Contradictions in the Israel Dammon Incident
By , tabular evidence from the article Incident in Atkinson, Adventist Currents, vol. 3, No. 1,
Mrs. White's Spiritual Gifts 2 account of the arrest and trial of Israel Dammon contradicts—on major and minor points—the testimony of both friendly and unfriendly witnesses and the court record as reported in the 7 March 1845 Piscataquis Farmer. Those contradictions are presented below:
| MRS. WHITE | TRIAL RECORD |
|---|---|
| "while I was speaking, two men looked in...." [This implies a quiet one-speaker meeting] | Joseph Moulton: "I went to arrest the prisoner....Can't describe the place - it was one continued shout." |
| "The power of God was in that room, and the servants of God, with their countenances lighted up with his glory, made no resistance." | Joseph Moulton: "When I went to arrest prisoner,...so great was their resistance, that I with three assistants, could not get him out....We were resisted by both men and women." |
| "They would move him a few inches only, and then rush out of the house....The men could not endure the power of God, and it was a relief to them to rush out of the house." | Joseph Moulton: "I remained in the house and sent for more help...." |
| "Elder D. was held by the power of God about forty minutes, and not all the strength of those men could move him from the floor where he lay helpless." | Joseph Moulton: "We overpowered them and got him out door in custody." |
| "A lawyer offered his services." | Joel Doore, under cross-examination: "I engaged counsel in this case to defend the prisoner." |
| "He was asked to give [the court] a synopsis of his faith." | "Elder Dammon again rose for further defense. Court indulged him to speak." |
| "He told them in a clear manner his belief from the Scriptures." | "He read 126th Psalm, and the 50th Psalm. He said that the day of grace had gone by; that the believers were reduced, but that there was too many yet, and that the end of the world would come within a week." |
| "It was also suggested that they sung curious hymns, and he was asked to sing one." | "The prisoner and his witnesses asked permission, and sung..." |
| "Many witnesses were brought to sustain the charge, but they were at once broken down by the testimony of Elder D's acquaintances." | Ayer: "I agree with Crosby and Lambert." Osborn: "Think Crosby's testimony correct." Mason: "I have heard Crosby testify, and think him correct." [Defense disputed little of prosecution's testimony.] |
| "Elder D. was asked if he had a spiritual wife. He told them he had a lawful wife, and [that she was] a very spiritual woman..." | James Ayer, Jr: "Dammon said he had a spiritual wife and he was glad of it." [The witty negative response alleged by EGW is not in the record, and is ruled out by the testimony of defense witness Ayer.] |
| "...he was released." | "The Court sentenced the prisoner to...Ten Days." |