Several pseudo testimonies and fanciful predictions attributed to the pen or utterances of Mrs. E. G. White are attaining an ever-widening circulation among Seventh-day Adventists. Not only are these reports spread by one church member to another, but occasionally a worker, without checking on the source of the matter, passes on from the pulpit, as being of "testimony" origin, that which is without substantiation in the Spirit of prophecy writings.
The speed with which these unauthenticated reports travel is phenomenal. One very common report, entirely without basis in the E. G. White writings or utterances, has reached the ears of from twenty-five to thirty-five per cent of our church members in North America. This percentage has been ascertained by checking at a number of points throughout the land. Following are five cases of widely circulated reports which are without substantiation, or are erroneous.
I. Indication of Close of Probation.—One striking paragraph credited to an Ellen G. White article supposed to have been published in the Review and Herald of June, 1884 (or some other date), allegedly states that the close of probation is to be indicated and may be recognized by a literal darkness covering the earth, such as was apparent at the crucifixion of Christ. This pseudo testimony flatly contradicts a definite Spirit of prophecy pronouncement:
"When the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced, and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed, the inhabitants of the earth will know it not."—"The Great Controversy," p. 615.
This report finds its basis in an article from the pen of another writer that appeared in a Review and Herald Supplement of a later year. The words attributed to Mrs. White are quoted correctly, but are from another, uninspired pen.
2. Last United States President.—Seemingly with increasing eagerness, there has been circulated for a number of years the report that Mrs. E. G. White gave the name, and in some reports the political party, of the man who would serve as the last President of the United States. This choice rumor has passed from one to another in as many as eight different forms.
There is no foundation whatsoever for this spectacular report. Mrs. White did not name any future President of the United States, neither did she leave any record that indicates any clue to the identity of the one who should last serve in that office. This fantastic rumor is of a time-setting character, and should be promptly and firmly rejected.
3. Specific Nations to be humbled in Dust.—There are several rumors in circulation to the effect that Mrs. E. G. White uttered a prophecy that involved the still future humbling of specifically named nations, either in the Western Hemisphere or in Europe. Unquestionably these are based upon a faulty memory of, or questionable conclusions drawn from, a prediction that related solely to the Civil War experience. This statement is from a report of a vision given January 4, 1862, and may be found in "Testimonies," Volume I, pages 258, 259.
4. The Redeemed visiting some planet.—Another statement attributed to Mrs. White, but for which there can be found no authentic source, is one that has to do with the experience of the redeemed in connection with the ascension to the New Jerusalem. This report indicates that for decades since the alleged statement was made, the inhabitants of other worlds have been preparing and bringing food to one of the planets, for the entertainment of the pints on their journey to heaven. In some stories the planet Mars is named.
This report is based upon an individual person's memory of another's memory of a dinner-table conversation with Mrs. White at an earlier day. The members of Mrs. White's family have no memory of the statement, and there are no substantiating statements in any of the E. G. White writings. Some features of this unsupported statement are fantastic. We discourage its circulation or its use.
5. Judgments on Specific Cities.—Frequently, when some major catastrophe strikes a certain section, or seems imminent, inquiries are sent to the office of the Ellen G. White Publications, asking for the source of statements allegedly made by Mrs. White that specifically predict such a catastrophe. After the earthquake at Long Beach, California, in 1933, reports were circulated that this had been specifically foretold. At the time of the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933 and 1934, it was asserted that Mrs. White had predicted a great disaster would come to Chicago at a time when great crowds were gathered there. Inquiries now being received at this office indicate that the word is being passed around that Mrs. White reported having seen in vision, in the vicinity of some of the great cities of California, scenes of destruction which suggested devastation by falling bombs. Be assured that there is no foundation for any such sensational reports.
Most fittingly did Mrs. White write in an article entitled "Unfounded Reports:" "To all who have a desire for truth I would say, Do not give credence to unauthenticated reports as to what Sister White has done or said or written. If you desire to know what the Lord has revealed through her, read her published works. Are there any points of interest concerning which she has not written, do not eagerly catch up and report rumors as to what she has said."—"Testimonies," Vol. V, p. 696.
This is good counsel for us today. When employing Spirit of prophecy statements, let us make use only of sources of unquestioned authority.
