In consequence of your afflictions and peculiar trials, your health failed. The friends of the cause of God were but few, and many of them were poor; and you could see but little to hope for on the right hand or on the left. You looked upon your children and your destitute, helpless condition, and your heart well-nigh fainted. At this time, through the influence of Adventists who had united with the Shakers, and in whom you had confidence because they had been your friends in time of need, you were induced to go among that sect for a time. But the angels of God did not leave you. They ministered unto you and were as a wall of fire round about you. Especially did the holy angels protect you from the deceptive influences which prevail among that people. The Shakers believed that you would unite your interest with theirs; and they thought that if they could induce you to become one of them, you would be a great help to their cause; for you would make an ardent member of their society. They would have given you a high position among them. Some of the Shakers had received spiritual manifestations, telling them that you were designed of God to be a prominent member of their society; but that you were one who should not be urged; that kindness would have a powerful influence where force or pressure would cause a failure of their hopes. {2T 271.3}

Som følge af dine pinsler og mærkværdige prøvelser, har dit helbred svigtet. Venner for Guds sag var kun få, (272) og mange af dem var fattige; og du kunne kun se et lille håb for dem på den højre hånd eller den venstre. Du så på dine børn og din nødlidende, hjælpeløse tilstand og dit hjerte var lige ved at vise afmagt. På det tidspunkt var du, gennem påvirkning fra adventister som har forenet sig med Shakers, hvem du havde tillid til for de var dine venner da de behøvede det, forledt til at gå ind i den sekt for en tid. Men Guds engle forlod dig ikke. De hjalp dig og var som en ildmur omkring dig. Især beskyttede de hellige engle dig fra den forføriske påvirkning som hersker iblandt det folk. Shakers'ene troede at du ville forene dig med dem; og de troede at hvis de kunne få dig til at blive en af dem, ville du være en stor hjælp for deres sag; for du ville blive et brændende medlem af deres fællesskab. De ville have givet dig en stor stilling hos dem. Nogle af Shakers'erne har fået åndelige tilkendegivelser om at du af Gud var bestemt til at træde frem i deres selskab; men at du ikke skulle tilskyndes; da venlighed ville have en stærk påvirkning hvor i mod magt eller pression ville nedbryde deres håb.