Testimonies of Eye Witnesses of Sister White Visions

Here are more testimonies of eye witnesses of sister White while she was in prophetic vision. This is taken for the Book, “The Great Second Advent Movement” by J.N. Loughborough.

“As to Mrs. White’s condition while in vision, a few statements from eye-witnesses may be in place. The first is from M. G. Kellogg, M.D., who refers to the first vision given in Michigan, May 29, 1853, at a meeting held in Tyrone, Livingston County. He says:- “Sister White was in vision about twenty minutes or half an hour. As she went into vision every one present seemed to feel the power and presence of God, and some of us did indeed feel the Spirit of God resting upon us mightily. We were engaged in prayer and social meeting Sabbath morning at about nine o’clock. Brother White, my father, and Sister White had prayed, and I was praying at the time. There had been no excitement, no demonstrations. We did plead earnestly with God, however, that he would bless the meeting with his presence, and that he would bless the work in Michigan. As Sister White gave that triumphant shout of ‘Glory! g-l-o-r-y-! g-l-o-r-y-!’ which you have heard her give so often as she goes into vision, Brother White arose and informed the audience that his wife was in vision. After stating the manner of her visions, and that she did not breathe while in vision, he invited any one who wished to do so to come forward and examine her. Dr. Drummond, a physician, who was also a First-day Adventist preacher, who (before he saw her in vision) had declared her visions to be of mesmeric origin, and that he could give her a vision, stepped forward, and after a thorough examination, turned very pale, and remarked, ‘She doesn’t breathe!’ {1905 JNL, Great Second Advent Movement p. 206.}

“I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision, nor in any of several others which she has had when I was present. The coming out of the vision was as marked as her going into it. The first indication we had that the vision was ended, was in her again beginning to breathe. She drew her first breath deep, long, and full, in a manner showing that her lungs had been entirely empty of air. After drawing the first breath, several minutes passed before she drew the second, which filled the lungs precisely as did the first; then a pause of two minutes, and a third inhalation, after which the breathing became natural.” Signed, “M. G. Kellogg, M.D., Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 28, 1890.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 206.2}

F. C. Castle

“We give the following statement from an individual who witnessed a medical examination of Mrs. White while in vision at Stowe, Vermont, in the summer of 1853. He says:
“A physician was present, and made such examination of her as his wisdom and learning dictated, to find the cause of the manifestation. A lighted candle was held close to her eyes, which were wide open; not a muscle of the eye moved. He then examined her in regard to her pulse, and also in regard to her breathing, and there was no respiration. The results was that he was satisfied that it could not be accounted for on natural or scientific principles.” Signed, “F. C. Castle.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 207.2}

D. H. Lamson

“The following testimonials relate to an examination made while Mrs. White was in vision, in a meeting held in the home of Elder James White, on Monroe Street, Rochester, N.Y., June 26, 1854:
“I was then seventeen years old. It seem to me I can almost hear those thrilling shouts of ‘G-l-o-r-y!’ which she uttered. Then she sank back to the floor, not falling, but sinking gently, and was supported in the arms of an attendant. Two physicians came in, an old man and a young man. Brother White was anxious that they should examine Sister White closely, which they did. A looking-glass was brought, and one of them held it over her mouth while she talked; but soon they gave this up, and said, ‘She doesn’t breathe.’ Then they closely examined her sides, as she spoke, to find some evidence of deep breathing, but they did not find it. As they closed this part of the examination, she arose to her feet, still in vision, holding a Bible high up, turning from passage to passage, quoting correctly, although the eyes were looking upward and away from the book.

“She had a view of the seven last plagues. Then she saw the triumph of the saints, and her shouts of triumph I can seem to hear even now. To these facts I freely testify.” Signed, “Elder D. H. Lamson, Hillsdale, Mich., Feb. 8, 1893.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 207, 208}

Mrs. Drusilla Lamson

Another testimonial is given respecting the same medical examination from Mrs. Drusilla Lamson, widow of Elder Lamson’s cousin, and matron of Clifton Springs, N.Y., Sanitarium. Speaking of the meeting of June 26, 1854, she says:

“I remember the meeting when the trial was made, namely, to test what Brother White had frequently said, that Sister White did not breathe while in vision, but I cannot recall the name of the doctor who was present. . . . It must have been Doctor Fleming, as he was the doctor called sometimes for counsel. He is, however, now dead. I can say this much, that the test was made, and no sign of breath was visible on the looking-glass.” Signed, “Drusilla Lamson, Clifton Springs, N.Y., March 9, 1893.”

Still another testimony from one who was present on the above-mentioned occasion:- {1905 JNL, GSAM 208}

David Seeley

“This is to certify that I have read the above testimonials of David Lamson and Mrs. Drusilla Lamson, concerning the physician’s statement when examining Mrs. E. G. White while she was in vision, June 26, 1854. I was present at that meeting, and witnessed the examination. I agree with what is stated by Brother and Sister Lamson, and would say further that it was Doctor Fleming and another younger physician who made the examination. After Mrs. White rose to her feet, as they have stated, quoting the texts of Scriptures, Doctor Fleming called for a lighted candle. He held this candle as near her lips as possible without burning, and in direct line with her breath in case she breathed. There was not the slightest flicker of the blaze. The doctor then said, with emphasis, ‘That settles it forever, there is no breath in her body.’ “ Signed, “David Seeley, Fayette, Iowa, Aug. 20, 1897.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 208}

Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Fowler

“The following statements relate to an examination made while Mrs. White was in vision in Waldron’s Hall, Hillsdale, Mich., in the month of February, 1857. Doctor Lord, a physician of Hillsdale of fifty year’s practice, made a most careful examination, concerning which I present the following testimonials:
“We were present when (in February, 1857) Sister E. G. White had a vision in Waldron’s Hall, Hillsdale. Dr. Lord made an examination, and said, ‘Her heart beats, but there is no breath. There is life, but no action of the lungs; I cannot account for this condition.’ “ Signed, “A. F. Fowler, Mrs. A. F. Fowler, Hillsdale, Mich., Jan. 1, 1891.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 209}

C. S. Glover

Here is given another statement concerning the same vision:
“I was present when Sister White had the above-named vision in Waldron’s Hall, Hillsdale. In addition to the above statement, I heard the doctor say that Sister White’s condition in vision was ‘beyond his knowledge.’ He also said, ‘There is something supernatural about that.’ “ Signed, “C. S. Glover, Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 19, 1891.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 209}

Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter

Here is a third statement on the same case:
“This is to certify that we were present in Waldron’s Hall, Hillsdale, Mich., in February, 1857, when Mrs. E. G. White had a vision, and while in that condition was examined by Dr. Lord, and we heard his public statement respecting the case, as given above by Brother and Sister Fowler.” Signed, “W. R. Carpenter, Eliza Carpenter, Noblesville, Ind., Aug. 30, 1891.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 209}

D. T. Bourdeau

“Your attention is next called to a test applied while Mrs. White was in vision at Buck’s Bridge, St. Lawrence County, N.Y.:
“June 28, 1857, I saw Sister Ellen G. White in vision for the first time. I was an unbeliever in the visions; but one circumstance among others that I might mention convinced me that her visions were of God. To satisfy my mind as to whether she breathed or not, I first put my hand on her chest sufficiently long to know that there was no more heaving of the lungs than there would have been had she been a corpse. I then took my hand and placed it over her mouth, pinching her nostrils between by thumb and forefinger, so that it was impossible for her to exhale or inhale air, even if she had desired to do so. I held her thus with my hand about ten minutes, long enough for her to suffocate under ordinary circumstances; she was not in the least affected by this ordeal. Since witnessing this wonderful phenomenon, I have not once been inclined to doubt the divine origin of her visions.” Signed, “D. T. Bourdeau, Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 4, 1891.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 210.}

A Spirit Medium Doctor Testing the Vision

“I will mention another medical examination that I witnessed at Parkville, St. Joseph County, Mich., Jan. 12, 1861. At the close of an exhortation given by Mrs. White to a large congregation that had assembled at the Adventist meeting-house, the blessing of God rested upon her in a remarkable degree, and she was taken off in vision while seated in her chair. There was present a Doctor Brown, a hale, strong man physically, a spirit medium. He had said that her visions were the same as spirit mediumship, and that if she had one where he was, he could bring her out of it in one minute. An invitation was given for any who desired to do so to come forward, and by examination satisfy themselves as to her condition while in vision. The doctor came forward, but 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 her 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.” {1905 JNL, GSAM 210}
It was evident that the spirit that influenced him as a medium was no more at rest in the presence of the power that controlled Mrs. White in vision than were the demoniacs in the days of the Saviour, who inquired, “Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” 13 {1905 JNL, GSAM 211}

A similarity is seen in this circumstance to that recorded in the experience of Daniel the prophet. As he went into vision by the Spirit of the Lord, the Chaldeans who were present-heathens who knew not that Spirit-were greatly terrified, and “fled to hide themselves.” 14 {1905 JNL, GSAM 211}