Heavenly Visions

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

PART II

ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY OF EYEWITNESSES TO THE VISIONS

(Assembled largely by J. N. Loughborough in The Great Second Advent Movement, pp. 204-210).

J. N. Loughborough

I will state some facts relative to the visions. The first time I saw Mrs. E G. White (formerly Miss Harmon) was in October, 1852. On that day I saw her in a vision that lasted over one hour. Since that time I have had the privilege of seeing her in vision about fifty times. I have been present when physicians have examined her while in this state, and I esteem it a pleasure to bear testimony to what I have seen and know. I trust a narration of the facts in the case may not be carelessly cast aside for the random suppositions of those who have never seen her in this condition.

In passing into vision she gives three enrapturing shouts of "Glory!" which echo and re-echo, the second, and especially the third, fainter, but more thrilling than the first, the voice resembling that of one quite a distance from you, and just going out of hearing. For about four or five seconds she seems to drop down like a person in a swoon, or one having lost his strength; she then seems to be instantly filled with superhuman strength, sometimes rising at once to her feet and walking about the room. There are frequent movements of the hands and arms, pointing to the right or left as her head turns. All these movements are made in a most graceful manner. In whatever position the hand or arm may be placed, it is impossible for anyone to move it. Her eyes are always open, but she does not wink; her head is raised, and she is looking upward, not with a vacant stare, but with a pleasant expression, only differing from the normal in that she appears to be looking intently at some distant object. She does not breathe, yet her pulse beats regularly. Her countenance is pleasant, and the color of her face as florid as in her natural state.

Her condition as to breathing, loss of strength, and being made strong as the angel of God touches her, all agree perfectly with the description given by the prophet Daniel of his own experience in vision when he says: "Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." "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, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee; be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me."

M. G. Kellogg, M.D.

As to Mrs. White's condition while in vision a few statements from eyewitnesses may be in place. The first is from M. G. Kellogg, M.D., who refers to the first vision given in Michigan, May 29, 1853, at a meeting held in Tyrone, Livingston County, He says:

"Sister White was in vision about twenty minutes or half an hour. As she went into vision every one present seemed to feel the power and presence of God, and some of us did indeed feel the Spirit of God resting upon us mightily. We were engaged in prayer and social meeting Sabbath morning at about nine o'clock. Brother White, my father, and Sister White had prayed, and I was praying at the time. There had been no excitement, no demonstrations. We did plead earnestly with God, however, that He would bless the meeting with His presence, and that He would bless the work in Michigan. As Sister White gave that triumphant shout of `Glory! g-l-o-r-y! g-l-o-r-y!' which you have heard her give so often as she goes into vision, Brother White arose and informed the audience that his wife was in vision. After stating the manner of her visions, and that she did not breathe while in vision, he invited any one who wished to do so to come forward and examine her. Dr. Drummond, a physician, who was also a First-day Adventist preacher, who (before he saw her in vision) had declared her visions to be of mesmeric origin, and that he could give her a vision, stepped forward, and after a thorough examination, turned very pale, and remarked, `She doesn't breathe!'

M. G. Kellogg, M.D. page 076A paragraph 6 "I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision, nor in any of several others which she has had when I was present. The coming out of the vision was as marked as her going into it. The first indication we had that the vision was ended, was in her again beginning to breathe. She drew her first breath deep, long, and full, in a manner showing that her lungs had been entirely empty of air. After drawing the first breath, several minutes passed before she drew the second, which filled the the lungs precisely as did the first; then a pause of two minutes, and a third inhalation, after which the breathing became natural." Signed, "M. G. Kellogg, M.D., Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 28, 1890."

F. C. Castle.

We give the following statement from an individual who witnessed a medical examination of Mrs. White while in vision at Stowe, Vermont, in the summer of 1853. He says:

A physician was present, and made such examination of her as his wisdom and learning dictated, to find the cause of the manifestation. A lighted candle was held close to her eyes, which were wide open; not a muscle of the eye moved. He then examined her in regard to her pulse, and also in regard to her breathing, and there was no respiration. The result was that he was satisfied that it could not be accounted for on natural or scientific principles." Signed, "F. C. Castle."

D. H. Lamson

The following testimonials relate to an examination made while Mrs. White was in vision in a meeting held in the home of Elder James White, on Monroe Street, Rochester, N.Y., June 26, 1854:

"I was then seventeen years old. It seems to me I can almost hear, those thrilling shouts of `G-l-o-r-y!' which she uttered. Then she sank back to the floor, not falling, but sinking gently, and was supported in the arms of an attendant. Two physicians came in, an old man and a young man. Brother White was anxious that they should examine Sister White closely, which they did. A looking-glass was brought, and one of them held it over her mouth while she talked; but very soon they gave this up, and said, `She doesn't breathe'. Then they closely examined her sides, as she spoke, to find some evidence of deep breathing, but they did not find it. As they closed this part of the examination, she arose to her feet, still in vision, holding a Bible high up, turning from passage to passage, quoting correctly, although the eyes were looking upward and away from the book.

"She had a view of the seven last plagues. Then she saw the triumph of the saints, and her shouts of triumph I can seem to hear even now. To these facts I freely testify." Signed, "Elder D. H. Lamson, Hillsdale, Mich., Feb. 8, 1893."

Mrs. Drusilla Lamson

Another testimonial is given respecting the same medical examination for Mrs. Drusilla Lamson, widow of Elder Lamson's cousin, and matron of Clifton Springs, N.Y., Sanitarium. Speaking of the meeting of June 26, 1854, she says:

"I remember the meeting when the trial was made, namely, to test what Brother White had frequently said, that Sister White did not breathe while in vision, but I cannot recall the name of the doctor who was present. . . It must have been Doctor Fleming, as he was the doctor called sometimes for counsel. He is, however, now dead. I can say this much, that the test was made and no sign of breath was visible on the looking-glass." Signed, "Drusilla Lamson, Clifton Springs, N.Y., March 9, 1893."

David Seeley

"This is to certify that I have read the above testimonials of David Lamson and Mrs. Drusilla Lamson, concerning the physician's statement when examining Mrs. E. G. White while she was in vision, June 26, 1854. I was present at that meeting, and witnessed the examination. I agree with what is stated by Brother and Sister Lamson, and would say further that it was Doctor Fleming and another younger physician who made the examination. After Mrs. White rose to her feet, as they have stated, quoting the text of Scripture, Doctor Fleming called for a lighted candle. He held this candle as near her lips as possible without burning, and in direct line with her breath in case she breathed. There was not the slightest flicker of the blaze. The doctor then said, with emphasis, `That settles it forever, there is no breath in her body'". signed, David Seeley, Fayette, Iowa, Aug. 29, 1897."

Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Fowler

The following statements relate to an examination made while Mrs. White was in vision in Waldron's Hall, Hillsdale, Mich., in the month of February, 1857. Doctor Lord's physician of Hillsdale of fifty years' practice, made a most careful examination, concerning which I "present the following testimonials:

"We were present when (in February, 1857) Sister E. G. White had a vision in Waldron's Hall, Hillsdale. Dr. Lord made an examination, and said, Her heart beats, but there is no breath. There is life, but no action of the lungs; I cannot account for this condition.'" Signed. "S. F. Fowler, Mrs. A. F. Fowler, Hillsdale, Mich., Jan. 1, 1891."

C. S. Glover

Here is given another statement concerning the same vision:

"I was present when Sister White had the above-named vision in Waldron's Hall, Hillsdale. In addition to the above statement, I heard the doctor say that Sister White's condition in vision was `beyond his knowledge'. He also said, `There is something supernatural about that.'" Signed, "C.S. Glover, Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 19, 1891.

Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter

Here is a third statement on the same case:

"This is to certify that we were present in Waldron's Hall, Hillsdale, Mich., in February, 1857, when Mrs. E. G. White had a vision, and while in that condition was examined by Dr. Lord, and we heard his public statement respecting the case, as given above by Brother and Sister Fowler." Signed, W. R. Carpenter, Eliza Carpenter, Noblesville, Ind., Aug. 30, 1891."

D. T. Bourdeau

Your attention is next called to a test applied while Mrs. White was in vision at Buck's Bridge, St. Lawrence County, N.Y.:

"June 28, 1857, I saw Sister Ellen White in vision for the first time. I was an unbeliever in the visions; but one circumstance among others that I might mention convinced me that her visions were of God. To satisfy my mind as to whether she breathed or not, I first put my hand on her chest sufficiently long to know that there was no more heaving of the lungs than there would have been had she been a corpse. I then took my hand and placed it over her mouth, pinching her nostrils between my thumb and forefinger, so that it was impossible for her to exhale or inhale air, even if she had desired to do so. I held her thus with my hand about ten minutes, long enough for her to suffocate under ordinary circumstances; she was not in the least affected by this ordeal. Since witnessing this wonderful phenomenon, I have not once been inclined to doubt the divine origin of her visions." Signed. "D. T. Bourdeau, Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 4, 1891." - The Great Second Advent Movement, by J. N. Loughborough, pp. 204-210.

James White Statement - 1868

After the description of Mrs. White's experience in vision, given on page 6, Elder White continues:

"She has been taken off in vision most frequently when bowed in prayer. Several times, while earnestly addressing the congregation, unexpectedly to herself and to all around her, she has been instantly prostrated in vision. This was the case June 12, 1868, in the presence of not less than two hundred Sabbath-keepers, in the house of worship, in Battle Creek, Mich. On receiving baptism at my hands, at an early period of her experience, as I raised her up out of the water, immediately she was in vision. Several times, when prostrated by sickness, she has been relieved in answer to the prayer of faith, and taken off in vision. At such times her restoration to usual health has been wonderful. At another time, when walking with friends, in conversation upon the glories of the kingdom of God, as she was passing through the gate before here father's house, the Spirit of God came upon her, and she was instantly taken off in vision. And what may be important to those who think the visions the result of mesmerism, she has a number of times been taken off in vision, when in prayer alone in the grove or in the closet.

"It may be well to speak as to the effect of the visions upon her constitution and strength. When she had her first vision, she was an emaciated invalid, given up by her friends and physicians to die of consumption. She then weighed but eighty pounds. Her nervous condition was such that she could not write, and was dependent on one sitting near her at the table to even pour her drink from the cup to the saucer. And notwithstanding her anxieties and mental agonies, in consequence of her duty to bring her views before the public, her labors in public speaking, and in church matters generally, her wearisome travels, and home labors and cares, her health and physical and mental strength have improved from the day she had her first vision." - James White, Life Incidents, in Connection With the Great Advent Movement, pp. 272,273.

George I. Butler - 1874

"All we ask is that people shall be reasonable. We are prepared to support by hundreds of living truthful witnesses all that we shall claim, so far as facts are concerned, of the manifestation itself, for this thing has not been done in a corner. For nearly thirty years past these visions have been given with greater or less frequency, and have been witnessed by many, oftentimes by unbelievers as well as those believing them. They generally, but not always, occur in the midst of earnest sessions of religious interest while the Spirit of God is specially present, if those can tell who are in attendance. The time Mrs. White is in this condition has varied from fifteen minutes to one hundred and eighty. During this time the heart and pulse continue to beat, the eyes are always wide open, and seem to be gazing at some far-distant object, and are never fixed on any person or thing in the room. They are always directed upward. They exhibit a pleasant expression. There is no ghastly look or any resemblance of fainting. The brightest light may be suddenly brought near her eyes, or feints made as if to thrust something into the eye, and there is never the slightest wink or change of expression on that account; and it is sometimes hours and even days after she comes out of this condition before she recovers her natural sight. She says it seems to her that she comes back into a dark world, yet her eyesight is in no wise injured by her visions.

"While she is in vision, her breathing entirely ceases. No breath ever escapes her nostrils or lips when in this condition. This has been proved by many witnesses, among them physicians of skill, and themselves unbelievers in the visions, on some occasions being appointed by a public congregation for the purpose. It has been proved many times by tightly holding the nostrils and mouth with the hand, and by putting a looking glass before them so close that any escape of the moisture of the breath would be detected. In this condition she often speaks words and short sentences, yet not the slightest breath escapes. When she goes into this condition, there is no appearance of swooning or faintness, her face remains its natural color, and the blood circulates as usual. Often she loses her strength temporarily and reclines or sits; but at other times she stands up. She moves her arms gracefully, and often her face is lighted up with radiance as though the glory of heaven rested upon her. She is utterly unconscious of everything going on around her while she is in vision, having no knowledge whatever of what is said and done in her presence. A person may pinch her flesh, and do things which would cause great and sudden pain in her ordinary condition, and she will not notice it by the slightest tremor.

"There are none of the disgusting grimaces or contortions which usually attend spiritualist mediums, but calm, dignified, and impressive, her very appearance strikes the beholder with reverence and solemnity. There is nothing fanatical in her appearance. When she comes out of this condition she speaks and writes from time to time what she has seen while in vision; and the supernatural character of these visions is seen even more clearly in what she thus reveals than in her appearance and condition while in vision, for many things have thus been related which it was impossible for her to know in any other way.

"Peculiar circumstances in the lives of individuals, whom she never before had seen in the flesh, and secrets hidden from the nearest acquaintances, have been made known by her when she had no personal knowledge of the parties other than by vision. Often has she been in an audience where she was wholly unacquainted with the individuals composing it, when she would get up and point out person after person whom she never had seen before, in the flesh, and tell them what they had done, and reprove their sins. I might mention many other items of like nature, but space forbids. These things can be proved by any amount of testimony, and we confidently affirm that they are of such a character that they could not be accomplished by deception." - Review and Herald. June 9, 1874.

MEMORIES OF ELDER W. A. SPICER

BY Ernest Lloyd

IT WAS in the old General Conference office in Battle Creek, Michigan, that I first met Elder W. A. Spicer. What a kindly man he was! He seemed actually to be interested in me, a poor lad attending school there. Later we met again, and I was especially impressed with his easy mention of my name. I learned he was like that with all the people he knew, young and old, and all appreciated his wonderful memory. He never forgot our names through the decades that followed. We noted, too, that he could recall with apparent ease innumerable events connected with our denominational history.

Elder Spicer's widowed daughter, Mrs. Helen Menkel, of Loma Linda, California, tells of a gray-haired sister attending an Oregon camp meeting many years ago introduced herself to the elder. He looked at her for a few moments and remarked, "Of course I know you. The last time we met, you were a small girl in --, and you were wearing a little red coat and bonnet." Sometimes when meeting an old acquaintance he would recall some little circumstance connected with their first meeting.

In the early years, when Elder Spicer was secretary of the Mission Board, he wrote letters to all our foreign missionaries, knowing most of them personally. He traveled much, and when visiting mission stations he took along little gifts for the children of the missionaries. He kept in touch with these families, and his letters brought cheer and courage to their hearts. He never forgot them - and how could they ever forget him!

Elder Spicer came up through his early years with fixed habits of economy and industry. He trained himself in frugality. He never incurred indebtedness. He never spent money for things he did not need. He was the author of many books, and all of them were written first in longhand. His family wished to purchase some folders and cabinets for his writing work, but all he wanted was little plain envelopes. His method, you see, was more economical. He liked to save money so he would have more to give to the cause. He was careful about his expense account when traveling over the earth. He was also a careful eater, following the simple rules of healthful living and adhering to the principles of health reform. And what a fine-looking specimen of manhood he was!

Elder Spicer never rode in Pullman cars, but always took the day coaches to save money. I well remember the night I met him on a train near Omaha, Nebraska, many years ago. I was passing through a day coach and recognized the dear man as he was resting with a pillow under his head. Just as I approached his seat, he lifted his head and glanced my way, smiled his recognition, and made me sit with him for a little visit. The elder was a good sleeper, and the pillow, obtained from the train porter, cost him about 25 cents. I learned much from Elder Spicer.

No Fancy Hotels

He also avoided fancy hotels, always going to a simple one. He was really happy saving money for the cause. The last time I met him was in Mountain View, California, the home of the Pacific Press. At the close of the evening service, where he spoke to the Press workers and church members, the brethren concerned with hospitality matters spoke to him about a place that had been selected in which he would spend the night. He thanked them heartily and remarked that he had left his traveling bag at a hotel downtown as he walked up to the church, and since he was leaving on a train very early in the morning for San Francisco, he would carry out his plan. And he did. I knew where he stayed downtown. His room cost one dollar.

Elder Spicer backed his faith in the Movement with liberal giving. He saved in every way he could, so as to give more. Sister Menkel says her father "would sit on a platform and pledge money which he did not have." When the family would ask where he expected to get the money, his answer was, "The Lord will provide." And the Lord did. The elder's economical habits helped him to save money, and this helped him to be liberal.

Many REVIEW readers will remember Elder Spicer's sparkling letters. What a writer! Every letter he wrote was sprinkled with good cheer and helpful thoughts. When I was editor of Our Little Friend, from 1924 to 1949, he sent me stories for the paper, interesting stories of boys and girls he had met in faraway lands. His letters to me always emphasized the thought that our work for the children through their paper was important and far reaching, and his cheering words gave me a real lift. I have met others who remarked that Elder Spicer's letters to them were responsible for holding them steady in the work and faithful to their trust.

The Elder imitated the Lord Jesus in his preaching by his use of helpful and interesting illustrations. Throughout his career he collected stories of missionaries and their providential deliverances. Many of these he used in the books he wrote. And his sermons were well sprinkled with them. Small wonder that his listeners, young and old, were so deeply impressed when he was the speaker.

In all his many and dangerous travels in all parts of the world, Elder Spicer was protected from sickness. His first physical examination was when he was down with neuritis in South America and not able to move. Later, when he arrived home at headquarters, in Takoma Park, D.C., he was put in the hospital and all his teeth and his tonsils were removed. He was sure then that he would need no more examinations! He never had malaria, although he traveled through infested areas many times.

Born in 1865, Elder Spicer was 87 years of age when he died in 1952. Beginning at about 17 as an office secretary in Battle Creek, he worked for 70 years, almost 40 of which were spent in foreign mission service, including his years of travel. He retired at 75 years of age, and after that did considerable writing for the REVIEW, as our older readers will readily remember. He possessed a faith that reached into eternity. He entertained no doubts whatever regarding the triumph of the remnant church. Elder Spicer cultivated belief in God and in His prophets (2 Chron. 20:20). The Book of God and the Spirit of Prophecy writings were his chief study. What an influence for good this remarkable man exerted throughout our ranks!

We can do two things to honor the pioneers of our great work. We can show our appreciation in words of "passive sentiment" (and some can do this very admirably), or we can show our gratitude in deeds, thus projecting the spirit and faith and courage of the pioneers through our own lives into the lives of younger men and women who are to carry on for God and humanity.

This cause is a continuing thing, as you know. It started with prophetic guidance aiding its development and growth and will continue to grow. God has set his hand to this work, and it is moving forward to certain and absolute triumph. His power envelops it, and it cannot fail. The nations of earth will go down in failure, and all else will pass away, but God's remnant ones, gathered in from every land and race, will carry on until the day of victory and deliverance comes. Hasten on, glad day! Review and Herald, March 7, 1963.

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Heavenly Visions

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY OF EYEWITNESSES TO THE VISIONS

MEMORIES OF ELDER W. A. SPICER

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