John Loughborough—White Estate.

by John Loughborough

Another comparison [between the Bible's manifestation of the gift of prophecy and what was seen in Ellen White's ministry] will be a feature connected with the vision of Daniel, recorded in chapter 10 of his prophecy. We read: "I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves." Verse 7. These men in company with Daniel were Chaldeans, and worshipers of idols. When the power of God came upon Daniel, they were as anxious to get away from it as was Adam, after his transgression, to hide from God's presence.

A parallel circumstance occurred in Parkville, Michigan, January 12, 1861. It was the day of the dedication of the Parkville meeting-house, and a large audience had assembled. Elder White and his wife, Elder J. H. Waggoner, and the writer were present. At the close of the service, Mrs. White gave an exhortation, and the blessing of God rested upon her in a remarkable degree. After sitting down, she was taken off in vision, and remained seated.

There was present a Doctor Brown, a hale, strong man physically, who was a Spiritualist medium. As was afterward learned, he had said that Mrs. White's visions were the same as spirit mediumship, and that if she had one where he was, he could bring her out of it in one minute.

Elder White gave an invitation for all who desired to do so to come forward and by examination satisfy themselves as to her condition while in vision. Some one said, "Doctor, go ahead, and do as you said you would." Elder White then asked: "Is there a doctor in the house? We always like to have physicians examine Mrs. White in vision."

The doctor started quite bravely; but before he got half way to Mrs. White, he turned deathly pale and shook like a leaf. He was urged to go on and make the examination. As soon as this was completed, he made his way rapidly to the door, and seized hold of the knob to go out.

Those standing by prevented him, saying: "Go back, and do what you said you would do. Bring that woman out of the vision." Elder White, seeing the doctor trying to get out of the door, said, "Will the doctor please report to the audience?" He replied, "Her heart and pulse are regular, but there is not a particle of breath in her body." Then, in great agitation, he again grasped the knob of the door. The people near him said, "Doctor, what is it?" He replied, "God only knows; let me out of this house." And out he went.

It was evident that the spirit that influenced him as a medium was no more at rest in the presence of the power that controlled Mrs. White in vision than were the demoniacs who inquired of the Saviour, "Art Thou come hither to torment us before the time?" And like the Chaldeans mentioned above, he fled to "hide" himself.

(The Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church, pages 52-54, some paragraph breaks added.)