"Keep" doesn't mean "obey"

Very interesting topic.

I'm pretty sure the original post did not mean to infer that holding the 10 Commandments in "high regard" doesn't give carte blanche to break them. In my opinion, holding them in high regard and esteeming them is equivalent to observing them.

They are a reflection of God's character and I believe that if we make every effort to cooperate with God in helping us obey them, we will be on the right path.

Sandra

The quotation that got me thinking about the word "keep" was from a wedding devotional that I won't be using this Sunday (for a wedding I'm doing), but it reads:

"Jesus tells us to 'keep' his commandment of love. The Greek word translated 'keep' does not mean to obey. It means to hold in high esteem, to trust ultimately, to value above all else. If Jesus were here calling for perfect obedience, we would all be instant failures. What he is calling for, rather, is that we trust his love for us even when we don't see it or embody it--that a husband and wife cleave to his love even more than they cleave to each other. What he is calling for is not perfection but faith that his love for us is certain and secure. Faith like that is a window through which his love can enter our lives and infuse them with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness."

I agree that knowingly and deliberately comitting sin is not "keeping" the commandments, just like being unfaithful to your wife, either physically or emotionally, is not "keeping" him/her.

Of course, since I got off the computer at the end of my last post, I was obeying her too...

I am posting something to illustrate a point.

***********************

The Funeral Services

As had been planned, Elder Daniells presented the "sketch"; it was more of a history that recounted Ellen White's life and the contribution she had made to the church and the world. Elder Haskell presented a well-prepared funeral sermon on the surety of the hope of one who dies in Christ Jesus. Elder F. M. Wilcox, editor of the Review and Herald, read the Scripture lesson. His brother, M. C. Wilcox, longtime book editor at the Pacific Press, offered the prayer, thanking God for the light and blessing that had come through His servant. {6BIO 437.4}

As W. C. White sat there in the Tabernacle, he reminisced. Recounting his thoughts later, he wrote: {6BIO 437.5}

My mind went back thirty-four years, to the time of my
father's funeral. I remembered the great congregation gathered
then, and the impressive discourse given by Elder Uriah Smith. {6BIO 437.6}

I remembered well the fear felt by many that now Elder White
was laid to rest, we could not expect Sister White to live very
long. And in rapid review there passed before my mind an
outline of her manifold labors since Father's death, . . .in
Australia, then again in California, in Washington city, and at
our camp meetings east and west. I thought also of the changes
that have come to our work and workers during these thirty-four
years. Many of the pioneers have been laid in the grave, and
hundreds of younger laborers have joined the ranks.--WCW to
"Dear Friend," Oct. 20, 1915. {6BIO 438.1}

The Service at the Grave

Following the Tabernacle service, the throng made its way across the city to Oak Hill Cemetery. It was no doubt Battle Creek's largest funeral procession, with more than a hundred vehicles used to move the crowd. The July 25 Enquirer described it: {6BIO 438.2}

Thousands followed the hearse to the cemetery. For this
purpose every carriage in the city was used, and there were a
number of automobiles. And then besides this, there were nine
streetcars. No fares were collected on these cars, as they were
provided by the church.--DF 758. {6BIO 438.3}

The service at the cemetery was brief and impressive. A double quartet sang, Elder I. H. Evans read appropriate scriptures, Elder G. B. Thompson offered prayer, and then "the remains of our dear sister were tenderly and silently lowered into the grave to rest beside the body of her husband, Elder James White, who was buried in the same plot in 1881."--DF 756, In Memoriam, p. 24. {6BIO 438.4}

Ellen White was at rest, not only close to her husband but not far from many close associates and friends. Nearby were J. P. and Ann Kellogg, early believers in Battle Creek and strong supporters of the church. They were the parents of Dr. John Harvey, and W. K., of cornflake fame. Beyond was the grave of David Hewett, to whom Joseph Bates was directed as "the most honest man in town" when he sought to make a beginning in teaching the Sabbath and Advent message in Battle Creek in 1852. Across the cemetery were the graves of Elder Uriah Smith and his family, and just a little to one side, the resting places of John Byington, first president of the General Conference, and a host of others. {6BIO 438.5}

Word was received at Battle Creek that in some of the Adventist churches across the land, memorial services were held on Sabbath morning. The president of the North Pacific Conference sent a telegraphic message that such a service was held at Walla Walla. {6BIO 439.1}

Details of Ellen White's last illness, her death, and the funeral services were reported to the great Adventist family through the Review and Herald and a special issue of Signs of the Times. {6BIO 439.2}

The Public Press

Newspaper notices and articles of various lengths appeared throughout the United States, from the Bay Area, where San Francisco and Oakland papers gave good space, to New York, where a respectable item was published in The New York Times. The careful work done well in advance of her death bore fruit, for the leading newspapers had materials, prepared largely at Elmshaven, in hand when they received telegraph notice of her death. {6BIO 439.3}

Ellen White's hometown newspaper, the St. Helena Star, on its front page printed a large photograph and gave thirty-three column inches to tell the story of her life, work, and death. The San Francisco Chronicle and The Oakland Tribune each gave fifteen column inches, selecting materials from the sheets furnished from Elmshaven. The Mountain View Register-Leader was perhaps the most generous, with 147 column inches used to present the story, together with a two-column picture of Ellen White. The Detroit News-Tribune gave seven inches. {6BIO 439.4}

The Battle Creek papers gave full coverage to the story. The Battle Creek Evening News allotted forty-four inches and the Battle Creek Enquirer, 107 inches. The Moon Journal was also generous with its coverage. Of course the Battle Creek papers had not only the news of her life and work but also the story of the funeral, as well, all of interest to those who lived in the city where Ellen White had so long resided and worked in earlier years. These papers quoted from the life sketch given by Elder A. G. Daniells. One paper published extensive excerpts from S. N. Haskell's funeral sermon. Taking note of some of the reports, we observe: {6BIO 439.5}

The St. Helena Star, July 23, 1915:

Leader Of Adventists Dead. Mrs. Ellen G. White
Passes Away After Over Seventy Years of Christian Labor. {6BIO 439.6}
At 3:40 o'clock last Friday afternoon, at her home, "Elmshaven,"
near St. Helena, Mrs. Ellen Gould White, leader and one of
the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, passed from
this life to that reward promised the followers of Jesus
Christ.--DF 758. {6BIO 440.1}

Then follows a biographical account and a resume of denominational accomplishments: in membership, nearly 100,000;thirty-seven publishing houses; thirty-four sanitariums; seventy intermediate schools, academies, and colleges; and 510 elementary schools scattered all over the world. Mrs. White's work as an author was mentioned, noting that some of her writings had been translated into thirty-six languages. The report concluded: {6BIO 440.2}

The prevailing sentiment of the speakers who addressed the
congregations at St. Helena and at Richmond was that Mrs.
White's most enduring monument, aside from her godly life and
conversation, was her published works, which tend to the
purest morality, lead to Christ and to the Bible, and bring
comfort and consolation to many a weary heart. "She hath done
what she could," and now, "being dead, she yet speaketh." {6BIO 440.3}

The Mountain View Register-Leader, July 23, 1915:

Mrs. E. G. White, Eminent Seventh-Day Adventist
Dead. Interesting Sketch of the Life and Works of This
Very Remarkable Woman. {6BIO 440.4}

Mrs. Ellen Gould White, prominent teacher, counselor, and
writer among Seventh-day Adventists, passed away at her home
at Elmshaven, St. Helena, on last Friday, July 16, at 3:40 p.m. She
had been critically ill for some time, and the end came
quietly.--DF 758. {6BIO 440.5}

This news story included references to the visions, and Loughborough's statement at the Elmshaven funeral concerning her condition in vision as he witnessed it. It also included a report of an interview with W. C. White concerning the visions, and his account of the January 3, 1875, vision in which she was shown
printing presses in different parts of the world. This was quite natural inasmuch as Pacific Press, the denomination's large West Coast plant, was in the town. {6BIO 440.6}

The report indicates that in honor of Ellen White, Pacific Press was closed the Monday morning after her death. {6BIO 441.1}

The New York Times, July 17, 1915:

Seventh-Day Founder Dies. Mrs. Ellen G. White,
Adventist, Was Regarded as a Prophetess. {6BIO 441.2}

St. Helena, Cal., July 16.--Mrs. Ellen G. White, one of the
founders of the Seventh-day Adventists, died here today, aged
88. She was widely known among members of that denomination,
and by many she was regarded as their prophetess. {6BIO 441.3}

She is survived by two sons, James Edson White of Marshall,
Mich., and William C. White. {6BIO 441.4}

Then followed a brief life sketch of about 175 words. The story closed with a statement of her beliefs and work: {6BIO 441.5}

She believed in the ultimate annihilation of the wicked. She
traveled extensively, and besides traveling all over this country,
spent two years in Europe and nine in Australia, making
converts. Mrs. White wrote forty books whose circulation is said
to have been more than 1,500,000 copies, and her writings were
translated into forty languages.--DF 756, "News Coverage of
the Death of Ellen White." {6BIO 441.6}

The Battle Creek Evening News, July 24, 1915:

Four Thousand At Funeral Services Of Mother
White. Tabernacle Is Crowded This Morning by Her Followers
and Friends. Many From Out Of Town. Churches in This
Vicinity Come in a Body.--DF 758. {6BIO 441.7}

Then followed a report of the funeral services in the Tabernacle and burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. The paper gave good space to a review of Ellen White's life, in which her contributions in medical and educational work were featured. This is quite understandable considering the proximity of the Battle Creek Sanitarium. The coverage continued: {6BIO 441.8}

For the Good of the Race. Her writings present the
most comprehensive views regarding temperance reform, the
laws of life and health, and the use of rational, effective remedies
for the treatment of sickness and disease. The adoption of these
principles has placed the people with whom she worked in the
front ranks with others who are advocating sane temperance
reforms, and working for the physical improvement of mankind. {6BIO 442.1}

Nor is the social status of the human family lost sight of.
Slavery, the caste system, unjust racial prejudices, the oppression of
the poor, the neglect of the unfortunate, are set
forth as un-Christian and a serious menace to the well-being of
the human race. . . . The responsibilities of the church in both
home and foreign mission service are given the greatest
prominence in the writings of Mrs. White. Every member of the
body is admonished to be a light in the world, a blessing to those
with whom he may associate. {6BIO 442.2}

What About A Successor?

A reporter of the Battle Creek Enquirer cornered W. C. White to get from him word about a possible successor to Ellen White, and published the interview in the July 25 edition. "Has Mrs. White chosen anyone to be her successor?" White was asked. To this, he replied: {6BIO 442.3}

"No, she has never considered that that was a matter
over which she had any control, and has never expressed herself with
reference to any individual as a probable candidate for this
work." {6BIO 442.4}

"Did she know who her successor would be?" he was asked. {6BIO 442.5}

"That is a question that has been asked her many times,"
continued Mr. White, "and she always has stated that it is a
matter that has never been revealed to her, and that she had no
knowledge and no information upon the subject to impart." {6BIO 442.6}

"Does she know another person will be chosen to take up the
work she lays down?" {6BIO 442.7}

"That is another question that has been asked her many
times, and she always has said she did not know. At the same
time she expressed full confidence that God would care for His
work, and that there was no need for her or others to be anxious
about this matter." {6BIO 442.8}

"Will the leading men of the denomination select a person to
take up the work she has carried?" was the next question asked
him. {6BIO 443.1}

"No. It is their belief that God will choose His messengers,
and that it would be presumption for men to undertake to choose
the persons through whom the spirit of prophecy is manifested."--DF
758. {6BIO 443.2}

As the questioning continued, he was asked whether any others had made the claim of being Ellen White's successor, and what tests would be applied to anyone who might make the claim. White pointed out that such a matter would be settled by the tests of Scripture. {6BIO 443.3}

The New York Independent

On August 23, 1915, there appeared in The New York Independent (a prestigious monthly journal published in New York) an editorial entitled: "An American Prophetess." {6BIO 443.4}

It is the distinction of our days that the American Church
has enjoyed the teachings of two prophetesses. . . . Our two later
prophetesses, Mrs. Eddy, founder of the Christian Science
Church, and Mrs. Ellen G. White, leader and teacher of the
Seventh-day Adventists, lived and died in comfort and honor,
surrounded by their admiring followers. Many of Mrs. Eddy's
disciples believed she would never die, and Mrs. White hoped to
be one of those who would be taken up alive to meet the Lord in
the air. {6BIO 443.5}

But the Lord delayed His coming, and she entered into rest,
just as others do, at the age of eighty-eight, and her burial took
place a few days ago at the Advent headquarters at Battle Creek,
Michigan. Her husband, Elder White, shares with her the honor
of founding the Seventh-day Advent Church, but she was its one
prophetess.--DF 756, "News Coverage of the Death of Ellen G.
White." {6BIO 443.6}

Then followed a brief life sketch in which was mentioned the revelations given to Ellen White that set the high standards of living followed by Adventists. The article closed with very interesting comments: {6BIO 443.7}

Of course, these teachings were based on the strictest
doctrine of inspiration of the Scriptures. Seventh-day Adventism
could be got in no other way. And the gift of prophecy was to
be expected as promised to the "remnant church," who had held
fast to the truth. This faith gave great purity of life and incessant
zeal. No body of Christians excels them in moral character and
religious earnestness. {6BIO 444.1}

Their work began in 1853 in Battle Creek, and it has grown
until now they have thirty-seven publishing houses throughout
the world, with literature in eighty different languages, and an
annual output of $2,000,000. They have now seventy colleges
and academies, and about forty sanitariums; and in all this, Ellen
G. White has been the inspiration and guide. Here is a noble
record, and she deserves great honor. {6BIO 444.2}

Did she really receive divine visions, and was she really
chosen by the Holy Spirit to be endued with the charisma of
prophecy? Or was she the victim of an excited imagination? Why
should we answer? One's doctrine of the Bible may affect the
conclusion. At any rate, she was absolutely honest in her belief
in her revelations. Her life was worthy of them. She showed no
spiritual pride and she sought no filthy lucre. She lived the life
and did the work of a worthy prophetess, the most admirable of
the American succession. {6BIO 444.3}

A Token of Respect And Honor

After the funeral had been held and the church leaders had
returned to Washington, a gracious action was taken as they met
in committee. Elder Daniells reported on this in a letter to W. C.
White, written July 29, 1915, bringing a message that was both
surprising and reassuring. {6BIO 444.4}

In our council yesterday the brethren very cheerfully voted
the following proposal: That the General [and] North American
Division Conferences, and the Review and Herald and Pacific
Press publishing houses, share equally the entire expense of
your mother's funeral bill. This is to include everything from the
time of her death until you and Sara reach home. Yes, it includes
a proper headstone at the grave. {6BIO 444.5}

I am glad to assure you that there was not a minute's
hesitation on the part of the brethren about this. {6BIO 445.1}

Did Ellen White Expect to Die?

From time to time the question was asked of W. C. White: "Did Sister White expect to die?" It was asked of him at the 1913 General Conference session. He replied: {6BIO 445.2}

The Lord has not told her how long she will live. He has not
told her in a positive way that she is to die; but she expects to rest
in the grave a little time before the Lord comes. {6BIO 445.3}

About fifteen years ago, in one of her night visions, she came
out of a very dark place into the bright light, and Father was with
her. When he saw her by his side, he exclaimed in great surprise,
"What, have you been there too, Ellen?" She always understood
that to mean that the Lord would let her rest in the grave a little
while before the Lord comes. She has been trying to work with
reference to that. {6BIO 445.4}

Oftentimes she has had messages to hasten her work--the
work of preparing her books--because she had but a short time
in which to work.--GCB 1913, p. 219. {6BIO 445.5}

"My Writings will Constantly Speak"

As W. C. White started westward after the Battle Creek funeral, his mind turned to the care and publication of his mother's writings. It would be managed by the newly activated White Estate, under the direction of the five trustees of Ellen White's appointment: A. G. Daniells, president of the General Conference; F. M. Wilcox, editor of the Review and Herald; C. H. Jones, manager of the Pacific Press; C. C. Crisler, for fourteen years the leading secretary; and himself, who had traveled and worked with his mother for thirty-four years. {6BIO 445.6}

Ellen White had written in 1907:

Abundant light has been given to our people in these last days. Whether or not my life is spared, my writings will constantly speak, and their work will go forward as long as time
shall last. My writings are kept on file in the office, and even though I should not live, these words that have been given to me by the Lord will still have life and will speak to the people.-- 1SM, p. 55. {6BIO 445.7}

On several occasions in her later years, she had discussed the circulation of her books with W. C. White. "My son," she said, as he reports it: {6BIO 446.1}

"While I live, I want you to do all you can to hasten the
publication of my writings in the English language, and after I
die, I want you to labor for their translation and publication in
foreign languages. There is precious truth and light in these
writings which should go to the ends of the earth."--WCW to
"Dear Friend," Oct. 20, 1915. {6BIO 446.2}

She also had outlined tasks she hoped could be continued after her death. Among these were the preparation of the story of her work in Europe; also, in a similar way, the story of her work in Australia, with the messages regarding the location of the Avondale School. She was eager to have a book prepared on the rise of the health reform movement, together with instruction to physicians and managers (ibid.). And there was the selecting from her writings of materials for publication overseas and the abridging of some of her larger books, which in their fullness could not be published in lands of small memberships and limited finances. All this was a challenge to the trustees and particularly to W. C. White. {6BIO 446.3}

Then there was the closing up of Ellen White's financial affairs as her will was probated and her estate closed as required by law. To hasten various features of the Lord's work and to bring out her own books as rapidly as possible, she had borrowed heavily, mostly from Seventh-day Adventists who were pleased to lend her money at modest interest rates. Books of account had been kept, for this work actually had become a business, with its investments in producing books and income in author's returns from book publication. {6BIO 446.4}

According to the records kept in the office, her financial interests in book rights, printing plates, and manuscripts, together with her home property, et cetera, exceeded comfortably her indebtedness, but on her death, or soon thereafter, her creditors would expect the
return of their money. These business interests would call for careful attention. [SEE APPENDIX B FOR A STATEMENT ON THE CLOSING UP OF THE ESTATE AND THE SETTLEMENT WITH THE CREDITORS, AS WELL AS THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK OF ELLEN G. WHITE ESTATE.] {6BIO 446.5}

Sunday morning, after his return from the East, W. C. White took the eight-minute walk from his home to the Elmshaven office and residence; there he knew he would have to face new conditions. Already the staff was separating. Sara McEnterfer was in Mountain View, where she obtained employment at the Pacific Press. Maggie Hare Bree and her husband were on their way back to New Zealand. Dores Robinson was in pastoral work to the north, in Willits. Mary Steward had responded to a call from the Review and Herald to serve as a proofreader; Minnie Hawkins Crisler was now at home caring for her stepdaughter and attending to her duties there. The accountant, A. H. Mason, was still at work and would be needed until the estate was settled. {6BIO 447.1}

Clarence Crisler was still in the office, closing up work on the Old Testament history. By this time it was known as "The Captivity and Restoration of Israel"; later it was published as "Prophets and Kings". Two chapters were not quite finished. These were completed from materials in the manuscript files. Crisler's future was yet uncertain, but he would not be continuing with the work at Elmshaven. In 1916 he answered a call to China as secretary of the China Division. W. C. White would be alone, and the nature of his work was at this point in uncertainty. {6BIO 447.2}

He stepped onto the porch of the Elmshaven home. It was unoccupied, and the doors locked. He unlocked the door and entered, as he had so often done. He describes his findings and sentiments: {6BIO 447.3}

Everything was in perfect order, but the life of the place had
gone. Going upstairs to the big east room, where for fifteen years
Mother had studied and prayed and planned and written, I
found it vacant. The old couch and the tables and chairs and
chests of drawers were in their usual places, and the big armchair
with its swing board in front was where it used to be, between
the big bay window and the fireplace; but the dear mother,
whose presence had made this room the most precious place in
all the world to me, was not there. Then I recalled the many times
I had returned from the Eastern States, and had hastened up to
Mother's room, sure of a hearty welcome, and an eager listener
to my reports of meetings attended and of the progress of the
work in which she was so deeply interested. But now there was
no one in the writing chair to listen to my report.--Ibid. {6BIO 447.4}

It was the end of an era, the end of the "Elmshaven" years. {6BIO 448.1}

As he stepped over to the cabinets in the northwest corner and opened the doors to the shelves that held copies of the E. G. White books and copies of her manuscripts and letters, there must have come to his mind Ellen White's words as she at times opened these doors and displayed her books and her papers: {6BIO 448.2}

"Here are my writings; when I am gone they will testify for
me."--WCW Letter, July 9, 1922 (MR, p. 93). {6BIO 448.3}

********************************

The point is this: In her day to "keep" was understood even by non SDA's - notice how they wrote about her. Back then and today to keep Scripture & SOP - does that mean admire or obey in the light of these texts?

John 14:

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
25 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (esteem is there or is it ?)

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (words of esteem by people toward God's words to them, are here ignored and a Divine decree is issued.)

Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Luke 6:
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

[ November 29, 2002, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: Edward F Sutton ]