Conditions at Distant Institutions

Oftentimes while in vision it seemed to Ellen White that she was conveyed to one of our institutions, and then she would be conducted from department to department. Perhaps she would seem to be in the counsels which were held, would witness the actions of individuals, hear the words spoken, and observe the surroundings in general. An interesting account of one such vision appears in Counsels on Health. Mrs. White seemed to be at a certain institution, and “an angel of God” conducted her from room to room. She heard the conversation “in the rooms of the helpers.”EGWMR 10.3

“The frivolous talk, the foolish jesting, the meaningless laugh, fell painfully upon the ear.... I was astonished as I saw the jealousy indulged, and listened to the words of envy, the reckless talk, which made angels of God ashamed....EGWMR 10.4

“From still other rooms came the most disagreeable sallies of low wit, and vain talk. Some were making sport of individuals, and even imitating the words uttered in meeting; sacred things were made the subject of jest.”—Pages 412, 413.EGWMR 10.5

Then other conditions were revealed. She was conducted into rooms “from which came the voice of prayer. How welcome was the sound!“—Id., 412.EGWMR 10.6

In 1887, from across the Atlantic, Mrs. White wrote to one of our workers of detrimental policies pursued in one of our institutions. Note how she received her information:EGWMR 10.7

“I arose at three o’clock this morning with a burden on my mind.... In my dreams I was at ——, and I was told by my Guide to mark everything I heard and to observe everything I saw. I was in a retired place, where I could not be seen, but could see all that went on in the room. Persons were settling accounts with you, and I heard them remonstrating with you in regard to the large sum charged for board and room and treatment. I heard you with firm, decided voice refuse to lower the charge. I was astonished to see the charge was so high.”—E. G. White Letter 30, 1887.EGWMR 10.8