Just A Young Girl

 

    

  I remember when the converting power of God came upon me in my childhood I wanted everyone else to get the blessing that I had, and I could not rest till I had told them of it. I began to visit with my young companions and went to their houses to talk with them and tell them my experience, how precious the Saviour was to me, and how I wanted to serve Him, and how I wanted them to serve Him also. So I would talk of the preciousness of Christ, and I would say, "Won't you kneel down and pray with me?" Some would kneel and some would sit in their chairs, but before we gave up, everyone would be on her knees and we would pray together for hours, till the last one would say, "I believe that Jesus has forgiven me my sins." Sometimes the sun would begin to make its appearance in the heavens before I would give up the struggle. There is a great power in Jesus.

      The reason so many fail to have success is that they trust in themselves altogether too much, and do not feel the positive necessity of abiding in Christ, as they go forth to seek and save that which is lost. Until they have the mind of Christ and teach the truth as it is in Jesus, they will not accomplish much. . . .

Welfare Ministry  p 99

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     It has been my privilege to see many of the young converted and baptized, some in their early childhood. In one church where I labored with my husband in our early experiences in the message, there were about fourteen children nearly of an age, who wished to be baptized. A father came to Elder White and said, "What are you going to do with these children? They say they are converted to God; but they are too young to be baptized." "No, indeed, they are not," my husband responded. "My wife can tell you a story of what a child can experience in spiritual things, if you care to hear." Then I related my own experience in conversion.

     I was eleven years old when the light broke into my heart. I had pious parents, who in every way tried to make their children acquainted with their Heavenly Father. We sang the praises of God in our household. Every morning and evening we had family prayer. There were eight children in the family, and every opportunity was improved by our parents to lead us to give our hearts to Jesus.

     I was not unmindful of the voice of prayer daily going up to God. These influences were working on my heart; and in my earlier years I had often sought for the peace that there is in Christ; but I could not seem to find the freedom that I desired. A terrible feeling of sadness and despair rested upon my heart. I did not think of anything that I had done to cause me to feel sad; but it seemed that I was not good enough ever to enter heaven. Such a thing seemed altogether too much for me to expect.

     The mental anguish I passed through at this time was very great. I believed in an eternally burning hell; and as I thought of the wretched state of the sinner before God, I was in deep despair. I feared that I should be lost, and that I should live through eternity suffering a living death. But I learned better than this. I learned that I had a God who is altogether too merciful to perpetuate throughout eternity the lives of the beings whom he created for his glory, but who, instead of accepting the Saviour, had died unrepentant, unforgiven, and unsaved. I learned that the wicked shall be consumed as stubble, and that they shall be as ashes under our feet in the new earth; they shall be as though they had not been. There is no eternally burning hell; there are no living bodies suffering eternal torment.

     But for a long time not one ray of light pierced the dark cloud of distress and despondency that was surrounding me. My sufferings were very great. Night after night, while my twin sister was sleeping, I would arise, and bow by the bedside before the Lord, and plead with him for mercy. All the words that I had any confidence to utter were, "Lord, have mercy." Such complete hopelessness would seize me that I would fall on my face with an agony of feeling that can not be described. Like the poor publican, I dared not so much as lift my eyes toward heaven.

     Finally I had a dream which gave me a faint hope that I might be saved. Soon afterward I attended a prayer-meeting, and when others knelt to pray, I bowed with them tremblingly; and after two or three had prayed, I began to pray. Then the promises of God appeared to me like so many precious pearls that were to be received only by asking for them. As I prayed, the burden and agony of soul, that I had felt so long, left me, and the blessing of God came  upon me like gentle dew, and I gave glory to God for what I felt. Everything was shut out from me but Jesus and glory, and I did not know what was going on around me. It seemed as if I was at the feet of Jesus, and that the light of his countenance was shining upon me in all its brightness.

     Everything appeared glorious and new, and as if smiling and praising God. I seemed to be shut in with God. I was then willing to confess Jesus everywhere. The sacrifice that my Redeemer had made to save me from death and sin seemed very great. I could not dwell upon it without weeping. I  experienced the peace of Christ, which the world could not give nor take away. Although I expected to live but a few months because of feeble health, my life was peaceful and happy. I clung in faith to the Lord, and he took control of me and healed me.

     From this time I felt that I was the happiest being on the earth. I could see Jesus in everything. How I loved him! How precious he was to me! I felt that I must reveal his loveliness to my companions, and I began at once to work for the young.

     I arranged meetings with my young friends, some of whom were considerably older than myself, and a few were married persons. A number of them were vain and thoughtless; my experience sounded to them like an idle tale, and they did not heed my entreaties. But I determined that my efforts should never cease till these dear souls, for whom I had so great an interest, yielded to God. Several entire nights were spent by me in earnest prayer for those for whom I was so earnestly laboring.

     Some of these attended from curiosity to know what I had to say; others thought me beside myself to be so persistent in my efforts, especially when they felt no concern on their part. But at every one of our little meetings I continued to exhort, and to pray for one and then another, until every one had yielded to Jesus, acknowledging the merits of his pardoning love.

     Night after night in my dreams I seemed to be laboring for the salvation of souls. At such times special cases were presented to my mind; these I afterward sought out and prayed with.

     Some of our more formal brethren feared that I was too zealous for the conversion of souls; but time seemed to me so short that it behooved all who had a hope of blessed immortality, and looked for the soon coming of Christ, to labor without ceasing for those who were still in their sins and standing on the awful brink of ruin.

     Though I was very young, I felt that it was my duty to continue my efforts for the salvation of precious souls, and to pray, and confess Christ at every opportunity. My entire being was offered to the service of my Master. Let come what would, I determined to please God, and live as one who expected the Lord to come and reward the faithful. I felt like a little child  coming to God as to my father, and asking him what he would have me to do. Then as my duty was made plain to me, it was my greatest happiness to perform it. Peculiar trials sometimes beset me. 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.

 The Youth's Instructor

 November 3,1808

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She receives lessons from the same Instructor. The directions given her are, 'Write the messages that I give you, that the people may have them.' These messages have been written as God has given them to me."--Letter 39, E.G.W.  Volume 2 The Progressive Years 1862-1876 p 165 1905. Selected Messages 3  p 73

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    L. H. Christian, in charge of the work in Europe during the years 1922-1928 and president of the Northern  European Division 1928-1936, wrote:

      "The advent movement in Europe would never have  been the same if it had not been for her visit. For many,    many years our members and their children in England,   Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden never tired of  telling about Mrs. White. And when now and then in later    years a few disloyal ones ridiculed and belittled the gift of   prophecy and the servant of God, our people said: 'We   know better. We heard her speak. We have seen her humble, godly, inspiring life. We have her books, and they agree   with the Bible and deepen our love for Jesus.'

      "When I first went to Europe, in 1903, nearly all our    people still remembered the visit of Mrs. White, and they   loved to tell of her meetings and experiences, as they felt   greatly helped by her stay."--  Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

p 318

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     In the year 1912 a small group of Norwegian Adventists were informed by a church brother that November 26 was Ellen White's eighty-fifth birthday. They felt a strong attachment to the writings of God's servant and decided in their own unique way to "celebrate." In a letter to Ellen White they wrote:                                              Nov. 26, 1912

   Mrs. E. G. White

   St. Helena, California

   Dear Mother in Israel and Servant of the Lord!

      Greetings from a few Sabbath-keepers in the western   part of Norway, gathered together to celebrate your   eighty-fifth anniversary by a thanksgiving meeting.      We thank the Lord for all the light He has given through   the Spirit of Prophecy, and pray for help to walk in it, and   our earnest prayer is that the Lord may protect and   strengthen His aged servant whom He has chosen to bring   us all this wonderful light and guidance. . . .

     (Signed)          

Alma Anderson      

 

Ranghild Johnsen

 

John Johnsen       

 

Laura Hansen

 

Augusta Johnsen           

Emma Fleischer

 

Arthur Johnsen

 

Elverhoi, Voss

 

Norway

Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

p 319

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     "Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit of God. You know how the Lord has manifested Himself through the Spirit of prophecy. Past, present, and future have passed before me. I have been shown faces that I had never seen, and years afterward I knew them when I saw them. I have been aroused from my sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to my mind and I have written, at midnight, letters that have gone across the continent, and arriving at a crisis, have saved great disaster to the cause of God. This has been my work for many years. A power has impelled me to reprove and rebuke wrongs that I had not thought of. Is this work of the last thirty-six years from above or from beneath? ... Selected Messages Book 1  p 27

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     "When I went to Colorado I was so burdened for you that, in my weakness, I wrote many pages to be read at your camp meeting. Weak and trembling, I arose at three o'clock in the morning to write to you. God was speaking through clay. You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write one article in the paper, expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision--the precious rays of light shining from the throne.... Selected Messages

Book 1  p 27

 

     

                 

 

 I have been instructed to publish the early experiences of the cause of present truth, showing why we stand, as we do, a people separate and distinct from the world. . . . While Satan is stirring up many to depart from the faith, I am bidden to republish the experiences of the past and give the message of warning God sends, showing the dangers of the present time, and what will be in the future.--MS 13, 1908.

Publishing Ministry p 31

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     The Oakland camp meeting, with about 200 family tents on the ground, was held June 4-14. It was reported to have been "large and profitable"    (June 18, 1908) with Ellen White speaking six times "with as great clearness and power as in early times"

(RH, July 9, 1908). E.G.W.  Volume 6 The Later Elmshaven Years  1905-1915  P 169

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     This was the largest of the 1908 camp meetings, with 321 family tents. Several times she spoke to large audiences in the big tent; at times there were 1,200 people (36 WCW, p. 333). Concerned that all should hear her well, she was relieved when "several who sat on the outskirts of the crowd" reported to her that they heard every word spoken (Letter 236, 1908). She was pleased that a number of women  from the Women's Christian Temperance Union attended some of the meetings. While speaking to the ministers, she urged that the evangelistic thrust of the camp meeting be continued for another week of evening meetings.

Ellen G. White Volume 6 The Later Elmshaven Years 1905-1915  p 170

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     "If you were here this morning," White wrote. "you would see Mother and Sara just starting out for a drive." Such trips took them past the orchards and vineyards and homes of farmers. On occasion, they would turn in and Ellen White would have a little visit with the housewife and children. If there was a known need, the visit might be accompanied with gifts of food or useful garments. The residents with whom she visited often were of Italian or French origin and were friendly. Years after her death, Ellen White was remembered by many in the valley as the little white-haired lady who always spoke so lovingly of Jesus.  Ellen G. White Volume 6 The Later Elmshaven Years 1905-1915 

p 374

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     In our early experiences the Lord gave us favor with the people, and we had many wonderful opportunities to demonstrate what could be done through the principles of health reform to restore to health those whose cases had been pronounced hopeless. At one time the wife of the high school teacher in Battle Creek was thrown from a sleigh and seriously injured. We took her into our house, which was close by, and cared for her. The doctor called, and when he saw what we were doing, he said, "You are doing the very best that can be done. I leave the case with you." She recovered. Some years afterward she came to my house, bringing her husband and her little girl. She said to the child, "This is Mrs. White. You would not be here today if she had not saved my life several years ago." We knelt down together and thanked the Lord for His mercy.

     The light on the subject of health reform was given by the Lord, and we are not to depart from it. The Lord has put into the minds of some a knowledge of how to prepare wholesome articles of food. But it is not His design that this knowledge shall be confined to a few. In every family there should be those who understand the science of healthful cooking. Sermons and Talks

Volume one  p 355

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     In later years she also recounted how her mind was refreshed as she was writing the history.

      "While writing the manuscript of 'Great Controversy,' I   was often conscious of the presence of the angels of God.   And many times the scenes about which I was writing were   presented to me anew in visions of the night, so that they   were fresh and vivid in my mind."

--E. G. White letter 56, 1911. Published in  The Ellen G. White Writings,  pp. 191, 192. Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887 p 263

 

                       

  

    As the ship sailed eastward at its steady pace of about 340 miles a day, Ellen White thought much of Australia and the nine years she had labored there. "I love the work in Australia," she wrote. "The cause of God there is a part of me."--Letter 149, 1900. "For so many years my interest has been bound up with this work that to separate from it seems like tearing me in pieces. I have confidence in those left in charge of the work at Avondale."--MS 82, 1900. But as the days passed, she began to cast off the burden of the work in Australia, and her thoughts turned to challenges that lay ahead in America.

Early Elmshaven Years

Volume 5 1900-1905  p 17

 

 

                     

     Although called to travel often, and having much writing to do, I have taken children of three and five years of age, and have cared for them, educated them, and trained them for responsible positions. I have taken into my home from time to time boys from ten to sixteen years of age, giving them motherly care and a training for service.[* FROM THE PEN OF TWO WORKERS WHO IN THEIR YOUTH SPENT MANY MONTHS IN THE WHITE HOME WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS OF WHAT THEY PERSONALLY WITNESSED.--COMPILERS.

     "NOT ONLY WAS MRS. WHITE A STRONG COUNSELOR FOR HER HUSBAND, TO GUARD HIM AGAINST MAKING MISTAKES THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE CAUSE IN ANY PART, BUT SHE WAS MOST CAREFUL TO CARRY OUT IN HER OWN COURSE THE THINGS SHE TAUGHT TO OTHERS. FOR INSTANCE, SHE FREQUENTLY DWELT IN HER PUBLIC TALKS UPON THE DUTY OF CARING FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS, CITING HER HEARERS TO ISAIAH 58:7-10; AND SHE EXEMPLIFIED HER EXHORTATIONS BY TAKING THE NEEDY TO HER OWN HOME FOR SHELTER, FOOD, AND RAIMENT. I WELL REMEMBER HER HAVING AT ONE TIME, AS MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY, A BOY AND GIRL AND A WIDOW AND HER TWO DAUGHTERS. I HAVE, MOREOVER, KNOWN HER TO DISTRIBUTE TO POOR PEOPLE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS' WORTH OF NEW CLOTHES WHICH SHE BOUGHT FOR THAT PURPOSE."

--J. O. CORLISS,  REVIEW AND HERALD,  AUG. 30, 1923.

     "ELDER WHITE WAS HIMSELF A VERY PHILANTHROPIC MAN. HE ALWAYS LIVED IN A LARGE HOUSE, BUT THERE WERE NO VACANT ROOMS IN IT. ALTHOUGH HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY WAS SMALL, HIS HOUSE WAS ALWAYS  FILLED WITH WIDOWS AND THEIR CHILDREN, POOR FRIENDS, POOR BRETHREN IN THE MINISTRY, AND THOSE WHO NEEDED A HOME. HIS HEART AND HIS POCKETBOOK WERE ALWAYS OPEN, AND HE WAS READY TO HELP THOSE WHO NEEDED HELP. HE CERTAINLY SET A MOST NOBLE EXAMPLE TO OUR DENOMINATION IN HIS LARGEHEARTEDNESS AND LIBERALITY OF SPIRIT." THE MEDICAL MISSIONARY,  FEBRUARY, 1894. I have felt it my duty to bring before our people that work for which those in every church should feel a responsibility.

Welfare Ministry  p  321

 

          

  

 A Prophetic Voice Speaking to the World. 

 

     Mrs. White helped to pioneer the Seventh-day Adventist Church in America. She helped to build the church in Europe. Later, also, she became a pioneer builder in Australia (1891-1900). And when her busy life ended in 1915 she could testify concerning her witness for Christ and her seventy years of service in the cause she loved, "I have done the best that I could."

Ellen G. White in Europe

1885-1887  p 320

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     All through the weeks and months of her last sickness, Mrs. White was buoyed up by the same faith and hope and trust that had characterized her life experience in the days of her vigor. Her personal testimony was uniformly cheerful and her courage strong. She felt that her times were in the hand of God, and that His presence was with her continually. Not long after she was rendered helpless by the accident, she testified of her Saviour, "Jesus is my blessed Redeemer, and I love Him with my whole being." And again: "I see light in His light. I have joy in His joy, and peace in His peace. I see mercy in His mercy, and love in His love." To Miss Sara McEnterfer, for many years her secretary, she said, "If only I can see my Saviour face to face, I shall be fully satisfied."

  Life Sketches of

Ellen G. White  p 443

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THE DEATH OF SISTER WHITE 

     IN THE SUNNY UPPER CHAMBER OF HER "ELMSHAVEN" HOME -- HER "REFUGE" – IN A SHELTERED, HILL-GIRT VALLEY NEAR ST. HELENA, CAL., WHERE OUR BELOVED SISTER HAD SPENT MUCH OF HER TIME AND DONE MUCH OF HER WRITING DURING THE LAST HAPPY, FRUITFUL YEARS OF HER BUSY LIFE, MRS. ELLEN GOULD WHITE FELL ASLEEP IN JESUS AS QUIETLY AND PEACEFULLY AS A WEARY CHILD GOING TO HER REST. THE END CAME ON FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1915, AT 3:40 P.M. SURROUNDING HER BEDSIDE WERE HER SON, ELDER W. C. WHITE, AND WIFE; HER GRANDDAUGHTER, MRS. MABEL WHITE WORKMAN; HER LONG-TIME AND FAITHFUL SECRETARY-NURSE, MISS SARA MCENTERFER; HER NIECE, AND FAITHFUL NURSE, MISS MAY WALLING; ONE OF HER UNTIRING BEDSIDE NURSES, MRS, CARRIE HUNGERFORD; HER HOUSEKEEPER, MISS TESSIE WOODBURY; HER OLD-TIME COMPANION AND HELPER, MRS. MARY CHINNOCK THORP; AND A FEW OF HER FRIENDS AND HELPERS WHO HAD SPENT MANY YEARS ABOUT HER HOME AND IN HER OFFICE.

 Pacific Union Recorder

 July 22, 1915