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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
places and restoring the foundations of many generations. Present
the truth, sacred, sanctifying truth, and let the seducing theories of
the enemy alone. Give him no ground on which to plant the seeds of
these theories. I was warned to enter into no controversy over these
matters. Let not our ministers or teachers or students give their lips to
the repeating of the enemy’s sophistry.—Lt 175, 1904.
[719]
Ministers and Physicians Drawn Into the Snare—There are
doctors and ministers who have been influenced by the hypnotism
exercised by the father of lies. Notwithstanding the warnings given,
Satan’s sophistries are being accepted now just as they were accepted
in the heavenly courts. The science by which our first parents were
deceived is deceiving men today. Ministers and physicians are being
drawn into the snare.—MS 79, 1905.
The Past in New Forms—The experience of the past will be
repeated. In the future, Satan’s superstitions will assume new forms.
Errors will be presented in a pleasing and flattering manner. False
theories, clothed with garments of light, will be presented to God’s
people. Thus Satan will try to deceive, if possible, the very elect.
Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds will be hypnotized.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:293
(1904).
The Author’s Experience With Hypnotism—It was reported all
around [in 1845] that the visions were the result of mesmerism, and
many Adventists [remnants of the Adventists who had not accepted the
seventh-day Sabbath] were ready to believe and circulate the report.
A physician who was a celebrated mesmerizer told me that my views
were mesmerism, that I was a very easy subject, and that he could
mesmerize me and give me a vision.
I told him that the Lord had shown me in vision that mesmerism
was from the devil, from the bottomless pit, and that it would soon go
there, with those who continued to use it.
I then gave him liberty to mesmerize me if he could. He tried for
more than half an hour, resorting to different operations, and then gave
it up. By faith in God I was able to resist his influence, so that it did
not affect me in the least.—
Early Writings, 21
(1882).
[720]
Spiritual Magnetism—In New Hampshire [in 1848] we had to
contend with a species of spiritual magnetism, of a similar charac-
ter with mesmerism. It was our first experience of this kind.—
Life
Sketches of Ellen G. White, 79
(1915).