1888 - The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials (1987) {Introduction & Index & Chapter - 1}
ABOUT THIS COLLECTION OF ELLEN G. WHITE DOCUMENTS
THE ELLEN G. WHITE 1888 MATERIALS CONSISTS EXCLUSIVELY OF ELLEN G. WHITE LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, ARTICLES, AND SERMONS THAT RELATE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO THE MINISTERIAL INSTITUTE AND GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION HELD BY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, FROM OCTOBER 10 TO NOVEMBER 4, 1888. NO GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION IN THE HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH HAS UNDERGONE SUCH ANALYSIS AND SCRUTINY, OR HAS ELICITED AS MUCH COMMENT AS THE 1888 MEETING.
THE WHITE ESTATE TRUSTEES BELIEVE THAT THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE 1888 GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION, AS WELL AS THE HISTORY OF SUBSEQUENT YEARS, IS TO BE FOUND IN THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN G. WHITE. MRS. WHITE HAD MUCH TO SAY AT THE TIME, AND IN LATER YEARS AS WELL, ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE IN MINNEAPOLIS. IN THE DECADE FOLLOWING 1888, SHE FREQUENTLY REFERRED TO MINNEAPOLIS AND THE SPIRIT THAT WAS MANIFESTED THERE.
SINCE 1988 MARKS THE CENTENARY OF THE 1888 MEETING, AND SINCE THE ATTENTION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS EVERYWHERE WILL BE FOCUSED ON 1888 THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE WHITE ESTATE TRUSTEES FEEL THAT THERE WILL BE A KEEN INTEREST IN KNOWING WHAT ELLEN WHITE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS MEETING. THUS THE TRUSTEES ARE MAKING AVAILABLE TO OUR CHURCH MEMBERS THIS COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF ALL THE E. G. WHITE MANUSCRIPTS AND LETTERS THAT IN ANY WAY REFER TO MINNEAPOLIS. IN MOST CASES THE ENTIRE MANUSCRIPT OR LETTER HAS BEEN INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH ONLY A PORTION MAY BE GERMANE TO THIS SUBJECT. NAMES HAVE BEEN LEFT IN JUST AS ELLEN WHITE USED THEM, EXCEPT IN ONE OR TWO INSTANCES WHERE THE FILE COPY HAS A BLANK INSTEAD OF A NAME.
NEARLY ALL THE MANUSCRIPTS AND LETTERS HAVE BEEN COPIED DIRECTLY FROM THE FILE DRAWERS WHERE THEY ARE HOUSED, HENCE MISSPELLINGS HAVE NOT BEEN
CORRECTED, NOR HAVE THE DOCUMENTS BEEN IMPROVED IN ANY OTHER WAY FOR PUBLICATION. WHERE COMPLETE LETTERS OR MANUSCRIPTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RELEASED, THESE ARE REPRODUCED IN THEIR GRAMMATICALLY EDITED, MORE LEGIBLE, "MANUSCRIPT RELEASE" FORM. OTHERWISE, PREVIOUSLY RELEASED MATERIALS ARE NOTED ONLY ON THE MARGIN OF EACH PAGE. MOST OF THE MATERIALS IN THIS COLLECTION HAVE NEVER BEEN RELEASED OR PUBLISHED BEFORE IN ANY FORM.
ALTHOUGH THE SERMONS GIVEN BY ELLEN WHITE AT MINNEAPOLIS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED FOR MANY YEARS IN THIRTEEN CRISIS YEARS (FORMERLY THROUGH CRISIS TO VICTORY) BY A . V. OLSON, THEY ARE REPEATED HERE. ONE SERMON AND PORTIONS OF ANOTHER NOT FOUND IN THIRTEEN CRISIS YEARS HAVE BEEN ADDED AS WELL. WE HAVE MADE EVERY ENDEAVOR TO MAKE THIS COLLECTION AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE; HOWEVER, IF A PERTINENT SERMON, LETTER, OR MANUSCRIPT HAS BEEN INADVERTENTLY OVERLOOKED AND COMES TO OUR ATTENTION LATER, IT WILL BE ADDED TO ANY SUBSEQUENT PRINTINGS OF THESE MATERIALS.
THIS COLLECTION IS NOT A COMPENDIUM ON THE SUBJECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH. ELLEN WHITE PREACHED OFTEN ON JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION BY FAITH IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING 1888, BUT ONLY THOSE SERMONS IN WHICH REFERENCE WAS MADE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS CONFERENCE ARE INCLUDED HERE. THE READER IS REFERRED TO THE ELLEN G. WHITE BOOK FAITH AND WORKS AND THE E. G. WHITE REVIEW AND HERALD ARTICLES FOR ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF CHRIST AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
WE REGRET THAT A NUMBER OF PAGES ARE BARELY LEGIBLE, BUT THESE ARE THE BEST COPIES THAT COULD BE MADE FROM THE DOCUMENTS AS THEY EXIST IN OUR FILES. WE FEEL IT IS BETTER TO MAKE THESE MATERIALS AVAILABLE NOW, IN THEIR PRESENT CONDITION, THAN TO WAIT TILL SOME FUTURE DATE WHEN GRAMMATICAL EDITING AND RETYPING CAN BE DONE. ALL MANUSCRIPTS AND LETTERS HAVE THEIR OWN PAGINATION, THOUGH THIS HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN REFLECTED BY THE COPY MACHINE.
TO ALL WHO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THE 1888 EVENT FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE, WE RECOMMEND THE STUDY OF THESE LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, ARTICLES, AND SERMONS. WE BELIEVE THEY WILL SERVE AS A HELPFUL GUIDE TO EVERY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST WHO DESIRES TO BENEFIT FROM LESSONS OUR SPIRITUAL ANCESTORS LEARNED OR FAILED TO LEARN ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
THE TRUSTEES OF THE
ELLEN G. WHITE ESTATE
OCTOBER, 1987
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Date Reference Title or Addressee Page
Feb. 18, 1887 Lt 37, 1887 To E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones 21
Apr. 5, 1887 Lt 13, 1887 To G. I. Butler and Uriah Smith 32
Aug. 5, 1888 Lt 20, 1888 To Brethren Who Shall Assemble in 38
General Conference
Sep. 7, 1888 Ms 2, 1888 Engaging in Worldly Speculation 47
Oct. 9, 1888 Lt 81, 1888 To Mary White 66
Oct. 11, 1888 Ms 6, 1888 Morning Talk 69
Oct. 13, 1888 Ms 7, 1888 Sabbath Afternoon Talk 74
Oct. 14, 1888 Lt 21, 1888 To G. I. Butler 85
Oct. 15, 1888 Lt 21a, 1888 To G. I. Butler 107
Oct. 18, 1888 RH 10/08/89 Morning Talk 117
Oct. 19, 1888 ST 11/11/89 Morning Talk 119
Oct. 20, 1888 Ms 8, 1888 Sabbath Talk 121
Oct. 21, 1888 Ms 17, 1888 Sermon 129
Oct. 21, 1888 Ms 8a, 1888 Talk to Ministers 132
Oct. 23, 1888 Ms 10, 1888 Remarks on Missionary Work 146
Oct. 24, 1888 Ms 9, 1888 Morning Talk 151
Oct. --, 1888 Ms 26, 1888 Remarks After Reading an Article 154
Nov. --, 1888 Ms 15, 1888 To Brethren Assembled at General 163
Conference
Nov. --, 1888 Ms 21, 1888 Distressing Experiences of 1888 176
Nov. 4, 1888 Lt 82, 1888 To Mary White 182
Dec. 9, 1888 Lt 7, 1888 To W. M. Healey 186
Dec. 11, 1888 Lt 18, 1888 To G. I. Butler and wife 190
Dec. 15, 1888 Lt 20a, 1888 To Brethren Who Assemble in the Week 196
of Prayer
Dec. --, 1888 Ms 24, 1888 Looking Back at Minneapolis 203
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Date Reference Title or Addressee Page
Jan. 18, 1889 Lt 22, 1889 To R. A. Underwood (cf. Lt 22a, 230
1889)
Jan. 18, 1889 Lt 22a, 1889 To R. A. Underwood (cf. Lt 22, 1889) 243
Jan. 26, 1889 Lt 3, 1889 To R. A. Underwood 251
Jan. --, 1889 Ms 16, 1889 The Discernment of Truth 257
Feb. 8, 1889 Lt 23, 1889 To R. A. Underwood 263
Mar. 5, 1889 RH 3/5/89 Meetings at South Lancaster, Mass. 267
Mar., 1889 Ms 19, 1889 Diary Entries 269
Apr. 4, 1889 Lt 49, 1889 To J. H. Morrison 274
Apr. --, 1889 Lt 85, 1889 To My Dear Brethren 277
Apr. 7, 1889 Lt 1, 1889 To W. C. White 286
Apr. 7, 1889 Lt 14a, 1889 To J. E. White (fragment) 292
May 2, 1889 Lt 50, 1889 To J. Fargo 294
May 12, 1889 Ms 2, 1889 Morning Talk 302
May 12, 1889 Lt 14, 1889 To Children of the Household 307
May, 1889 5T 692-696 Unfounded Reports 326
Jun. 2, 1889 Lt 5, 1889 To H. Miller 330
Jun. 14, 1889 Lt 55, 1889 To U. Smith (unfinished) 336
Jun. 19, 1889 Ms 5, 1889 Sermon 337
Jun. --, 1889 Ms 30, 1889 Experience Following the Minneapolis 352
Conference
Jul. 15, 1889 Lt 70, 1889 To Mary White 382
Jul. 23, 1889 RH 7/23/89 Camp-Meeting at Ottawa, Kansas 386
Jul. 23, 1889 Lt 4, 1889 To Elders M. and H. Miller 388
Sep. 13, 1889 Ms. 27, 1889 Counsels to Ministers 429
Sep. --, 1889 Lt 87, 1889 To U. Smith 437
Oct. --, 1889 Lt 24, 1889 To the General Conference 439
Oct. --, 1889 Ms 10, 1889 The Excellence of Christ 447
-8-
Date Reference Title or Addressee Page
Oct. 29, 1889 Lt 76, 1889 To Mary White 450
Oct., 1889 Ms 22, 1889 Diary Entries 452
Oct. 31, 1889 Lt 77, 1889 To Mary White 469
Nov. 4, 1889 Ms 6, 1889 Issues at the Gen. Conf. of 1889 471
Nov. 20, 1889 Lt 57, 1889 To Brethren and Sisters 498
Dec., 1889 Ms 18, 1888 Address in Regard to the Sunday 501
Movement
----, 1889 Ms 13, 1889 Standing by the Landmarks 516
Jan. 6, 1890 Lt 23, 1890 To Bro. Stone 520
Jan. 7, 1890 Ms 25, 1890 Diary Entry 521
Jan. 17, 1890 Lt 53, 1890 To Brn. Ballenger and L. Smith 528
Jan. 29, 1890 RH 2/18/90 Morning Talk 533
Feb. 3, 1890 Ms 9, 1890 Remarks at Bible School 536
Feb. 4, 1890 RH 3/18/90 Morning Talk (edited from Ms 9, 1890) 545
Feb. 6, 1890 RH 3/25/90 Morning Talk 547
Feb. 6, 1890 Ms 10, 1890 Remarks at Bible School 549
Feb. 6, 1890 RH 3/11/90 Christ Prayed for Unity (from Ms 559
10, 1890)
Feb. 7, 1890 Ms 56, 1890 Remarks at Bible School 561
Jan/Feb. 1890 Ms 22, 1890 Diary Entries 568
Mar. 6, 1890 Lt 18d, 1890 To M. Larson 584
Mar. 7, 1890 Lt 80, 1890 To W. C. White 590
Mar. 8, 1890 Ms 4, 1890 Sermon 593
Mar. 8, 1890 Lt 59, 1890 To U. Smith 599
Mar. 9, 1890 Ms 2, 1890 Sermon (incomplete) 606
Mar. 9, 1890 Lt 82, 1890 To W. C. White and wife 617
Mar. 10, 1890 Lt 60, 1890 To W. A. Colcord (incomplete) 620
Mar. 10, 1890 Lt 30, 1890 To W. C. White and wife 622
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Date Reference Title Or Addressee Page
Mar. 13, 1890 Lt 83, 1890 To W. C. White and wife 627
Mar. 16, 1890 Ms 2, 1890 Sermon 636
Mar. 19, 1890 Lt 84, 1890 To W. C. White and wife 642
May 8, 1890 Lt 46, 1890 To O. A. Olsen 645
May 14, 1890 Lt 1, 1890 To Brethren 651
May 18, 1890 Ms 24, 1890 Jesus, Our Redeemer and Ruler 665
May 27, 1890 RH 5/27/90 Living Channels of Light 673
Jun. 21, 1890 Lt 115, 1890 To O. A. Olsen 675
Jul. 27, 1890 Lt 97, 1890 To W. C. White 683
Aug. 19, 1890 Lt 103, 1890 To W. C. White 688
Aug. 26, 1890 RH 8/26/90 The Righteousness of Christ 695
Aug. --, 1890 Lt 11, 1890 To Bro. and Sr. Garmire 697
Aug. 27, 1890 Lt 116, 1890 To O. A. Olsen 703
Sep. 17, 1890 Lt 67, 1890 To Brethren in the Ministry 706
(incomplete)
Sep. 18, 1890 Lt 36a, 1890 To J. S. Washburn 708
Oct. 7, 1890 Lt 20, 1890 To O. A. Olsen 714
Nov. --, 1890 Lt 1f, 1890 To Brethren in Responsible Positions 720
Nov. 25, 1890 Lt 73, 1890 To U. Smith 732
Dec. 6, 1890 Lt 109, 1890 To W. C. White, J. E. White and wife 735
Dec. 15, 1890 Lt 43, 1890 To O. A. Olsen (cf. Lt 43a, 1890) 743
Dec. 18, 1890 Lt 43a, 1890 To O. A. Olsen (cf. Lt 43, 1890) 750
Dec. 22, 1890 Lt 112, 1890 To W. C. White, J. E. White and wife 758
Dec. 23, 1890 RH 12/23/90 Be Zealous and Repent 764
Dec., 1890 Ms 53, 1890 Diary Entries 766
Dec., 1890 Ms 54, 1890 Diary Entries 787
Dec. 31, 1890 Lt 40, 1890 To U. Smith 790
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Date Reference Title Or Addressee Page
------- 1890 Ms 31, 1890 Circulation of Great Controversy 802
------- 1890 Ms 36, 1890 Danger of False Ideas on 810
Justification by Faith
------- 1890 Ms 37, 1890 Light in God's Word 825
------- 1890 Ms 55, 1890 Peril in Trusting in the Wisdom of 839
Men
Jan. 6, 1891 Lt 20, 1891 To U. Smith 846
Jan. 8, 1891 Lt 32, 1891 To J. S. Washburn and wife 850
Jan. 9, 1891 Ms 2, 1891 Missionary Work 854
Jan. 9, 1891 Ms 3, 1891 Diary Entry 861
Jan., 1891 Ms 40, 1891 Diary Entries 865
Feb. 27, 1891 Ms 21, 1891 Diary Entry 890
Mar. 24, 1891 GCB 4/13/91 Our Present Dangers 900
Mar. --, 1891 Ms. 30, 1890 Article Read at Gen. Conf. of 1891 906
Mar. --, 1891 Ms. 40, 1890 Vision at Salamanca 917
Mar. --, 1891 Pamphlet Danger in Adopting Worldly Policy in 950
the Work of God (See TM 460-471)
Sep. 5, 1891 RH 3/22/92- Sermon 958
4/05/92
Dec. 11, 1891 Lt 14, 1891 To S. N. Haskell 964
Apr. 15, 1892 Lt 18, 1892 To J. H. Kellogg 977
May 29, 1892 Lt 16g, 1892 To S. N. Haskell 987
Jul. 26, 1892 RH 7/26/92 Search the Scriptures 991
Aug. 22, 1892 Lt 13, 1892 To S. N. Haskell 993
Aug. 30, 1892 Lt 25b, 1892 To U. Smith 1004
Sep. 1, 1892 Lt 19d, 1892 To O. A. Olsen 1018
Sep. 2, 1892 Lt 14, 1892 To S. N. Haskell 1033
Sep. 2, 1892 Lt 16j, 1892 To A. T. Jones 1036
Sep. 19, 1892 Lt 24, 1892 To U. Smith 1040
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Date Reference Title Or Addressee Page
Sep., 1892 RH 4/4/93 - Address to the Church 1055
4/18/93
Oct. 18, 1892 RH 10/18/92 The Opposer's Work 1061
Nov. 5, 1892 Lt 2a, 1892 To F. E. Belden and wife 1063
Nov. 22, 1892 RH 11/22/92 - The Perils and Privileges of the Last 1073
11/29/92 Days
Dec. 6, 1892 RH 12/6/92 - Let the Trumpet Give a Certain Sound 1077
12/13/92
Dec. 22, 1892 Lt 47, 1892 To J. H. Morrison 1081
------ 1892 Ms 24, 1892 Love, The Need of the Church 1087
Jan. 9, 1893 Lt 20a, 1893 To Captain C. Eldridge 1096
Jan. 9, 1893 Lt 77, 1893 To W. Ings 1118
Jan. 20, 1893 Lt 61, 1893 To I. D. Van Horn 1136
Jan., 1893 Lt 86a, 1893 To J. H. Kellogg and wife 1147
Apr. 9, 1893 Lt 44, 1893 To A. T. Jones 1164
Apr., 1893 Ms 80, 1893 Diary Entries 1167
Apr. 24, 1893 Lt 79, 1893 To H. Lindsay 1171
May 12, 1893 Lt 41a, 1893 To S. N. Haskell 1183
Jul. 12, 1893 Lt 9, 1893 To F. E. Belden and wife 1185
Jul. 19, 1893 Lt 69, 1893 To L. Nicola 1192
Jul. 19, 1893 Ms 81, 1893 Diary Entry 1195
Jul. 20, 1893 Lt 60, 1893 To I. D. Van Horn 1197
Sep. 7, 1893 Lt 40, 1893 To S. McCullagh and wife 1204
Nov. 30, 1893 Lt 58, 1893 To U. Smith 1210
------ 1893 Ms 61, 1893 The Review and Herald Office 1813
Mar., 1894 Lt 76, 1894 To Sr. Rousseau 1214
Mar. 20, 1894 RH 3/20/94 Christ the Center of the Message 1225
Apr. 14, 1894 Lt 20, 1894 To C. Eldridge and wife 1227
May 6, 1894 Lt 41, 1894 To C. H. Jones 1233
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Date Reference Title Or Addressee Page
Jun. 1, 1894 Lt. 27, 1894 To S. N. Haskell 1240
Jun. 10, 1894 Lt. 57, 1894 To O. A. Olsen 1256
Aug. 3, 1894 Ms 34, 1894 Untitled 1268
Aug. --, 1894 Lt 55, 1894 To O. A. Olsen 1280
Oct. 21, 1894 Lt 2, 1894 To Brethren Who Shall Assemble in 1286
General Conference
Oct. 27, 1894 Lt 31a, 1894 To A. R. Henry 1295
Nov. 26, 1894 Lt 58, 1894 To O. A. Olsen 1316
May 1, 1895 Lt 57, 1895 To O. A. Olsen 1322
May 1, 1895 Lt 51a, 1895 To H. Lindsay 1344
May 30, 1895 Ms 18, 1896 The Danger of Self-Sufficiency in 1356
God's Work
Jun. 6, 1895 Lt 76, 1895 To A. O. Tait 1369
Jun. 8, 1895 Lt 15, 1895 To F. E. Belden 1379
Jun. 9, 1895 Lt 10, 1895 To F. E. Belden 1392
Jun. 19, 1895 Lt 65, 1895 To O. A. Olsen 1394
Jul. 8, 1895 Lt 35a, 1895 To C. H. Jones 1408
Jul. 15, 1895 Lt. 45, 1895 To J. H. Kellogg 1412
Sep. 10, 1895 Lt. 53, 1895 To O. A. Olsen 1421
Sep. 19, 1895 Lt. 55, 1895 To O. A. Olsen 1425
Sep. 25, 1895 Lt. 86, 1895 To J. E. White 1455
Nov. 13, 1895 Lt. 13, 1895 To F. E. Belden 1469
Jan. 16, 1896 Lt 6, 1896 To Brethren Who Occupy Responsible 1476
Positions in the Work
Jan. 19, 1896 Lt 56, 1896 To J. H. Kellogg 1487
Feb. 6, 1896 Lt 8, 1896 To My Brethren in America 1493
Apr. 20, 1896 Lt 63, 1896 To H. Lindsay 1502
Apr. 24, 1896 Lt 166, 1896 To O. A. Olsen 1513
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Date Reference Title Or Addressee Page
May 8, 1896 Lt. 64, 1896 To Sr. Lindsay 1516
May 22, 1896 Lt. 83, 1896 To O. A. Olsen 1520
May 30, 1896 Lt. 38, 1896 To S. N. Haskell 1536
May 31, 1896 Lt 81, 1896 To O. A. Olsen 1556
Jun. 6, 1896 Lt 96, 1896 To U. Smith 1574
Jul. 1, 1896 Lt 4, 1896 To the Men Who Occupy Responsible 1577
Positions in the Work
Jul. 6, 1896 Lt 78, 1896 To O. A. Olsen 1594
Aug. 9, 1896 Lt 124, 1896 To J. E. White 1816
Aug. 27, 1896 Lt 100, 1896 To A. O. Tait 1607
Sep. 1, 1896 Lt 88, 1896 To W. W. Prescott and wife 1616
Dec. 1, 1896 Lt 127, 1896 To O. A. Olsen 1621
Dec. 15, 1896 Lt 5, 1896 To Those in Responsible Positions 1628
in Battle Creek
Jan. 27, 1897 Ms. 7, 1897 Untitled 1636
Mar. 5, 1897 6T 89 Ministerial Institutes 1643
Aug. 12, 1897 Ms 92, 1897 God's Messengers (TM 404-415) 1644
Aug. 17, 1897 RH 8/17/97 The Bible in Our Schools 1650
Dec. 10, 1897 Lt. 217, 1897 To Dear Brethren 1652
Apr. 20, 1898 Lt. 15, 1898 To A. R. Henry 1653
May 16, 1898 Lt. 41, 1898 To A. R. Henry 1663
Feb. 10, 1899 Lt. 26, 1899 To Men in Responsible Positions in 1679
the Work
May 11, 1899 Ms 75, 1899 Untitled 1687
Nov. 9, 1899 Lt 183, 1899 To W. S. Hyatt 1693
Aug. 13, 1900 Lt 121, 1900 To S. N. Haskell and wife 1706
Oct. 24, 1900 Lt 139, 1900 To Officers of the Gen. Conf. 1714
------ 1900 Ms 87, 1900 The Law in Galatians 1725
Apr. 1, 1901 Ms 43, 1901 Talk in College Library 1727
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Date Reference Title Or Addressee Page
Apr. 2, 1901 GCB 4/3/01 Remarks at Gen. Conf. 1743
Apr. 11, 1901 GCB 4/12/01 Remarks at Gen. Conf. 1748
Apr. 15, 1901 GCB 4/16/01 An Appeal to our Ministers 1752
Jun. 30, 1901 Lt 64, 1901 To A. T. Jones 1755
Aug. 21, 1901 Lt 116, 1901 To W. M. Healey 1757
Nov. 6, 1901 Lt 165, 1901 To Brn-Srs. of the Iowa Conference 1762
(cf. Lt 134, 1902)
May, 1902 Ms 124, 1902 The Work in Nashville 1772
Aug. 27, 1902 Lt 134, 1902 To Brn-Srs. of the Iowa Conference 1780
(cf. Lt 165, 1901)
Nov. 19, 1902 Lt 179, 1902 To C. P. Bollman 1787
Apr. 10, 1903 GCB 4/14/03 The Southern Work 1799
Mar. 29, 1904 Lt 121, 1904 To J. E. White and wife 1803
Nov. 23, 1910 Lt 130, 1910 To G. I. Butler 1811
IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS ADDRESSED IN THIS COLLECTION
NOTE: WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PROVIDE THE POSITIONS HELD BY THE FOLLOWING
INDIVIDUALS DURING THE TIME IN WHICH THEY RECEIVED THE COMMUNICATIONS
FROM ELLEN WHITE IN THIS COLLECTION. ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL
INFORMATION FOR PRINCIPAL DENOMINATIONAL WORKERS MAY BE FOUND IN THE
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ENCYCLOPEDIA.
BALLENGER, A. F. - LICENSED MINISTER EMPLOYED BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD
PUBLISHING ASSN. SERVED AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSOC. IN ATTENDANCE AT
MINNEAPOLIS.
BELDEN, F. E. - A BUSINESS MANAGER AT THE REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING
ASSN., MEMBER OF THE G. C. BOOK COMMITTEE, AND NEPHEW TO
ELLEN G. WHITE. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
BOLLMAN, C. P. - EDITOR OF THE GOSPEL HERALD AND ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF
THE SOUTHERN WATCHMAN.
BUTLER, G. I. - PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE FOR TWO TERMS,
1871-1874 AND 1880-1888. NOT IN ATTENDANCE AT MINNEAPOLIS
DUE TO ILLNESS. AFTER A PERIOD OF RETIREMENT, HE SERVED
AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE AND THE
SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSN.
COLCORD, W. A. - AN EDITOR EMPLOYED BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING
ASSN.
ELDRIDGE, C. - PRESIDENT AND MANAGER OF THE REVIEW AND HERALD
PUBLISHING ASSN. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
FARGO, J. - ORDAINED MINISTER AND TRUSTEE OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
ASSN. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
GARMIRE, J. M. - LAY MEMBER WHO PROMOTED WHAT HE BELIEVED TO BE "VISIONS"
RECEIVED BY HIS DAUGHTER, ANNA.
HASKELL, S. N. - WORLD MISSIONARY, ADMINISTRATOR, AND EDUCATOR. DELEGATE
AT MINNEAPOLIS.
HEALEY, W. M. - ORDAINED MINISTER AND EVANGELIST IN CALIFORNIA.
HENRY, A. R. - FINANCIAL OFFICER AND ADVISOR FOR NUMEROUS SDA
INSTITUTIONS. SERVED AS PRESIDENT, AUDITOR, AND
TREASURER OF THE GEN. CONF. ASSN., AS WELL AS MANAGER
AND TREASURER OF THE SDA PUBLISHING ASSN. DURING THE
1890's. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
HYATT, W. S. - DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS FROM WISCONSIN. LATER SERVED AS
PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICA CONFERENCE.
INGS, W. - ORDAINED MINISTER IN CALIFORNIA.
-16-
JONES, A. T. - ORDAINED MINISTER, AND EDITOR OF THE SIGNS OF THE
TIMES AND AMERICAN SENTINEL. FROM 1897 TO 1901
HE WAS CHIEF EDITOR OF THE REVIEW AND HERALD.
DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
JONES, C. H. - MANAGER OF THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSN. DELEGATE
MINNEAPOLIS.
KELLOGG, J. H. - CHIEF PHYSICIAN AND MANAGER OF THE BATTLE CREEK
SANITARIUM. IN ATTENDANCE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
LARSON, M. - ORDAINED MINISTER IN IOWA.
LINDSAY, H. - FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR NUMEROUS SDA INSTITUTIONS.
SERVED AS GENERAL CONFERENCE TREASURER FROM 1888 TO
1893, AND AS SECRETARY, TREASURER AND AUDITOR OF THE
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSN. IN THE LATER 1890's.
DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
MCCULLAGH, S. - ORDAINED MINISTER AND MEMBER OF THE NEW ZEALAND
CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
MILLER, H. W. - ORDAINED MINISTER AND MEMBER OF THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
MILLER, M. B. - ORDAINED MINISTER IN MICHIGAN. BROTHER OF H. W. MILLER.
DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
MORRISON, J. H. - PRESIDENT OF THE IOWA CONFERENCE. DELEGATE AT
MINNEAPOLIS.
NICOLA, L. - SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE FROM 1893 TO 1897.
OLSEN, O. A. - PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE FROM 1888 TO 1897.
PRESCOTT, W. W. - SECRETARY OF THE SDA EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY IN 1888. LATER
SERVED THE WORLD FIELD AS EDUCATOR AND ADMINISTRATOR.
IN ATTENDANCE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
ROUSSEAU, SR. - LAY WORKER IN AUSTRALIA.
SMITH, L. - ASSISTANT EDITOR OF THE REVIEW AND HERALD. SON OF
URIAH SMITH.
SMITH, U. - EDITOR OF THE REVIEW AND HERALD UNTIL 1897, WHEN HE
BECAME AN ASSOCIATE EDITOR UNDER A. T. JONES. IN 1901
HE RETURNED AS CHIEF EDITOR. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
STONE, BRO. - NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
-17-
TAIT, A. O. - ORDAINED MINISTER AND EDITOR, SERVING IN 1895, AS
SECRETARY AND TREASURER OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRACT
SOCIETY. IN 1896 HE JOINED THE REVIEW AND HERALD
PUBLISHING ASSN. AS ITS FIRST CIRCULATION MANAGER.
DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
UNDERWOOD, R, A. - PRESIDENT OF THE OHIO CONFERENCE FROM 1882 TO 1889.
DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
VAN HORN, I. D. - PRESIDENT OF THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE FROM 1888 TO 1891.
IN 1894 HE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
E. J. WAGGONER - EDITOR OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FROM 1886 TO 1891.
PRESENTED THE KEY LECTURES ON JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH IN
MINNEAPOLIS. MOVED TO ENGLAND IN 1892 TO SERVE AS
EDITOR OF PRESENT TRUTH. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS.
WASHBURN, J. S. - ORDAINED MINISTER IN IOWA.
WHITE, J. E. - SON OF ELLEN WHITE, SERVING IN PUBLISHING LINES. FROM
1893 TO 1912 HE PIONEERED SDA WORK IN THE SOUTH.
WHITE, MARY - ELLEN WHITE'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, THE WIFE OF W. C. WHITE.
WHITE, W. C. - SON OF ELLEN G. WHITE, MEMBER OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, HOLDING NUMEROUS ADMINISTRATIVE
POSTS. DELEGATE AT MINNEAPOLIS. {1888 15.4}
INDEX TO DOCUMENT LOCATION
LETTER OR MS PAGE LETTER OR MS PAGE
Lt 13, 1887 32 Ms 30, 1889 352
Lt 37, 1887 21 Lt 1, 1890 651
Lt 7, 1888 186 Lt 1f, 1890 720
Lt 18, 1888 190 Lt 11, 1890 697
Lt 20, 1888 38 Lt 18d, 1890 584
Lt 20a, 1888 196 Lt 20, 1890 714
Lt 21, 1888 85 Lt 23, 1890 520
Lt 21a, 1888 107 Lt 30, 1890 622
Lt 81, 1888 66 Lt 36a, 1890 708
Lt 82, 1888 182 Lt 40, 1890 790
Ms 2, 1888 47 Lt 43, 1890 743
Ms 6, 1888 69 Lt 43a, 1890 750
Ms 7, 1888 74 Lt 46, 1890 645
Ms 8, 1888 121 Lt 53, 1890 528
Ms 8a, 1888 129 Lt 59, 1890 599
Ms 9, 1888 151 Lt 60, 1890 620
Ms 10, 1888 146 Lt 67, 1890 706
Ms 15, 1888 163 Lt 73, 1890 732
Ms 17, 1888 132 Lt 80, 1890 590
Ms 18, 1888 501 Lt 82, 1890 617
Ms 21, 1888 176 Lt 83, 1890 627
Ms 24, 1888 203 Lt 84, 1890 642
Ms 26, 1888 154 Lt 97, 1890 683
Lt 1, 1889 286 Lt 103, 1890 688
Lt 3, 1889 251 Lt 109, 1890 735
Lt 4, 1889 388 Lt 112, 1890 758
Lt 5, 1889 330 Lt 115, 1890 675
Lt 14, 1889 307 Lt 116, 1890 703
Lt 14a, 1889 292 Ms 2, 1890 606,636
Lt 22, 1889 230 Ms 4, 1890 593
Lt 22a, 1889 243 Ms 9, 1890 536
Lt 23, 1889 263 Ms 10, 1890 549
Lt 24, 1889 439 Ms 22, 1890 568
Lt 49, 1889 274 Ms 24, 1890 665
Lt 50, 1889 294 Ms 25, 1890 521
Lt 55, 1889 336 Ms 30, 1890 906
Lt 57, 1889 498 Ms 31, 1890 802
Lt 70, 1889 382 Ms 36, 1890 810
Lt 76, 1889 450 Ms 37, 1890 825
Lt 77, 1889 469 Ms 40, 1890 917
Lt 85, 1889 277 Ms 53, 1890 766
Lt 87, 1889 437 Ms 54, 1890 787
Ms 2, 1889 302 Ms 55, 1890 839
Ms 5, 1889 337 Ms 56, 1890 561
Ms 6, 1889 471 Lt 14, 1891 964
Ms 10, 1889 447 Lt 20, 1891 846
Ms 13, 1889 516 Lt 32, 1891 850
Ms 16, 1889 257 Ms 2, 1891 854
Ms 19, 1889 269 Ms 3, 1891 861
Ms 22, 1889 452 Ms 21, 1891 890
Ms 27, 1889 429 Ms 40, 1891 865
-19-
LETTER OR MS PAGE LETTER OR MS PAGE
Lt 2a, 1892 1063 Lt 63, 1896 1502
Lt 13, 1892 993 Lt 64, 1896 1516
Lt 14, 1892 1033 Lt 78, 1896 1594
Lt 16g, 1892 987 Lt 81, 1896 1556
Lt 16j, 1892 1036 Lt 83, 1896 1520
Lt 18, 1892 977 Lt 88, 1896 1616
Lt 19d, 1892 1018 Lt 96, 1896 1574
Lt 24, 1892 1040 Lt 100, 1896 1607
Lt 124, 1896 1816
Lt 25b, 1892 1004 Lt 127, 1896 1621
Lt 47, 1892 1081 Lt 166, 1896 1513
Ms 24, 1892 1087 Ms 18, 1896 1356
Lt 9, 1893 1185 Lt 217, 1897 1652
Lt 20a, 1893 1096 Ms 7, 1897 1636
Lt 40, 1893 1204 Ms 92, 1897 (TM 404) 1644
Lt 41a, 1893 1183 Lt 15, 1898 1653
Lt 44, 1893 1164 Lt 41, 1898 1663
Lt 58, 1893 1210 Lt 26, 1899 1679
Lt 60, 1893 1197 Lt 183, 1899 1693
Lt 61, 1893 1136 Ms 75, 1899 1687
Lt 69, 1893 1192 Lt 121, 1900 1706
Lt 77, 1893 1118 Lt 139, 1900 1714
Lt 79, 1893 1171 Ms 87, 1900 1725
Lt 86a, 1893 1147 Lt 64, 1901 1755
Ms 61, 1893 1813
Ms 80, 1893 1167 Lt 116, 1901 1757
Ms 81, 1893 1195 Lt 165, 1901 1762
Lt 2, 1894 1286 Ms 43, 1901 1727
Lt 20, 1894 1227 Ms 150, 1901 (see GCB 4/12/01)
Lt 27, 1894 1240 Lt 134, 1902 1780
Lt 31a, 1901 1295 Lt 179, 1902 1787
Lt 41, 1894 1233 Ms 124, 1902 1772
Lt 55, 1894 1280 Lt 121, 1904 1803
Lt 57, 1894 1256 Lt 130, 1910 1811
Lt 58, 1894 1316
Lt 76, 1894 1214 GENERAL CONFERENCE BULLETINS
Ms 34, 1894 1268 Apr. 13, 1891 900
Lt 10, 1895 1392 Apr. 3, 1901 1743
Lt 13, 1895 1469 Apr. 12, 1901 1748
Lt 15, 1895 1379 Apr. 16, 1901 1752
Lt 35a, 1895 1408 Apr. 14, 1903 1799
Lt 45, 1895 1412
Lt 51a, 1895 1344 REVIEW AND HERALD ARTICLES
Lt 53, 1895 1421 Oct. 8, 1889 117
Lt 55, 1895 1425 Mar. 5, 1889 267
Lt 57, 1895 1322 Jul. 23, 1889 386
Lt 65, 1895 1394 Feb. 18, 1890 533
Lt 76, 1895 1369 Mar. 11, 1890 559
Lt 86, 1895 1455 Mar. 18, 1890 545
Lt 4, 1896 1577 Mar. 25, 1890 547
Lt 5, 1896 1628 May 27, 1890 673
Lt 6, 1896 1476 Aug. 26, 1890 695
Lt 8, 1896 1493 Dec. 23, 1890 764
Lt 38, 1896 1536 Mar. 22, 1892 958
Lt 56, 1896 1487 Mar. 29, 1892 960
-20-
REVIEW AND HERALD ARTICLES (Cont.) SIGNS OF THE TIMES ARTICLES
Apr. 5, 1892 962 Nov. 11, 1889 119
Jul. 26, 1892 991
Oct. 18, 1892 1061
Nov. 22, 1892 1073
Nov. 29, 1892 1075 OTHER
Dec. 6, 1892 1077 5T 692-696 326
Dec. 13, 1892 1079 6T 89 1643
Apr. 4, 1893 1055 "Danger in Adopting 950
Apr. 11, 1893 1057 Worldly Policy"
Apr. 18, 1893 1059
Mar. 20, 1894 1225
Aug. 17, 1897 1650 {1888 18.4}
Chap. 1 - To E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones
Cautions About Making Doctrinal Differences Prominent;
Contemplating the Marvels and Mysteries of the Incarnation
(Written February 18, 1887, from Basel, Switzerland, to E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones.)
I have something to say to you that I should withhold no longer. I have been looking in vain as yet to get an article that was written nearly twenty years ago in reference to the "added law." I read this to Elder [J. H.] Waggoner. I stated then to him that I had been shown [that] his position in regard to the law was incorrect, and from the statements I made to him he has been silent upon the subject for many years. {1888 21.1}
I have not been in the habit of reading any doctrinal articles in the paper, that my mind should not have any understanding of anyone's ideas and views, and that not a mold of any man's theories should have any connection with that which I write. I have sent repeatedly for my writings on the law, but that special article has not yet appeared. There is such an article in Healdsburg, I am well aware, but it has not come as yet. I have much writing many years old on the law, but the special article that I read to Elder Waggoner has not come to me yet. {1888 21.2}
Letters came to me from some attending the Healdsburg College in regard to Brother E. J. W.'s [Waggoner's] teachings in regard to the two laws. I wrote immediately protesting against their doing contrary to the light which God had given us in regard to all differences of opinion, and I heard nothing in response to the letter. It may never have reached you. If you, my brethren, had the experience that my husband and myself have had in regard to these known differences being published in articles in our papers, you would never have pursued the course you have, either in your ideas advanced before our students at the college, neither would it have appeared in the Signs. Especially at this time should everything like differences be repressed. These young men are more self-confident and less cautious than they should be. You must, as far as difference is concerned, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Even if you are fully convinced that your ideas of doctrines are sound, you do not show wisdom that that difference should be made apparent. {1888 21.3}
I have no hesitancy in saying you have made a mistake here. You have departed from the positive directions God has given upon this matter, and only harm will be the result. This is not in God's order. You have now set the example for others to do as you have done, to feel at liberty to put in their various ideas and theories and bring them before the public, because you have done this. This will bring in a state of things that you have not dreamed of. I have wanted to get out articles in regard to the law, but I have been moving about so much, my writings are where I cannot have the advantage of them. {1888 22.1}
It is no small matter for you to come out in the Signs as you have done, and God has plainly revealed that such things should not be done. We must keep before the world a united front. Satan will triumph to see differences among Seventh-day Adventists. These questions are not vital points. I have not read Elder Butler's pamphlet or any articles written by any of our writers and do not mean to. But I did see years ago that Elder [J. H.] Waggoner's views were not correct, and read to him matter which I had written. The matter does not lie clear and distinct in my mind yet. I cannot grasp the matter, and for this reason I am fully convinced that presenting it has been not only untimely, but deleterious. {1888 22.2}
Elder Butler has had such an amount of burdens he was not prepared to do this subject justice. Brother E. J. W. [Waggoner] has had his mind exercised on this subject, but to bring these differences into our general conferences is a mistake; it should not be done. There are those who do not go deep, who are not Bible students, who will take positions decidedly for or against, grasping at apparent evidence; yet it may not be truth, and to take differences into our conferences where the differences become widespread, thus sending forth all through the fields various ideas, one in opposition to the other, is not God's plan, but at once raises questionings, doubts whether we have the truth, whether after all we are not mistaken and in error. {1888 23.1}
The Reformation was greatly retarded by making prominent differences on some points of faith and each party holding tenaciously to those things where they differed. We shall see eye to eye erelong, but to become firm and consider it your duty to present your views in decided opposition to the faith or truth as it has been taught by us as a people, is a mistake, and will result in harm, and only harm, as in the days of Martin Luther. Begin to draw apart and feel at liberty to express your ideas without reference to the views of your brethren, and a state of things will be introduced that you do not dream of. {1888 23.2}
My husband had some ideas on some points differing from the views taken by his brethren. I was shown that however true his views were, God did not call for him to put them in front before his brethren and create differences of ideas. While he might hold these views subordinate himself, once they are made public, minds would seize [upon them], and just because others believed differently would make these differences the whole burden of the message, and get up contention and variance. {1888 24.1}
There are the main pillars of our faith, subjects which are of vital interest, the Sabbath, the keeping of the commandments of God. Speculative ideas should not be agitated, for there are peculiar minds that love to get some point that others do not accept, and argue and attract everything to that one point, urging that point, magnifying that point, when it is really a matter which is not of vital importance, and will be understood differently. Twice I have been shown that everything of a character to cause our brethren to be diverted from the very points now essential for this time, should be kept in the background. {1888 24.2}
Christ did not reveal many things that were truth, because it would create a difference of opinion and get up disputations, but young men who have not passed through this experience we have had, would as soon have a brush as not. Nothing would suit them better than a sharp discussion. {1888 24.3}
If these things come into our conference, I would refuse to attend one of them; for I have had so much light upon the subject that I know that unconsecrated and unsanctified hearts would enjoy this kind of exercise. Too late in the day, brethren, too late in the day. We are in the great day of atonement, a time when a man must be afflicting his soul, confessing his sins, humbling his heart before God, and getting ready for the great conflict. When these contentions come in before the people, they will think one has the argument, and then that another directly opposed has the argument. The poor people become confused and the conference will be a dead loss, worse than if they had had no conference. Now when everything is dissension and strife, there must be decided efforts to handle, [to] publish with pen and voice these things that will reveal only harmony. {1888 24.4}
Elder [J. H.] Waggoner has loved discussions and contention. I fear that E. J. W. [Waggoner] has cultivated a love for the same. We need now good, humble religion. E. J. W. [Waggoner] needs humility, meekness, and Brother Jones can be a power for good if he will constantly cultivate practical godliness, that he may teach this to the people. {1888 25.1}
But how do you think I feel to see our two leading papers in contention? I know how these papers came into existence. I know what God has said about them, that they are one, that no variance should be seen in these two instrumentalities of God. They are one and they must remain one, breathing the same spirit, exercised in the same work, to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord, one in faith, one in purpose. {1888 25.2}
The Sickle [A MISSIONARY PAPER BRIEFLY PUBLISHED IN 1886.] was started in Battle Creek, but it is not designed to take the place of the Signs, and I cannot see that it is really needed. The Signs of the Times is needed and will do that which the Sickle cannot. I know if the Signs is kept full of precious articles, food for the people, that every family should have it. But a pain comes to my heart every time I see the Sickle. I say it is not as God would have it. If Satan can get in dissension among us as a people, he will only be too glad.
{1888 25.3}
I do not think that years will wipe out the impressions made at our last conference. I know how these things work. I am satisfied that we must have more of Jesus and less of self. If there is a difference upon any parts of the understanding of some particular passage of Scripture, then do not be with pen or voice making your differences apparent and making a breach when there is no need of this. {1888 26.1}
We are one in faith in the fundamental truths of God's word. And one object must be kept in view constantly, that is harmony and cooperation must be maintained without compromising one principle of truth. And while constantly digging for the truth as for hidden treasure, be careful how you open new and conflicting opinions. We have a worldwide message. The commandments of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ are the burden of our work. To have unity and love for one another is the great work now to be carried on. There is danger of our ministers dwelling too much on doctrines, preaching altogether too many discourses on argumentative subjects when their own soul needs practical godliness. {1888 26.2}
There has been a door thrown open for variance and strife and contention and differences which none of you can see but God. His eye traces the beginning to the end. And the magnitude of mischief God alone knows. The bitterness, the wrath, the resentment, the jealousies, the heart burnings provoked by controversies of both sides of the question causes the loss of many souls. {1888 26.3}
May the Lord give us to see the need of drinking from the living fountain of the water of life. Its pure streams will refresh and heal us and refresh all connected with us. Oh, if the hearts were only subdued by the Spirit of God! If the eye was single to God's glory, what a flood of heavenly light would pour upon the soul. He who spake as never man spake was an educator upon earth. After His resurrection He was an educator to the lonely, disappointed disciples traveling to Emmaus, and to those assembled in the upper chamber. He opened to them the Scriptures concerning Himself and caused their hearts to be bound with a holy, new, and sacred hope and joy. {1888 26.4}
From the Holy of Holies, there goes on the grand work of instruction. The angels of God are communicating to men. Christ officiates in the sanctuary. We do not follow Him into the sanctuary as we should. Christ and angels work in the hearts of the children of men. The church above, united with the church below, is warring the good warfare upon the earth. There must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth, in harmony with Christ's cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven. There we shall see more clearly as we are seen. We shall know as we are known. {1888 27.1}
It is a melancholy and dispiriting thing to observe how little effect the solemn truths relating to these last days have upon the minds and hearts of those who claim to believe the truth. They listen to the discourses preached, they seem to be deeply interested as they hang upon the lips of the speaker, and if his words are sublime they are delighted; tears flow as the love of Christ is the theme brought before them. {1888 27.2}
But with the close of the discourse the spell is broken. Enter the homes and you will be surprised to not hear one word that would lead you to think that a deep impression was made as the circumstances warranted in the presentation of such elevating things. It was exactly as if they had listened to some pleasant song or melody. It is done, and the impression gone like the morning dew before the sun.{1888 27.3}
What is the reason of this? The truth is not brought into the life. They did not accept the truth spoken as the word of God to them. They did not look past the instrument to the great Worker within the heavenly sanctuary. They did not take the word as a special message from God, of whom the speaker was only the one who was entrusted with the message. Is it then any marvel that the truth is so powerless, that with a larger number, if there is some excitement, a little animal ecstasy, a little head knowledge, the influence is no deeper? {1888 28.1}
There is altogether too much sermonizing. There is too little listening and hearing the voice of God, but hearing only the voice of man; and the hearers go to their homes with souls unnourished but empty as before, and prepared to sit in judgment upon the sermon, commenting upon it as they would upon a tragedy, reviewing the matter as a human effort. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Fill the mind with the great humiliation of Christ, and then contemplate His divine character, His majesty and glory of the Highest, and His disrobing Himself of these and clothing His divinity with humanity. Then we can see a self-denial, a self-sacrifice, that was the marvel of angels. {1888 28.2}
Oh, it was poverty indeed apportioned to the Son of God that He should be moving upon a province of His own empire and yet not be recognized or confessed by the nation He came to bless and to save. It was poverty that when He walked among men, scattering blessing as He trod, the anthem of praise floated not around Him, but the air was often freighted with curses and blasphemy. It was poverty that as He passed to and fro among the subjects He came to save, scarcely a solitary voice called Him blessed, scarcely a solitary hand was stretched out in friendship, and scarcely a solitary roof proffered Him shelter. Then look beneath the disguise, and whom do we see?--Divinity, the Eternal Son of God, just as mighty, just as infinitely gifted with all the resources of power, and He was found in fashion as a man. {1888 28.3}
I wish that finite minds could see and sense the great love of the infinite God, His great self-denial, His self-sacrifice, in assuming humanity. God humbled Himself and became man and humbled Himself to die, and not only to die, but to die an ignominious death. Oh, that we might see the need of humility, of walking humbly with God, and guarding ourselves on every point. {1888 29.1}
I know that Satan's work will be to set brethren at variance. Were it not that I know [that] the Captain of our salvation stands at the helm to guide the gospel ship into the harbor, I should say, Let me rest in the grave. {1888 29.2}
Our Redeemer liveth to make intercession for us, and now if we will daily learn in the school of Christ, if we will cherish the lessons He will teach us in meekness and lowliness of heart, we shall have so large a measure of the Spirit of Jesus that self will not be interwoven into anything that we may do or say. The eye will be single to the glory of God. We need to make special efforts to answer the prayer of Christ that we may be one as He is one with the Father, He who declared Himself actually straitened while in the days of His humiliation because He had many things to say to His disciples which they could not bear now. The wonders of redemption are dwelt upon altogether too lightly. {1888 29.3}
We need these matters presented more fully and continuously in our discourses and in our papers. We need our own hearts to be deeply stirred with these deep and saving truths. There is danger of keeping the discourses and the articles in the paper like Cain's offering, Christless. {1888 29.4}
Baptized with the Spirit of Jesus, there will be a love, a harmony, a meekness, a hiding of the self in Jesus that the wisdom of Christ will be given, the understanding enlightened; that which seems dark will be made clear. The faculties will be enlarged and sanctified. He can lead those He is fitting for translation to heaven to loftier heights of knowledge and broader views of truth. The reason that the Lord can do so little for those who are handling weighty truths is that so many hold these truths apart from their life. They hold them in unrighteousness. Their hands are not clean, their hearts are defiled with sin, and should the Lord work for them in the power of His Spirit corresponding with the magnitude of the truth which He has opened to the understanding, it would be as though the Lord sanctioned sin. {1888 30.1}
That which our people must have interwoven with their life and character is the unfolding of the plan of redemption, and more elevated conceptions of God and His holiness brought into the life. The washing of the robes of character in the blood of the Lamb is a work that we must attend to earnestly while every defect of character is to be put away. Thus are we working out our own salvation with fear and trembling. The Lord is working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. We need Jesus abiding in the heart, a constant, living well-spring; then the streams flowing from the living fountain will be pure, sweet, and heavenly. Then the foretaste of heaven will be given to the humble in heart.
{1888 30.2}
Truths connected with the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven will be talked of, written upon, more than now. There is to be closed every door that will lead to points of difference and debate among brethren. If the old man was purged from every heart, then there would be greater safety in discussion, but now the people need something of a different character. There is altogether too little of the love of Christ in the hearts of those who claim to believe the truth. While all their hopes are centered in Jesus Christ, while His Spirit pervades the soul, then there will be unity, although every idea may not be exactly the same on all points. {1888 31.1}
The Bible is but yet dimly understood. A life-long prayerful study of its sacred revealings will leave still much unexplained. It is the deep movings of the Spirit of God that is needed to operate upon the heart to mold character, to open the communication between God and the soul, before the deep truths will be unraveled. Man has to learn himself before God can do great things for him. The little knowledge imparted might be a hundredfold greater if the mind and character were balanced by the holy enlightenment of the Spirit of God. Altogether too little meekness and humility are brought into the work of searching for the truth as for hidden treasures, and if the truth were taught as it is in Jesus, there would be a hundredfold greater power, and it would be a converting power upon human hearts, but everything is so mingled with self that the wisdom from above cannot be imparted.--Letter 37, 1887.
Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. May 2, 1985. Entire Letter. {1888 31.2}
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Edward F Sutton
