Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

From Topsham we returned to Portland and found there quite a number
of our faith from the East. Among them were the very fanatics to whom I had
borne my testimony in Exeter, declaring that it was not their duty to visit
Portland. These persons had laid aside reason and judgment; they trusted
every impression of their excitable and over-wrought minds. Their
demonstrative exercises, while claiming to be under the Spirit of God, were
unworthy of their exalted profession. We trembled for the church that was to
be subjected to this spirit of fanaticism. My heart ached for God's people.
Must they be deceived and led away by this false enthusiasm? I faithfully
pronounced the warnings given me of the Lord; but they seemed to have
little effect except to make these persons of extreme views jealous of me.
These false impressions of theirs might have turned me from my duty,
had not the Lord previously showed me where to go and what to do.
Although so young and inexperienced, I was preserved from falling into the
snare of the enemy, through the mercy of God, in giving me special
instructions whom to fear and whom to trust. Had it not been for this
protection I now see many times when I might have been led from the path
of duty.
About this time I was shown that it was my duty to visit our people in N.
H. My constant and faithful companion at this time was Louisa Foss, the
sister of my brother-in-law. She has been dead for many years; but I can
never forget her kind and sisterly attention to me in my journeyings. We
were also accompanied by Bro. Files and his wife, who were old and valued
friends of my family, and brethren Haskins and White.
We were cordially received; but there were wrongs existing in that field
which burdened me much. We had to meet a spirit of self-righteousness that
was very depressing. I had previously been shown the pride and exaltation of
certain ones whom we visited, but had not the courage to meet them with my
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