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strength shall we be enabled to advance rapidly and along even lines.—
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 446, 447
.
A Prophetic Look into the Future [
Report of remarks made at
a council in Great Grimsby, England, attended by Ellen White in
1886.
]—During the early days of the Council, one of the speakers,
after referring to some of the barriers to the progress of the message,
appealed to Mrs. White to state her views as to what more could be
done, and if there might be expected changes in the conditions under
which the laborers were struggling.
[39]
In answer to this question, Mrs. White said that there would come
changes that would open doors that were closed and barred, changes
in many things that would alter conditions and arouse the minds of the
people to understand and appreciate present truth. Political upheavals
would come, and changes in the industrial world, and great religious
awakenings, that would prepare minds to listen to the third angel’s
message. “Yes, there will be changes,” she assured them, “but nothing
for you to wait for. Your work is to go forward, presenting the truth in
its simplicity, holding up the light of truth before the people.”
Then she told them how the matter had been presented to her in
vision. Sometimes the multitudes in our world, to whom is sent the
warning message from the word of God that Christ is soon coming,
were presented to her as enveloped in mists and clouds and dense dark-
ness, even as described by Isaiah, who wrote, “Behold, the darkness
shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.”
Isaiah 60:2
.
As in the vision she looked upon this scene with intense sorrow, her
accompanying angel said, “Look ye,” and as she looked again, there
were to be seen little jets of light, like stars shining dimly through the
darkness. As she watched them, their light grew brighter, and the num-
ber of lights increased, because each light kindled other lights. These
lights would sometimes come together as if for the encouragement of
one another; and again they would scatter out, each time going farther
and lighting more lights. Thus the work went on until the whole world
was illuminated with their brightness.
In conclusion, she said: “This is a picture of the work you are to
do. ‘Ye are the light of the world.’
Matthew 5:14
. Your work is to hold
up the light to those around you. Hold it firmly. Hold it a little higher.
Light other lights. Do not be discouraged if yours is not a great light.
If it is only a penny taper, hold it up. Let it shine. Do your very best,