Adventism’s War On Christianity: The Tragic Beginnings | Part 1

In chapter 5 of her biography Ellen White documents down her experience of being exposed to William Miller’s Advent movement and the resultant effects that had upon her and her family who were members of the Chestnut Street Methodist Church she Begins by explaining the traumatic head injury she suffered at the age of nine and the impact that had upon the rest of her life one of which was feeling distant from God and hurt by the Christians in her life who she felt weren’t there for her in her time of need at times my sense of guilt and responsibility God lay so heavy upon my

Soul that I could not sleep but lay awake for hours thinking of my lost condition and what was best for me to do the consequences of my unfortunate accident again assumed gigantic proportions in my mind I seemed to be cut off from all chance of Earthly happiness and doomed to continual disappointment and mortification even the tender sympathy of my friends pained me for my pride rebelled against being in a condition to excite their pity my Prospect of worldly enjoyment was blighted and Heaven seemed closed against me I had the highest reverence

For Christians and Ministers of the Gospel but religion seemed too holy and sacred for me to obtain an inconceivable anguish bore me down until it seemed impossible for me to longer live beneath the burden I locked my secret agony Agony within my heart and did not seek the advice of experienced Christians as I should have done no one conversed with me on the subject of my soul’s salvation and no one prayed with me I felt that Christians were so far removed from me so much nobler and purer than myself that I dared not approach them on the subject that engrossed my thoughts and

Was ashamed to reveal the lost and wretched condition of my heart well greetings and thank you for being here tonight we’re going to be diving into the roots of the sth day Adventist Church’s war against the Christian faith a conflict that traces itself all the way back to the childhood of Ellen White or Ellen Harmon as she was at that time her early experiences planted the seeds of what would grow into the movement we see today which brought with it many vestiges of her own experience in part one we’re going to unravel some of her sad story witnessing the Journey of a

Deeply troubled young girl whose inner torment didn’t just shape her own life but gave rise to a movement that has left Millions struggling with the same turmoil including a deep-seated hostility toward the Christian church so stick around until the end because what you’re about to see is not just eye opening but it will help you understand the very Foundation of Adventist thinking like never before but before we get into it if you like what we’re doing here please consider partnering with us at answering adventism tocom this ministry is a viewer supported effort

That is only made possible by the generosity and support of our YouTube members and website Partners it is you who makes it possible for us to have the impact that we are seeing which is that more and more Christians are getting equipped and more and more Adventists are being reached with the true Christ in his gospel so if you would like to take part in that and see it grow please consider joining us the link to do so is in the description box down below thank you so much for your support all right so as we heard Ellen White experienced Church hurt upon her traumatic head

Injury that she suffered at 9 years old and this hurt ended up shaping her future trajectory which actually brings us to our first vestage of her own psychology and pathology that has been handed down to the movement today of the chief charges made against those who walk away from adventism is that they were Church hurt that they didn’t feel loved Enough by those within the Adventist Church resulting in them leaving an example of this can be found in their own annual statistics report from 2022 where they hypothesized that the 42% net loss in memberships that

They are experiencing must be due to people not feeling loved or connected enough because they can’t fathom the idea that people would leave over theological differences nevertheless it was Ellen White’s own experience of feeling uncared for that led her and her Methodist Family to be open to millerism and this is where the Story begins in March 1840 William Miller visited Portland Maine and gave his first course of lectures on the second coming of Christ these lectures produced a great sensation and the Christian church on Casco street that Mr Miller

Occupied was crowded day and night no wild excitement attended these meetings but a deep solemnity pervaded the minds of those who heard his discourses Not only was there manifested a great interest in the city but the country people flocked in day after day bringing their lunch baskets and remaining from morning until the close of the evening meeting Mr Miller dwelt upon the prophecies comparing them with Bible History that the end of the world was near I attended these meetings in company with my friends and listened to the strange doctrines of the preacher 4

Years previous to this on my way to school I had picked up a scrap of paper containing an account of a man in England who was preaching that the Earth would be consumed in about 30 years from that time I took this paper home and read it to the family in contemplating the event predicated a great Terror seized me for the time seemed so short for the convers and salvation of the world I had been taught that a temporal Millennium would take place prior to the coming of Christ in the Clouds Of Heaven such a deep impression was made Upon My Mind by the little paragraph on the

Waist scrap of paper that I could scarcely sleep for several nights and prayed continually to be ready when Jesus came but now I was listening to the most solemn and Powerful sermons to the effect that Christ was coming in 1843 only a few short years in the future the preacher Trac bed down the prophecies with a keen exactitude that struck conviction to the hearts of his hearers he dwelt upon the prophetic periods and piled up proof to strengthen his position then his solemn and Powerful appeals and admonitions to those who were unprepared held the

Crowds as if Spellbound so she found a scrap piece of paper on the ground one day where an Englishman was falsely setting speculative dates and timelines for the return of Christ to which as a little girl she took the scrap piece home and read it to her family she then began contemplating the event that was predicted by this preacher and great Terror came over her and her words the time of Salvation seemed short this random scrap piece of paper made such an impression upon her mind that she couldn’t even sleep for a few nights and continually prayed to be ready for when

Jesus would return this is to say that this idea that she read added fuel to the fire of fear that was already building within her as she noted earlier in the chapter her life after her injury left her feeling Unworthy of God’s love and fearful of his condemnation so it was a scrap piece of paper from an unnamed English preacher that laid the foundation for her to be captivated and impressionable to William Miller four years later when he visited her town to spread his theories now what’s fascinating about this is that she and her family didn’t seem to see any

Problems with the idea of date setting despite the new testment clearly forbidding such practices instead they were enticed by such making them suscepti able to what would become a very dark road ahead but she continues by explaining how this looming feeling of Terror and lack of love was only heightened in the attending of William Miller’s meetings special meetings were appointed where Sinners might have an opportunity to seek their Savior and prepare for the fearful events soon to take place terrible convictions spread through the entire city prayer meetings were

Established and there was a general Awakening among the various denominations for they all felt more or less the influence that proceeded from the teaching of the near coming of Christ when Sinners were invited forward to the anxious seat hundreds responded to the call and I among the rest pressed through the crowd and took my humble place with the Seekers but there was a hopeless feeling in my heart that I could never become worthy to be called a child of God a lack of confidence in myself and a conviction that it would be impossible to make anyone understand my

Feelings prevented me from from seeking advice and aid from my Christian friends thus I wandered needlessly in darkness and despair while they not penetrating my peculiar Reserve were entirely ignorant of my true State one evening my brother Robert and myself were returning home from a meeting where we had listened to a most impressive discourse on the approaching reign of Christ upon the Earth followed by an Earnest and solemn appeal to Christians and sinners urging them to prepare for the judgment and the coming of the Lord my soul had been stirred Within Me by what I had

Heard and so deep was the sense of conviction in my heart that I feared the Lord would not spare me to reach home these words kept ringing in my ears the great day of the Lord is at hand who shall be able to stand when he appear the language of my heart was spare me oh Lord Through the Night Take Me Not away in my S sins pity me save me for the first time I tried to explain my feelings to my brother Robert who was 2 years older than myself I told him that I dared not rest nor sleep until I knew that God had pardoned my sins so it’s crucial to recognize that

These were the words of a young girl not a mature woman yes Ellen pinned these words as a mature woman but she was speaking about a time when she was only a young girl and from an early age we see this tragic story unfolding a child that’s burdened by Deep spiritual torment grappling with a profound sense of unworthiness and sinfulness before a holy God as she attended the fervent Gatherings led by William Miller it became evident that she never received the only true remedy for such anguish which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ rather than finding the peace that the

Gospel brings she was further steeped in fear and fanaticism much like the scrap piece of paper that set this course in motion this serves as a sobering reminder that had she been properly catechized by her parents in the word of God she would have recognized that those who set dates for Christ’s return demonstrate their inability to rightly handle the Bible and those people should be avoided and this situation is Clear Proof of why this is the case but despite all this Ellen and her family remained members of the Methodist Church while also attending millerite meetings

However it was at a Methodist camp meeting one summer in the 1840s that a glimmer of hope appeared to touch her soul in some of the tents meetings were continued Through the Night by those who were praying for freedom from sin and the sanctification of the spirit of God quite a number became sick in consequence of the excitement and loss of sleep and were obliged to leave the ground these singular manifestations brought no relief to me but rather increased my discouragement I despaired of ever becoming a Christian if in order to obtain the blessing it was necessary for

Me to be exercised as these people were I was terrified by such peculiar demonstrations and at a loss to understand them at length I was greatly relieved while listening to a discourse from the words I will go in unto the king and if I perish I perish in his remarks the speaker referred to those who were wavering between hope and fear longing to be saved from their sins and receive the pardoning love of Christ yet held in doubt and bondage by timidity and fear of failure he counseled such ones to surrender themselves to God and Venture upon his Mercy without delay

They would find a gracious savior ready to present to them the scepter of Mercy even as ahasuerus offered to Ester the signal of his favor all that was required of The Sinner trembling in the presence of his Lord was to put forth the hand of faith and touch the skep of his grace that touch ensured pardon and peace those who were waiting to make themselves more worthy of divine faith before they dared venture to claim the promises were making a fatal mistake Jesus alone cleanses from sin only he can forgive our transgressions he has pledged himself to listen to the

Petition and Grant the prayer of those who come to him in faith many had a vague idea that they must make some wonderful effort in order to gain the favor of God but all self- dependence is vain it is only by connecting with Jesus through faith that The Sinner becomes a hopeful believing child of God these words comforted me and gave me views of what I must do to be saved so upon attending this camp meeting she saw all sorts of Hysteria and fanaticism which caused her to despair of even becoming a Christian the theatrics and hysteria resulted in

People not sleeping resulting in them being sick and having to be taken away this led her to think that if that’s what one must do to be a Christian she wanted nothing to do with it but amidst all the chaos she says that she found a sparkle of Hope from the Methodist preacher who was there who called out to those wavering between hope and fear longing to have forgiveness of their sins his counsel was to surrender themselves fully to God and seek his Mercy without delay all that was necessary to find Mercy and pardon was to reach out in faith and touch the

Scepter of God’s grace and it was these words she said that comforted her and gave her a clear picture of what she must do to be saved so pretty simple right well while she then goes on to explain that this gave her hope in light of the turmoil that she had been undergoing she writes that this gave her a new sense of exhilaration and everything in the world seemed new fresh and Alive her doubts had dissipated the Gloom had been chased out by the Glorious light of Jesus however this was short-lived as she notes that doubts fear and worry continued to plag her

Mind despite this emotional experience it was after this Methodist camp meeting that William Miller came back to Maine to give a second set of lectures in which she found herself in attendance in June 1842 Mr Miller gave his second course of lectures in the CCO Street Church in Portland I felt it a great privilege to attend these lectures for I had fallen under discouragements and did not feel prepared to meet my savior this second course created much more excitement in the city than the first the different denominations with a very few exceptions

Closed the doors of their churches against Mr Miller many discourses from the various pulpits sought to expose the alleged fanatical errors of the lecturer but crowds of anxious listeners attended his meetings while many were unable to enter the house which was literally packed I believed the solemn words spoken by the servant of God and my heart was grieved when they were opposed or made the subject of justest I attended the meetings on Casco Street quite frequently and believed that Jesus was soon to come in the Clouds Of Heaven but my great anxiety was to be ready to

Meet him my mind constantly dwelt upon the subject of Holiness of heart I longed above all things to obtain this great blessings and feel that I was entirely accepted of God Among the methodists I had heard much in regard to sanctification I had seen people lose their physical strength under the influence of strong mental excitement and had heard this pronounce to be the evidence of sanctification but I could not comprehend what was necessary in order to be fully consecrated to God my Christian friends said to me believe in Jesus now believe that he accepts you

Now this I tried to do but found it impossible to believe that I had received a blessing which it seemed to me should Electrify my whole being I wondered at my own Hardness of Heart in being unable to experience the exaltation of spirit that others manifested it seemed to me that I was different from them and forever shut out from the perfect Joy of Holiness of heart my ideas concerning justification and sanctification were confused these two states were presented to my mind as separate and distinct from each other yet I failed to comprehend the difference or understand the meaning

Of the terms and all the explanations of the preachers increased my difficulties I was unable to claim the blessing for myself and wondered if it was only to be found among the methodists and if in attending the Advent meetings I was not shutting myself away from that which I desired Above All Else the sanctifying spirit of God so she notes that the Christian churches for the most part did not open their doors to host William Miller in his meetings as she notes he was regarded as a fanatic and a false prophet and rightly so he was preaching that Christ would return in

1843 and we see that despite her riveting experience at the Methodist camp meeting she still had no peace with God her mind was constantly fixated upon Holiness something she felt that she lacked which resulted in her not feeling accepted by God despite hearing all about sanctification and Holiness from the methodists she struggled to comprehend what was actually necessary for a person to feel at peace with God to which her Christian friends tried counseling her that she could be accepted before God right now through faith in Christ something she says she

Tried to do but found it lacking ing because she didn’t experience an electrifying feeling throughout her entire being this was because what she witnessed was others around her having such an experience which left her feeling shut out from experiencing perfect Holiness of heart and then quite tellingly she states that she didn’t understand the difference between sanctification and justification a problem that present 7th Day Adventist theology also fails to comprehend it was very clear that the overemphasis and imbalance on Holiness and sanctification

That she experienced in methodism warped her ability to find peace in other words Ellen was never taught the law gospel distinction as a quick note this is exactly what 18th century Scottish Theologian John cahun points out in his book A Treatise on the law and the gospel by the law here is meant the moral law as a covenant of works and by the gospel is meant the gospel in its strict and proper sense to know the difference so as to be able to distinguish right between the law and the gospel is of the utmost importance to the faith Holiness and comfort of

Every true Christian it will be impossible otherwise for a man so to believe as to be filled with joy and peace in believing if he does not know the difference between the law and the gospel he will be apt especially in the affair of justification to confound the one with the other the consequence will be that in his painful experience bondage will be mixed with liberty of spirit fear with hope sorrow with joy and death with life if he cannot so distinguish the gospel from the law as to expect all his salvation from the grace of the gospel and nothing of it

From The Works of the law he will easily be induced to connect his own works with the righteousness of Jesus Christ in the affair of justification and that is exactly correct because young Ellen was never taught the crucial distinction between law and gospel her emotions became the deciding factor in whether she felt at peace with God which causes a person to Teeter back and forth based on their feelings this fundamental misunderstanding is why when former Adventists asked me for a new church recommendation I cannot in good conscience suggest the Methodist Church

Even the theologically conservative branches but nevertheless as Ellen’s spiritual turmoil deepened she simultaneously was being taught that hell was an eternal conscious experience this only reinforced her fear that her sins were too great to be forgiven leaving her convinced that she was doomed forever sending her into an even further spiral she recalled that God was portrayed to her not as a loving and Merciful Savior but as a harsh Tyrant who took pleasure in the suffering of The Condemned this terrifying image then plunged her into complete despair

Leaving her feeling trapped in darkness with no way out she says that she would spend entire nights praying terrified that if she died in her sleep she would awaken in the horrors of an unending Lake of Fire this overwhelming fear eventually led to two significant dreams in the first she says that she saw a grand Temple where only those inside would be saved those on the outside would suffer people entered confessed their sins before Jesus and were pardoned causing a radiant light to shine upon them but when Ellen stepped inside a trumpet suddenly sounded which

Shook the entire Temple then she says a brilliant light filled the space and all the other people vanished leaving her completely alone in silence and darkness she notes that she awoke from this dream in agony struggling to convince herself that it had only been a dream so rather than easing her distress The Experience only deepened her despair leading to yet a second troubling dream soon after this I had another dream I seem to be sitting in abject despair with my face in my hands reflecting like this if Jesus were upon Earth I would go to him throw myself at

His feet and tell him all my sufferings he would not turn away from me he would have mercy upon me and I should love and serve him always just then the door opened and a person of beautiful form and countenance entered he looked upon me pitifully and said do you wish to see Jesus he is here and you can see him if you desire to do so take everything you possess and follow me finally we reached the last step and stood before a door here my guide directed me to leave all the things that I had brought with me I cheerfully laid them down he then opened

The door and B me enter in a moment I stood before Jesus there was no mistaking that beautiful countenance such a radiant expression of benevolence and Majesty could belong to no other as his gaze rested upon me I knew at once that he was acquainted with every circumstance of my life and all my inner thoughts and feelings I tried to Shield myself from his gaze feeling unable to endure his searching eyes but he drew near with a smile and laying his hand upon my head said fear not the sound of his sweet voice thrilled my heart with a happiness it had never before

Experienced I was too joyful to utter a word but overcome with ineffable happiness sank prostrate at his feet while I was lying helpless there scenes of beauty and Glory passed before me and I seemed to have reached the safety and peace of Heaven at length my strength returned and I arose the loving eyes of Jesus were still upon me and his smile filled my soul with gladness his presence filled me with a holy reverence and an inexpressible ible love my guide now opened the door and we both passed out he B me take up again all the things I had left without this

Done he handed me a green cord coiled up closely this he directed me to place next to my heart and when I wish to see Jesus take it from my bosom and stretch it to the utmost he cautioned me not to let it remain coiled for any length of time lest it should become noded and difficult to straighten I placed the cord near my heart and joyfully descended the narrow stairs praising the Lord and joyfully telling all whom I met where they could find Jesus this dream gave me hope the green cord represented Faith to my mind and the beauty and simplicity of

Trusting in God began to Dawn upon my benighted soul so all of this fear and torment finally led to this moment what started with a simple scrap of paper spiraled into Relentless Terror crippling anxiety and desperate prayers nothing had been able to ease her suffering not the fiery sermons at the Methodist camp meeting not the Methodist Church not the impassioned preaching of William Miller two dreams in them she encountered Jesus himself who spoke over her to fear not a spirit guide then presented her with a green cord a mysterious object that is known within

The occult World regarding cord magic allowing her to see Jesus whenever she desired as long as she didn’t allow it to get nodded something else that is known within cord magic and this dream was what finally brought her Comfort not the gospel not scripture but a mystical encounter in a dream and an enchanted green cord that was the moment that she found peace or so she believed for those that want to know more about this and check out the primary sources and how it Bears a striking resemblance to Green cord magic check out this article on our website the link to it is in the

Description box down below so After experiencing these two intense dreams Ellen confided in her mother who directed her to share this information with a local millerite preacher Elder Stockton Stockton had been preaching in their Hometown in Maine and upon hearing Ellen’s story he responded with something that would shape the course of her life he told her that this was indicative that God must have a special work for her because that’s why she was experiencing this grave intensity at such a young age and those words changed everything for her that’s what planted

The idea in young Ellen’s mind that all of her fear suffering and Visions weren’t just random experiences they were divinely orchestrated this was God’s plan for her supposedly and it was her purpose and with that the foundation was set this moment would serve as the turning point that would eventually convince her that she had a prophetic calling from God now she continues in life sketches to note that she would go go on to experience yet another emotionally charged experience at a prayer meeting that was held the same day that she confided in Elder

Stockton an opportunity was not long wanting there was a prayer meeting that evening which I attended I bowed trembling during the prayers that were offered after a few had prayed I lifted up my voice in prayer before I was aware of it and in that moment the promises of God appeared to me like so many precious pearls that were to be received only for the asking as I prayed the burden and Agony of soul that I had endured so long left me and the blessing of the Lord descended upon me like the gentle Dew I praised God from the depths of my heart everything seemed shut out for me but

Jesus and His glory and I lost consciousness of what was passing around me when I again awoke to realization I found myself cared for in the house of my uncle where we had assembled for the prayer meeting neither my uncle nor Aunt enjoyed religion although the former once made a profession but had since backslidden I was told that he had been greatly Disturbed while the power of God rested upon me in so special a manner and had walked the floor sorely troubled and distressed in his mind when I was first struck down some of those present were greatly alarmed and were about to

Run for a physician thinking that some sudden and dangerous indisposition had attacked me but my mother B them let me alone for it was plain to her and to the other experienced Christians that it was the wondrous power of God that had prostrated me and it was after this experience that she says she experienced a genuine conversion for the first time she saw God not as a harsh and tyrannical judge but as a loving father obedience was no longer driven by fear but out of joy and gratitude everything felt new like it did at that camp meeting her fears had

Passed and a fresh sense of purpose filled her heart now during all this time her family was still attending the Methodist Church and attending the millerite meetings on the side the millerites didn’t have their own churches it was something that people would attend they would go to the prayer meetings or the the lectures but then they would still be attending their own local church whether it was Baptist Methodist Etc because millerism was an ecumenical movement so they would hear the teachings and then they would take those back to their local church to try

And proze them but Ellen quickly noticed that there was a stark difference in how each group received her new enthusiasm and Ellen was eager to share her new found experience with both millerites and methodists alike and this is where things get interesting when she shared her excitement with the methodists especially her newf found Readiness for Christ’s imminent return she expected them to Rejoice with her after all the second coming had haunted her thoughts ever since she stumbled across that faithful scrap of paper years before but instead of shared excitement she was met

With resistance a Methodist elder for example dismissed her urgency telling her that Methodist didn’t believe that Christ’s return was imminent this response stood in sharp contrast to the fervor of the millerites and it only deepened her connection to the movement over and against methodism when the presiding Elder addressed others in the class he expressed great joy in anticipating the temporal Millennium of a thousand years when the Earth would be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea he longed to see this glorious period ushered in and appeared

To be in an ecstasy over the expected event after the meeting closed I was conscious of being treated with marked coldness by those who had formerly been kind and friendly to me my brother and I returned home feeling sad that we should be so misunderstood by our Brethren and that the subject of the near- coming of Jesus should awaken such bitter antagonism in their breasts yet we were thankful that we could discern the precious light and rejoice in looking for the coming of the Lord on the way we talked seriously concerning the evidences of our new Faith and Hope

Ellen said Robert are we deceived is this hope of Christ soon appearing upon Earth a heresy that ministers and professors of religion oppose it so bitterly they say that Jesus will not come for thousands and thousands of years if they even approach the truth then the world cannot come to an end in our day I dared not give unbelief a moment’s encouragement but quickly replied I have not a doubt but the doctrine preached by Mr Miller is the truth what power attends his words what conviction is carried home to the sinner’s heart so when she says that the methodists

Anticipated a temporal Millennium of a thousand years she is referring to their belief at the time in post-millennial eschatology over and against premillennial eschatology two varying views of when the reign of Christ as king over his kingdom will begin historically Methodist theology held that Christ is already reigning from his throne in heaven his rule is not something that begins after the second coming instead the methodists of her time were clearly influenced by the Puritan es ketology of postmillennialism which had shaped that region of North

America back in the 18th century post-millennial esoy is optimistic about the future and foresees that Christ’s present Rule and reign will bring about a glorious future where the kingdom of God will advance so successfully in all the Earth leading to the vast majority of the world being christianized and coming under the rule and reign of Jesus as king hence why they believe the second coming is more than likely a ways off into the future they don’t set dates and that it’s not imminent there’s a lot left for the Christian church to do in discipling the Nations well Ellen didn’t

Like this it didn’t seem to fit with what she was hearing at the millerite meetings which focused on things getting worse and worse and worse which was indicative to them that the return of Christ was soon to take place since the methodists didn’t accept that the world was going to come to an end in the 19th century she began to question whether or not they were actually in the truth now with hindsight we obviously see that they were correct however as she notes she had no doubt that Mr Miller had the truth because his words carried great power and brought conviction to Sinners

Hearts and it was because of this that her and her brother Robert determined that they would continue to speak up at the Methodist meetings we both felt strengthened by this conversation and resolved that we would not be turned from our honest convictions of truth and the Blessed hope of Christ soon coming in the Clouds Of Heaven not long after this we again attended the class meeting we really wanted an opportunity to speak of the precious love of God that animated our souls I particularly wish to tell of the Lord’s goodness and mercy to me so great

A change had been brought in me that it seemed my duty to improve every opportunity of testifying to the unsurpassed Love of My Savior when my turn came to speak I stated the evidences I enjoyed of Jesus’s love and that I looked forward with glad expectation to meeting my My Redeemer soon the belief that Christ’s coming was near had stirred my soul to seek more earnestly for the sanctification of the spirit of God here the class leader interrupted me saying you received sanctification through methodism through methodism sister not through an erroneous Theory my heart was full of

Love and happiness but I felt compelled to confess the truth that it was not through methodism my heart had received its new blessing but by the stirring truths heard concerning the personal appearance of Jesus through them I had found peace joy and perfect love thus my testimony closed the last that I was to bear in class with my Methodist Brethren Robert then spoke in his Meek way yet in so clear and touching a manner that some wept and were much moved but others coughed dissenting and seemed quite uneasy after after leaving the classroom we again talked over our faith and

Marveled that our Christian Brethren and sisters could so Illy endure to have a word spoken in reference to our savior’s coming we thought if they loved Jesus as they should it would not be so great an annoyance to hear of his second Advent but on the contrary they would hail the news with great joy we were convinced that we ought no longer to to attend the Methodist class meeting the hope of the Glorious appearing of Christ filled our souls and would find expression when we Rose to speak this seemed to Kindle the ey of those present against the two

Humble children who dared in the face of opposition to speak of the faith that had filled their hearts with peace and happiness it was evident that we could have no freedom in the class meeting for our simple testimony provoked snears and taunts that reached our ears at the close of the meeting from Brethren and sisters whom we had respected and loved so they once again sought to bring up the millerite teaching that Christ was going to return in 1843 only to be met with disagreement and opposition this prompted one of the elders to point out that Ellen had experienced

Sanctification through the message of methodism and not William Miller’s theory of imminency to which her response was what that no it actually wasn’t through Methodist preaching but by these stirring truths of the imminent return of Christ that she heard at the millerite meetings but like we saw earlier it was at a Methodist camp meeting that the message of simple faith in Christ could grasp hold of God’s scepter of mercy and a sinner could find peace it was at this camp meeting that she witnessed Christians finding such an experience and she herself joined in

Which resulted in her feeling as if everything was new and she had found pardon for her sins only it was fleeting and it didn’t last and why was that because Upon a attending millerite meetings after that experience Doom and Gloom was once again impressed upon her mind leading her back to the same hopeless state that she had found herself in years prior this then culminated in two dreams where she was supposedly given a green cord that she could use to see Jesus whenever she wanted and these two dreams are what she said finally gave her hope not Miller’s

Preaching and not methodism two dreams she had already said that the millerite meetings while exciting filled with despair because she didn’t feel prepared for the soon return of Jesus and this would leave her up at night worrying that if she were to die in her sleep she would end up in the Eternal conscious torment of hell that the Methodist Church had taught her to believe in all of this is what would lay the groundwork for her disdain of the Methodist Church as well as the Christian church at large and it’s what would make her primed to accept that they were Babylon whom God

Was angry with as we will see in part two but she notes that after this experience her family continued going to millerite meetings because it was there that they could focus on the imminent Second Coming that was supposedly going to take place in 1843 the Adventists held meetings at this time in Beethoven Hall my father with his family attended them quite regularly for we greatly prized the privilege of hearing the doctrine of Christ’s personal and soon appearing upon Earth the period of the second Advent was thought to be in the year 184 43 the time seemed so short in which

Souls could be saved that I resolved to do all that was in my power to lead Sinners into the light of truth but it seemed impossible for one so young and in feeble Health to do much in the great work our family were all interested in the doctrine of the Lord’s soon coming my father had long been considered one of the pillars of the Methodist Church where he lived and the whole family had had been active members but we made no secret of our new belief although we did not urge it upon others on inappropriate occasions or manifest any antagonism toward our church however the Methodist

Minister made us a special visit and took the occasion to inform us that our faith and methodism could not agree he did not inquire our reasons for believing as we did nor make any reference to the Bible in order to convince us of our error but he stated that we had adopted a new and strange belief that the Methodist Church could not accept my father replied that he must be mistaken in calling this a new and strange doctrine that Christ himself had preached his second Advent to his disciples he had said in my father’s house are many mansions if it were not

So I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and if if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also this is high Authority for our faith Jesus and his Apostles dwell upon the event of the second Advent with joy and Triumph and the Holy Angels Proclaim that Christ who has ascended up into heaven shall come again this is our offense believing the word of Jesus and his dis deciples this is a very old Doctrine and bears no taint of heresy the minister did not attempt to refer to a single

Text that would prove us an error but excused himself on The Plea of a want of time he advised us to quietly withdraw from the church and avoid the publicity of a trial we were aware that others of our Brethren were meeting with similar treatment for a likee cause and we did not wish it understood that we were ashamed to acknowledge our faith or were unable to sustain it by scripture so my parents insisted that they should be acquainted with the reasons for this request the only answer to this was an evasive declaration that we had walked contrary to the rules of the church and

The best course would be to voluntarily withdraw from it to save a trial we answered that we preferred a regular trial and demanded to know what sin was charged to us as we were conscious of no wrong in looking for and loving the appearing of the savior so now we finally see what led to the Harmons being disfellowshipped from the Methodist Church she states that while the Methodist Church did not affirm the imminent return of Christ her and her family still retained that belief because of their continued attendance at millerite meetings they would only bring up millerism with

Methodists in appropriate settings and they weren’t antagonistic in their efforts to do so however this led to their Methodist Pastor paying them a visit to inform them that this was a strange and new belief that did not align with the teachings of the Methodist church and it would probably be best for them to withdraw their membership quietly to which she says her father responded by saying it’s not strange at all Jesus himself taught it as did Paul the Apostle to their shock the Methodist pastor had no scriptural response and instead withdrew from the

Situation and simply advised them to leave the church without making a big fuss but did you notice what she subtly Twisted in this retelling the millerites were preaching imminency more specifically though they were date setting for the second coming proclaiming that it would happen in 1843 Ellen herself even noted this in the narrative yet when she explains this encounter with the Methodist Pastor she portrays it as if they were disfellowshipped for simply believing in the second coming outright acting like methodists were against this idea altogether which is silly the Methodist

Church upholds the Apostles Creed which very plainly states that Jesus is returning turning to judge both the living and the dead which is why article 3 of their 1784 articles of religion plainly state that they believe in the second coming it is simply paraphrasing the Apostles Creed so if they weren’t actually disfellowshipped for believing in the second coming then why were they actually disfellowshipped an Australian Man by the name of Keith moxen inquired about this in 1988 where he wrote to the Chestnut Street Methodist Church asking about this in that letter which is dated

June 3rd 1988 they respond to him where they wrote in part that the reason for their dismissal was not that they preached the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ that is a tenant of our Orthodox Faith which is confirmed from the articles of religion 1784 their dismissal was occasioned by their breach of discipline in proclaiming the views of William Miller’s time setting I read these injuries to mean that after much quiet counsil to refrain from their disruptive behavior in church meetings the members of Chestnut Street Church took what they

Believed to be their only recourse to dismiss the Harmon family they even provided Mr moxen with a photocopy scan of the church’s records where they include a note for why the Harmons were disfellowshipped where it states that the Harmon family was disfellowshipped for long absence from our church and ordinances and supporting an anti- Methodist Doctrine and congregation records of stewards and leaders of Chesnut Street Methodist Church of Portland Maine from February to September 1843 regarding the case of Robert Harmon unas Harmon Sarah Harmon

And Ellen Harmon ah so not quite the same story that Ellen painted in life sketches is it at least not the full picture the truth is the Harmon family wasn’t disfellowshipped from the Methodist Church simply for believing in the second coming no they were removed for actively spreading William Miller’s false date setting for Christ’s return the church Elders acting in their god-given responsibility tried to counsel the Harmons away from millerite fanaticism but they refused to listen 1843 is what the Methodist Pastor was saying is a new and strange belief not

The second coming outright and no Jesus and Paul the Apostle did not teach that the second coming was going to happen in 1843 instead the Harmons kept attending millerite meetings and pushing their deception within the Methodist congregation ultimately this led to the leaders having to take action and remove them yet Ellen White’s twisting of these facts can still be found being pared by Adventist to this day so let’s have a look at the doctrine of the literal return of Christ it was rejected in 1844 it was rejected in 1844 it was rejected in 1844 and this led to a

Spiritualization of the doctrine of Christ this is what I’m writing and this opened the floodgates for doctrines of demons to enter the churches isn’t that a terrible statement to make it is unless it’s true folks I was even taught this same thing at Adventist University that the SDA church is the last true Bastion of Believers in the entire world that believe in the literal physical second coming of Christ and all those other Christians out there they’ve abandoned this biblical belief and this Bible truth and it’s just utterly absurd and far from the truth

But here’s the thing the Methodist Church’s decision to disfellowship the Harmon family did not just change Ellen White’s personal path it was a part of what ignited a spiritual war against the Christian Church itself self which still wages on to this day and in part two we will see just how far this conflict would go it all started with something small a scrap piece of paper on the ground that moment drove a troubled young girl to confront the weight of her sin yet she never truly grasped the remedy despite hearing that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone the

Gospel never took root in her heart instead she sought answers in all the wrong places like two dreams and the misguided teachings of millerism and found more soulless in fanaticism and paranoia and it was this painful fractured Journey which would eventually give birth to one of North America’s most infamous false prophets launching a movement that continues to lead Millions astray to this day you will not want to miss part two where we dive deeper into the story’s next shocking chapter so until then may Christ richly bless you in the grace and peace won by him and

His vicarious death on the cross for Sinners God bless oh apostate say that come on man