ADDITIONAL
QUOTATIONS ON KELLOGG
Here
are a number of additional significant Spirit of Prophecy quotations on
the Kellogg Crisis:
"
'Matters have been presented before me that have filled my soul with keen
anguish.' 'I saw men linking up arm in arm with lawyers; but God was not
in their company. . I am commissioned to say to such that you are not
moving under the inspiration of the Spirit of God.' "Ellen G. White,
Special Testimonies, Series A, No 11, p. 21.
"Dear
Brother Irwin: . . Save Dr. Kellogg from himself. He is not heeding the
counsel he should heed." Ellen G. White, Letter 3, 1900.
"I
write to you as a mother would write to her son. I would help you if I
could .. I would go to see you if I could if you receive the messages of
warning sent you, you will be saved from great trial."8 Testimonies,
pp. 190, 191.
"A
solemn responsibility rests upon those who have had charge of the Battle
Creek Sanitarium. Will they build up in Battle Creek a mammoth
institution, or will they carry out the purpose of God by making plants in
many places?" Special Testimonies, Series B, No 6, p. 9.
"When
the Lord swept the large Sanitarium out of the way at Battle Creek, He did
not design that it should ever be built there again .. Had this counsel
been heeded, the heavy responsibilities connected with the Battle Creek
Sanitarium would not now exist. These responsibilities are a terrible
burden." Special
Testimonies,' Series B, No 6, p. 26.
"In
the visions of the night I have seen an angel standing with a sword as of
fire stretched over Battle Creek."8 Testimonies, p. 97
"
'For many years I have carried a heavy burden for our institutions.'
'Sometimes I have thought I would attend no more large gatherings for our
people, for my messages seem to leave little impression on the minds of
our leading brethren after the meetings have closed.' "Special
Testimonies, B, No 6, p. 56.
"At
the sanitarium in Battle Creek, the students and helpers have been
encouraged by the managers to write to their parents and friends and tell
of wonderful things being done in the institution." Ellen G. White,
letter to S.N. Haskell, November 28, 1903.
"How
could we consent to have the flower of our youth called to Battle Creek to
receive their education, when God has given warning after warning that
they are not to go there." "Some of the instructors do not
understand the real groundwork of our faith .. God forbid that one word
of encouragement should be spoken to call our youth to a place where
they will be leavened by misrepresentations and falsehoods regarding the
testimonies, and the work and character of the ministers of
God." Special Testimonies, Series B, No 2, pp. 21-22.
"Pantheistic
theories are not sustained by the Word of God . . Darkness is their
element, sensuality their sphere. They gratify the natural heart, and give
leeway to inclination." Review and Herald, January 21, 1904, p. 9.
"The
track of truth lies close beside the track of error, and both tracks may
seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy
Spirit." Ellen G. White, Letter 211, 1903.
"My
soul is so greatly distressed as I see the working out of the plans of the
tempter that I cannot express the agony of my mind. Is the church of God
always to be confused by the devices of the accuser, when Christ's
warnings are so definite, so plain !'Special Testimonies, Series B, No 2,
p. 23.
"The
enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great
reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that
this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as
the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of
reorganization."1 Selected Message:, p. 204.
"The
contest will wax more and more fierce." "Mind will be arrayed
against mind, plans against plans, principles of heavenly origin against
principles of Satan." "There are men who teach the truth, but
who are not perfecting their ways before God, who are trying to conceal
their defections, and encourage an estrangement from God." Special
Testimonies, Series A, No 11, pp. 5, 6.
"In
the very midst of us will arise false teachers, giving heed to seducing
spirits whose doctrines are of satanic origin. These teachers will draw
away disciples after themselves. Creeping in unawares, they will use
flattering words and make skillful misrepresentations with seductive
tact." Manuscript 94, 1903.
"False
theories will be mingled with every phase of experience, and advocated
with satanic earnestness in order to captivate the mind of every soul who
is not rooted and grounded in a full knowledge of the sacred principles of
the Word." Manuscript 94, 1903.
"I
wish to sound a note of warning to our people nigh and afar off. An effort
is being made by those at the head of the medical work in Battle Creek to
get control of property over which, in the sight of the heavenly courts,
they have no rightful control . . There is a deceptive working going on to
obtain property in an underhand way. This is condemned by the law of God.
I will mention no names. But there are doctors and ministers who have been
influenced by the hypnotism exercised by the father of lies.
Notwithstanding the warnings given, Satan's sophistries are being accepted
now just as they were accepted in the heavenly courts." Special
Testimonies, Series B, No 7, p. 30.
"Very
adroitly some have been working to make of no effect the Testimonies of
warning and reproof that have stood the test for half a century. At the
same time, they deny doing any such thing." Special Testimonies,
Series B, No 7, p. 31.
"Before
the development of recent events, the course that would be pursued by Dr.
Kellogg and his associates was plainly outlined before me. He with others
planned how they might gain the sympathies of the people. They would seek
to give the impression that they believed all points of our faith and had
confidence in the Testimonies. Thus many would be deceived, and would take
their stand with those who had departed from the faith." Ellen G.
White, Letter, 328, 1906.
"Brilliant,
sparkling ideas often flash from 'a mind that is influenced by the great
deceiver. Those who listen and acquiesce will become charmed, as Eve was
charmed by the serpent's words. They cannot listen to charming
philosophical speculations, and at the same time keep the word of the
living God clearly in mind."1 Selected Messages, p. 197.
"(Dr.
Kellogg) was speaking, and he was filled with enthusiasm regarding his
subject . In his presentations he cloaked the matter somewhat, but in
reality he was presenting scientific theories which are akin to pantheism.
"After
looking upon the pleased, interested countenances of those who were
listening, One by my side told me that the evil angels had taken captive
the mind of the speaker. I was astonished to see with what enthusiasm the
sophistries and deceptive theories were received." Special
Testimonies, Series B, No 6, p. 41.
"When
engaged in discussion over these theories, their advocates will take words
spoken to oppose them, and will make them appear to mean the very opposite
of that which the speaker intended them to mean." Special
Testimonies, Series B, No 6, p. 41.
"The
long night interviews which Dr. Kellogg holds are one of his most
effective means of gaining his point. His constant stream of talk
confuses the minds of those he is seeking to influence. He misstates and
misquotes words, and places those who argue with him in so false a light
that their powers of discernment are benumbed. He takes their words, and
gives them an impress which make them seem to mean exactly the opposite of
what they said." Ellen G. White, Letter 259, 1904.
"Even
in our day there . . will continue to be entire families who have once
rejoiced in the truth, but who will lose faith because of calumnies and
falsehoods brought to them in regard to those whom they have loved and
with whom they have had sweet counsel."
" 'They opened their
hearts to the sowing of tares; the tares sprang up among the wheat .. and
the precious truth lost its power to them.' For a time, Eve-like, their
excursion into this new game of gossip and false theology brought a
strange sense of exhilaration: 'False zeal accompanied their new
theories, which hardened their hearts against the advocates of truth as
did the Jews against Christ.'" Special Testimonies, Series A, No 11,
pp. 9, 10.
"I
am afraid of the men who have entered into the study of the science that
Satan carried into the warfare in heaven . . When they once accept the
bait, it seems impossible to break the spell that Satan casts over
them." Ellen G. White, Letter to Brethren Daniells, Prescott, and
their associates, October 30, 1905.
"In
the camp there have been many traitors in disguise, and Christ knows every
one of them. God has been dishonored by disloyal subjects To those abiding
in Battle Creek, I say, For your souls' sake, let as many as can, get away
from its strife and its perils. "Special Testimonies, Series B, No
7, p. 15.
"My
message will become more and more pointed, as was the message of John the
Baptist, even though it cost me my life. The people shall not be
deceived." Special Testimonies, Series B, No 7, p. 34.
"When
the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface
readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand." Testimonies to
Ministers, p. 112.
"One's
only hope in that time is to know God's will as revealed in His Sacred
Writings. 'The days are fast approaching when there will be great
perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if
possible, the very elect .. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. .
Those who trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at
the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light.' In the
last solemn work few great men will be engaged."5 Testimonies, p.
80.
"Knowing
this in advance, Satan 'will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a
counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive
power he will make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out;
there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest.
Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the
work is that of another spirit." The Great Controversy, p. 464.
"At
the time of the General Conference in Oakland, I was forbidden by the Lord
to have any conversation with Dr. Kellogg. During that meeting a scene was
presented to me, representing evil angels conversing with the doctor . .
He seemed powerless to escape from the snare." Ellen G. White, Letter
to S. N. Haskell, November 28, 1903.
"Parents,
keep your children away from Battle Creek . . Specious heresy has been
taking hold of minds, and its threads have been woven into the pattern of
the figure. Who is responsible for giving young men and women an
education that has left a seducing influence upon their minds? One father
writes that of his two children who were sent to Battle Creek one is now
an infidel and the other has given up the truth.
"Letters
such as this have been coming from different ones. The warning is given me
to give to parents, if your children are in Battle Creek, call them away
without delay." Manuscript 20, 1906.
"There
will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic . .
Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up
souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the
Spirit of God are heeded." 1 Selected Messages, p. 48.
"Nothing
would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement." 1 Selected
Messages, p. 205.
"There
is a spirit of wickedness at work in the church that is striving at every
opportunity to make void the law of God . . The burden of our work now is
not to labor for those who, although they have had abundant light and
evidence, still continue on the unbelieving side." Manuscript 125,
1907.
"Any
man who seeks to present theories which would lead us from the light that
has come to us on the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary, should not
be accepted as a teacher." Manuscript 125, 1907.
"It
will be found that those who bear false messages will not have a high
sense of honor and integrity. They will deceive the people, and mix up
with their error the Testimonies of Sister White, and use her name to give
influence to their work. They make such selections from the Testimonies as
they think they can twist to support their positions, and place them in a
setting of falsehood, so that their error may have weight and be accepted
by the people." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 42.
"Men
and women will arise professing to have some new light or some new
revelation, whose tendency is to unsettle faith in the old landmarks..
False reports will be circulated, and some will be taken in this snare.
They will believe these rumors, and in their turn will repeat them . .
Through this means many souls will be balanced in the wrong
direction." Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 49, 50.
"The
enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great
reformation was to take place among Seventh day Adventists, and that
this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as
the pillars of our faith."1 Selected Messages, p. 204.
"But
there is a people who will bear the ark of God. Some will go out from
among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these cannot make walls to
obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the
end." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 411.
"Those
who are in harmony with God, and who through faith in Him receive strength
to resist wrong and stand in defense of the right, will always have severe
conflicts and will frequently have to stand almost alone. But precious
victories will be theirs while they make God their dependence. His grace
will be their strength. Their moral sensibility will be keen and clear,
and their moral powers will be able to withstand wrong influences. Their
integrity, like that of Moses, will be of the purest character."3
Testimonies, pp. 302, 303.
"To
stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us,
to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few this will be our
test." 5 Testimonies, p. 136.
"There
never will be a time in the history of the church when God's worker can
fold his hands and be at ease, saying, 'All is peace and safety.' Then it
is that sudden destruction cometh. Everything may move forward amid
apparent prosperity; but Satan is wide awake, and is studying and
counseling with his evil angels, another mode of attack where he can be
successful. The contest will wax more and more fierce on the part of Satan
.. Mind will be arrayed against mind, plans against plans, principles of
heavenly origin against principles of Satan. Truth in its varied phases
will be in conflict with error in its ever-varying, increasing forms, and
which if possible, will deceive the very elect." Special
Testimonies, Series A, No 11, p. 5.
"Satan
has his allies in men. And evil angels in human form will appear to men,
and present before them such glowing representations of what they will
be able to do if they will only heed their suggestions, that often they
change their penitence for defiance . . Sin has darkened their reasoning
powers, and hell is triumphing. 0, will not men cease to trust in human
beings?" Special Testimonies, Series B, No 7, pp. 21, 22.
"You
flatter yourselves that you are moving under the inspiration of divine
advancement." "But some are following the false inspiration that
deceived the angels in the heavenly courts." Special Testimonies,
Series A, No 12, p. 1.
"If
permitted, evil angels will work the minds of men until they have no mind
or will of their own . . Thus it will be with physicians or ministers who
continue to bind up with the one who has had light, who has had warnings,
but who has not heeded them." Special Testimonies, Series B, No 6,
pp. 42, 43.
Oh,
how the angels must weep because men will try to get above the plain words
given in God's Word. Let us value the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy and
cling to them.
It
was the summer of 1903, and Elder A. T. Jones decided to pay a visit to
Ellen G. White at her home in Elmshaven, in Northern California. He had
been having difficulties as president of the California Conference and he
wished to counsel with her. In the course of the meeting, Alonzo Jones
told Ellen White that he had received a written request from Dr. John H.
Kellogg to come to Battle Creek and teach Bible in Kellogg's American
Medical Missionary College. Jones discussed the fact that he had pretty
much decided to accept the invitation and move to Battle Creek.
Ellen
White strongly urged him not to go to Battle Creek. Jones replied that he
felt that he would be able to help Dr. Kellogg by going there. She told
him that he dare not go; for if he did, Kellogg would gain an influence
over his mind that could mean his eternal destruction.
Jones
was shocked. He knew himself to be an intelligent man; an excellent church
historian, theologian, professional writer, and well-known public speaker.
To say the least, it was somewhat hard on his self-confident bearing to
have this little lady at Elmshaven so very able to predict his future and
tell him he was making a most terrible mistake in uniting with Kellogg,
when he, Jones, was so sure of his own abilities, and thought he
understood what Kellogg was like. Politely demurring, Jones said that
surely all would be all right.
At
this point, Ellen White spoke words of direct warning to Elder A. T. Jones.
She told him that he must not go to Battle Creek, for she had been
warned in a vision that if he did, it would lead to his downfall.
In
commenting at a later time upon the content of this vision, she wrote:
"In
vision I had seen him [A. T. Jones] under the influence of Dr. Kellogg.
Fine threads were being woven around him and he was being bound hand and
foot and his mind and his senses were becoming captivated." Letter
116, 1906.
In
the above-quoted letter, she also made comment on Elder Jones' reaction to
her advice that summer day in 1903:
"His
perceptions were becoming confused and he did not believe the warning
given. The enemy works in a strange, wonderful way to influence human
minds." Letter 116, 1903.
Jones
was certain that he would be safe as he placed himself in a situation
where the words and ideas of Dr. Kellogg were to be his constant companion
to study and consider.
A.
T. Jones was too self-confident. He was too sure of himself. How
self-confident are you just now? For, indeed, Ellen White's words to A. T-
Jones are written for you also. Do you imagine that you can study Hal
Price's reprint of the "Kellogg File, 1907" and remain
unaffected by it?
The
next year, Ellen White tried to get Jones out of Battle Creek. She wrote
him to unite with the leaders in Washington D.C. in the Religious
Liberty Department there. Unfortunately that did not last long, due to
his brusque mannerisms. Then, in February 1905, she tried to get him out
of Battle Creek by calling him to do public evangelism. You will find this
call in Letter 187, 1905.
But
Jones chose to remain in Battle Creek. A careful study of the Bible and
Spirit of Prophecy will reveal that there are men who have entered so
deeply into error that it is as if they have made an agreement with hell,
and Satan is more powerfully able to work through them to influence others
in a captivating way than could normally be done.
Thus
it was with John Harvey Kellogg. He had in pride and self-conceit turned
away from so much light, that he had become a highly-polished instrument
in the devil's hands to fulfill his objectives.
My
counsel to you is that you stay away from the errors of John Harvey
Kellogg, and from those who stand with him in advocating those same
errors.
A.T.
Jones joined Dr. Kellogg in Battle Creek in the summer of 1903. Ellen
White wrote him at various times thereafter until 1911. As we read those
messages of warning that she sent him, we see delineated the progressive
steps of a man on his way downward.
Gradually,
Jones became more and more self-confident; increasingly he rejected the
Spirit of Prophecy more and more. Alonzo T. Jones had deliberately
flaunted warning messages from God through His messenger, and had
voluntarily placed himself under influences which finally captivated him
fully and led to his destruction.
Between
the years 1904 and 1908, Ellen White wrote several letters of warning to
Elder Alonzo T. Jones. They provide an indication of the downward path
of this man, who in earlier years had been such a helpful champion of the
message of Righteousness by Faith. None of us are safe for a day or an
hour, except as we stay with God and His Inspired Word.
1904An
"inharmonious note". "The words and attitude of Brother
--- and Brother A.T. Jones at the Barrien Springs meeting [19041 struck an
inharmonious note, a note that was not inspired of God. It created a
state of things which resulted in harm that they did not anticipate. It
made the work of the meeting very much harder than it would otherwise
have been. Had it not been for their injudicious course, the Barrien
Springs Conference would have shown very different results.' Special
Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 42:
December
29, 1905, Spiritual eyesight lost and God's warnings repudiated: "I
send no more [testimonies to be read to the Battle Creek Church] to A.T.
Jones, for I have evidence that a work will have to be done for him before
the Lord will accept his service. God has given him warnings which he has
repudiated, and I am deeply grieved that he has so little spiritual
eyesight.' Letter 345, 1905.
March
12, 1906 Wrong spirit and bitter demonstrations:
"You
may be surprised to hear the words that you have heard from Elder A.T.
Jones; but I am not at all surprised. This is the development of the man
when the spirit that is counter to the Spirit of God comes upon him. In
him as he is at the present time, you have a representation of a man who
is not under the molding influence of the Spirit of God. The Lord accepts
no such demonstrations of bitterness.
"Read
in my books, 'Patriarchs and Prophets' and 'Great Controversy', the story
of the first great apostasy. History is being repeated and will be
repeated. Read then, and understand." Letter 98, 1906.
April
2, 1906, Captivated, deluded, and deceived: "During the General
Conference at Takoma Park [April, 19051, Elder Jones' case was again
presented to me. After this, I had a long conversation with him in which I
pointed out his danger But he was self-confident, and declared to me that
Dr. Kellogg, believed the truth and the testimonies just as firmly as the
rest of us believed and advocated them. In this conversation Elder Jones
manifested that which had been revealed to me regarding him, that in the
place of receiving the warnings, he was full of self-confidence; that he
had exalted himself, and in the place of being prepared to help Dr.
Kellogg, he had united with him to disbelieve and distrust, and falsely to
accuse the ministers and others who were trying to save Dr. Kellogg and
other physicians who were in peril.
"I
warned Elder Jones, but he felt that he was not in the least danger. But
the find threads have been woven about him, and he is now a man deluded
and deceived. Though claiming to believe the testimonies, he does not
believe them." Letter 116, 1906.
May
1, 1906 Chosen darkness instead of light: "I art sorry for A.T.
Jones, who has been warned over and over again. Notwithstanding these
warnings, he has allowed the enemy to fill his mind with thoughts of
self-importance. Heed not his words, for he has rejected the plainest
light and had chosen darkness instead. The Holy One hath given us message
clear and distinct, but some poor souls have been blinded by the
falsehoods and the deceptive influences of satanic agencies and have
turned from truth and righteousness to follow these fallacies of satanic
origin." Manuscript 39, 1906.
June
15. 1906 His words controlled by Dr. Kellogg "Dr. Kellogg controls
the voice of Elder A.T. Jones, and will use him as his mouthpiece. My
prayer is, 0 God, open Thou the blind eyes, that they may see; and the
ears of the deaf that they may hear, and become humble." Letter 182,
1906.
Jul.
5, 1906 Grieved the Holy Spirit: "Elder A.T. Jones, Dear brother,
Again and again your case has been presented before me. I am now
instructed to say to you, You have had a large knowledge of truth, and
less, far less, spiritual understanding. When you were called to the
important work a Washington, you had need of far more of the humble grace
that becometh a Christian. Since the Berrien Springs meeting your attitude
and the attitude of several others has grieved the Spirit of God. You have
been weighed in the balance ant found wanting.
"Self-exaltation
is your great danger. It causes you to swell to large proportions. You
trust in your own wisdom, and that is often foolishness.
"Do
you remember the counsel which I gave you in my letter of April, 1894?
This was in answer to your letter expressing deep regret over the part you
had taken in an unwise movement [Anna Phillips, see 2 SM 85-95] and you
appealed to me for instruction, that you might ever avoid such mistake!
"When
at the General Conference at Washington I had conversation with you, but
it seemed to have no influence upon you. You appeared to feel fully
capable of managing yourself. After that conversation, scene after scene
passed be fore me in the night season, and I was then instructed that you
neither had been nor would be a help to Dr. Kellogg; for you were blind in
regard to his dangers and his real standing. You can not be a help to him;
for you entirely misjudge his case You consider the light given me of God
regarding his position as of less value than your own judgment.
"Brother
Jones, I have a message for you. In many respects you are a weak man. If I
were to write out all the has been revealed to me of your weakness, and of
the developments of your work that have not been in accordance with the
course of a true Christian, the representation would not be pleasing. This
may have to be done if you continue to justify yourself in a course of
apostasy. Until your mind is cleared of the mist of perplexity, silence is
eloquence on your part.
"I
am so sorry that you are spoiling your record.
"Brother
Jones, will you not earnestly seek the Lord that in your life there may be
a humbling of self, and an exaltation of the principles of righteousness?
The success and prosperity of your work will depend upon your following
strictly where Jesus leads the way. God would have you stand as a faithful
watchman, laboring earnestly for souls ready to perish. If you will
consent to be a worker together with God', you may manifest in earnest
words and works, the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit. True
repentance will bring newness of life." Letter 242, 1906.
July
27, 1906 Revival of the first great apostasy: "My heart was filled
with sorrow because of the course that J. H. Kellogg is following. And A.T.
Jones is following the same course and voicing the same sentiments, with a
most determined spirit. When a realization of this comes over me, with
such force, great sorrow fills my soul.
"I
have before me such a revival of the first great apostasy in the
heavenly courts, that I am bowed down with an agony that can not be
expressed. It is in Battle Creek that the warnings that are given are
entirely disregarded." Letter 248, 1906.
August
1, 1906 Under hypnotic power: "God showed me what He would do for
Dr. Kellogg if he would take hold of His hand. But he wrenched himself
away. At the Berrien Springs meeting (1904] the most precious offers were
given him, and when he wrenched himself away I had such agony of heart
that it seemed as if soul and body were being rent asunder.
"I
have seen Dr. Kellogg exerting a hypnotic influence upon persons, and at
such times the arch deceiver was his helper. Those who sustain him are
guilty with him. This blindness of understanding is a strange thing in our
ranks. In regard to A. T. Jones he has a theory of truth, which his books
express, and he dares not tear up his past experience by his present
course of action.
"Dr.
Kellogg has had every advantage to make impressions on human minds, and
he will improve this to the best of his ability in an effort to destroy
confidence in the testimonies. Those associated with him who have upheld
him, will have to answer before God for their course of action." Letter 258, 1906.
September
30,1907 Giving heed to doctrines of devils: "A. T. Jones, Dr.
Kellogg, and Elder Tenney are all working under the same leadership. They
are classing themselves with those of whom the apostle writes, 'Some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of
devils.' In the case of A. T. Jones I can see the fulfillment of the
warnings
that were given me regarding him." Letter 306, 1907.
October
1, 1907 Now in apostasy: "I want to say to you, Brother and Sister
Starr, that the time we have so long anticipated has come. A. T. Jones has
come to the place where he voices the mind and faith of Dr. Kellogg. They
have now taken a decided stand against the truth, and special efforts will
be made to lead souls away. This apostasy has cost us dearly . . Warning
after warning has been given to these men, but they have set themselves
first to deny the messages and then to declare that they did not believe
the testimonies. Their work against the truth has been as marked by
deception as was the course of Canright. Many whose sympathies were with
Dr. Kellogg, have united with him and have departed from the
faith." Letter 316, 1907.
November
11, 1908 Departed from the faith: "I must warn our people against
laboring in any line in connection with A. T. Jones. He is one who has
departed from the faith, and has given heed to seducing spirits. He knows
not what manner of spirit he is of." Letter 330, 1908.
Later
in this present documentary, there will be a biographical section on
Albion Fox Ballenger, the man who, in 1905, precipitated the second half
of the Alpha crisis when his theological errors in regard to the Sanctuary
Message were brought to the General Conference Session that met that year.
The present writer has in his possession a copy of the September-October
1921 issue of "The Gathering Call." That particular issue of
Ballenger's bimonthly journal told of his death. By that time, many of
Ballenger's followers and associates had left him. But the principal
Seventh-day. Adventist of former years to be mentioned in that issue-and mentioned several times-was
A. T. Jones, one of Ballenger's closest associates at the time of
Ballenger's death on September 20, 1921. He authored a major article in
that issue, and on the masthead was listed along with two others (E. S.
Ballenger and Mrs. A. F. Ballenger).
Lingering
alongside the errors of Dr. Kellogg brought Jones into captivity to those
errors, as is happening to some modern-day counterparts of Elder Jones,
who think themselves safe as they study with interest the claims of
Kellogg that Ellen White did not write all of her messages. A. T. Jones was
eventually to stand in full support of Kellogg's pantheism teachings. But
also lingering over Kellogg was ultimately to bring Jones into subjection
to the errors of A. F. Ballenger. The men who are today toying with the
theological writings of J. H. Kellogg will probably tomorrow move on into
questioning over other basic teachings of the Advent faith. When
individuals
once reject the inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy, there seems to be
no bottom to the path that they take downward.
Because
he thought himself safe to dally with Kellogg, Jones started along a road
that was to bring him into full harmony with all aspects of the Alpha
apostasy.
John
Harvey Kellogg may not have been faithful to our Bible-Spirit of Prophecy
teachings in some other areas, but he was in the fields of health and
medical missionary work.
What
might have been; oh, what might have been -if John Harvey Kellogg had humbly applied the Bible
and the Testimonies to all facets of his life! Our entire Church-
worldwide-
would be very different today.
We
would today stand at the head rather than near the tail in the health and
medical fields. As kings and princes came to Solomon to learn the oracles
of God, so would the world come to us today to learn how it is that
obedience to God's laws of health and His Moral Law of Ten Commandments
can bring radiant health and restoration from sickness into the lives of
so many.
What
might have been
From
the 1880s on through to the early 1900s, our health and medical work was
exactly on target, in its relation to the Inspired Messages. Ellen White's
health instructions to John Kellogg in his youth bore fruit in a
vigorously healthy man, who in the full powers of body and intellect
worked earnestly to apply the special light given to our people. Long
before the first decade of his work was ended, people from all over the
world were coming in ever larger numbers to the Battle Creek Sanitarium to
receive treatment and also to learn the special messages of Seventh-day
Adventists.
But,
from the best that we can tell, John Kellogg never emphasized the
religious messages in the 1880s. In the 1890s he began to set them in the
shade, and by the end of that decade was preaching
"non-denominationalism" and "public ownership by the
stockholders." And as the new century dawned, an erroneous set of
religious concepts began flowering in his mind.
In
addition to downplaying and undercutting the Spirit of Prophecy, John
Kellogg also fought the church leaders. In, that latter battle, who was in
the right? The church leaders or Kellogg? The fact is that both sides were
at times right and both sides were at times in the wrong. Actually, both
were accusatory and both were maligned. This bickering Ellen White stayed
clear of, and we have avoided becoming involved in it in this present
study. At times, Ellen White made definite reference to the fact that
fault existed on both sides. Repeatedly, she tried to save him from
himself. But, ultimately, she had to abandon her efforts for two reasons:
John was working directly to introduce error into the Church; he would
twist and misstate verbal and written comments to suit his own purposes.
Kellogg had become like a wild animal charging forward, and nothing
could be done to stop him.
A
third problem also existed: John wanted to take over the denomination,
but, after Daniells came into the presidency, Kellogg met with enough
opposition from the General Conference that that issue never came to
enough of a crisis to require much Spirit of Prophecy intervention. But,
please understand that a crisis could have come to a head over that issue
under the rule of such men as those who were presidents in the 1890s.
There is no doubt that later on in that first decade of the twentieth
century, Daniells himself began ignoring Spirit of Prophecy counsels, but
in relation to the theological crises of 1903-1905, Daniells stood solidly
in defense of Ellen White's positions.
There
will always be those who will claim that one side was in the right and the
other side was in the wrong. In reality, both sides the General
Conference and the Kellogg group -were
at times in the right and at times in the wrong. But in the midst of it
all, the God of heaven saved us from a terrible crisis through Ellen G.
White. And He will save us from our crises today through that same
instrumentality if we will let Him.
John
Harvey Kellogg was a very intelligent man. Not only was he a world expert
in the field of hydrotherapy, but he also was a mechanical inventor. So
many did he develop, in fact, that he founded the Sanitarium Equipment
Company in the 1890s to manufacture and market them. He also wrote books a surprising number of them. (In 1962, this writer spoke with a
Seventh-day Adventist in Los Angeles who, less than a year before, had a
lengthy conversation with an aged man who was one of J.H. Kellogg's ghost
writers. Kellogg had several researchers and writers working under his
direct supervision in the preparation of most of the books, especially
the later ones, that bore his name.) And Kellogg was also a remarkably
capable surgeon. Add to this his abilities as a health educator and
administrator.
But
the wisdom of man becomes foolishness when he turns from humble reliance
and submission to the Inspired Word of God. Ironically, the bigger he may
be in brains, the more resolute will be his fall when it comes. And so
often, it is a gradual fall that even he does not perceive. And because of
his intelligence, he is able to rationalize away all pleas for change and
reform. Apart from continual submission and obedience to God and His
words, none of us will be saved.
What
might have been
On
every side, the health and natural healing work of Seventh-day Adventists
had been enlarging. Doctors, nurses, home medical missionaries were
increasing,
and our health message was receiving favorable attention by the world
and careful obedience by many of our people. By the turn of the century,
the Church was ready for a medical college. We needed to be able to turn
out our own medical missionaries, trained in the use of proper nutrition
and God's remedies.
But
then the crisis came. And when it ended, Battle Creek was a desolated
shell of what it might have become. The medical college had closed, and
the undergraduate one as well. The Battle Creek Sanitarium was lost to the
Cause, and with the knowledge of Dr. Kellogg. He knew so much, but, as
with Canright before him, he wanted the greater glory that separation
from the Church could bring. But, as with Canright, it only brought him
into the shadows of living to please self. Neither died a happy man.
So
the Church turned away from Battle Creek, but in the process something was
missing. The driving force of a man who had already mastered the field, to
urge natural remedies and right living for our people and the world, was
now missing. Such men as John Burden and Percy Magan did what they could
when Loma Linda became the new medical training center, but something was
missing.
This
writer suspects that the problem lay not merely with an absence of
Kellogg's driving leadership, but also in the fact that there were those
among us who were looking for an excuse to throw out healthful diet,
vegetarianism, natural remedies, and a medical work separate from that
of the world.
When
they turned over the page and forgot about Kellogg, many began turning
their thoughts from our health work also.
What
might have been
The
Christian Scientists have their own religious healing practitioners. The
Chiropractors have their own non-religious practitioners. Both in
denominational and non-denominational lines, separate medical systems,
already
in operation by the turn of the century, were able to make their way. This
was due to the fact that the American Medical Association was not able to
gain control over licensing of medical training until the second decade of
the century. We today could stand separate, with a worldwide chain of
sanitariums
ministering to the sick and teaching the health and religious teachings
of Seventh-day Adventists.
What
might have been.
At
one time, vegetarianism, healthful diet and lifestyle, country living,
natural remedies, simple herbs, and water treatments constituted the
health and medical work of Seventh-day Adventists.
What
might have been.
Now
we are tagging along after the world. Wherever they lead we always follow.
We know better than to try to lead now, for we have nowhere to go. Apart
from humble obedience to the words sent us from Heaven, we as people
lack both compass and chart. We are adrift on a shoreless ocean and the
best we know to do is to follow the nearest passing ship. We could have
stood at the forefront of a unique work for God in this world; instead we
are mingling with the crowd, barely distinguishable from the rest of the
worldlings around us. Our sanitariums have been transformed into
acute-care hospitals, complete with everything found at the community
hospital
across town, even down to the smoking rooms and Saturday elective
surgery. And in many of our hospitals, elective abortions as well.
What
might have been.
On
January 5, 1903, Ellen White wrote about 'What Might Have Been." You
will want to read it for yourself. It is to be found in Volume 8 of the
Testimonies, pages 104-106. In a dream she saw a meeting in which many of
the individuals discussed in this documentary were gathered. After seeing
what might have been, she was told that it was not to be. She wept at the
news.
What might have been if
John Harvey Kellogg had remained true to the historic teachings of
Seventh-day Adventists and to the writings and warnings of the Spirit of
Prophecy!
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