We now have nine points in which Mrs. White’s visions are like those described in the Bible. It may be well to note next the harmony of the practical working of her gift with like work described in the Scriptures.PGGC 48.3

In considering the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, it is well to keep in mind the order of the development of the gifts, as the Lord has marked it out in His Word. Paul refers to this order in his letter to the Corinthians, where he says, “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets.” 1 Corinthians 12:28.PGGC 48.4

When comparing these gifts, he says, “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” 1 Corinthians 14:22.PGGC 49.1

From this statement it is evident that the Lord’s order is that His special messages to the world shall be brought forth from His word; and accordingly He moves men to search the Scriptures, and to go forth as apostles, burdened with the Lord’s messages, proclaiming them from the Bible, which has stood the test of ages. Not all ministers are classed as apostles; but that term seems to be applied to those who lead out in a reform or a new development of gospel truth. As believers are raised up, the gift of prophecy comes in, “secondarily,” accomplishing its part “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12.PGGC 49.2

The work of Miss E. G. Harmon, under the guidance of the prophetic gift, from January, 1845, to the spring of 1846, almost eighteen months, was with the “believers” in Christ’s near coming, with whom she had previously associated. After the close of the twenty-three hundred days (October 22, 1844), until the cause of their disappointment and the nature of the event that then occurred should be understood, there would be danger of the believers’ drifting into erroneous views, or giving up entirely their past experience. Her message to such was: “The past movement was of God. Hold fast your faith. The Lord has still a work for His people. Study the Bible. Search the Word, and you will find the light.”PGGC 49.3

While Miss Harmon was busily engaged in one part of New England, Elder Joseph Bates, who was consecrated to God, and was a man of great faith (not acquainted with Miss Harmon), was working in another part, bringing forth from the Scriptures the light of the Sabbath truth and the third angel’s message. His work was to raise up believers in these truths. In fact, it was from him that, in 1846, both Miss Harmon and Elder James White received the Sabbath truth. She never had a vision on the Sabbath question until after the Bible evidences for the Sabbath had been given her by Elder Bates.PGGC 50.1

In the fall of 1846 (after Miss Harmon’s marriage to Elder James White), as believers in the third angel’s message and the Sabbath were raised up, the Lord’s time came for the gift of prophecy to be connected with the third angel’s message. Elder Bates became fully convinced that the manifestations of Mrs. White were from heaven. From that time this prophetic gift has acted its part for “believers,” “for the work of the ministry,” and for the “edifying [building up] of the body [church] of Christ.” So we say of the gift of prophecy, as connected with the third angel’s message, that it started right, and has wrought in a manner in harmony with God’s order of placing His gifts in the church.PGGC 50.2

PART TWO

COMPARISON