Heavenly Visions- 4

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

HEAVENLY VISIONS.

"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 accounts of true visions from God, comparing them with the "open visions" - visions given before the people - of Mrs. E. G. White.

It has been the privilege of the writer to witness this manifestation through Mrs. White nearly fifty times during the last forty-six 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 Holy 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 farther 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 the 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, and 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 the 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." 2Cor.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 the 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.

Of his visions Paul says: "I know 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. RH Aug. 1, 1899.

HEAVENLY VISIONS.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

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 to 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." Sam.23:2. So 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 out 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." 1Chron.28:12. The Lord had shown him, by the Spirit, as he did to Moses, a pattern of this building which 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. He says: "All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern." 1Chron.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 to her in vision. She says: "I have been aroused from my sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to my mind; and I have written, at midnight, letters that have gone across the continent, 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".

We now have nine points in which Mrs. White's visions are like those described in the Bible. It may be well to note next the harmony of the practical working of her gift with like work described in the Scriptures. RH August 15, 1899.

GOD'S ORDER WITH HIS GIFTS.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

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." 1Cor.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." 1Cor.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 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 that 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 consecration 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 Sister 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. 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 the harmony with the Lord's plan; to have his special messages in their time brought forth from his word, and the gift of prophecy come in "secondarily," to confirm and build up the believers.

While Sister Harmon was busily engaged in one part of New England, Brother Joseph Bates, who was consecrated to God, and was a man of great faith (not then acquainted with Sister 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 Sister Harmon and Brother James White received the Sabbath truth. She never had a vision on the Sabbath question until after the Bible evidence for the Sabbath had been given her by Elder Bates.

In the fall of 1846 (after Sister Harmon's marriage to Elder James White), as believers in the third message and the Sabbath were raised up, the Lord's time came for the gift of prophecy to be connected with the third message. Elder Bates became fully convinced that the manifestations of Sister 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 the 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.

THE FUTURE

ELDER L. D. SANTEE.

            OH, so near us gleams the morning,

                        We can almost see the light

            Of the angels, downward tending,

                        And the conquerors, clad in white;

            See the Saviour robed in splendor,

                        Bidding sin forever cease;

            See life's sunshine, warm and tender,

                        And the holy dawn of peace.

            Oh, so near us lies the promise

                        When the grave shall yield it dust.

            When the King shall bring the glorious

                        Resurrection of the just.

            Oft I ask, with earnest longing,

                        When shall loosen death's dark seal?

            When shall dawn the glorious morning

                        That the future shall reveal?

            Oh, so near us lies the triumph

                        When the glorious King shall come.

            He will open wide life's gateway,

                        And will call the children home;

            Then the sandals will be loosened,

                        And the tired feet will rest.

            And we'll say of all the journey,

                        It was well, and God knew best. RH August 22, 1899

MANIFESTATIONS CONNECTED WITH TRUE VISIONS.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

IN Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he speaks of what may sometimes be seen in connection with true manifestations 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." 1Cor.14:25. Boothroyd's translation reads, "God is among you."

As an illustration of this text, attention is called to a vision given to Sister 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 Sister White had never seen, was at that time in Michigan. About six weeks after this vision, he returned to Rochester. As soon as Sister 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 brother in the presence of his wife and other persons, Sister White said to him, "As Nathan said to David, `Thou art the 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 Sister White, who was over five hundred miles away at the time. He frankly told how he had been entrapped into sin, and said it was the first transgression of the kind in his life, and should be the last.

ANOTHER COMPARISON 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." Dan.10:7. 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, Sister 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 Dr. Brown, a hale, strong man physically, who 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. Brother 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." Brother 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 Sister 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." Brother 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 door-knob. 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 Sister White in vision than were the demoniacs who inquired of the Saviour, "Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? RH August 29, 1899

ANGELIC INFLUENCE ILLUSTRATED.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

IN the Bible we have numerous accounts of the power and influence of angels. One angel, passing through the camp of Assyrians, slew one hundred and eighty-five thousand men. 2Kings 19:35. Of the angel that came to Christ's sepulcher we read, "For 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 the presence of angels, 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 Sister White is in vision, calmed the temper of an unruly, vicious horse. In the fall of 1846 Brother and Sister White wished to go from Topsham to Poland, Me., a distance of about 30 miles. Brother 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 was 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 Israel Damon, on the back seat. While Elder White was giving his utmost care to keep the horse under control, Sister 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, Sister White arose, and with her eyes turned upward, stepped over the front of the wagon, down unto 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 to the fence, was a grassy place. Brother Bates said that the bank was steeper than the roof of a house, and that they could not ascend it. Sister White, with her eyes still upward, not once looking down, went up the bank as readily as if she were 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 again. The moment she sat down on the seat, she came out of vision; and that instant the horse, without any indication from the driver, started up, ready to go on his way.

While Sister 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 now 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." RH Sept. 5, 1899.

SATAN'S PLANS DEFEATED.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

IN the sixth chapter of the second book of Kings is found a narration of an interesting incident: "The king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. And the man of God [Elisha] sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice." Verses 8-10. It is evident from this account that Satan was working through the Syrians to destroy the Israelites, but the word of the Lord by the prophet exposed his satanic work.

The character of the revelations given to Mrs. White has been, from the first, to warn the church of the devices and schemes of Satan, and to point out the way of escape from his wiles and snares. This has been apparent many times in the counsels and warnings sent to those in responsible places in the various institutions. From time to time words of caution have come, similar to this: If certain plans contemplated, or already entered upon, are carried out, it will be disastrous to the cause, and that such and such is a scheme of Satan's suggesting. Then the proper course to pursue would be given, and, when followed, has saved the Lord's servants from defeat, and his cause from disaster.

I call to mind a circumstance connected with Sister White's first visit to Massachusetts, in the spring of 1845. She first met with the company in Dorchester, in the spacious rooms of the home of Brother Otis Nichols. A company of Adventist believers was in Boston about seven miles from Dorchester, and a larger company was at Randolph, eight or nine miles in the opposite direction. Brother Nichols was anxious that Miss Harmon (now Mrs. White) should have an opportunity to speak to each company. He met two of the leaders of the Boston company, Sargent and Robbins, who professed a great desire to hear Miss Harmon. Arrangements were made, and they promised to have the whole company together in Boston the next Sabbath (Sunday), to hear her speak.

At family worship, Saturday night, Sister Harmon was shown in vision that there would be no meeting in Boston the next day; that the men who had expressed such a strong desire to hear her had made no appointment for her, but were going with their whole company to Randolph, and that she must go to that place, and meet both companies at the same time. It was also revealed to her that the Lord would manifest his power in their midst, and all present would have an opportunity to learn that the visions were of the Lord. Accordingly, she went early Sunday morning to Randolph, arriving just as the opening hymn was being sung. Great was the astonishment of that company when Brother and Sister Nichols and Sister Harmon entered the room.

In the season of prayer at the opening of the meeting, Sister Harmon was taken off in vision, while in the kneeling posture. Sargent and Robbins arose and declared her vision to be false, and from Satan, and said that if an open Bible were laid on her breast, it would at once bring her out of the vision. Mr. Thayer, the owner of the house, placed a large quarto ten-pound Bible open upon her chest. Immediately after the Bible was laid upon her, she arose from her feet, and walked into the middle of the room, with the Bible open on her left hand, and lifted up as high as she could reach, with her eyes steadily 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, and not toward the book. She continued thus in vision all the afternoon until almost sunset, over six hours, the longest vision she has ever been known to have.

In exposing the schemes of Satan against the Lord's work this vision was in character like the one referred to above, in the days of Elisha and the king of Israel. RH Sept. 12, 1899.

PROPHETIC DELINEATION OF CHARACTER.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

IN the eighth chapter of 2 Kings we find that the prophet "Elisha came to Damascus; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick: and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord of him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath showed me that he shall surely die [by reference to verse fifteen we see that he did not die of his disease, but Hazael killed his master! And he [Elisha] settled his countenance steadfastly, until he [Hazael] was ashamed: and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, Why weepest my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong-holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria." Verses 7-14.

It seems from this record that Elisha had previously been shown in vision that Ben-hadad would be killed by one of his servants, who would then become king of Syria, and would do great evil to the children of Israel. After answering Hazael's question about his master's disease, the prophet gets a fair look at the countenance of this messenger, and behold, he is the very one whom the Lord had shown him would be the future villainous king of Syria.

Many are the instances witnessed by the writer, during the last forty-seven years, in which persons previously seen in vision, have come before Sister White, persons whom she had never met face to face until she came into a public assembly where they were. She then would single them out from the audience, by describing their person or dress, and then give a delineation of their character, manner of life, etc., more clearly than their immediate friends and acquaintances could do. This would be accompanied by kindly reproofs for the wrong-doers, or counsel to those needing it, or words of encouragement to those battling with the trials or discouragements of life.

Attention is called, in illustration of this, to a case connected with the first visit of Sister White to the State of Michigan, in the spring of 1853. Neither she nor her husband had ever been west of Buffalo, N.Y., until the day before their first meeting in Michigan, which was held in Tyrone, Livingston County. With scarcely an exception, all our people in that congregation, and in fact in the State of Michigan, were entire strangers to her. In this assembly she was taken off in vision, and was shown all the Seventh-day Adventists in the State, then about one hundred in number. In the view given her, testimonies were borne for some present, and for others who were in the State but not at the meeting. June 2, in Jackson, Mich., she wrote eight pages of foolscap paper, telling some of the things she had seen on this occasion. The writer is pleased to say that he possesses a written copy of that vision.

Among other cases described in that manuscript is the case of a woman who was trying to intrude herself among our people. Sister White said the woman professed great holiness, that she had never met her, and had no knowledge of her, only what was shown to her respecting the case in the Tyrone vision. This writing not only told of the woman's mode of procedure, but what she would say when reproved. Sister White said, "She will put on a sanctimonious look, and say, `The Lord knows my heart.'" Sister White further said. "This woman is traveling about the country with a young man, while her husband, an old man [nearly twice as old as his wife], is at home, toiling with his hands to support them." She said the Lord had shown her that "notwithstanding the woman's pretension to holiness, she and the young man were guilty of violating the seventh commandment."

From the Jackson meeting I was privileged to accompany Brother and Sister White to the other appointments of their four-weeks' visit to Michigan. I was a stranger in the State, but supposed we should see the woman at some of the meetings, as the appointments were so arranged that all our people in the State could attend some one of them. With the written document in my pocket, I watched with no ordinary interest, as we went from place to place, to see how this case would develop. RH September 19, 1899

PROPHETIC DELINEATION OF CHARACTER

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

THE appointments for Brother and Sister White in Michigan, in the month of June, 1853, were in Jackson, Battle Creek, Bedford, Hastings, and Vergennes. It was the privilege of the writer to be with them at all these places. The last-named place proved to be the one where the woman lived of whom Sister White had a view in the vision given at Tyrone. June 11 we drove forty miles to get to Vergennes. Our first meeting was to be held the next morning, two miles farther on from our lodging; and the woman described in the vision lived three miles still farther on. At eleven o'clock, June 12, our meeting was opened. Sister White sat at the left end of the rostrum, I sat next to her, Elder M. E. Cornell sat next to me, and Elder White was at the right of the rostrum, speaking. After he had been talking about fifteen minutes, an old man and a young man came in together, and sat down on the front seat, next to the rostrum. They were accompanied by a tall, slim, dark-complexioned woman, who took her seat near the door. As these persons came in, Sister White looked at them steadily for a minute or two, then raised her fan, and in a low whisper asked the writer if he noticed the persons who just came in. She said, "Those are the ones the vision is about. When my husband closes his discourse, I will relate the vision, and you will see whether they are the ones."

After a short discourse from Elder White, Sister White arose, and quoted the text, "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." She said it is not the Lord's order to call a woman to travel about the country with any other man than her husband. Finally she said, plainly, "That woman who sat down, a short time ago, near the door, claims that God has called her to preach. She is traveling with this young man who just sat down in front of the desk, while this old man - her husband, God pity him! - is toiling at home to earn the money which they are using to carry on their iniquity. She professes to be very holy, - to be sanctified, - but with all her pretensions to holiness, God has shown me that she and this young man are guilty of violating the seventh commandment."

As Sister White bore her testimony, there was an anxious looking toward Mrs.----, the woman reproved, to see how she took it, and what she was going to say. Had she been innocent of the charge against her, it would naturally be expected of her to rise up and deny the whole thing. If guilty, and grossly corrupt, she might be none too good to deny it all, even though she knew it to be true. Instead of this, she did just what the testimony said she would do when reproved: she slowly rose to her feet, while every eye was fixed upon her, and putting on a sanctimonious look, said, "The Lord knows my heart," and sat down without uttering another word. She had said just what the written testimony said she would say, and said it in the same manner.

In the practical working of the gift of prophecy the case considered in this article compares, in kind, with that of Hazael before Elisha.

In these articles we have now made a comparison of Mrs. White's visions respecting the visions of God's prophets, and their practical working; and conclude that as the "spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets," and as "like causes produce like results," the results manifested in this case are a substantial proof that these visions are from the Spirit of the Lord, and are a token of the Lord's care for the remnant church, which he is gathering out of the world in these last days.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

            HAVE you known aught of pain and woe?

                        Does every morn new troubles bring?

            This fair fruit of the Spirit show -

                                    Long-suffering.

            Do others labor to annoy,

                        Seeking to rouse your wrath at length?

            Suffer ye long, this faith your joy -

                                    God is your strength.

            Do those around say things untrue,

                        Injure you quite beyond recall?

            Suffer ye long, and comfort you:

                                    God seeth all.

            Do others taunt because your way

                        Leads up to heaven from earth below?

            Suffer ye long, this thought your stay -

                                    God wills it so.

            Just like the martyrs in the past,

                        When harassed, tempted, or oppressed,

            Suffer ye long, until, at last,

                                    God bids you rest.

                                                            -George Wetherly. RH Sept. 26, 1899.

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Heavenly Visions- 4

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

HEAVENLY VISIONS.

GOD'S ORDER WITH HIS GIFTS.

MANIFESTATIONS CONNECTED WITH TRUE VISIONS.

ANGELIC INFLUENCE ILLUSTRATED.

SATAN'S PLANS DEFEATED.

PROPHETIC DELINEATION OF CHARACTER.

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