Testimonies Regarding the Shut Door

I was often in meeting with Ellen G. Harmon and James White in 1844 and '45. I several times caught her while falling to the floor, --at times when she swooned away for a vision. I have heard her relate her visions of these dates. Several were published on sheets, to the effect that all were lost who did not endorse the '44 move, that Christ had left the throne of mercy, and all were sealed that ever would be, and no others could repent. She and James taught this one or two years. Recently, in her published visions, called "Testimony," her visions differ widely, and directly contradict flatly her former ones.
(An Examination of Mrs. Ellen White's Visions, Miles Grant, Boston: Published by the Advent Christian Publication Society, 1877)

We well know the course of Ellen G. White, the visionist, while in the State of Maine. About the first visions that she had were at my house in Poland. She said God had told her in vision that the door of mercy had closed, and there was no more chance for the world, and she would tell who had got spots on their garments; and those spots were got on by questioning her visions, whether they were of the Lord or not. Then she would tell them what to do, or what duty to perform, to get into favor with God again. Then God would show her, through a vision, who was lost, and who was saved in different parts of the State, according as they received or rejected her visions. She could put herself under their influence, just the same as any mesmeric person would.
(An Examination of Mrs. Ellen White's Visions, Miles Grant, Boston: Published by the Advent Christian Publication Society, 1877)

I became acquainted with James White and Ellen Harmon (now Mrs. White) early in 1845. At the time of my first acquaintance with them they were in a wild fanaticism, --used to sit on the floor instead of chairs, and creep around the floor like little children.  Such freaks were considered a mark of humility.  They were not married, but traveling together.  Ellen was having what was called visions: said God had shown her in vision that Jesus Christ arose on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844, and shut the door of mercy; had left forever the mediatorial throne; the whole world was doomed and lost, and there never could be another sinner saved.  She very soon pretended to see that Saturday must be kept as the Sabbath.  Her visions were something new, and there seemed to be first no decided opposition to them in the different churches where they traveled.  They caused a great deal of discussion and excitement, and all seemed disposed to investigate.  But, after a little while, her visions began to conflict one with the other.  It was ascertained by myself and others who saw her in vision, that she could throw herself into vision when she chose (this she confessed), but that James White could control them, and bring her out when he pleased.

There were also many failures.  She pretended God showed her things which did not come to pass.  At one time she saw that the Lord would come the second time in June 18.

There were also many failures.  She pretended God showed her things which did not come to pass.  At one time she saw that the Lord would come the second time in June 1845.  The prophecy was discussed in all the churches, and in a little "shut-door paper" published in Portland, Me.   During the summer, after June passed, I heard a friend ask her how she accounted for the vision?  She replied that "they told her in the language of Canaan, and she did not understand the language; that it was the next September that the Lord was coming, and the second growth of grass instead of the first in June."  September passed, and many more have passed since, and we have not seen the Lord yet.  It soon became evident to all candid persons, that many things must have been "told her in the language of Canaan," or some other which she did not understand, as there were repeated failures.  I could mention many which I knew of myself.

...If these visions which she now has are of God, the first were; and if the first were of God, the door of mercy was closed in 1844, and woe to the poor sinners this side of there.  We know that God does not lie; and some of them did lie, to my certain knowledge.  God does not contradict himself, and her visions have contradicted each other.  I have been told that they deny on this coast that she ever saw the door of mercy closed; but there are thousands of living witnesses who know that a blacker lie could not be invented, and I am one of the number.
(An Examination of Mrs. Ellen White's Visions, Miles Grant, Boston: Published by the Advent Christian Publication Society, 1877)