Outstanding Cases of Fanaticism

Varied were the issues of that period. From a number of sources we construct a composite picture of what Ellen Harmon was called upon to meet among those who harassed both Sabbatarian and nominal Adventists:EGWMR 32.8

1. “Sanctification” “Above Possibility of Sin.” (Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 83.) “Doctrine of spiritual free love was advocated” (E. G. White in Southern Watchman, April 5, 1904); leading to practice of “the worst sins under the garb of sanctification.” (Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 83.)EGWMR 32.9

2. “Resurrection of Righteous Dead” alleged to have “already taken place.”—E. G. White in The General Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901. At Orrington and Garland, Maine, some “were in error and delusion in believing that the dead had been raised” and were repeatedly “baptized in the faith of the resurrection of the dead.” (E. G. White Letter 2, 1874.)EGWMR 32.10

3. Bodily Demonstrations.—“Men would say, I have the Holy Spirit of God, and they would come into meeting and roll just like a hoop.”—E. G. White Manuscript 97, 1909. “There was much excitement, with noise and confusion. One could not tell what was piped or what was harped. Some appeared to be in vision and fell to the floor. Others were jumping, dancing, and shouting. They declared that as their flesh was purified, they were ready for translation. This they repeated again and again. I bore my testimony in the name of the Lord, placing His rebuke upon these manifestations.”—E. G. White, The General Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901.EGWMR 32.11

4. No-Work Doctrine.—”Some in Paris, Maine, ... believed that it was sin to work. The Lord gave me a reproof for the leader in this error, declaring that he was going contrary to the word of God in abstaining from labor.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 86.EGWMR 32.12

5. False Humility.—“Some ... professed great humility, and advocated creeping on the floor like children.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 85. “I ever bore the testimony God gave me that He did not require this groveling exercise of His children.”—E. G. White Letter 2, 1874.EGWMR 33.1

6. Following “Every Impression.”—Laying “aside reason and judgment” (Spiritual Gifts 2:45), maintaining that “all their impressions and notions were the mind of God.” (E. G. White in The Review and Herald, November 20, 1883.)EGWMR 33.2

7. Frequent Time Setting.—“Different times were set for the Lord to come, and were urged upon the brethren. But the Lord showed me that they would pass by, for the time of trouble must take place before the coming of Christ.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:72. The effect of these excesses, in which a few indulged, was disastrous to the advent cause. Mrs. White thus describes it:EGWMR 33.3

“A fearful stain was brought upon the cause of God which would cleave to the name of Adventist like the leprosy. Satan triumphed, for this reproach would cause many precious souls to fear to have any connection with Adventists. All that had been done wrong would be exaggerated, and would lose nothing by passing from one to the other. The cause of God was bleeding. Jesus was crucified afresh and put to open shame by His professed followers.”—E. G. White Letter 2, 1874.EGWMR 33.4

Ellen Harmon and others worked earnestly to rescue those who had fallen into error. God blessed their labors, and the results were such that—EGWMR 33.5

“Peace and joy came into the hearts of those who broke away from this deception of Satan, and they glorified God as they saw His unerring wisdom in setting before them the light of truth and its precious fruits in contrast with satanic heresies and delusions. The truth shone in contrast with these deceptions like clear gold amid the rubbish of earth.”—E. G. White in The Review and Herald, November 20, 1883.EGWMR 33.6

The true aftermath of such experiences is brought to view in this statement regarding one group:EGWMR 33.7

“These sorely repented, and some were afterward among our most reliable men and women. But there were others who ever after walked in sadness. We could not at any time make them feel that they were worthy to work for the Master.”—E. G. White in General Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901. (Italics mine.)EGWMR 33.8

And what effect did this experience have upon the youthful messenger herself? She fully sensed her danger and recognized the source of her protection:EGWMR 33.9

“The false burdens and impressions of others might have led me away from duty, but the Lord had previously shown me my duty where to go, and although young and inexperienced, preserved me from falling, by giving me special directions who to fear, and who to trust.”—Spiritual Gifts 2:45.EGWMR 33.10

The portrayal of this sad picture of the scattered fanatical movements of 1845 and 1846 but causes the truth to shine more brightly, and enables us to see the hand of God guiding in those critical, perplexing days at the beginning of our work.EGWMR 33.11