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Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
First Visit to Michigan
At Jackson, Mich., we found the church in great confusion. While
I was among them, the Lord instructed me regarding their condition,
and I endeavored to bear a straightforward testimony. Some refused to
heed the counsel given, and began to fight against my testimony; and
here began what later became known as the Messenger party.
Concerning our labor on this tour among the companies of Sabbath-
keeping believers in Michigan, I wrote as follows in a letter dated June
23, 1853:
“While in Michigan we visited Tyrone, Jackson, Sylvan, Bedford,
and Vergennes. My husband in the strength of God endured the journey
and his labor well. Only once did his strength entirely fail him. He
was unable to preach at Bedford. He went to the place of meeting, and
stood up in the desk to preach, but became faint and was obliged to sit
down. He asked Elder J. N. Loughborough to take the subject where
he had left it, and finish the discourse. Then he went out of the house
into the open air, and lay upon the green grass until he had somewhat
recovered, when Brother Kelsey let him take his horse, and he rode
alone one mile and a half to Brother Brooks’s.
“Brother Loughborough went through with the subject with much
freedom. All were interested in the meeting. The Spirit of the Lord
rested upon me, and I had perfect freedom in bearing my testimony.
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The power of God was in the house, and nearly every one present was
affected to tears. Some took a decided stand for the truth.
“After the meeting closed we rode through the woods to a beautiful
lake, where six were buried with Christ in baptism. We then returned
to Brother Brooks’s, and found my husband more comfortable. While
alone that day, his mind had been exercised upon the subject of Spiri-
tualism, and he there decided to write the book entitled ‘Signs of the
Times.’
“Next day we journeyed to Vergennes, traveling over rough log
ways and sloughs. Much of the way I rode in nearly a fainting condi-
tion; but our hearts were lifted to God in prayer for strength, and we
found Him a present help, and were able to accomplish the journey,
and bear our testimony there.”