Who Could be Saved?

Inseparably linked with the position held by the pioneers that something of significance had transpired on October 22, 1844, was the understanding that a “door” was shut in connection with the fulfilling of prophecy. The expression is found in the message to the church in Philadelphia as set forth in Revelation 3:7, 8. There is described One who held the “key of David,” “he that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth,” the One who declared, “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” This message to the Philadelphia church had laid the foundation for rightfully advocating a “shut door” [See Chapter 16, “the shut and the open doors.”] on October 22, 1844. The full significance of the expression was not immediately understood, but the term early became synonymous with confidence in the fulfillment of prophecy on October 22, and it was so used for about seven years after the 1844 disappointment. It was usually understood to be linked with a close of probation, but for whom?1BIO 95.6

Of the vision at Exeter in mid-February, 1845, Ellen White wrote in 1847:1BIO 96.1

Most of them received the vision, and were settled upon the shut door.—Letter 3, 1847.1BIO 96.2

Did this mean that probation had closed for mankind on October 22? This was a question in the minds of not a few. That the shut door did not connote a close of probation for all the world is made clear by what took place in Paris, Maine, in connection with the visit referred to above some four or five months after the vision at Exeter.1BIO 96.3

While Ellen was in Paris she was approached by Marion C. Stowell with a question on this point. When the question of early holdings on the shut-door question was later revived and discussed, Marion wrote of this in a letter on August 17, 1875. Her report of what took place in 1845 was attested to by five other persons who were familiar with the circumstances. Here is what Marion Stowell (later Truesdail, then Crawford, after her first husband's death) wrote:1BIO 96.4

During Miss Harmon's (now Mrs. White's) visit to Paris, Maine, in the summer of 1845, I stated to her the particulars of a dear friend of mine whose father had prevented her attending our meetings; consequently she had not rejected light. She smilingly replied, “God never has shown me that there is no salvation for such persons. It is only those who have had the light of truth presented to them and knowingly rejected it.”1BIO 96.5

Miss Harmon's reply coincided with my idea of a shut door, and in justice no other could be derived from it.—Quoted in an article by George I. Butler in The Review and Herald, April 7, 1885.1BIO 97.1

Ellen returned to her home in Portland. Shortly she was shown that she must go to Portsmouth the next day and bear her testimony there. At this time her sister Sarah and James White accompanied her in her travels. She tells the story:1BIO 97.2

I had no means with which to pay my fare, but prepared to go, trusting in the Lord to open the way. The first car bell was ringing as I put on my bonnet. I looked out of the window, and saw a good brother driving very fast up to the gate. His horse was reeking with sweat. He quickly entered and asked, “Is there anyone here who needs means? I was impressed that someone here needed money.”1BIO 97.3

We hastily related that we were going to Portsmouth at the Lord's bidding, and had nothing to go with, but resolved to start, trusting in the providence of God to open the way.1BIO 97.4

The brother handed us money enough to carry us to Portsmouth and back. Said he, “Take a seat in my wagon, and I will carry you to the depot” [some three or four short blocks away]. On the way to the cars he told us that while on the road to my father's, his horse would come with great speed the whole distance of twelve miles.1BIO 97.5

We had just taken our seats in the cars when the train started. Here the Lord tested and proved us, and strengthened our faith as we were brought into a very strait place, and were carried through by the manifestation of His providence. I had freedom in bearing my testimony in Portsmouth.—Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White (1880), 226, 227.1BIO 97.6