Views Revived When Needed

Another enlightening statement recorded late in Mrs. White’s experience, presents the basis of her positive statements:EGWMR 14.10

“The question is asked, How does Sister White know in regard to the matters of which she speaks so decidedly, as if she had authority to say these things? I speak thus because they flash upon my mind when in perplexity like lightning out of a dark cloud in the fury of a storm. Some scenes presented before me years ago have not been retained in my memory, but when the instruction then given is needed, sometimes even when I am standing before the people, the remembrance comes sharp and clear, like a flash of lightning, bringing to mind distinctly that particular instruction. At such times I cannot refrain from saying the things that flash into my mind, not because I have had a new vision, but because that which was presented to me perhaps years in the past, has been recalled to my mind forcibly.”—The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies to the Church, 24. (1913, Pacific Press.)EGWMR 14.11

It was often with a heavy heart that Mrs. White continued year after year to stand as God’s messenger. It was not a pleasant task to be the agent by which messages of reproof, instruction, and correction were borne. She said in 1894:EGWMR 14.12

“My life has been spared by the mercy of God to do a certain work. I have pledged that life to Him, but the work is not always easy to perform. I have to take positions not in harmony with men whom I believe to be God’s workmen, and I see that I must do this in the future as in the past. It hurts me more than I can tell. The dearest hope that I can have may not be realized, yet if God will show me the right way, I will walk in it.”—E. G. White Letter 64, 1894.EGWMR 14.13

Painstakingly she endeavored in oral discourse and in writing to set before the people what had been shown to her. Earnestly she sought to set forth the divinely imparted thoughts and ideas in words which would correctly and adequately convey the thought in such a way that it could not be misunderstood. We see a bit of her soul anguish in this important work in another feeling statement penned in 1894:EGWMR 14.14

“Now I must leave this subject so imperfectly presented, that I fear you will misinterpret that which I feel so anxious to make plain. O that God would quicken the understanding, for I am but a poor writer, and cannot with pen or voice express the great and deep mysteries of God. O pray for yourselves, pray for me.”—E. G. White Letter 67, 1894.EGWMR 14.15

Mrs. White did not choose her work. Often she wished for release. Although, during her seventy years of active service, she was not relieved of the responsibility of standing as a messenger, God sustained her in her work.EGWMR 14.16