Thank God Ellen White Was an Alcoholic

Seventh Day Adventist ^ | 01/27/2023 | by Stephen Ferguson | 27 January 2023 |

[Responsibility2nd]

I was conversing with some ex-Adventist the other day when I came across a claim that Seventh-day Adventist pioneer and prophetess Ellen White was an alcoholic. It seemed farfetched to me. However, after doing my own research, I was able to find Mrs. White’s own words on the subject, as recorded in Counsels on Diet and Foods (p.54):

“I have just read your letter. You seem to have an earnest desire to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…. There was a time when I was in a situation similar in some respects to yours. I had indulged the desire for vinegar. But I resolved with the help of God to overcome this appetite. I fought the temptation, determined not to be mastered by this habit…. For weeks I was very sick; but I kept saying over and over, The Lord knows all about it. If I die, I die; but I will not yield to this desire. The struggle continued, and I was sorely afflicted for many weeks. I relate this experience to you for your help and encouragement…. As long as you acknowledge this habit by indulging it, Satan will retain his hold on your will, and bring it into obedience to himself.”

Note Mrs. White’s own admissions here:

1. She indulged in a desire for vinegar. Many know vinegar is made from alcohol-fermentation.

2. The vinegar in question was probably not the condiment you might put on your salad or fish-and-chips. Rather, Mrs. White was probably talking about a vinegar switchel made from apple cider. This was a popular drink originating from 17^th-century New England, an area where Mrs. White grew up.

3. She was drinking vinegar in such quantities and on such repeated occasions it had become a habit. In fact, Mrs. White uses the word “habit” twice. A habit is not a once-off slip.

4. When trying to stop this habit, she suffered chronic physiological effects, which she says lasted for “many weeks”. Mrs. White said she was very sick and thought she might even die, which sounds like a serious addiction. Today, we would probably recognise these as classic withdrawal symptoms.

5. This counsel comes from a letter written in 1911, when Mrs. White was 83 years old. While she doesn’t say exactly when she became a vinegar addict, noting Ellen White began to have visions at age 17, we are probably talking about an addiction that arose during her time in the prophetic office. We are not likely talking about some pre-conversion period of her life.

I am not a physician or drug rehabilitation specialist, so I am happy to be corrected by any readers who are experts. Nonetheless, noting the most obvious and straightforward explanation is often the correct one, even if we cannot identify the substance with exacting precision, it seems reasonable to conclude Ellen White was most likely suffering from some sort of alcohol addiction, even if she would not have identified it in those terms.

[Who is John Galt?]

“I like liquor – its taste and its effects – and that is just the reason why I never drink it.”
-General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson

[Responsibility2nd]

It’s interesting to note how many times the Apostle Paul commanded or even suggested Gentile converts must honor the Sabbath.

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[Inyo-Mono]

Yes, quite profound.

[Mr. Blond]

She’s drinking vinegar in Hell.

[T.B. Yoits]

Yet the data on the levels of acoholc consumption versus alcoholism do not support...

One doesn't even need to go down the rabbit trail of data - Christ turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana. (John 2:1-11)

[Uncle Miltie]

What is all this Ellen White stuff even about?

[vespa300]

___Yes, quite profound.___

Not bad for a drunk to write huh? Everytime I read it...I’m almost overwhelmed. She silences all who read it..I think. Even the rabid Catholics here. They have no answer for this.

I think I need to post it again...it’s beyond compelling...thank u:

Quote from her book “The Great Controversy”....read by millions about how God used, is using, and will continue to use the Protestant Reformation, he will restore all Bible truth that the church of the dark ages buried.....he will restore truth including present truth for us now...so people can recognize it and come out of this false system of religion and all who align with her....he has a score to settle with her and you don’t want to be associated or anywhere around her:

Quote:

Many Protestants suppose that the Catholic religion is unattractive and that its worship is a dull, meaningless round of ceremony. Here they mistake. While Romanism is based upon deception, it is not a coarse and clumsy imposture. The religious service of the Roman Church is a most impressive ceremonial. Its gorgeous display and solemn rites fascinate the senses of the people and silence the voice of reason and of conscience. The eye is charmed. Magnificent churches, imposing processions, golden altars, jeweled shrines, choice paintings, and exquisite sculpture appeal to the love of beauty. The ear also is captivated. The music is unsurpassed. The rich notes of the deep-toned organ, blending with the melody of many voices as it swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals, cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence.

This outward splendor, pomp, and ceremony, that only mocks the longings of the sin-sick soul, is an evidence of inward corruption. The religion of Christ needs not such attractions to recommend it. In the light shining from the cross, true Christianity appears so pure and lovely that no external decorations can enhance its true worth. It is the beauty of holiness, a meek and quiet spirit, which is of value with God.

Brilliancy of style is not necessarily an index of pure, elevated thought. High conceptions of art, delicate refinement of taste, often exist in minds that are earthly and sensual. They are often employed by Satan to lead men to forget the necessities of the soul, to lose sight of the future, immortal life, to turn away from their infinite Helper, and to live for this world alone.

A religion of externals is attractive to the unrenewed heart. The pomp and ceremony of the Catholic worship has a seductive, bewitching power, by which many are deceived; and they come to look upon the Roman Church as the very gate of heaven. None but those who have planted their feet firmly upon the foundation of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the Spirit of God, are proof against her influence. Thousands who have not an experimental knowledge of Christ will be led to accept the forms of godliness without the power. Such a religion is just what the multitudes desire.

[Norski]

Nah. They did remove the Second Commandment, though, and split the Tenth into two. Check any RC Catechism, and a lot of Lutheran ones.

Couldn’t keep the second one and also have all those statues. Gotta kiss Saint Peter’s toe, Y’know.

[Responsibility2nd]

What is all this Ellen White stuff even about?

___________________________________________

It’s about 3 dozen threads...

https://freerepublic.com/tag/ellenwhite/index

[Uncle Miltie]

But why? Who cares?

[Zuriel]

**DAILY VINEGAR CONSUMPTION BENEFITS:**

Yep, a few years ago I started daily drinking a glass of water with 2 tbsps of ACV and either a tsp of honey or a few ounces of orange juice. But I didn’t stick with it regularly, even stopping for months.

Then came some atopic dermatitis. I went back to the AVC and have seen my ski condition return to normal. But I have changed my intake to 1 tbsp with a few ounces of water right after breakfast, then quickly washing it down with water or juice. Then I have a second 1 tbsp in a glass of water (with the tsp of honey) at supper.

Diluting it is good, for it reduces the chance of irritating the esophagus.

[Responsibility2nd]

But why? Who cares?

________________________________

It’s entertainment. It gives Catholics and Christians a chance to laugh at and ridicule cultists who follow a drunk false prophetess.

[Luke21]

“7th Day Adventists are some of the best Bible believing, Bible practicing Christians I have known.”

They are wonderful people. I went to a couple of services with friends a decade or so ago. Their service was on Saturday.

Every day I sign on I get to see these people disparaged. I think it’s a terrible thing for Free Republic to allow.

[ShadowAce]

They are wonderful people. I went to a couple of services with friends a decade or so ago. Their service was on Saturday.

They may be. The ones on here, though, have said all Christians who worship on Sunday are going to hell since worshiping on Sunday is the Mark of the Beast.

[Uncle Miltie]

Okey dokey. I’ll pass. Thanks for the info.

[vespa300]

___They may be. The ones on here, though, have said all Christians who worship on Sunday are going to hell since worshiping on Sunday is the Mark of the Beast.___

Nah, actually it is the other way around. But why let facts get in the way. Almost the entire Catholic and evangelical posters here have united against this small Sabbath keeping company....what, 2 or 3 of us?

We have been called every name in the book, attacked, demonized, vilified, mocked. And none of us care. We are however interested in respectful honest debate on end time prophecy, I have never once said any individual here was going to hell...on the contrary, I have said how much I admire people who still keep Sunday....

So your statement, is an untrue statement. Yes, there has been some give and take....kind of, I give what I get. But we are all big boys and I know I can take it.

But your statement is very misleading and the tone of hate and persecution is from your side.....that’s pretty clear.

[Cronos]

Battman

“White was a false prophet on a level seen very little in that day and time. That is the primary origin of the cult that is known as “Adventist”. From a denial of the Jesus Christ of the Bible, to the many other heresies including soul sleep and annihilationism, and a myriad of works-based salvation doctrines - it is among the most insidious and soul-damning of near-mainline “Christian” cults. Which speaks volumes of the group that split off from the Adventists - taking their heresies to new heights of depravity under Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses).”

Very true.

All of Ellen Gin White’s theology is of a demonic drunkard

[delchiante]

worshiping on Sunday is the Mark of the Beast.
....

They are in for a surprise....

Last I checked.
The Beast owns every day on its calendar.

God owns none of them.

That changes when His Kingdom Comes..

[Vaduz]

And it’s good for cleaning coffee makers too.

[vespa300]

___All of Ellen Gin White’s theology is of a demonic drunkard___

Yep, sure sounds like a demonic drunkard to me who wrote this.......Ellen White:

Many Protestants suppose that the Catholic religion is unattractive and that its worship is a dull, meaningless round of ceremony. Here they mistake. While Romanism is based upon deception, it is not a coarse and clumsy imposture. The religious service of the Roman Church is a most impressive ceremonial. Its gorgeous display and solemn rites fascinate the senses of the people and silence the voice of reason and of conscience. The eye is charmed. Magnificent churches, imposing processions, golden altars, jeweled shrines, choice paintings, and exquisite sculpture appeal to the love of beauty. The ear also is captivated. The music is unsurpassed. The rich notes of the deep-toned organ, blending with the melody of many voices as it swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals, cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence.

This outward splendor, pomp, and ceremony, that only mocks the longings of the sin-sick soul, is an evidence of inward corruption. The religion of Christ needs not such attractions to recommend it. In the light shining from the cross, true Christianity appears so pure and lovely that no external decorations can enhance its true worth. It is the beauty of holiness, a meek and quiet spirit, which is of value with God.

Brilliancy of style is not necessarily an index of pure, elevated thought. High conceptions of art, delicate refinement of taste, often exist in minds that are earthly and sensual. They are often employed by Satan to lead men to forget the necessities of the soul, to lose sight of the future, immortal life, to turn away from their infinite Helper, and to live for this world alone.

A religion of externals is attractive to the unrenewed heart. The pomp and ceremony of the Catholic worship has a seductive, bewitching power, by which many are deceived; and they come to look upon the Roman Church as the very gate of heaven. None but those who have planted their feet firmly upon the foundation of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the Spirit of God, are proof against her influence. Thousands who have not an experimental knowledge of Christ will be led to accept the forms of godliness without the power. Such a religion is just what the multitudes desire.

The church’s claim to the right to pardon leads the Romanist to feel at liberty to sin; and the ordinance of confession, without which her pardon is not granted, tends also to give license to evil. He who kneels before fallen man, and opens in confession the secret thoughts and imaginations of his heart, is debasing his manhood and degrading every noble instinct of his soul. In unfolding the sins of his life to a priest,—an erring, sinful mortal, and too often corrupted with wine and licentiousness,—his standard of character is lowered, and he is defiled in consequence. His thought of God is degraded to the likeness of fallen humanity, for the priest stands as a representative of God. This degrading confession of man to man is the secret spring from which has flowed much of the evil that is defiling the world and fitting it for the final destruction. Yet to him who loves self-indulgence, it is more pleasing to confess to a fellow mortal than to open the soul to God. It is more palatable to human nature to do penance than to renounce sin; it is easier to mortify the flesh by sackcloth and nettles and galling chains than to crucify fleshly lusts. Heavy is the yoke which the carnal heart is willing to bear rather than bow to the yoke of Christ.