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Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
When I was first struck down, some of those present were greatly
alarmed, and were about to run for a physician, thinking that some sud-
den and dangerous indisposition had attacked me; but my mother bade
them let me alone, for it was plain to her, and to the other experienced
Christians, that it was the wondrous power of God that had prostrated
me. When I did return home, on the following day, a great change
had taken place in my mind. It seemed to me that I could hardly be
the same person that left my father’s house the previous evening. This
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passage was continually in my thoughts: “The Lord is my shepherd; I
shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1
. My heart was full of happiness as I softly
repeated these words.
A View of the Father’s Love
Faith now took possession of my heart. I felt an inexpressible love
for God, and had the witness of His Spirit that my sins were pardoned.
My views of the Father were changed. I now looked upon Him as
a kind and tender parent, rather than a stern tyrant compelling men
to a blind obedience. My heart went out toward Him in a deep and
fervent love. Obedience to His will seemed a joy; it was a pleasure to
be in His service. No shadow clouded the light that revealed to me the
perfect will of God. I felt the assurance of an indwelling Saviour, and
realized the truth of what Christ had said: “He that followeth Me shall
not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12
.
My peace and happiness were in such marked contrast with my
former gloom and anguish that it seemed to me as if I had been rescued
from hell and transported to heaven. I could even praise God for the
misfortune that had been the trial of my life, for it had been the means
of fixing my thoughts upon eternity. Naturally proud and ambitious,
I might not have been inclined to give my heart to Jesus had it not
been for the sore affliction that had cut me off, in a manner, from the
triumphs and vanities of the world.
For six months not a shadow clouded my mind, nor did I neglect
one known duty. My whole endeavor was to do the will of God, and
keep Jesus and heaven continually in mind. I was surprised and enrap-
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tured with the clear views now presented to me of the atonement and
the work of Christ. I will not attempt to further explain the exercises
of my mind; suffice it to say that old things had passed away, all things