[July 1850, East Hamilton, New York]1 This information is based on a handwritten copy of the manuscript, not in Ellen White's hand, which has the following words on the back: “Vision of E. G. White seen at East Hamilton, July 1850.” Thus the place and date refer to the receipt of the vision, whereas writing it out presumably occurred shortly thereafter.
“To the Church in Your Place.” 1EGWLM 208.2
This manuscript is published in entirety in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, pp. 237, 238. 1EGWLM 208.3
To the church in East Hamilton, New York, and vicinity: a call to vanquish evil by giving praise and glory to God. 1EGWLM 208.4
To the church in your place.2 I.e., East Hamilton and vicinity. See note 1. Ellen and James White had visited nearby Hamilton July 20-22, 1850, on their return journey to Oswego, New York, after a 10-week itinerary through New York, several New England states, and Canada East. See: W. [James White], “Our Tour East,” Advent Review, August 1850, p. 15.
I was then pointed to Sister Abbey's mother4 There appear to have been two Sabbathkeeping Abbey families living in the vicinity of East Hamilton—Alonzo and Diana Abbey in nearby Madison, and Ira and Rhoda Abbey in Brookfield, only a few miles distant. Whether the “Sister Abbey” Ellen White refers to here is Diana or Rhoda Abbey has not been established with certainty. See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Alonzo Abbey,” New York, Madison County, Madison, p. 53; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Ira Abbey,” New York, Madison County, Brookfield, p. 83; search term “Abbey” in Words of the Pioneers.
I saw [that] Satan had worked through her effectually to bind God's children. When one had attempted to make an effort to rise and get the victory, the rest were like loadstones to drag him down. I saw you should rise together, and unitedly get the victory over the powers of darkness and sing and shout to the glory of God.5 See cautions against “unhealthy and unnecessary excitement” in the vision of December 25, 1850 (Ms 11, 1850). See also Appendix article “Ellen White and Religious Enthusiasm in Early Adventist Experience”; EGWEnc, s.v. “Ecstatic Experiences.”
I saw that we are the only people upon earth from whom God is to get glory, and if we should hold our peace the very stones would cry out, for God must receive glory from some of those who dwell upon the earth. The only company who can praise and honor God, I saw, are those who are keeping the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. 1EGWLM 209.1
Then a kernel of corn was held up before me with the chit gone. The body of the corn I saw was there, but the life was gone. Said the angel, “It can produce no fruit because the life is gone. There is danger of having the form without the power. A theory of faith will not save you; vital godliness you must have, the life and power of religion in the soul.” 1EGWLM 209.2
I saw that Satan had agents to work through, and his angels to operate upon these agents that they might receive strength from Satan to get the victory over God's people and triumph over them. I saw that the powers of darkness are rising constantly, for Satan has come down in great power knowing that his time is short, and I saw that unless you are rising daily, and growing in grace, strength, and knowledge of the truth, the powers of darkness will get the victory over you. If ever there was a time when we should be wide awake in the cause of God it is now; you must keep the ascendancy above the powers of darkness. 1EGWLM 209.3
Singing, I saw, often drove away the enemy and shouting would beat him back. I saw that pride had crept in among you, and there was not childlike simplicity among you. The fear of man, I saw, must all go. 1EGWLM 209.4
I saw that the reason you have been in such bondage is that you are under the influence of the spirit of Grandmother,6 Probably a reference to “Sister Abbey's mother” mentioned in the second paragraph.
You must rebuke every particle of that spirit and come out entirely from it, assert your liberty in the name of the Lord, be free, and stand in the liberty of the sons of God. 1EGWLM 209.6
I saw that you should take hold of the work of the Lord with as much energy as you would take hold of your daily labor, and serve God heartily as though you loved to serve Him and as though it was your delight. When you get down before God, wrestle with Him until you get the victory and can shout victory over the powers of darkness. 1EGWLM 209.7
This is the amount of the vision. Some parts of it might have escaped my mind, but I have written all I could remember except the individuals’ cases; them I delivered when with you, and you will remember them no doubt. Now do, do stand in the liberty. Some of you I feel are free, and I hope if you are not all free, that you will rise now and lift up your heads and rejoice in God. 1EGWLM 209.8
Praise the Lord, dear children, as much as you please, for praise is comely for the upright. You have enough to praise Him for; He has redeemed you by His most precious blood, and is soon to save you with an everlasting salvation. Finally, Brethren, be at peace among yourselves. 1EGWLM 210.1
Picture: Hiram Edson 1EGWLM 210
