Ms 6, 1849

[June 30, 1849, Rocky Hill, Connecticut]1EGWLM 177.1

Synopsis of
E. G. White's Vision, June 30, 1849, at Rocky Hill.¹

The handwritten source for this record, copied by an unknown scribe, adds this title in the same handwriting.

1EGWLM 177.2

Previously unpublished.1EGWLM 177.3

Utterances while in vision: Probation almost finished; urgent call for unity, sacrifice, and proclamation.²

This manuscript is one of the few in the White Estate collection that records the actual words uttered by Ellen White while in public vision. See Ms 1, 1848 (Nov. 18, 19), for another example. Such reports provide valuable insights into the phenomena of the visions themselves and sometimes include information on movements, gestures, facial expressions, etc. However, as far as conveying information on the factual content of the vision, these reports are limited in what they can provide. Not only is the accuracy of the recorder's transcription not guaranteed, but the intermittent character of the utterances means that there is often insufficient context available to make the meaning of individual statements clear or to understand the overall structure of the vision. In the case at hand, Ms 6, 1849, certain themes appear—the shortness of time, the need to spread the message, appeals for unity and self-sacrifice—but we cannot be sure how these elements fit into the overall message. Since, as far as we know, Ellen White never wrote out an account of this vision, our understanding of it remains partial.

1EGWLM 177.4

Chief among ten thousand—hallelujah—glory. Look ye, heaven is in commotion. What is the matter? Just about to bathe His sword in heaven. How long? How long? How long? In commotion, the throng. Swift messengers of Almighty God, withhold not [the means, I suppose].³

The identity of the person who recorded Ellen White's words and added the bracketed remarks has not been established.

Speed the messengers, speed the messengers (still repeated), speed the messengers. Last work.1EGWLM 177.5

Pray for the covering.⁴

Cf. Ms 1, 1849 (Mar. 24): “I saw a covering that God was drawing over His people to protect them in the time of trouble, and every soul that was decided on the truth was to be covered with this covering of Almighty God.”

God cannot be trifled with. Look ye, be careful how thou treadest. The angels are letting go; the sword, famine, and pestilence [are] coming speedily.5

See further down: “The four angels are about to let go; then the time of trouble.” Cf. Ms 2, 1849 (Jan. 17): “I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, then the seven last plagues will be poured out.” “The four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and … they were about to let them go.”

Cut it down. Is there any danger? None for God's people. Eternal weight of glory (repeated). Little idols6

Probably includes tobacco. That is how the person recording Ellen White's utterances in vision three months later interpreted her usage of “idols”: “[God] is well pleased in giving up the idols (tobacco, etc.) and calling upon Him. Cut loose from everything that hinders thy progress.” (Ms 5, 1849 [Sept. 23]). See also Lt 5, 1851 (Dec. 14): “I have seen in vision that tobacco was a filthy weed. … Said my accompanying angel, ‘If it is an idol it is high time it was given up.”

must be dropped in the pathway. There will not be disunion much longer. The sealing work7

See: EGWEnc, s.v. “Seal of God.”

will soon be done. Press together (repeated). Love one another as I have loved you. Lay down your life for the brethren. Deny self; it is not dead; it has got to die throughout the camp. He loves His brethren as Himself. If they cannot agree together here, they cannot reign together in heaven.1EGWLM 177.6

Have pity; speed them on. There is commotion in heaven! No more proclamation; every case fixed.⁸

Undoubtedly pointing to the future declaration of Revelation 22:11 and not to the time then present (as if probation had already closed). Other statements in this document confirm that every case is not yet fixed, e.g., “Speed God's people to save all that can be saved” in the next-to-last paragraph.

My Lord and my God! Speed Thy messengers (repeated many times). The mansions are about ready. Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. It is high time that self was denied. The mind will be clearer. They are to be done away. The time of trouble9

See: EGWEnc, s.v. “Time of Trouble.”

is coming; who will stand?1EGWLM 178.1

Deny self (repeated) to do others good. Have the eyes wide open; see on the right and on the left, and see if you cannot do someone good. The latter rain¹⁰

See: EGWEnc, s.v. “Latter Rain.”

is coming; a few drops have fallen (healing the sick). It is coming; open thine eyes. Let the angels hover. Serve God perfectly. It is a great thing to be a Christian, a great thing to be swallowed up in God. They (the wicked) shall not fear as much as they do now. Expect they will make light of it.1EGWLM 178.2

He has not forgotten His people. He will place crowns on their heads. That company have denied self—(repeated). Nothing to do with them. Israel brought them away from the Egyptians (meaning the children), while the destroying angel passed by. Their blood shall be upon their garments. Although Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land, they could deliver but their own souls. God's people are a peculiar people, not like the world—it's poison, it's like an adder. Look ye well lest blood be found upon thy garments, lest thy children be cast down before thine eyes. Have pity, have compassion, spare a little longer. “Have pity” (repeated).1EGWLM 178.3

“The light is almost gone. You have no desire to meet with them.” (Sister Anderson).¹¹

This person has not been identified, nor is anything known of the situation alluded to here.

The jewels are almost made up. They are made up but they do not shine. It is the swift messengers that are to do the work.12

Cf. the following statement from 1851: “The Lord has often given me a view of the situation and wants of the scattered jewels who have not yet come to the light of the present truth, and that the messengers should speed their way to them as fast as possible” (Ellen G. White, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, p. 49 [Early Writings, p. 61]).

Think that the reward will not be great enough to pay for all the trials. Yea, God sent thee to that work [meaning Brother Chamberlain (Ezra L. H. Chamberlain)].13

Identity: The only Chamberlain mentioned in the Present Truth and the Review during this period, up to 1852, is E.L.H. Chamberlain, of Middletown, Connecticut. The identity is confirmed by the fact that the meeting at which this vision was received took place in Rocky Hill, just a few miles from E.L.H. Chamberlain's home town of Middletown. That Chamberlain was an active lay preacher at this time fits the description here that he is one of the “messengers.”

^, 14

Although E.L.H. Chamberlain, about 50 years old at this time, had traveled and preached as far afield as western New York and Maine, apparently he was not a very effective public speaker. According to visions received in 1850 and 1852, “it was not his duty to travel.” For the remaining five years of his life Chamberlain's sphere of activity was mostly limited to his home town in Connecticut.

See: Search term “E.L.H. Chamberlain” in Words of the Pioneers; Ellen G. White, Lt 10, 1850 (Mar. 18); idem, Lt 4, 1852 (Oct. 25).

Can the leopard change his spots? Hide it from me; take it away that my eyes may not behold. Hide it away. Thou hast lain the burden on me once, twice, and thrice, and has sent Thy servants 100 miles [161 kilometers].1EGWLM 178.4

Oh, spare (repeated). Think ye that the ark will move there? It is not a holy place. Look, God will not bear always (repeated). He is great. He is mighty. He has been trifled with; will not bear always. The work will be done up speedily; the burden may be 100 miles [161 kilometers] off. Look, a little. Spare (repeated). Hide away under the covering. Get beneath it. Do not stand outside. Hide away quickly. The four angels are about to let go; then the time of trouble.1EGWLM 179.1

Everything has got to be proclaimed upon the housetops. If the sins are confessed before that time. That time will be an awful time. If confessed, it must be done right early. Every secret thing must come to light. If confessed before that time, thy sins will be placed on the scapegoat¹⁵

See: SDAE, s.v. “Scapegoat”; EGWEnc, s.v. “Investigative Judgment.”

and borne away.1EGWLM 179.2

Time of trouble, it will come right early. The signs shall be reacted over again;¹⁶

Some may see in this statement an assertion that certain biblical prophecies have dual fulfillments. Thus, for example, some may understand it to mean that the predictions of Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 concerning a great earthquake, the sun becoming “black as sackcloth of hair,” the moon becoming as blood, and the stars falling were fulfilled a first time during the striking events of 1755, 1780, and 1833 but will receive a second fulfillment in the cataclysmic events just preceding the Second Coming. See, for example, Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 41. Another interpretation of this statement, however, is that the events of 1755, etc., were a unique fulfillment of Bible prophecy, but that similar catastrophic events will precede the Second Coming.

For examples of approaches to the application of the “cosmic signs” in Adventist understanding, see Hans K. LaRondelle, “The Application of Cosmic Signs in the Adventist Tradition,” Ministry, September 1998, pp. 25-27, William H. Shea, “Cosmic Signs Through History,” Ministry, February 1999, pp. 10, 11, and Tim Poirier, “The End of a Sign or a Sign of the End?” Adventist Review, Nov. 13, 2008, pp. 18-21.

the day and hour will then be known. The sea will boil like a pot. Their faces will then shine like Moses’. He appears in the east; His sword girded on His thigh. Then deliverance comes, perfect and entire, and God's people will be caught up on the white cloud.1EGWLM 179.3

I see it. (Says Brother Chamberlain: Here was silence for some ten minutes, her eyes going quickly each way as if looking at angels. When she came out of vision she accounted it thus: “I saw a large company of angels moving. I was not permitted to tell what they said to me. Each one had a round rod in their hand ten inches [25 centimeters] long.¹⁷

Perhaps for the purpose of measurement. Cf. Eze. 40:3, 6; Zech. 2:1, 2; Rev. 11:1.

Think they had something to do with the time of trouble, etc.”)1EGWLM 180.1

How long shall these things be? Where art thou? Do not know. How does thou stand? Don't know. Isn't it thy privilege to know? Every servant can know whether their lives are hid with Christ in God. Did ye not see them speeding quickly? Speed God's people to save all that can be saved. Move, move, move. Not rashly; be sure God sends thee. The work is for God and then nothing can touch thee.1EGWLM 180.2

What? Don't thou turn an eye to please self. Live for God. If God's people do not go along, something is wrong. The four angels just ready to let go. His strength will save. Get hold of Jesus. Dark. Lonely. Thou knowest the sadness of the heart. How long shall it be so? Sadness. Have pity, have pity.1EGWLM 180.3