord showed me that we would understand it when we get there,” said Miss Harmon. “Well,” said Mr. Nichols, “there is no way for you to get there unless we go and take you, but I do not know how I will explain242matters to the brethren in Boston.” Mr. Nichols further stated to me that “Sister Harmon saw their hypocrisy in the vision, that there would be no meeting in Boston on the Sabbath, that Sargent, Robbins, and others opposed would meet with the large company at Randolph (thirteen miles from Boston) on the Sabbath; and that we must meet the opposers at Randolph, at their meeting on the Sabbath, and there she would have a message given her for them, which would convince the honest, the unprejudiced ones, whether her visions were of the Lord or from Satan.” Instead of going to Boston and then to Randolph, making a distance of twenty-two miles, they went direct to Randolph, arriving there about meeting time. There they found the very ones who had agreed to meet them in Boston. Mr. Nichols then said, “I understand it now.”
This effort of Sargent and Robbins to evade Miss Harmon’s testimony, and the manner in which she was directed so as to meet them, had great influence on the minds of some who were present. Of the meeting itself, I will quote the account as given by Mr. Nichols:—
Remarkable Demonstrations
“Sister Ellen was taken off in vision with extraordinary manifestations, and continued talking in vision with a clear voice, which could be distinctly understood by all present, until about sundown. Sargent, Robbins, and French were much exasperated, as well as excited, to hear Sister Ellen talk in vision, which they declared was of the devil; they exhausted all their influence and bodily strength to destroy the effect of the vision. They would unite in singing very loud, and then alternately would talk and read from the Bible in a loud voice, in order that Ellen might not be heard, until their strength was exhausted, and their hands would shake so they could not read from the Bible, but amidst all this confusion and noise, Ellen’s clear and shrill voice, as she talked in vision, was distinctly heard by all present. The243opposition of these men continued as long as they could talk and sing, notwithstanding some of their own friends rebuked them, and requested them to stop. But said Robbins, ‘You are bowed to an idol: you are worshiping a golden calf.’
“Mr. Thayer, the owner of the house, was not fully satisfied that her vision was of the devil, as Robbins declared it to be. He wanted it tested in some way. He had heard that visions of Satanic power were arrested by opening the Bible and laying it on the person in vision, and asked Sargent if he would test it in that way, which he declined to do. Then Mr. Thayer took a heavy, large quarto family Bible which was lying on the table, and seldom used, opened it, and laid it open upon the breast of Ellen while in vision, as she was then inclined backward against the wall in the corner of the room. Immediately after the Bible was laid upon her, she arose upon her feet, and walked into the middle of the room, with the Bible open in one hand, and lifted up as high as she could reach, and with her eyes steadily looking upward, declared in a solemn manner, ‘The inspired testimony from God,’ or words of the same import. And then, while the Bible was extended in one hand, and her eyes looking upward, and not on the Bible, she continued for a long time to turn over the leaves with her other hand, and place her finger upon certain passages, and correctly utter their words with a solemn voice. Many present looked at the passages where her finger was pointed, to see if she spoke them correctly, for her eyes at the same time were looking upward. Some of the passages referred to were judgments against the wicked and blasphemers; and others were admonitions and instructions relative to our present condition.
Her Longest Vision, over Six Hours
“In this state she continued all the afternoon until near sunset, when she came out of vision. When Ellen arose in vision upon her feet, with the heavy open Bible in her hand,244and walked the room, uttering the passages of Scripture, Sargent, Robbins, and French were silenced. For the remainder of the time they were troubled, with many others; but they shut their eyes, and braved it out without making any acknowledgment of their feelings.”
Miss Harmon’s Marriage
August 30, 1846, Miss E. G. Harmon and Elder James White were united in marriage, and together they labored for the advancement of the message. During the year 1847 their labors were mostly confined to Maine and Massachusetts.
The first Sabbath in April, there was given to Mrs. White a most interesting view, at the home of Stockbridge Howland, Topsham, where the meetings were then usually held. This vision is the one mentioned in “Early Writings,” where she had a view of the sanctuary and its furniture, the time of trouble, the saints fleeing from the cities, the wicked surrounding them, their deliverance at the voice of God, the jubilee, the Lord’s coming in the cloudy chariot, etc. It may be well to notice some of her movements while in this vision.
Many Bibles Used in a Vision
Mrs. Frances Lunt (daughter of S. Howland), on the 19th of January, 1890, said to me: “There was at the side of the room where the meetings were held, a table upon which were a number of books of various kinds, among which were several Bibles of ordinary size. While in vision, Mrs. White rose to her feet, went to the table, picked up a Bible without touching another book, and holding it open above her head with her left hand, with the index finger of the right hand pointed to the text of Scripture she was repeating as she stood before the person for whom it was designed, and then placed the open book on the chest of the person before whom she repeated the scripture. Returning to the table, she took another Bible, and in the same manner repeated another text of Scripture and placed the open Bible on the chest of the245individual she was addressing. This act was repeated to about half a dozen persons; after which in a graceful manner, she took her seat in a chair, while her eyes were all the while looking upward and away from the book.”
Of this Mrs. Truesdail says: “I was present [April, 1847] when Sister White went to the table and picked up one Bible after another from among the books that were on the table, laying the Bible on the breast of the one for whom she had a text of Scripture. This was done while her eyes were uplifted toward heaven. On this occasion she held the Bible above her head while speaking to me; and then she placed it upon my breast. The passage given me was 2 Cor. 6:17.”
In a letter from Mrs. Frances Lunt, she gives the names of three persons who were present on this occasion, and on whom the Bibles were laid while Mrs. White talked to them on the text for each, and among the names was that of Mrs. Truesdail.
First Work was among Advent Believers
The work of Miss 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 of giving up entirely their past experience. Her message was to such: “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 instruction is in harmony with the Lord’s plan. His purpose has ever been that his special messages for his people should, in their time, be brought forth from his word, and246then the gift of prophecy comes in “secondarily,” to confirm and build up the believers.
A striking illustration of this fact is found 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 well knew the truths of the gospel, and could have taught it to Cornelius, but he was sent to minister to one who was an heir of salvation in giving Cornelius a vision. He assured him that his devotions and consecration were accepted by the Lord. He did not preach the gospel to him, but simply 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.
Position of the Gift of Prophecy
At this point it may be well to note the order of the development of the gifts, as the Lord has marked it out in his word. Paul refers to this in his letter to the Corinthians, where he says, “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets.”
When looking at the apostle’s statement respecting the relation of these gifts in the gospel work, we see at once why this order is observed. When comparing these gifts, Paul 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.” The Lord’s order is that his special messages to the world shall be brought from his word; and accordingly he moves men to search the Scriptures, and go forth as apostles, burdened with the Lord’s messages, proclaiming them from the Bible, which has stood the test of ages. 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.”
The Most Solemn Warning in the Bible
Said Elder J. V. Himes in 1847:—
CHAPTER XVI
THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE
THE third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
This is the most solemn warning that the Bible contains, and it is certain that the record of our world’s history presents no testimony that this message has been heard in the past. The fact that the first and second angels of this series have been proved to belong to the present generation, most clearly establishes the point that this message does not belong to past ages.
“The fourteenth chapter [of Revelation] presents an astounding cry, yet to be made, as a warning to mankind in that hour of strong temptation. Verses 9-11. A denunciation of wrath so dreadful cannot be found in the book of248God, besides this. Does it not imply a strong temptation, to require so terrific an admonition?”
The Temple Opened—the Ark Seen
J. N. Andrews said of this message, “The opening of the holiest of all in the temple of heaven by which the ark is seen, is an event that takes place under the sounding of the seventh angel. And as the ministration of our great High Priest is changed to that apartment at the termination of the twenty-three hundred days, we understand that the opening of the temple is marked by the termination of that period as represented by the proclamation of the first angel. The entrance of our High Priest to the most holy place to minister before the ark of God, calls the attention of the church to the commandments of God contained within that ark. The commandments of God have been shining out from the heavenly sanctuary since that time.”
Change of the Sabbath
“It is a fact beyond dispute that the fourth commandment, some ages since, was changed from the rest-day of the Lord to the pagan festival of Sunday. This change was made in express contradiction of the Holy Scriptures, which everywhere recognize the seventh day as the only weekly Sabbath of the Lord. It was accomplished by the great apostate, who Daniel predicted should ‘think to change times and laws.’ This power is essentially the same as the beast which was to be worshiped by all the world. And it is a fact of deep interest that this commandment which has been so long trodden down, is now being vindicated, and the people of God are beginning to keep it with the other nine. Thanks be to God that he is preparing the remnant for their final conflict with the dragon, and for admittance through the gates into the holy city. Rev. 12:17; 22:14. The vindication of the fourth commandment in opposition to the Sabbath of the249apostasy, and the preaching of all the commandments of God is a striking testimony that the present is the period of the saints’ patience, and of the warning of the third angel.”
Attention has been called in previous chapters to the first and second of these messages, as fulfilled in the great second advent proclamation down to Oct. 22, 1844. The scripture at the opening of this chapter reads, “The third angel followed them,” that is, followed the first and second angels. It will perhaps be of interest, in this connection, to call attention to the rise of the third message.
The First Adventist Sabbath-Keepers
During the “midnight cry,” in 1844, the Lord began to lead the minds of his people to the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath. This doctrine, among Adventists, arose on this wise: Rachel Preston, a Seventh-day Baptist, moved to Washington, N. H., where there was a church of Adventists. She accepted the advent doctrine, and that church, composed of about forty members, through her missionary labors accepted the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. This led to inquiry upon that subject. In the Cry of Sept. 5, 1844, we read, “Many persons have their minds deeply exercised respecting a supposed obligation to observe the seventh day.” This statement was contained in an editorial, in which a faint effort was made to establish the claims of Sunday-keeping. The subject was continued in the number of September 12, where we find the following significant statement, which led to serious and close study by many:—
The Seventh Day the Only Law-appointed Day
“Last week we found ourselves brought to this conclusion: There is no particular portion of time which Christians are required by law to set aside as holy time. If this conclusion is incorrect, then we think the seventh day is the only day for the observance of which there is any law.”
T. M. Preble’s Essay
The attention of the Adventists as a body was called to the Sabbath question by an essay on the subject from T. M. Preble, dated Feb. 13, 1845, and published in the Hope of Israel, Portland, Maine, Feb. 28, 1845. After showing the claims of the Bible Sabbath, and the fact that it was changed to Sunday by the great apostasy, he remarks: “Thus we see Dan. 7: 25 fulfilled, the little horn changing ‘times and laws.’ Therefore it appears to me that all who keep the first day for the Sabbath are the pope’s Sunday-keepers and God’s Sabbath-breakers.”
J. B. Cook on the Sabbath Question
Soon after this there appeared in print an article from J. B. Cook, in which he showed that there is no Scriptural evidence for keeping Sunday as the Sabbath, and he used this terse expression: “Thus easily is all the wind taken from the sails of those who sail, perhaps unwittingly, under the pope’s Sabbatic flag.”
Although Sabbath-keeping by these two men was of short duration, they had set a ball rolling that could not easily be stopped. The catch phrases, “pope’s Sunday-keepers,” “God’s commandment-breakers,” and “sailing under the pope’s Sabbatic flag,” were on the lips of hundreds who were eager to know the truth of this matter. Elder Joseph Bates, of Fairhaven, Mass., had his attention thus arrested, and he accepted the Sabbath in 1845.
Joseph Bates Accepts the Sabbath
His experience was on this wise: Hearing of the company in Washington, N. H., that were keeping the Sabbath, he concluded to visit that church, and see what it meant. He accordingly did so, and on studying the subject with them he saw they were correct, and at once accepted the light on the Sabbath question. On returning to New Bedford, Mass., he251met, on the bridge between New Bedford and Fair Haven, a prominent brother, who accosted him thus, “Captain Bates, what is the news?” Elder Bates replied, “The news is that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God.” “Well,” said the man, “I will go home and read my Bible, and see about that.” So he did, and when next they met, this brother had accepted the Sabbath truth and was obeying it.
The First Book on the Sabbath
Elder Bates at once began to preach this truth from State to State. He soon saw that a book, or even a tract, on the Sabbath question would be a great help to him in his work, and his soul was moved by the Spirit of God to write and publish something on this subject. But how it could be done without money, was the question, as all that he had was a York shilling (twelve and a half cents). It may be of interest to the reader to relate his experience in this matter just as he told it to me in 1855.
Four Pounds of Flour
He said that while in prayer before God, he decided to write the book, and felt assured that the way would open to publish it. He therefore seated himself at his desk, with Bible and concordance, to begin his work. In the course of an hour, Mrs. Bates came into the room and said, “Joseph, I haven’t flour enough to make out the baking,” and at the same time mentioned some other little articles that she needed. “How much flour do you lack?” asked Captain Bates. “About four pounds,” was her reply. “Very well,” replied he. After she had left the room, he went to a store near by, purchased the four pounds of flour and the other articles, brought them home, and again seated himself at his writing desk. Presently Mrs. Bates came in and saw the articles on the table and exclaimed, “Where did this flour come from?” “Why,” said the captain, “isn’t there enough? You said252you wanted four pounds.” “Yes,” said she, “but where did you get it?” “I bought it,” said he; “is not that the amount you wanted to complete the baking?” “Yes,” continued Mrs. Bates, “but have you, Captain Bates, a man who has sailed vessels out of New Bedford to all parts of the world, been out and bought four pounds of flour?” “Yes, was not that the amount you needed to complete the baking?” “Yes,” said Mrs. Bates, “but have you bought four pounds (!) of flour?”
Eleven Thousand Dollars Spent for the Truth
Another trial soon followed. When Captain Bates left the sea, he sold out his interest in a ship for $11,000, but now he had spent his all to advance the cause of truth. Up to this date Mrs. Bates did not know his true financial condition, but he felt that he must now acquaint her with it, so he calmly said, “Wife, I spent for those articles the last money I have on earth.” With bitter sobs Mrs. Bates inquired, “What are we going to do?” The captain arose, and with all the dignity of a captain directing his vessel, said, “I am going to write a book; I am going to circulate it, and spread this Sabbath truth before the world.” “Well,” said Mrs. Bates, through blinding tears, “what are we going to live on?” “The Lord is going to open the way,” was Captain Bates’s smiling reply. “Yes,” said Mrs. Bates, “the Lord is going to open the way! That’s what you always say,” and bursting into tears she left the room.
An Unexpected Supply
After Captain Bates had continued his work for half an hour, the impression came to him to go to the post-office, as there was a letter there for him. He went, and sure enough there was a letter. In those days the postage on letters was five cents and prepayment was optional. The writer of this letter had for some reason failed to pay the postage. And here again Captain Bates was humbled, as he was obliged253to tell the postmaster, Mr. Drew, with whom he was well acquainted, that he could not pay the postage, as he had no money; but he said, “Will you let me see where it is from?” “Take it along,” said the postmaster, “and pay some other time.” “No,” said the captain, “I will not take the letter out of the office until the postage is paid.” While he had the letter in his hand, he said, “I am of the opinion that there is money in this letter,” and turning to the postmaster, he asked, “Will you please open it? If there is money in it, you can take the postage out; if not, I will not read it.” The postmaster complied with his request, and lo! it contained a ten-dollar bill. He found, by reading, that the letter was from a person who said the Lord so impressed his mind that Elder Bates was in need of money that he hastened it to him; and in the haste he probably forgot to pay the postage.
After paying the postage, he went to a provision store, bought a barrel of flour for $4, besides potatoes, sugar, and other necessary articles. When giving orders where they were to be delivered, he said, “Probably the woman will say they don’t belong there, but don’t you pay any attention to what she says; unload the goods on the front porch.”
He then went to the printing office and made arrangements for publishing one thousand copies of a tract of about one hundred pages, with the understanding that as the copy was furnished the printers were to put it in type as rapidly as possible, sending proofs to him. He was to pay for the work as fast as he received the money, and the books were not to be taken from the office until the bills were all paid.
Captain Bates knew well there was no money due him, but he felt it his duty to write this book, believing that the Lord would move on the hearts to send the money when it was needed. After purchasing paper, pens, etc., thus giving time for the household supplies to go in advance of him, he went to the head of the street leading to his house. On seeing that the articles were there, he went into the house by the back entrance, and seated himself again at his desk. Mrs.254Bates came in and said excitedly, “Joseph, just look out on the front porch! Where did that stuff come from? A drayman came here and would unload it. I told him it didn’t belong here, but he would unload it.” “Well,” said Captain Bates, “I guess it’s all right.” “But,” said Mrs. Bates, “where did it come from?” “Well,” said the Captain, “the Lord sent it.” “Yes,” said Mrs. Bates, “the Lord sent it; that’s what you always say.” He then handed the letter to his wife, saying, “Read this, and you will know where it came from.” She read it, and again retired for another cry, but it was of a different character from the first; and on returning she humbly asked his pardon for her lack of faith.
Money Coming for the Book
As the work of writing and printing progressed, Captain Bates received money from time to time through the mail and otherwise, sometimes from persons he had never met. As he received the money, it was passed over to the printers, and applied on the book account. Finally the day came when the books were all printed, and from a source unexpected by Brother Bates the balance of the account was met; thus the books were not delayed even a day in their circulation.
Last Bill Paid
H. S. Gurney, of Memphis, Mich., told me in March, 1884, that he, on the very morning Elder Bates’s book was completed, received $100 on an outlawed note from a man who declared he would never pay him. Having received this money, he esteemed it a pleasure to spend a portion of it in paying the last bill on the Sabbath tract of Elder Bates. “But,” said Mr. Gurney, “Brother Bates never knew to the day of his death who paid the balance of the book bill.” This experience of Elder Bates in printing the Sabbath truth seemed to say to our people from the very beginning of publishing the truth on the Sabbath question, “Go forward255in this line of work, and expect God’s providence to open the way as you advance.”
Elder Bates Skeptical of the Visions
The following statement, abridged from “Life Sketches,” will show how the gift of prophecy and the Sabbath reform were united:—
While on a visit to New Bedford, Mass., in 1846, Miss Harmon became acquainted with Elder Joseph Bates. He had early embraced the advent faith, and was an active laborer in the cause. He was a true Christian gentleman, courteous and kind. He treated Miss Harmon as tenderly as though she were his own child. The first time he heard her speak, he manifested deep interest, and after she had ceased, he arose and said, “I am a doubting Thomas. I do not believe in visions. But if I could believe that the testimony the sister has related to-night was indeed the voice of God to us, I should be the happiest man alive. My heart is deeply moved. I believe the speaker to be sincere, but I cannot explain in regard to her being shown the wonderful things she has related to us.”
Miss Harmon Accepts the Sabbath
Elder Bates was keeping the Sabbath, and urged its importance. Miss Harmon did not at that time feel its importance, and thought Elder Bates erred in dwelling upon the fourth commandment more than upon the other nine. But the Lord gave her a view of the heavenly sanctuary. The temple of God was opened in heaven, and she was shown the ark of God with the mercy-seat covering it. Two angels stood, one at either end of the ark, with their wings spread over the mercy-seat, and their faces turned toward it. This, her accompanying angel informed her, represented all the heavenly host looking with reverential awe toward the law of God which had been written by the finger of God. Jesus raised the cover of the ark, and she beheld the tables of stone256on which the ten commandments were written. She was amazed as she saw the fourth commandment in the very center of the ten precepts, with a soft halo of light encircling it. The angel said, “It is the only one of the ten which defines the living God who created the heavens and the earth and all things that are therein. When the foundations of the earth were laid, then was also laid the foundation of the Sabbath.” She was shown that if the true Sabbath had been kept, there would never have been an infidel or an atheist. The observance of the Sabbath would have preserved the world from idolatry.
The fourth commandment has been trampled upon, therefore we are called to repair the breach in the law, and to plead for the downtrodden Sabbath. The man of sin, who exalted himself above God, and thought to change times and laws, brought about the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. In doing this he made a breach in the law of God.
Just prior to the great day of God a message is sent forth to warn the people to come back to their allegiance to the law of God which anti-Christ has broken down. Attention must be called to the breach in the law by teaching and example. She was also shown that the third angel of Revelation 14, proclaiming the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, represents the people who receive this message, and raise the voice of warning to the world to keep the commandments of God and his law as the apple of the eye, and that in response to this warning many would embrace the Sabbath of the Lord.
This experience of Miss Harmon and Elder Bates was in harmony with the Lord’s method of working. The attention of both Miss Harmon and Elder White was called to the Sabbath question by Elder Bates, who presented to them from the Scriptures the claims of the unchangeable law of God. Although Miss Harmon had been blessed with special manifestations from the Lord for about eighteen months, nothing257on this subject had been previously shown her. Now the Lord’s time had come, as believers were being raised up to keep his law, to impart light to them through the gift of prophecy, and thus, by his own way of working, the third angel’s message, “the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ,” were brought together.