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“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but
holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”--2 Peter
1:21.
“In the highest sense the prophet was one who spoke by direct
inspiration, communicating to the people the messages he had received from God.
But the name was given also to those who, though not so directly inspired, were
divinely called to instruct the people in the works and ways of God. For the
training of such a class of teachers, Samuel, by the Lord's direction,
established the schools of the prophets.”--Education, p. 46.
“A brother asked Sister White, do you think we must understand
the truth for ourselves? Why can we not take the truths that others have
gathered together, and believe them because they have investigated the
subjects, and then we shall be free to go on without taxing of the powers of
the mind in the investigation of all these subjects? Do you not think that
these men who have brought out the truth in the past were inspired of
God?’
I dare not say they were not led of God, for Christ leads into all
truth; but when it comes to inspiration in the fullest sense of the word, I
answer, No.”--Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 33, 34.
Concerning Martin Luther, Ellen White declared:
“Angels of heaven were by his side, and rays of light from the
throne of God revealed the treasures of truth to his
understanding.”--The Great Controversy, p. 122.
Of William Miller she wrote:
“God sent His angel to move upon the heart of a farmer who had
not believed the Bible, to lead him to search the prophecies. Angels of God
repeatedly visited that chosen one, to guide his mind and open to his
understanding prophecies which had ever been dark to God's
people.”--Early Writings, p. 229.
On good authority it is reported that in oral conversation
Mrs. White had declared of Elder Uriah Smith that she had seen an angel of God
standing by his side as he wrote. While there is no documentary confirmation of
this, such is not inconsistent with the above. But there are grounds for
assuming that these men, while aided by the Spirit of God, were not inspired as
were the prophets.
Ellen White recounted in 1895 an experience in which a
colporteur leader put directly to her the question of the inspiration of the
books written by Uriah Smith. “You believe they are inspired, do you
not?” he asked. Indicative of her recognition of the folly of the
question, she replied, “You may answer that question, I shall
not.”--E. G. White Letter 15, 1895.
“From time to time reports come to me concerning statements
that Sister White is said to have made but which are entirely new to me, and
which cannot fail to mislead the people as to my real views and teaching.
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“A sister, in a letter to her friends, speaks with much
enthusiasm of a statement by Brother [A. T.] Jones that Sister White has seen
that the time has come when, if we hold the right relation to God, all can have
the gift of prophecy to the same extent as do those who are now having visions.
“Where is the authority for this statement? I must believe
that the sister failed to understand Brother Jones, for I cannot think that he
made the statement.
“The writer continues: Brother Jones said last night that is
the case, not that God will speak to all for the benefit of everyone else but
to each for his own benefit, and this will fulfill the prophecy of Joel.’
He stated that this is already being developed in numerous instances. He spoke
as if he thought none would hold such a leading position as Sister White had
done and will still do. He referred to Moses as a parallel. He was a leader,
but many others are referred to as prophesying, though their prophecies are not
published. . . . “These ideas in relation to prophesying, I do not
hesitate to say, might better never have been expressed. Such statement prepare
the way for a state of things that Satan will surely take advantage of to bring
in spurious exercises. There is danger, not only that unbalanced minds will be
led into fanaticism, but that designing persons will take advantage of this
excitement to further their own selfish purposes.
“Jesus has raised His voice in warning: Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.’ Thus saith the Lord of hosts,
hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make
you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of
the Lord.’ If any many shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is
there; believe him not: for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and
shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
But take ye heed: behold I have foretold you all things.’”--Letter
6a, 1894, (March 16, 1894), published in Selected Messages, book 3,
p. 340, 341
“You cannot be too careful how you talk of the gift of prophesying, and
state that I have said this and that in reference to this matter. Such
statements, I well know, encourage men and women and children to imagine that
they have special light in revelations from God, when they have not received
such light. This I have been shown, would be one of Satan's masterpieces of
deception. You are giving to the work a mold which it will take precious time
and wearing soul labor to correct, to save the cause of God from another spasm
of fanaticism.”--E. G. White Letter 103, 1894, (March 15, 1894),
published in Selected Messages, book 2, p. 86.
Ellen G. White Estate
Washington, D. C.
November
5, 1969.
Retyped, March, 1989