Joseph Bates Is Persuaded

Joseph Bates, in April, 1847, related his transition from doubt to faith in the revelations:EGWMR 31.4

“It is now about two years since I first saw the author [Ellen Harmon] and heard her relate the substance of her visions as she has since publishes them in Portland (April 6, 1846). Although I could see nothing in them that militated against the Word yet I felt alarmed and tried exceedingly, and for a long time unwilling to believe that it was anything more than what was produced by a protracted debilitated state of her body.EGWMR 31.5

“I therefore sought opportunities in presence of others when her mind seemed free from excitement (out of meeting), to question and cross-question her, and her friends which accompanied her, especially her elder sister, to get if possible at the truth. During the number of visits she has made to New Bedford and Fairhaven since, while at our meetings, I have seen her in vision a number of times, and also in Topsham, Maine, and those who were present during some of these exciting scenes know well with what interest and intensity I listened to every word, and watched every move to detect deception, or mesmeric influence.EGWMR 31.6

“And I thank God for the opportunity I have had with others to witness these things. I can now confidently speak for myself. I believe the work is of God, and is given to comfort and strengthen His ‘scattered,’ ‘torn’ and ‘pealed people.’”—“Remarks,” in broadside, “A Vision,” Vol. 1, No. 1, April 7, 1847. (Reprinted in A Word to the Little Flock, 21.)EGWMR 31.7