The Gift of the Spirit of Prophecy
By Francis M. Wilcox
THE present illness of Sister E. G. White has drawn from many of our readers expressions of regret and sorrow, indicating the deep interest they feel in her and in the gift which she has represented for so many years in connection with this movement. The gift of the spirit of prophecy in this church has proved indeed a precious boon. Much of the progress which has attended the proclamation of the message is due to the earnest labors in speaking and writing of this servant of the Lord. This gift has done much for the unification of the believers. It has saved them from many serious mistakes in plans and methods; it has called them to a high plane of consecration and holiness. What believer in this movement can read the earnest exhortations which have been made by the servant of the Lord, and not have his soul thrilled with new love and dedicated to new service. We believe God has spoken to this church the same as he spoke to his church in other ages. The proof of this gift rests upon the broad basis of the work it has done and of the fruit it has borne. Doubters and opposers may point to what appears to them inconsistencies; they may haggle over some turn of a phrase, some change of expression in revision, etc. These are little details which, to our mind, do not affect the broader principles governing the work of this gift or the basis upon which it rests. We doubt not that in other ages of the church similar objections were raised against the work of the messengers of the Lord. There may be circumstances connected with the exercise of the gift which we cannot understand. Some misguided in zeal or judgment may make wrong application of the instruction given, using it to further their own plans, or as a club against those who differ from their viewpoint, but neither the gift itself nor the one through whom the gift is exercised is responsible for these abuses. We do not credit Sister White with infallibility. She has never claimed this. She is a fallible, mortal woman, and, the same as the one who writes these words and the ones who read them, must avail herself of the merits and mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Her work has been to point mankind to Christ, the Saviour of men; to lead them to search the Scriptures of Truth with greater diligence. In all her work she has exalted the Word of God, and pointed her fellows to it as the man of their counsel. But Heaven, we believe, has been pleased to use her as a special instrument in connection with this closing work. God has spoken to her in visions and dreams for the edifying of his church. It is our privilege to heed this instruction and thereby obtain rich blessings; or, regarding her writings as the king of Israel and his princes regarded the writings of Jeremiah, we may criticize and dissect them, seeking to find technical errors or inconsistencies upon which to base our rejection of their counsels. Too many have done the latter, and have made shipwreck of their faith and of their Christian experience. May God save us from following in their footsteps. This aged servant of the Lord may soon close her earthly account, and rest from her labors. Her works will follow her. The influence of her godly life and of her earnest words of counsel, spoken and written, will prove an enduring monument. In eternity she will reap, as will all the faithful in Christ Jesus, the fruit of her labors in the Lord. F. M. W.