[August 22, 1850],1 The manuscript begins with the words “A dream the Lord gave me August 22.” Although we are not told the year that the dream was given, this can be deduced from a second account of the dream, written by Ellen White a week or so later. On September 1, 1850 (Lt 14, 1850), she described the same dream in almost the same language, adding the information that she had the dream “about one week ago.” From these circumstances we can conclude that this account was probably written shortly after the vision of August 22, 1850.
A Dream. 1EGWLM 220.2
This manuscript is published in entirety in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, pp. 171, 172. 1EGWLM 220.3
A dream with vivid symbolism of judgment and deliverance. 1EGWLM 220.4
A dream the Lord gave me August 22. I dreamed of being in a wagon with Bro. Rhodes [Samuel W. Rhodes]2 Identity: No doubt Samuel W. Rhodes. No other “Bro. Rhodes” is mentioned in the Review in the early 1850s. James Edson White, Ellen's youngest child, was about 13 months old at the time of writing.
After we had passed safely through the water, my eyes were attracted to something strange in the air. I saw angels marching through the air singing with solemn, clear voices. “For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand?”4 Rev. 6:17. Sol. 3:1-4.
James was counting the angels and I stood trembling with fear. My life came up before [me] and looked so full of wrongs. I could not see how I should be able to stand. Just then Satan came where I was and said to me, You are lost; you are now my property, [you] will go with me to the dark regions. My feelings I cannot describe; to be separated from the Jesus I had loved and to take up my abode with those that I abhorred looked dreadful to me. At the same time I felt unworthy to be with the lovely Jesus. 1EGWLM 220.7
While in this dreadful perplexity one of the angels came where I was and said to Satan, She is not your property for she has been redeemed unto God by the precious blood of Jesus. She is the purchase of His blood. Satan fled. My feelings changed. My soul was overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness to God. I saw the saints as light fell and was reflected from the face of Jesus. Their faces would light up as they rose to meet the angels. 1EGWLM 221.1
Many I saw sleeping. I said as I saw those poor souls, they have heard of Jesus’ coming and that great day of God's wrath just upon them, but as time went on a little longer than they expected it would, they have lost their interest. Stupidity6 In the sense of “lethargy.”