A Response to an Urgent Testimony
By Doctor Charles Stewart
3
"I Am Not A Prophet"
Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2, 1904, in the Tabernacle, before a very large audience you [Ellen G. White] made the following statements which were taken down by an expert stenographer, and which have been verified by scores who heard the statements:
"I know that those that have got the books that God has bidden me to write, when that hand trembled so that it seemed an impossibility—I want you to read the books, 'Patriarchs and Prophets,' 'Desire of Ages,' 'Ministry of Healing' is nearly done, and a great many other books."
St. Helena, Cal., Feb. 14, 1901:
"I wish to be in as quiet place as possible, for private conversation is much more wearing on me than public speaking. I know that I have the special power of God when I am bearing my testimony before the people. I know the Lord will not leave me."
"My Instructor said silence is eloquence even when before your supposed friends. You will be justified in keeping your words for public occasion." A Messenger - Review and Herald, July 26, 1906:
"I am not, as I said yesterday, a prophet. I do not claim to be a leader. I claim to be simply a messenger of God, and that is all I have ever claimed."
"When I was last in Battle Creek, I said before a large congregation that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Twice I referred to this matter, intending each time to make the statement, 'I do not claim to be a prophetess.' If I spoke otherwise than this, let all now understand that what I had in mind to say was that I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess."
In the testimony dated Feb. 14, 1901, above quoted, you state: "I know that I have the special power of God when I am bearing my testimony before the people." On Sunday, Oct. 2, 1904, when bearing your testimony before a very large audience in the Tabernacle, you stated "I am not, as I said yesterday, a prophet." In the Review of July 26, 1906, you stated that you intended to say, "I do not claim to be a prophetess," and that what you had in mind to say was: "I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess."' Are we to understand from this that on this occasion the special power of God was not with you when you said, "I am not, as I said yesterday, a prophet," or is the statement in the Review incorrect!