Testimony to the Bordoville Church in 1870

This testimony was addressed to the pastor and members of the Bordoville Church in Vermont and originated from a vision given to Ellen White, likely in 1870. The content and circumstances surrounding this testimony are fascinating for several reasons. First, it offers profound insights into the plans, motives, and shortcomings of various individuals. The advice provided for church and personal management remains relevant and practical today. Furthermore, the positive impact of this testimony on both the local church and the broader denomination is significant. The care that James and Ellen White exhibited for this church following the testimony highlights their deep commitment to the cause. Finally, the structure of the argument within this testimony reveals a rich depth that combines situational awareness with actionable guidance. For these reasons, it continues to serve as an inspired resource for churches today.

“In no state have the brethren been truer to the cause than in old Vermont.” 1T664

The history of the Bordoville Church traces back to the early years of the Adventist pioneers following the Disappointment, a topic that will be explored in a separate article. For now, it is essential to highlight the first camp meeting where the vision that inspired this testimony occurred.

Ellen White reportedly received two significant visions during this period. The first took place at the camp meeting in Bordoville in August 18 – 24, 1870, and it provided the foundation for the testimony that would be written and published in 1871.

The second vision occurred on December 8 and 9, 1871, at the home of A.C. Bourdeau, located across the street from the Bordoville Church. This event was witnessed by church members and neighbors (RH 12/26/1871). The details of this vision are well documented by Esther Knutson, the Bordoville church historian, who graciously provided valuable materials. This vision served as a follow-up to the first vision, maybe not yet published or accessible to the Bordoville congregation. It played a crucial role in sparking a revival and reformation among individuals who had strayed from their faith.

• See next.

• This testimony to the Bordoville Church is highly significant and stands apart from other testimonies in the same volume for several reasons.
• Firstly, the critical role of the Bordoville Church in the early history of the denomination has largely been forgotten, yet it was crucial. During the decision-making process for locating the Review and Herald, Vermont (and possibly Bordoville) was considered alongside Battle Creek as potential sites. This is indicative of the caliber of the people in this region for the young denomination. This testimony provides evidence of God’s intervention in the personal lives of individuals who became influential figures in the church over the next two decades. It illustrates how God works on different scales, from personal lives to denominational administration. Historically and devotionally, it offers a privileged view of God’s small-scale intervention in 1870, which was instrumental in the lives of key figures, particularly in the European mission. If He did it in the past, He will do it in the future.
• Secondly, the testimony provides insight about the church leaders (especially Ellen White), who mobilized to minister to the congregation as a result of this testimony. This background information, although not in the testimony itself, enhances our understanding of God’s detailed work in the church’s past. It remains relevant today, affirming that God intervenes in seemingly small details, especially at critical moments in the denomination’s history and progress.
• Thirdly, the testimony provides timeless advice on church management, including handling members’ different temperaments and initiatives. It also provides an interesting discussion of the unintended consequences of good motives of the pastor and other church management issues.
• Fourthly, it offers personal management advice to people from different walks of life., including itinerant ministers.
• Finally, the testimony represents a unique example of how Ellen White organized her reasoning. Far from being linear, her logic flow in the article has a structure of nested premises, intricately interrelated with the main premise of the testimony. This arrangement constitutes a valuable study example for understanding the logical structure in Ellen White’s testimonies.
  

• “I have been shown that the disciples of Christ are His representatives upon the earth… God cannot display the knowledge of His will and the wonders of His grace among the unbelieving world unless He has witnesses scattered all over the earth.” 2T631
• “.. it has proved at Bordoville as at Battle Creek; the more the brethren moved there, the heavier were the burdens…” 2T635
• “God would not be pleased to have them congregate together and narrow down their sphere of usefulness.” 2T636
• “J. N. Andrews has erred here.” 2T643
• “Our work in this world is to live for others’ good..” 2T645
• “Care and affection fore dependent children removes the roughness from our natures…”2T647
• “[grown children] do not teach them self-government, stability of character, and the necessity of a resolute, well-directed will.” 2T648
• “…they have more time to devote to their farms or their business [than to worship God]”. 2T654
• “He does not expect the man of poverty to give alms as the man who has riches.”2T 667
• “In order to perfect Christian character, we should not cultivate merely a life of quiet, prayerful abstraction, nor a life of all outward zeal and busy excitement, while personal piety is neglected. But the present time requires us to be waiting for the coming of the Lord and vigilantly working for the salvation of our fellow men.” 2T673

• TBD

• See above.