Ellen Lifts Up God’s Word
by Anna Galeniece
Imagine a farm in Massachusetts owned by a kind man named Otis Nichols in the mid-1840s. It was a special place where friends gathered to talk about Jesus. One afternoon Mr. Nichols guided his horse and carriage down the road after picking up 17-year-old Ellen Harmon and her sister Sarah. As the wheels bumped along, Mr. Nichols wondered, Why are Brothers Sargent and Robbins telling people Ellen’s visions come from the devil? He shook his head, puzzled. At that time Sarah interrupted his thoughts, saying, “We’re so glad to spend time with your family!”
Ellen added eagerly, “Yes! We can read the Bible and share God’s love with the new believers!”
Mr. Nichols smiled back. “I just hope Brothers Sargent and Robbins will meet you and see how the Lord gives you visions.”
Soon another carriage rolled up to the farm. It was Mr. Sargent and Mr. Robbins! Mr. Nichols hurried out to meet them.
“Welcome, brothers! I’m so happy to see you!” They planned to stay the night, but when Mr. Nichols told them Ellen was there, they suddenly looked scared and made excuses to leave, turning the carriage around. Mr. Nichols blinked in surprise and said, “But you said you would stay! This may be your only chance to hear Ellen!”
As their carriage was disappearing down the road, Mr. Sargent shouted, “We’ll hear Ellen in Boston this weekend.” This made Mr. Nichols wonder: Why did they act so strangely?
The next morning at breakfast Ellen shared unexpected news: “The Lord showed me we shouldn’t go to Boston today, but to Randolph.”
“Randolph? That’s 13 miles the opposite way!” Mr. Nichols exclaimed.
Ellen nodded. “I don’t understand it either, but God has work for me there.” Trusting God’s leading, they set off at once.
When they arrived at Mr. Thayer’s house in Randolph, a meeting led by Mr. Sargent had already begun. As Ellen quietly walked into the room, Mr. Sargent and Mr. Robbins looked shocked. Mr. Nichols suddenly whispered, “Oh, now I see why God sent us here!”
That afternoon, when everyone was gathered in the room, Ellen was suddenly taken into vision. Mr. Sargent and Mr. Robbins became very anxious. Mr. Robbins said, “We’ve got to stop this!”
Then Ellen, while in vision, spoke clearly, “Among you are two men, Brothers Sargent and Robbins, who are mistaken.” The men tried to interrupt her by calling for louder singing and Bible reading.
“Why are we speaking while she’s in vision?” someone asked.
It was believed that if a Bible was placed on a person, that person would be prevented from having a false vision. Mr. Thayer placed a Bible on Ellen’s chest. At that moment Ellen stood up, lifted the heavy Bible high in one hand, and declared, “This is the inspired testimony from God!” She turned to verses and quoted them perfectly.
“Check the words!” someone whispered.
“They’re correct!” Mr. Nichols said joyfully.
Another person gasped, “She’s speaking, but not breathing!” For nearly four hours, Ellen was in vision. When it ended, Mr. Sargent and Mr. Robbins quietly slipped away without expressing their feelings.
That day God honored His Word, and Ellen Harmon (Ellen White became her name after marriage) was His faithful messenger. She encouraged everyone to trust and follow God’s Word. Later in her life Mrs. White called her ministry a lesser light, leading people to the greater light—the Bible.