As Jehoiakim of old burned the recorded words of the prophet Jeremiah in the “fire on the hearth,” so, at times, in defiance of the message, some have destroyed the E. G. White testimonies. Of this she wrote:EGWMR 20.5

“Many now despise the faithful reproof given of God in testimony. I have been shown that some in these days have even gone so far as to bum the written words of rebuke and warning, as did the wicked king of Israel. But opposition to God’s threatenings will not hinder their execution. To defy the words of the Lord, spoken through His chosen instruments, will only provoke His anger, and eventually bring certain ruin upon the offender.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:678.EGWMR 20.6

We have knowledge also of cases where the messages were not read by those to whom they were directed. In one such case the testimony remained in the unopened envelope for twenty-eight years. Here is the story. In the records of the earlier days of our history, we find occasional mention of the name of Brother S, who lived near Washington, New Hampshire.EGWMR 20.7

He was a promising man who at times labored to build up the cause of God, but from time to time was misled by current offshoot teachings, and was periodically in and out of the church. Finally he drew apart from the body of believers and manifested a very bitter attitude.EGWMR 20.8

There came a time when this man’s danger was revealed to Mrs. White, and a personal testimony was written out and directed to him. Noting the return address, the recipient determined not to read what he conjectured was a testimony, and yet he did not destroy it. He took the letter home, dug down deep into an old trunk, placed it still unopened at the bottom, and left it there for twenty-eight years. During this time he continued the same bitter, combative attitude, especially toward the testimonies. We gain an insight into his attitude by E. W. Farnsworth’s account that “he has had the most withering, blighting tongue of any man I ever heard. He could say the meanest things, in the meanest, most cutting way of any man I ever met.”EGWMR 20.9

Finally, in 1884, Mr. S began to read the E. G. White articles in the Review and Herald. These he enjoyed and found helpful, and there commenced a gradual change in his feelings. The next summer Elder Farnsworth was sent to his old home church to hold a series of meetings. Mr. S attended the first service on Sabbath morning. The subject was “The Rise and Development of Our Work.” As soon as the sermon was over he was on his feet and wished to speak. Elder Farnsworth, in writing of the experience to Mrs. White, says, “We all expected a perfect blast.” But both the minister and the audience were very much surprised when Mr. S began, “I don’t want you to be afraid of me, brethren, for I have not come to criticize you. I have quit that kind of business.” We continue the account in Elder Farnsworth’s words:EGWMR 20.10

“He went back and reviewed the past, and told how he opposed ‘church organization’ and most everything else. He referred to his connection with the Messenger party, his sympathy with the ‘Marion party,’ and his general hatred of our work and people. Finally he said he had ‘been comparing notes for a year or two.’ He had seen those parties, one after another, go down till they were virtually all gone and those who sympathized have come to confusion:EGWMR 20.11

‘Facts,’ said he, ‘are stubborn things, but the facts are that those who have opposed this work have come to nought, while those who have been in sympathy with it have prospered,—have grown better, more devoted, and godlike. Those who have opposed it have only learned to fight and debate, they have lost all their religion.’EGWMR 20.12

“At last he said, ‘No honest man can help but see that God is with them and against us. I want to be in fellowship with this people in heart and in the church.’”—Letter from E. W. Farnsworth to E. G. White, July 15, 1885.EGWMR 20.13

“God Is Right—I Am Wrong”

“The Visions Were Right”