G. A. Irwin to E. G. White, March 16, 1900, pp. 5-7

Well, I presume I ought to close right here; but there is another matter that I can not refrain from speaking of, because I know you will feel very much interested in it. I learned from several reliable sources since I have returned, that Fannie Bolton is creating something of a sensation here in the church at Battle Creek, and especially in the district in which she belongs. She claims to have received the Holy Ghost, and is having a very wonderful experience and revelations from the Lord. She has taken the lead in one or two of their prayer-meetings that they have recently had, and one of the Sabbath-school teachers’ meetings held in the Tabernacle. I understand at one of these held a week ago last night, that she quite largely monopolized the time, speaking, and praying twice, and carrying things with rather a high hand, the meeting lasting until after eleven o’clock. She carried the entire congregation with her, with a very few exceptions.FBS 89.5

I have taken pains in a quiet way to ascertain as many of the facts as possible. It was stated to me by one very reliable person who was present, that she said that night that others would have the testimony of Jesus the same as Sister White, and the time had come for Joel’s prophecy to be fulfilled, etc.; and she carried the impression that she is really instructed by the Lord; and quite a number of the brethren who seem to be good reliable brethren have perfect confidence in her conversion, and some to that extent that, if she would have what she would claim to be visions, they would accept them. She claimed that night while in the church, that she had been fasting and praying the previous week for the Holy Spirit, and that she had received it. But it was told me by an individual who knew what they were talking about, that during that time she visited an old brother who had fallen and broken his hip, and that his appetite was poor, and the doctors had advised that he get some meat; and the day she was there visiting she remained all day, and she ate of the meat twice during that day, and danced an Irish jig, and sang a comic colored song while there, ostensibly to interest and cheer up the man who was sick. Brother Breed was also telling me this morning that in a students’ reunion meeting held in one of the chapel rooms of the College, at which he presided, that she got up and made a short talk of ten or fifteen minutes along this sanctimonious strain, and then spoke a rather comical piece about a colored man and woman. Well, there is much more that I could tell that has been told me in regard to her actions, but I will refrain except to speak of one thing that I took some little pains in [a] quiet way to find out that it was true, and that was that she had told A. R. Henry concerning the testimony that you sent to him, that she was with you at the time, and that you came to her room and gave her a few points, and told her to write out the communication and fill it in herself, and that she did so. This was told to another party,—Brother Barthold,—and has been the means of almost entirely destroying his confidence in the testimonies. I inquired very closely if she had in any way alluded to any of these things, or made any confession of her past course, and I can find no evidence of any. Brother Lane told me this morning that he attended one of the meetings where she took a very active part, and he said that she really did carry quite an influence, and seemed to have the Spirit; and that she quoted from your testimonies during her talks in that meeting. Some of them really think the woman possesses a hypnotic influence. However that may be, I think it is quite clear from what I have learned, that she has quite an influence over a great many people, and either through this influence or from her sentimental and dramatic way. I have succeeded in helping two or three individuals in the past out from under her influence, and getting them to see things in their true light; but until the matter takes on a little different turn, I have not as yet felt free to make it a personal or public matter; for this is such a peculiar place that one needs to be very cautious and to be quite sure the time has come to strike, so that the proper influence may be carried.FBS 90.1

I think it will be needless for me to say, knowing what I do about her past connection with you, and knowing her course here, and having no evidence whatever that she has made any effort to right up the wicked wrong she has done to yourself and the work God has given you to do, that I have no confidence whatever in her so-called claim to conversion and a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Well, perhaps this is enough of this for the present. I shall watch the development of this case with interest, and will endeavor to keep you posted as it progresses.FBS 91.1