Ms 6, 1850

[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.

n.p.1EGWLM 220.1

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.

and James [James Springer White] and we were to pass a bridge covered with water. As we passed over the bridge I was much frightened for the water came into the body of the wagon and it seemed that we were sinking. I had my babe3

James Edson White, Ellen's youngest child, was about 13 months old at the time of writing.

with me and I was so frightened I almost let him fall into the water. Brother Rhodes assured me a number of times that there was no danger and that we must necessarily pass through the water over the bridge.1EGWLM 220.5

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.

Their voices rang through the air. They had mantles upon their shoulders that reached to their feet. Brother Rhodes began to shout with a loud voice and said, And shall I see Him whom my soul loveth?5

Sol. 3:1-4.

1EGWLM 220.6

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.”

has crept over them and now they slumber never to awake. They ought to have watched and then they would have seen the angels. This dream has made quite an impression upon my mind.1EGWLM 221.2