Conclusion

Ellen White began her ministry in 1844 by viewing in vision “a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world.” It was to become an ever-recurring theme; the expression “narrow path” alone would appear at least 135 times in her published writings during the next 70 years.GVEGW 22.1

In 1879 she was concerned about “the dangers of youth,” on a “downward road strewn with tempting pleasures which look very inviting” but at the end of which “death is there.” She wrote earnestly to her church:GVEGW 22.2

“The narrow path to life may appear to them to be destitute of attractions, a path of thorns and briers, but it is not. It is the path which requires a denial of sinful pleasures; it is a narrow path, cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. None can walk this path and carry with them their burdens of pride, self-will, deceit, falsehood, dishonesty, passion, and the carnal lusts. The path is so narrow that these things will have to be left behind by those who walk in it, but the broad road is wide enough for sinners to travel it with all their sinful propensities.” ^{31Testimonies for the Church 4:364.}GVEGW 22.3

Finally, 60 years after her first vision, as she was drawing toward the close of her ministry, she concluded the final chapter (“The Reward of Earnest Labor”) of Testimonies for the Church with these three paragraphs of encouragement:GVEGW 22.4

“We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the city of God. No wail of sorrow, no dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will evermore be heard. Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the wedding garment. Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King.GVEGW 22.5

“Those whose lives have been hidden with Christ, those who on this earth have fought the good fight of faith, will shine forth with the Redeemer’s glory in the kingdom of God.GVEGW 22.6

“It will not be long till we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence, all the trials and sufferings of this life will be as nothingness. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’ (Hebrews 10:35-37). Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh’ (James 5:7, 8).” ^{32Testimonies for the Church 9:287, 288. (Italics supplied.)}GVEGW 22.7