Whether Past or Future She Did Not Always Know

This experience points up an interesting facet of her work—that is, that she herself on several occasions did not know whether the vision given to guide and guard represented something that had taken place or was given as a warning to guard against a wrong course of action.6BIO 98.3

While in Australia Ellen White wrote a testimony to a minister, reproving him for a violation of the seventh commandment. When he received it, he felt much troubled, for he had not so transgressed. He went to W. C. White and declared that he was greatly perplexed, for he had received a testimony reproving him for something he had not done.6BIO 98.4

“I am very glad that you have come to me,” Elder White replied, and reminded him that while men draw fine distinctions between the past, present, and future, with God, all is present. He looks at the thoughts of the heart.6BIO 98.5

“I see the point,” the minister replied. “I accept ... [the] warning, and I will keep ... far away from the evil course referred to.”—DF 105b, WCW, “W. C. White Statements Regarding Mrs. White and Her Work,” pp. 4, 5.6BIO 98.6

But within six months he was dismissed from the ministry for the very thing he had been reproved for, in advance, in the testimony.6BIO 99.1

The Chicago building episode brought to Ellen White's mind two other experiences of seeing in vision buildings not yet erected. Of this she wrote in 1903:6BIO 99.2

I have been thinking of how, after we began sanitarium work in Battle Creek, sanitarium buildings all ready for occupation were shown to me in vision. The Lord instructed me as to the way in which the work in these buildings should be conducted in order for it to exert a saving influence on the patients.6BIO 99.3

All this seemed very real to me, but when I awoke I found that the work was yet to be done, that there were no buildings erected.6BIO 99.4

Another time I was shown a large building going up on the site on which the Battle Creek Sanitarium was afterward erected. The brethren were in great perplexity as to who should take charge of the work. I wept sorely. One of authority stood up among us, and said, “Not yet. You are not ready to invest means in that building, or to plan for its future management.”6BIO 99.5

At this time the foundation of the Sanitarium had been laid. But we needed to learn the lesson of waiting.—Letter 135, 1903.6BIO 99.6

But the climate when these visions were given was quite different from what it was in Battle Creek during the crisis over accepting the visions.6BIO 99.7

Now, in 1906, with so many in Battle Creek raising questions about the testimonies, the Chicago building question was projected. On March 20, Ellen White prepared her second and more direct answer, embodying the points she covered in her 1903 letter written soon after Judge Arthur's visit (Manuscript 33, 1906).6BIO 99.8