The Spiritual Influence of Mrs. White's Labors
By George Ide Butler
We have mentioned various features of this movement in which Mrs. White's influence was very marked, and will now notice what we consider the most important feature of all. The intelligent reader, in reviewing the history of important religious movements, cannot fail to notice the declension in spirituality and religious zeal which has always characterized such movements. The history of the Jewish people furnishes abundant instances of this universal tendency. The tendency of man, after his fall, was downward, till “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen. 6:5. The only hope of bettering conditions was to destroy the wicked race and begin again to populate the earth. Noah spent a hundred and twenty years in warning the people of the coming flood, but could save only his family of eight persons. Even after this terrible example of God's dealing with sin, how soon rebellion developed again! What a wonderful spiritual movement, with all its miraculous evidences of God's power to deliver his people, was conducted under Moses! But what a rebellious people the Israelites proved to be! Only two of the original host went through to the Promised Land. Many religious awakenings were of God, but all were followed by backslidings and apostasy. Christ himself came at last and opened up a new era in the plan of salvation. His apostles were filled with divine power. But in a generation or two the seeds of a great apostasy were springing up, and the Dark Ages followed. Then came the great Reformation. But even the religious bodies growing out of it became persecutors, and religious apathy resulted. The Methodist revivals were remarkable evidences of divine illumination, and were a blessing to the world. But how about the religious standing of the great churches today? The large Protestant churches are nearly swamped in the guesswork connected with the theory of evolution, the tendency of which is toward infidelity. The Bible seems to be smothered in the house of its professed friends. The Mosaic history of creation is relegated to the background, and the accuracy of much of the Bible history is denied. What kind of religious bodies shall we have when the Bible itself is not believed to be the Word of God? Where then shall we go for religious authority in anything? These are mere glimpses at the religious declension that has figured largely in the history of our world. We come now to a question which should be most carefully considered by every genuine Seventh-day Adventist. We know that God has been leading this people; that his Spirit mightily helped in laying the foundation of this work; and that the Spirit was with the early workers. Shall we as a people be able to resist this mighty current toward worldliness and worldly wisdom? If we are able to stem this current in these days of peril and apostasy, we shall be a wonderful exception. These last days, according to the Bible statements, are the most perilous of all. How is it with us as a people? Have we proved ourselves free from all the tendencies to worldliness, pride, selfishness, and unbelief that characterize other professed Christian churches? Our membership is increasing, but are these members all thoroughly converted to God? A vast increase of numbers was seen in the age succeeding the apostles' labors, but the more they increased the farther they departed from God. The new converts brought in heathenish views and practices, till a great change was seen in the spiritual condition of the body. Will it be so with us? We are certainly in danger of a similar result. In our great zeal we are in danger of lowering the standard. From the first, the influence of Mrs. White's labors among us has been a wonderful source of spiritual uplift to this movement, for she always acted a leading part in the practical religion of this people. She attended many of the important meetings held by this denomination. She was looked up to as one who had important light from God. When attending our camp meetings, hundreds of which had the aid of her presence, she often led in the spiritual work of the meetings. She called the people forward for prayers. She gave much instruction in practical religion. She always took an active part in the prayer and social meetings, and when her health would permit, attended the early morning meetings. She was considered a most acceptable speaker during the active period of her life. On Sunday afternoons, when the largest crowds were present, she nearly always spoke with great freedom and power. Many times when she was speaking have we seen many persons in tears. It was not mere human eloquence that moved the people, but the tender, blessed Spirit of8God touching their hearts. She spoke always as one living very near to God. She often talked of things the Lord had shown her, and of the wonderful light she had received from heaven. She often warned the people of the dangers of these last days. If worldliness and departure from the truth were in the camp, her earnest, soul-searching words were given in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. Her frequent articles in our papers were also a great factor in keeping our people true to the principles for which the denomination stands. The books she has written are a great help. Her small book, “Steps to Christ,” is a very precious help to genuine religion. By reading that little volume, any person who is not a Christian can learn how to become one. The book has had a large circulation. It presents Christ as our glorious Saviour. God saw that the difficulties were so many, the condition of the world so unbelieving, its temptations so strong, and the power of Satan so great and deceptive in this degenerate age, that the people raised up to sound the last message needed the gift of prophecy as a special help to mold and prepare a church for the coming of Christ. It remains now for us to follow carefully the instructions she has left. Every true Seventh-day Adventist will do as Joshua did — continually keep in mind the instruction received. We have a great work to do among the new converts. They should be thoroughly instructed in reference to the work of this servant of the Lord. They should be made acquainted with her writings. We greatly fear that this work needs to be more thoroughly done. The work of the Spirit of prophecy in the remnant church is so completely interwoven with the experience of the message that it is impossible to separate them. In the progress of the message, the Spirit of prophecy has had a prominent part.