Dr. Brown Comes to Scoff, Flees in Consternation

The manifestation of such a phenomenon in the church was bound to produce a variety of reactions. Some believed and accepted. Others sneered and scoffed. One, a Dr. Brown of Parkville, Michigan, a Spiritualist physician, declared that he could control Mrs. White in vision if he ever had the opportunity.BHP 75.1

This opportunity came rather unexpectedly on Sabbath, January 12, 1861, when Elder and Mrs. White for the first time attended church in that very place. At the close of her sermon that Sabbath, Sister White was taken in vision. Immediately somebody thought of Dr. Brown and his loud boasts. He was invited to come and examine her. This he did without a moment’s hesitation.BHP 75.2

An eyewitness tells what happened:BHP 75.3

“Before he had half completed his examination, he turned deathly pale, and shook like an aspen leaf. Elder White said, ‘Will the doctor report her condition?’ He replied, ‘She does not breathe,’ and rapidly made his way to the door. Those at the door who knew of his boasting said, ‘Go back, and do as you said you would; bring that woman out of the vision.’ In great agitation he grasped the knob of the door, but was not permitted to open it until inquiry was made by those near the door, ‘doctor, what is it?’ He replied, ‘God only knows; let me out of this house;’ and out he went.”—The Great Second Advent Movement, p. 211.BHP 75.4

Thus the “testimony of Jesus,” which is the “spirit of prophecy,” was introduced among the Advent believers, and made its power and influence felt more and more as the years passed.BHP 76.1