Introduction—The Prophetic Gift and Ellen G. White
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If it was a pleasant day, she would, if her work permitted, go for a little
drive in the country, stopping to talk with a mother she might see in the
garden or on the porch of a home she passed. Sometimes she found a
need for food and clothes, and she would go home and get some things
from her home supply. Years after her death she was remembered by
the neighbors of the valley where she lived, as the little white-haired
woman who always spoke lovingly of Jesus.
When she died, she had little more than the necessities and basic
comforts of life. She was A Seventh-day Adventist Christian, trusting
in the merits of her risen Lord and faithfully attempting to do the work
the Lord assigned to her. Thus with the confidence in her heart she
came to the close of a full life, consistent in her Christian experience.
[23]
Messages that Changed Lives
An evangelist held a series of meetings in Bushnell, Michigan.
Soon after the baptism, however, he left the people without properly
grounding the believers in the message. The people slowly became
discouraged, and some began their bad habits again. Finally the church
became so small that the ten or twelve members who were left decided
that it was no use to continue any longer. Just after they dispersed for
what they thought was their last meeting, the mail arrived and among
the letters was the Review and Herald. In the itinerary section was a
notice that James and Ellen White were to be at Bushnell for meetings
on July 20, 1867. This was only one week away. The children were
sent to call the people back who were on their way home. It was
decided to prepare a place in the grove and invite their neighbors,
especially the backslidden members.
On Sabbath morning, July 20, the Whites arrived at the grove
where sixty persons had gathered. Elder White spoke in the morning.
In the afternoon Mrs. White rose to speak, but after reading her text,
she looked perplexed. Without further comment she closed her Bible
and began to speak to the people in a very personal way.
“As I stand before you this afternoon, I am looking into the faces
of those who were shown to me in vision two years ago. As I look
into your faces, your experience comes back clearly to my mind, and I
have a message for you from the Lord.