I attended the Advent meeting. When the time arrived for the followers of Christ to speak in His favor, I could not remain silent, but rose and related my experience. Not a thought had entered my mind of what I should say; but the simple story of Jesus’ love to me fell from my lips with perfect freedom, and my heart was so happy to be liberated from its thralldom of dark despair that I lost sight of the people about me and seemed to be alone with God. I found no difficulty in expressing my peace and happiness, except for the tears of gratitude that choked my utterance, as I told of the wondrous love that Jesus had shown for me.... My heart was so overflowing with joy that I wanted to tell others how much the Lord had done for me.—Ibid., 161, 162.1BIO 40.2

The witness she bore was so effective that she received invitations to bear her testimony in “conference” meetings. Then, concerned for her young friends, she arranged meetings with them. Often these young people were considerably older than she. “In every instance but one,” she reported, “these persons yielded themselves to the Lord.”—Ibid., 163. Her work was received with mixed reactions. “Peculiar trials sometimes beset me,” she noted.1BIO 40.3

Those older in experience than myself endeavored to hold me back and cool the ardor of my faith, but with the smiles of Jesus brightening my life, and the love of God in my heart, I went on my way with a joyful spirit.—Ibid., 164.1BIO 40.4

Ellen's father and mother were earnest believers in the near Advent, and members of the family still attended the Methodist church and the class meetings held in private homes. At one such class meeting Ellen told in a simple way the story of her experience, first of suffering under the burden of sin and then the blessings she enjoyed as her life had been brought into full conformity to the will of God. She mentioned her joy in the confidence of Jesus’ soon coming.1BIO 40.5

She wrote of the reaction of some:1BIO 41.1

In unsuspecting simplicity I expected that my Methodist brethren and sisters would understand my feelings and rejoice with me. But I was disappointed; several sisters groaned and moved their chairs noisily, turning their backs upon me. I could not think what had been said to offend them, and spoke very briefly, feeling the chilling influence of their disapprobation.—Ibid., 165.

The class leader turned to her and asked if it would not be more pleasant to live a long life of usefulness, doing others good, than for Jesus to come speedily and destroy poor sinners. She replied that she longed for the coming of Jesus to put sin to an end.1BIO 41.2

He then inquired if I would not rather die peacefully upon my bed than to pass through the pain of being changed, while living, from mortality to immortality. My answer was that I wished for Jesus to come and take His children; that I was willing to live or die as God willed, and could easily endure all the pain that could be borne in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye; that I desired the wheels of time to roll swiftly round, and bring the welcome day when these vile bodies should be changed, and fashioned like unto Christ's most glorious body. I also stated that when I lived nearest to the Lord, then I most earnestly longed for His appearing.—Ibid., 165, 166.1BIO 41.3

The class leader responded that he took great joy in anticipating the temporal millennium of a thousand years, when the earth would be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. When the meeting broke up, Ellen and her brother Robert felt the coldness of their erstwhile friends. As they walked home they talked of their surprise that the subject of the near coming of Jesus should awaken such bitter antagonism.1BIO 41.4

“Ellen,” said Robert, “are we deceived? Is this hope of Christ's soon appearing upon the earth a heresy, that ministers and professors of religion oppose it so bitterly? They say that Jesus will not come for thousands and thousands of years. If they even approach the truth, then the world cannot come to an end in our day.”—Ibid.1BIO 42.1

To this Ellen quickly replied:1BIO 42.2

“I have not a doubt but that the doctrine preached by Mr. Miller is the truth. What power attends his words, what conviction is carried home to the sinner's heart.”—Ibid.

They decided that it was their duty and privilege to look for the Saviour's coming, and it would be safest to be ready.1BIO 42.3

At another class meeting, when it came time to testify, Ellen's heart was so full that she again spoke of looking forward in glad expectation of soon meeting her Redeemer. She said that this hope stirred her to earnestly seek sanctification of the Spirit of God.1BIO 42.4

“You received sanctification through Methodism,” interjected the class leader. “Through Methodism, sister, not through an erroneous theory.” Reporting the experience, she noted:1BIO 42.5

My heart was full of love and happiness, but I felt compelled to confess the truth, that it was not through Methodism my heart had received its new blessing, but by the stirring truths heard concerning the personal appearance of Jesus. Through them I found peace, joy, and perfect love. Thus my testimony closed, the last that I was to bear in class with my Methodist brethren. Robert then spoke in his meek way, yet in so clear and touching a manner that some wept and were much moved; but others coughed dissentingly and seemed quite uneasy. After leaving the classroom, we again talked over our faith, and marveled that our Christian brethren and sisters could so illy endure to have a word spoken in reference to our Saviour's coming. We thought if they loved Jesus as they should, it would not be so great an annoyance to hear of His second advent, but, on the contrary, they would hail the news with great joy. We were convinced that we ought no longer to attend the Methodist class meeting.—Ibid., 168.1BIO 42.6

Two Significant Dreams

Cast Out from the Methodist Church