A lament over the decline in spirituality among many Adventists who had migrated to the West in the midfifties, coupled with an appeal to “be zealous and repent.”1EGWLM 495.3

I was shown in vision some things concerning the brethren and sisters at Round Grove [Illinois]. I saw that God had warned those that had moved from the East to the West. He had shown them their duty,—that it must not be their object to get rich; but to do good to souls, to live out their faith and tell to those around them that this world was not their home. The warning was sufficient if it had been heeded; but there was no considering of what God had shown, but rushed on and on, become drunk with the spirit of the world.²

Soon after arriving in Round Grove, in late November 1856, Ellen White noted that “there is quite a settlement of Sabbathkeepers here, from Vermont, New York and Michigan.” With the opening up of new lands in the West, Adventists were part of a national movement westwards. The journey that Ellen and James White undertook in November and December of 1856 to western Illinois and Iowa was especially directed to those believers who had recently moved there from the East. This manuscript, reporting on a vision given while at Round Grove, expresses general disappointment at the spiritual state of the Adventist settlers, and their preoccupation with material pursuits, especially so in view of earlier warnings. In her first “Testimony for the Church,” published one year earlier, Ellen White had written: “I was shown some coming from the East to the West. I saw that it should not be the object of those who leave the East for the West, to get rich, but to win souls to the truth. … If God has called you West, He has a work, an exalted work, for you to do.”

See: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 214; James White, “Western Tour,” Review, Jan. 15, 1857, p. 84; Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 118; Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 345-349.

1EGWLM 495.4

“Look back” said the angel, “and weigh all that God has shown in regard to those moving from the East to the West.” Have ye obeyed it? I saw that ye had gone entirely contrary to God's teachings, purchased largely, and instead of your works saying to those around you that ye are seeking a better country, it has plainly declared that here was your home and treasure.³

Although this manuscript addresses the situation of the whole band of believers at Round Grove, little is known of the circumstances of individuals, the extent of their real estate holdings, etc. One exception is that of Elon Everts and his family. Ellen White writes of their struggles with materialism, as does Elon Everts himself in letters to the Review. The Everts family had moved west to Illinois in 1855 and had, as Ellen White describes it, purchased “large attractive lands, thus plainly declaring by their works that this world was their home.”

See: Ellen G. White, “A Warning,” Review, Apr. 15, 1858, p. 174.

Your works have denied your faith, nor is this all,—the love that should exist between brethren is gone. “Am I my brother's keeper,” has been manifest. A selfish, covetous spirit has been in the hearts of the brethren. Instead of looking out for the interest of thy brother, and caring for him, it has been entirely contrary. In deal there has been manifested a selfish spirit,—a close spirit that God despises. The people of God that make so high a profession and that number themselves among the peculiar people of God, saying by this profession [that] they are zealous of good works, should have a noble, generous disposition, and should ever manifest a disposition to favor their brethren instead of their own selves, and should give their brethren the best chance. Generosity begets generosity, selfishness begets selfishness.1EGWLM 495.5

I saw that through the past summer, the prevailing spirit has been to grasp as much of this world as they possibly could. I saw that the commandments of God have not been kept. With the mind we serve the law of God, and the mind has been serving the world; and while the mind was all occupied with things of earth, and serving themselves, they could not serve the law of God. The Sabbath has not been kept; the work of six days has been carried into the seventh. One hour, and even more, has often been taken off from the commandment—an hour of holy time from the holy Sabbath.1EGWLM 496.1

I saw that some of the Sabbathkeepers who say to the world they are looking for Jesus’ coming, and that they believe we are having the last message of mercy, yet give way to the natural feelings and barter and trade, and are a proverb among unbelievers, for their keenness in trade,—sharp and always getting the best end of a bargain.⁴

In the case of Elon Everts, his business practice “was so close and snug in deal, it really carried him beyond the bounds of strict truth and honesty.”

See: Ibid.

Better lose a little and exert a holier, happier influence, and show that this world is not their god.1EGWLM 496.2

I saw that brethren should feel interested for each other, especially should those who are blessed with health have a kind regard and care for those that have not good health, and should favor them. They should remember the lesson taught by Jesus of the good Samaritan. Here has been one that has had a generous heart, but in the wise providence of God he has been cruelly torn in pieces, and unable to bear or surmount obstacles. His nerves have received a shock from which he will never recover. Yet he erred in judgment, purchased too largely. Still his brethren should have especially looked to and pitied and sympathized, and lent him a helping hand. But no, and when he is crippled and afflicted, his brethren have oppressed, and have not favored him. If all had kindly looked to, and aided him a little, they would not have felt it and they would have supplied his lack, comforted and cheered his heart, and had a sweet satisfaction and reward of well-doing in their own souls. [They would have] comforted and strengthened an afflicted brother, and would have done as they would have wished to be done by, were they crippled like he.⁵

The identity of the person described in this paragraph is not known.

God has noticed these things.1EGWLM 496.3

Said Jesus, Love one another as I have loved you. How much? Why, His love cannot be told. He left the glory that He had with the Father before the world was, and was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. He bore every indignity and scorn patiently. Behold His agony in the garden when He prayed that the cup might pass from Him, His hands and feet wounded,—all this for guilty, lost man. And Jesus says, Love as I have loved you. How much? Well, enough to give your life for a brother. But has it come to this, that self must be gratified, the Word of God neglected? The world is their god—they serve it and the love of God has departed.1EGWLM 497.1

If ye love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. The Word of God has been neglected; in that are the warnings to God's people and in it are their dangers pointed out. But [they have had so many] cares and perplexities [that] they have hardly allowed themselves time to pray. There has been a mere empty form without the power of salvation. Jesus prayed, and Oh, how earnest I saw were His prayers, and yet He was the beloved Son of God. If Jesus manifested so much earnestness, so much energy and agonizing, how much more need those whom He has called to be heirs of salvation, dependent upon God for all their strength, to have their whole souls stirred to wrestle with God, and cry, “I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me.” But I saw hearts here had been overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and God and His Word have been neglected.1EGWLM 497.2

I saw that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom. Also, says Jesus, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:19-21.1EGWLM 497.3

I saw it would have been better if there had been no attempts to preach the truth, for all their works denied their faith; and the last thing before attending the meeting was this world. It was carried even to the house of God, planning upon earthly things. It was world, world, until standing up to talk, and as soon as teaching the people was ended, it was world again. No time to meditate upon the truth,—no time to labor, wrestle and pray for salvation.⁶

Josiah Hart and Elon Everts, both preachers in and around Round Grove, were evidently convicted by the testimony of this vision. In a letter published in the Review three weeks later, on January 1, 1857, Hart testified, “I am now fully convinced that my course since I moved west … has gone to show that my affections were placed on the earth.” Everts confessed in the same issue “with shame and regret, that my worldly mindedness and conduct has made me a citizen of this world.” He pledged to place “my lands, my entire earthly substance, on the altar anew.” Whether Everts acted on this pledge is discussed in note 7.

See: J. Hart, “Communication From Bro. Hart,” Review, Jan. 1, 1857, p. 72; E. Everts, “Communication From Bro. Everts,” Review, Jan. 1, 1857, p. 72.

I saw that it would have been better if they had stayed at home, for minds have been waked up to the subject and no power and force is brought to bear upon them, and the interest dies down. Many cannot be reached again. When the truth is presented, it should be in the power and spirit; bring them to the point to decide—show them the importance—it is life or death. With becoming zeal, pull souls out of the fire. But, Oh, the withering, blighting influence that has been cast! Men waiting for their Lord, and yet possessing large and attractive lands. The farms have preached louder, yes, much louder than words can, that this world is their home. The evil day is put off; peace and safety reign. Oh, the withering, blighting influence! God hates such worldly-mindedness. “Cut loose, cut loose,” were the words of the angel.1EGWLM 497.4

I was shown that all should have an eye single to the glory of God, yet those who have possessions have been too willing to excuse themselves on account [of] their wives and children. But I saw God would not be trifled with. When He speaks He must be obeyed. If wives or children stand in the way and hold back, they should say as Jesus said to Peter, Get behind me Satan, why tempt ye me to withhold from God what justly belongs to Him, and ruin my own soul? Have an eye single to the glory of God—don't look to wives or children, yet treat them tenderly and then shape your course for God's glory.⁷

The case of Elon Everts is particularly apropos here. According to Ellen White's analysis in her article “A Warning,” Everts had gone west in 1855 “with one intention, his wife with another.” When he was convicted to sell some of his holdings “to advance the cause of God,” his wife and daughter “easily persuaded” him not to go ahead. “Three times she [Elon's wife, Maria] was reproved by vision,” but without relenting. After Maria died in 1856, Elon's daughter, Matilda, continued to “plead” with her father not to sell, and he acceded to her wishes. Subsequently, when Elon died in 1858 he “left his large property to his daughter” and “nothing was bestowed upon the cause of God.”

See: Ellen G. White, “A Warning,” Review, Apr. 15, 1858, p. 174; idem, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 215.

1EGWLM 498.1

I saw that many would have to learn what it is to be a Christian—that it is not in name, but it is having the mind of Christ, submitting to the will of God in all things. Especially [will] the young who have never known what privations or hardships are, who have a set will, and do not bend that will to the glory of God, [have a great work to do]. They go along very smoothly until that will is crossed, and then they have no control over themselves. They have not the will of God before them. They do not study how they can best glorify God, or advance His cause, or do good to others; but it is self, self, how can it be gratified? Such religion is not worth a straw. Those that possess it will be weighed in the balance and found wanting.1EGWLM 498.2

The true Christian will love to wait and watch for the teachings of God and the leadings of His Spirit. But religion with many is merely a form—vital godliness is gone. Many dare to say, I will do this, or that, or I will not do this, and so the fear of offending God is scarcely thought of. Those thus described, I saw, could not enter heaven. They may flatter themselves that they shall be saved, but God has no pleasure in them—their lives do not please Him. They are an annoyance to Him,—their prayers are an offense unto Him.1EGWLM 499.1

I saw that God now calls them to be zealous and repent; He kindly and faithfully admonishes them to buy gold, white raiment, and eyesalve that they may be rich. They can choose either to partake largely of salvation, be zealous, or be spued out of the mouth of God as disgusting, be rejected, and be thrust from Him.⁸

The extracts here from Revelation 3:15-19, the message to the Laodiceans, are significant. Just two months earlier an article entitled “The Seven Churches” by James White in the Review had signaled a major shift in the self-understanding of the emerging Sabbatarian Adventist movement. Prior to that the lukewarm Laodicean church was seen as applying to those Adventists coming out of the 1844 experience who had rejected the third angel's message, often called “nominal Adventists.” In his article of October 16, James White had now boldly identified Sabbatarian Adventists with Laodicea and called them to repentance for their lukewarmness. It was a message that seemed particularly apt in describing the situation of many Adventist settlers in the West.

See: J. W. [James White], “The Seven Churches,” Review, Oct. 16, 1856, pp. 189, 192; P. Gerard Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission, pp. 244-248; EGWEnc, s.v. “Laodicean Message.”

1EGWLM 499.2

I saw that God would not bear always. He is of tender pity, but His Spirit will be grieved away for the last time. Mercy's sweet voice will be no more heard—its last precious notes will have died away and the described will be left to their own ways to be filled with their own doings.1EGWLM 499.3

I saw that those who profess to be looking for the coming of the Lord should not have a close, penurious spirit. I saw that some of those that have been called to talk the truth, to save souls as they that must give an account, have wasted much precious time for the sake of saving a little, when their time was worth a great deal more than that gained by them. It displeased God. This close dealing He hates. It is right that economy should be used, but it has been stretched into meanness without any goodly object, only to already add to their treasure which will shortly eat their flesh like fire, unless they as faithful stewards make a right disposition of their Lord's goods.1EGWLM 499.4

Picture: John Andrews and his wife, Angeline. Courtesy of the Center for Adventist Research.1EGWLM 500

T2 Published

Lt 4, 1856