The Claims
of
Mrs.
Ellen G. White,
as stated by herself,
Considered
from the Standpoint
of
Scripture.
-------------------
TRACT No.
1
Issued
by the
Seventh Day Adventist Church,
Norwich Town, Conn.
[Published
about 1890]
-------------------
Mrs.
Ellen G. White: Who She is
and What She Claims
The body of professed
Christians known for more than forty years past by the name Seventh-day Adventists
have among their number a woman, Mrs. Ellen G. White, who, they profess to believe, has
what is termed the "gift of prophecy," i.e. she is specially and miraculously
moved by the Spirit of God in her utterances.
Mrs. White has been connected with
this body from its organization to the present time. She has been, and is today, the
leading and most prominent person connected with the S.D.A. movement. She is a
prolific writer and often appears in the pulpit as a public speaker.
In investigating the claims put
forth by Mrs. White, we shall make no vague or unsupported charges, but shall quote from
the books she has published, that from her own words we may judge of the truthfulness of
the claims she makes of being the mouthpiece of God -- of writing and speaking
under the inspiration of the Spirit of God.
Before we take up this branch of
the subject, I wish to allude to the methods employed by which it is attempted for a while
to withhold a knowledge of her claims from the people, and at last to force her upon them.
The course usually pursued by the
S.D.A. in presenting the particular points of their faith, is one that is calculated to
deceive and mislead the people. They plainly proclaim that they have no creed but
the Bible; that they do not believe in "driving a stake" and tying themselves to
it by any set of dogmas formulated into a creed. They profess to be in favor of the
largest liberty for every one to read the Bible for themselves, and urge the importance of
walking out in the light of God's truth unfettered by the opinions and teaching of
man. They profess to take the Bible as their text book, and from its teaching
proceed to unfold what appears to many as the truth of God. The different points of
their faith, one after another, are taken up, and discussed with apparent candor and
frankness, yet, however, carefully and systematically avoiding all reference to the fact
of Mrs. White being a "prophetess."
So far as is known this is the
policy pursued by this people wherever they labor. They present certain points of
their belief, and when people fully accept them, and draw off from any former church
connections, and commit themselves to these particular doctrines, then, and not until
then, they present what they term the "Spirit of Prophecy" in a cautious and
deceptive manner, withholding the true facts as to what is claimed for her. When
once within the pale of the church, it soon becomes manifest that this one doctrine which
has been concealed and so carefully covered up is of the utmost importance, and it then
becomes almost impossible to resist the pressure brought to bear upon all to accept her.
We appeal to all sensible and
reasonable people if this is an honorable, a manly thing to do; to cover up and conceal
the one great prominent point of their faith -- a doctrine which we shall show is
of so much importance that the prophet and her followers alike demand you shall accept, or
give up all other points of faith, and which both they and she declare to be essential to
salvation.
But why, it may be asked, is this
matter of "prophecy" so carefully concealed? Why do they remain so silent
upon this one point, especially as they regard it of so much importance? This people
are renowned for their desire for public debate. Wherever they go they defiantly
throw down the challenge of debate to all comers. The Sabbath, and kindred
questions, have frequently been the subject of discussions, but who has ever known them to
challenge any one in regard to their "prophet"? This is the last subject
they would wish to debate. But why? Why not debate the prophet? Tracts,
books and papers upon all subjects are freely circulated and discussed, save this one.
Why, then, this studied silence concerning a doctrine which they regard of so much
importance that their leading men, and even Mrs. White herself, demand that we shall
accept, or renounce all other points of their faith?
Without doubt, the reason why
debate upon this subject is avoided is that their argument in support of this dogma will
not bear investigation, and that they wish to avoid publicity. To debate is to
attract attention. This is just the one thing they wish to avoid.
The fact that the publications of
Mrs. White are widely circulated does not signify a desire to spread a knowledge of her
claim of being a "prophetess," for many of her books may be read without
learning this fact. Her claims are chiefly put forward in her books called Testimonies
for the Church, the circulation of which is confined principally to the Church
membership.
In investigating the claims of
Mrs. White, as writing under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, we propose to confine
ourselves to what she herself declares, and the declarations of the Word of God. We
propose to institute a comparison between the claims she makes -- the doctrine
she teaches -- and what God has revealed to us in His Word. By this test
she must stand or fall. "To the law and the testimony; if they speak not
according to this word it is because there is no light in them."
The first point to which we call
attention is this: -- She claims an authority equal with the Bible for her
writings -- that they are inspired by the Spirit of God.
Let us look at some of the terms by which she has
designated her writings, these "Testimonies for the Church."
Passing over such terms as these --
"I was shown" -- "Said the Angel to me" -- "I
saw" &c. -- with which these books abound, let us consider the
particular terms which she applies to them.
The "Testimonies" consist
mainly of letters to, and concerning, certain individuals, and contain what she claims has
been revealed to her by the Spirit of God, or spoken to her by the angels. The
terms she employs to define them give us a just idea of what she claims for them.
Vol. 4, page 440. This is a
testimony to Bro. A. --
He has no real faith in the Testimonies
of the Spirit of God.
Vol. 4, page 53. This is a testimony to Bro.
E. --
When you come back and gather up
the rays of light and take the position that the Testimonies are from God, then you
will be settled in your belief.
Vol. 4, page 209. This is a
testimony to the young who are employed in the publication office. --
The young who heed not the warnings of the word of
God, and slight the Testimonies of the Spirit, can only be a living curse to the
office.
Vol. 4, page 31. This
is a testimony to Bro. A. --
His habits have not been in
harmony with the truth and with the Testimonies of reproof which God has seen fit to
give his people.
Vol. 4, page 180. --
God will send reproofs and warning
to his people as long as they continue upon earth. Those who valiantly take their
position on the right side, who encourage submission to God's revealed will... are
the true friends of the Lord.
Vol. 4, page 229. --
For thirty years we have been
receiving the words of God and speaking them to the people... What will be
the condition of those who refuse to hear the words which God has sent them?
Vol. 3, page 362. --
Do you believe that the
testimonies of reproof which have been given you are of God? If you really believe
that the voice of God has spoken to you, ... do you heed the counsel given?
Vol. 4, page 197. --
In slighting the light
brought out by his messengers we slight the Saviour of the world.
Vol. 4, page 196. --
The sin of ------ is a neglect to cherish the
light which God hath given them through his messengers... Those who reject the
message of God's servants reject not only the Son, but also the Father.
(The term "messenger" is shown by the
context to apply to herself.)
Vol. 4, page 211. --
When the Testimonies ... are doubted and given
up, Satan ... launches them into open rebellion which becomes incurable and ends in
destruction.
Vol. 4, page 148. Here she
compares her "Testimonies" with the writings of the apostles and prophets, and
to the words of Christ Himself. --
In ancient time God spoke to men
by his prophets and apostles. In these days he speaks to them by the Testimonies
of the Spirit.
How different these words sound than those of Paul
in Heb. 1:1,2. "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times
past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his
Son." What says Mrs. White? "In these days he speaks to them by
the Testimonies."
Vol. 4, page 150. --
I have been shown that some in
these days have even gone so far as to burn the written rebukes and warnings, as did the
wicked king of Israel... To defy the words of the Lord, spoken through
his chosen instruments, will only provoke his anger ... the same spirit exists today that
persecuted and imprisoned Jeremiah.
Here she styles her Testimonies the words of
the Lord, and compares them with the prophecies of Jeremiah, and the burning of one as
great an insult to God as the burning of the other. As we read some of these
"Testimonies" we learn the reason why some have been justly exasperated by her
meddling with their private affairs, and making public the incidents of the family life,
and in their indignation have burned her "Testimonies."
Vol. 4, page 252. --
If God's word spoken in awful
solemnity from the holy mountain is lightly regarded, how will the Testimonies of his
Spirit be received?
(Here her "Testimonies" are compared
with the words of God spoken from Sinai.)
Although this is not a tithe of
what Mrs. White declares in announcing that she speaks under the direct inspiration of the
Spirit of God, yet this is sufficient to show that she does make that claim in terms which
none can misunderstand.
Let us enumerate the terms she
uses in regard to her "Testimonies": --
"Testimonies of the Spirit of
God."
"Testimonies from God."
"Testimonies of reproof from
God."
"The words of the Lord."
"God's revealed will."
"Word of God."
"Voice of God."
To reject them is to reject
God. To slight them is to slight the Saviour. To doubt them is to be lost.
She compares them to the
utterances of the prophets and apostles and even of Christ himself. She compares
them with the law spoken from Sinai.
These are the comprehensive terms
by which she would elevate her writings beside the Bible in point of authority, and which
entitle them to be received as the word of God. What more can we claim for the Bible
than she claims for herself? What stronger terms can we use to assert the
inspiration of the Bible? None whatever. If Mrs. White can substantiate these
claims, then her books deserve to be bound with the sacred canon, and be recognized as of
divine authority by all who accept the Bible as inspired.
There are many of the
professed friends of Mrs. White who seek to make a distinction in her writings, and draw a
line between what they claim is inspired, and what is not. That which is shown to
her in vision, or is spoken to her by the angels, say they, is of divine authority; but
when she only expresses her own views and opinions, based upon information received from a
human source, her words then are of no more authority than those of any other good
person. Against any such position as this Mrs. White most resolutely protests.
Vol. 33, page 211. --
Some have taken the position that
the warnings, cautions, and reproofs given by the Lord through his servant, unless they
come through special vision for each individual case, should have no more weight than
counsel from other sources. In some cases it has been represented that in giving a
testimony for churches or individuals I have been influenced to write as I did by letters
received from members of the church. There have been those who claimed that
testimony purporting to be given by the Spirit of God, were merely the expression of my
own judgment, based upon information gathered from human sources. This statement
is utterly false.
Here she declares that though what
she utters or writes may be in response to information gathered from a human source, yet
it is given to her by the Spirit of God. She then compares herself with Paul, who
wrote to the church at Corinth upon information received from the household of Chloe, and
that as no one questions the inspiration of the Epistle to the Corinthians because of
this, so no one should question her writings under similar circumstances.
On page 219 she rebukes
those who would dissect her writings to suit themselves -- accepting a part as
from God, and a part merely as human wisdom, and calls upon them to accept her
"testimonies" as the word of God, or reject them altogether.
Do not by your criticism take all
the force, all the point and power, from the Testimonies. Do not feel that you can
dissect them to suit your ideas, claiming that God has give you ability to discern what is
light from heaven, and what is the expression of mere human wisdom. If the
Testimonies speak not according to the word of God, reject them.
In view of this, can anyone who accepts her as a
prophetess persevere in dissecting her writings, and regard a part as inspired and a part
as not? She never consents to such a construction as this put upon her writings, but
resolutely denounces it from first to last. She wants no half-way work.
Vol. 4, page 230. --
My work for the past thirty years
bears the stamp of God, or the stamp of the enemy. There is no half-way work in the
matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God or of the devil.
These extracts are sufficient to
show that Mrs. White claims for all her writings an equal authority -- no
one is permitted to make any distinction.
But if no distinction can be made
in regard to anything she has written, how is it in regard to what she speaks?
Testimonies No. 33, page 219. --
The instructions I have given by pen
or voice have been an expression of the light that God has given me.
Again, page 213. --
As I travel and stand before the
people in different places, the Spirit of the Lord brings clearly before me the cases I
have been shown, reviving the matter previously given me.
Whatever she speaks in public is
of the same character -- the same authority as that which she writes.
We do no violence to what Mrs.
White has written, or to the opinions of those who fully accept her, by thus plainly and
convincingly showing, from her own writings, the extent and nature of her claims.
This has not been drawn from what her enemies say of her, or even from what her friends
claim for her, but from what she herself declares.
We have shown that Mrs. White
claims for herself: --
1st. That her writings are
of equal authority with the Bible -- that the same Spirit which inspired the one
dictated the other.
2nd. That all her writings are of
equal authority -- that no distinction is permitted between them.
3rd. That all she speaks in public
is also inspired, and is the utterance of the Spirit of God.
These are the claims put forward by
Mrs. White, and we are asked to admit them. We ask, therefore, whether these claims
will bear the test of scripture. We cannot for a moment admit any such claims as
these, unless they be supported by the Word of God.
We deem these claims to be
unworthy of credit, and are false, for the following reasons: --
[1] She violates both
the letter and the spirit of the Bible.
[2] She denies the right of
private judgment in the study of the scriptures and personal religious
experience.
[3] She advocates a man-made
creed as the word of God.
[4] She asserts the
infallibility of the S.D.A. Church.
[5] She advocates
lawlessness, i.e. the violation of God's law.
[6] She sets up a
standard of duty unknown to scripture.
[7] She exalts her
visions above the Word of God.
[8] She uses her professed gifts for
the purpose of obtaining money.
The proof of these assertions we shall now
draw from her own writings, and from the Word of God: --
[1]
She violates both the letter
and the spirit of the Bible.
As one instance among many in which Mrs.
White violates the spirit of the Bible, take the case of Bro. E, mentioned in Vol. 1, page
215.
It is impossible for E to be fellowshiped by the
Church of God... He has stubbornly chosen his own course, and refused to listen
to reproof... If he repents ever so heartily, the church must let his case
alone. If he goes to heaven it must be alone, without the fellowship of the
church. A standing rebuke from God and the church must ever rest upon him, that the
standard of morality be not lowered.
What does Christ teach us in
regard to a repentant brother? -- "If thy brother repent, forgive him."
Whose "standard of
morality" can we suppose this to be which requires for its maintenance that a
"standing rebuke from God and the church must ever rest upon" the
penitent? Surely not that of the Word of God. That requires no such
penalty as this. God proclaims -- "though thy sins be as scarlet they
shall be as white as snow." Whose standard of morality then is it that demands
such an outrage upon the spirit of God's Word in order to sustain it? It can be none
other standard than that which the "Testimonies" contain. This one
paragraph from the writings of Mrs. White is enough to forever extinguish all her claim
that she writes by divine inspiration.
[2]
She denies
the right of private judgment in the study of the scriptures and personal
religious experience.
In support of the second objection, I quote from:
Vol. 3, page 451. --
God has given his church men who
have experience, those who have fasted, and wept and prayed, even through the entire night
for the Lord to open the Scriptures to their minds. In humility these men have given
the world the benefit of their mature experience.... The light of truth so carefully
brought out in books and papers he [Bro. E.] does not respect, but exalts his own
judgment above the most precious light.
Vol. 3, page 450. --
No such thing is countenanced as
one man's starting out upon his own responsibility, and advocating what views he chooses,
irrespective of the church.
Page 428, she declares --
The word of God does not give
license for one man to set up his judgment in opposition to the judgment of the church;
neither is he allowed to urge his opinions against the opinions of the church.
Page 447. --
Bro. B. is doubting point after
point of our faith. Will Bro. B. yield his own judgment and opinions, and
come with the body?
Vol. 1, page 413. --
There are many restless spirits
who will not submit to discipline, system and order. They think their liberties
would be abridged were they to lay aside their own judgment and submit to the judgment of
those of experience.
Page 324. --
Differences of opinions must be
yielded that all may come into union with the body that they may have one mind and one
judgment.
Vol. 3, page 417. --
You are constantly inclined to
individual independence. You do not realize that independence is a poor thing when
it leads you to have too much confidence in yourself, and trust to your own judgment,
rather than to respect the counsel and highly esteem the judgment of your brethren, especially
those in the offices.
Page 432. --
The Redeemer of the world does not
sanction experience, and exercise in religious matters, independent of his
organized and acknowledged church.
Vol. 3, page 492. --
But when the judgment of the
General Conference, which is the highest authority that God has upon the earth, is
exercised, private independence and private judgment must be surrendered.
Does it not appear evidence that
in a General Conference "that is the highest authority that God has upon the
earth," which demands the surrender of our "private judgment," and a
prophet who speaks by divine inspiration, we have the upper and nether millstone that will
grind us to powder, and take from us all right of private judgment in the study of the
Bible and of personal religious experience?
But why pursue this thought any
further. Her books are full of this. Do these declarations of Mrs. White sound
anything like the teachings of the Bible? Shall we accept as divinely inspired any
person whose teachings so manifestly contradict the spirit of God's word? What does
God say? "Come let us reason together." Man is a reasoning
being -- therefore his judgment must be convinced. Man is a thinking being,
therefore he has a right to think for himself. Man is a responsible being, and is
responsible alone to God. But what says this "Oracle"?
Vol. 3, page 433. --
Many have the idea that they are
responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent from his
acknowledged followers. But this is condemned by Jesus.
These extracts from her writings
are sufficient to show that she does not permit the right of private judgment. When
we take into consideration the fact that Mrs. White professes to speak by divine
inspiration, is it possible for us to admit her claim in view of these declarations she
makes, and her efforts to deprive us of the right of private judgment and experience?
It may be alleged that Mrs. White
strongly urges individual study of the Bible, and that she has often refused to give her
own opinions in regard to certain passages, declaring that all should study the Bible for
themselves. This is true; but it is only one of the almost numberless instances in
which she is at variance with herself. She frequently urges the study of the Bible;
but at the same time demands that we bring our views of Bible truths to harmonize with her
own teaching. We are told that we have the fullest liberty to accept any additional
light which has not been seen or endorsed by her; but are we at the same time at
liberty to entertain any views, even though they appear to be taught by the Bible, which
are not in harmony with the generally accepted points of faith as endorsed by the
"spirit of prophecy"?
If we have a human standard by
which all our views of Bible truths are to be tested -- if there is a certain
mould that is to shape our thoughts, and to which at last we must bring all our
conclusions -- is it not a most miserable farce to even pretend that we are at
liberty to read the Bible and think for ourselves? Let anyone understand the Bible
so as to be at variance with anything Mrs. White has taught, he will soon feel the grasp
of her strong hand, and the hand of the church, to bring him to submission. It is
true that where she has not spoken, each one is at liberty to read and think for himself;
but all points upon which she has expressed her opinion her decision must be considered
final. Under such conditions is it not a base deception to pretend that she allows
the liberty of private judgment in the reading of the Scripture?
[3]
The third
objection we offer against the claims of Mrs. White is, she advocates
a human creed as the
word of God.
It is no disparagement to the S.D.A. that they have a creed. Only in the first
place, they deny having any creed save the Bible. And secondly, the creed they do
have is made an inspired creed by the endorsement of Mrs. White. We quote
from the S.D.A. Year Book, 1889. "Seventh-day Adventists have no creed
but the Bible." In view of what has been quoted from the writings of Mrs.
White, and of what we shall yet quote, we may dismiss the above statement as false and
deceptive. The only justification possible to be offered for such a statement is,
that this people regard her writings as equal with the Bible, and that when they declare
they have no creed but the Bible, they include in this statement the writings of Mrs.
White. If they do not mean this, they stand convicted before the world of
falsehood. If they do mean this, they are guilty of deception. The moment we
accept any human interpretation of the Bible, that moment we have a creed. If it be
our own interpretation, then it is our own creed. If it be the interpretation that
another has given, then we accept another man's creed. If at any time our creed be
approved by one who speaks under divine inspiration, then we have an inspired creed that
is of equal authority with the Bible, and can never change.
Vol. 3, page 447. --
God is leading out a people upon
the great platform of truth... He has given his people a straight chain of Bible
truth... This truth ... has been searched for as for hidden treasure. It has
been dug out through careful searchings of the Scripture.
Page 446. --
God is leading out his people from
the world upon the exalted platform of faith... They will not be at variance, one
believing one thing and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving
independently of the body... they will come to the unity of the faith.
Page 361. --
God designs that his people shall
be a unit; that they shall see eye to eye, and be of the same mind, and of the same
judgment.
Vol. 1, page 327. --
Men who now go forth to preach the
truth have things made ready to their hand... The truth has been brought out link
after link till it forms a clear connected chain. To bring the truth out in such
clearness and harmony has required careful research.
Vol. 1, page 239. --
It is now easy compared to what it
once was to preach the third angel's message. Those who now engage in this work and
teach the truth to others, have things made ready to their hand... The truth is
brought for them -- arguments all prepared.
Vol. 3, page 317. --
After those who lead out in this
work have labored hard to bring out the truth you embrace it, and go out to labor,
presenting the arguments which others with inexpressible anxiety have searched out for
you.
Now we submit to the candid
judgment of every intelligent thinking person if these statements made by one who
professes to be inspired do not establish the fact that there is a creed -- a
system of doctrines prepared -- which all must believe who accept her claim.
Human creeds are but a human interpretation of what the Bible teaches. Here
is a creed not only professing to be drawn from the Bible, but has what all other creeds
lack; it has the endorsement of one who speaks by divine authority. There is no
possible way to avoid the conclusion that if Mrs. White speaks with divine authority, the
creed she commends must be accepted too as inspired. Thus she advocates a human
creed as the word of God.
One thought more. If we
admit the claim of Mrs. White, we must accept as from God, not only all that she has
uttered in the past, but all she may utter in the future. These give this people not
only a written creed, but also an unwritten one. The written one
consists of all she has written or endorsed in the past; the unwritten one all she may
write or endorse in the future. You may search through all Protestantism for
anything like this, but you will search in vain. The only thing in all the world
that bears anything like a family resemblance, is Catholicism.
[4]
The fourth
reason we urge against the claims of Mrs. White is, that she asserts
the infallibility of the church.
Vol. 3, page 451. --
God has bestowed the highest power
under heaven upon his church. It is the voice of God.
Of what church is Mrs. White here
speaking? The following extract will determine.
Vol. 3, page 492. --
But when the judgment of the
General Conference, which is the highest authority God has upon earth, is exercised,
private independence and private judgment must be surrendered.
Then are we not right in
objecting to the claims of Mrs. White because she asserts the infallibility of the S.D.A.
Church?
[5]
Another
reason we allege against the claims of this professed prophet is, she advocates
lawlessness, i.e. the violation of God's law.
Vol. 1, pages 417-418. --
There are little companies arising
who believe that God is only with the very few... Some of these profess to have the
gifts among them ... One man arises and claims that God has sent him...
Another cherishes erroneous views in regard to the future age... Another zealously
urges the American costume. They all want religious liberty... Would to God
that they would be reformed, or give up the Sabbath.
We say No! On the authority
of God's Word, No! If you are keeping God's Sabbath, hang to it. Whatever
lawlessness you may be guilty of, stop that, but do not add the lawlessness of
violating the fourth commandment.
But again. Vol. 3, page 442.
--
As soon as Bro. A, or any others
decide that the man who had had the most to do in bringing the cause of present truth up
to its present condition, are not of God ... then the course for them to pursue ... is to
renounce the entire work as a delusion and a fraud.
She does not say, renounce the
delusion -- renounce the fraud -- but "renounce the entire
work."
If you cannot accept that which
appears to you as error, then don't accept that which may appear to you as
truth. Take all of it or none. Mrs. White never seems to grasp the idea that truth
is truth, and stands upon its own merits, independent of the character of those who
profess to believe it. Our work is to sift the error from the truth -- to
separate the chaff from the wheat -- not to reject all alike.
[6]
The sixth
objection we allege against the claims of Mrs. White is, that she sets up a false standard
of duty.
Vol. 1, page 549. --
I was shown that Sabbath-keeping
Adventists should not engage in life insurance. This is a commerce of the
world which God does not approve.
Page 534. --
Wealthy men have no right to take
interest from their poor brethren.
Page 532. --
There is no business of man's of
sufficient importance to cause him to transgress the fourth precept of Jehovah... If
in order save property we break over the express command of Jehovah, where is the stopping
place?
Vol. 4, page 467. --
If a Christian has ten or twenty
thousand dollars, God's claims are imperative upon him, not only to give his proportion
according to the tithing system, but to present his sin-offerings and thank
offerings to God.
Sin can only be atoned for with
blood. What shall we say, then, when a professed prophet of God declares it to be
the duty of a man of large means to offer a sin-offering of money?
Vol. 4, page 470-476. --
When a verbal or written pledge
has been made in the presence of our own brethren to give a certain amount, they are the
visible witnesses of a contract made between ourselves and God... No legal bond is
more binding upon the Christian for the payment of money, than a pledge made to
God... A church is responsible for the pledges of the individual members.
No. 33, pages 44, 45, 47. --
Bro. E, ... I was much surprised
to read your recommendation of Uncle Tom's Cabin, Robinson Crusoe and such
books... We hope no more such recommendations will appear... It seems
wonderfully strange to me, consider all I have written in regard to the reading of
exciting stories, to see a recommendation from your pen to read Uncle Tom's Cabin, Robinson
Crusoe, and AEsop's Fables.
What human book teaches any purer
morals, exposes villainy, and has done a more noble work than Uncle Tom's Cabin?
To that little book, more than to any one human cause, is due the overthrow of American
slavery. This story of the wrongs of the slave and of the evil influence of the
system upon our nation, has thrilled the hearts of those who loved their fellow-men; and
under the influence of its teaching our nation in one generation accomplished the march of
centuries, and now we stand a nation redeemed from the curse of slavery, and human flesh
and human souls are no longer an article of merchandise. This book has a place in
any home. It has been read by most of us; it is read in every land, and will be read
by our children as long as the world shall stand. And now, in this nineteenth
century, a professed prophet of God, standing in the presence of millions of emancipated
slaves, prohibits the reading of that book which so largely contributed to their
freedom. Do you believe that she utters these words by the inspiration of the Spirit
of God?
As to the two other books she mentions,
who but she has ever thought to raise a word against them? Robinson Crusoe is
a simply interesting story of a castaway, the incidents of which were largely taken from
actual life. AEsop's Fables contain practical moral lessons, and ought to be
read and heeded by everyone. Why did not Mrs. White include in her prohibition the
fables contained in the Bible? She should have done so in order to have been
consistent.
In the standard of duty which Mrs. White
sets up, we have noticed the following particulars.
1. She prohibits life
insurance.
2. She prohibits taking interest on
money loaned.
3. She declares it to be unlawful to
save property upon the Sabbath.
4. She declares that the church is
responsible for the money pledges of its individual members.
5. She declares that Sin-offering may
be made of money.
6. She prohibits the reading of all
light or fictitious books.
Are we not right when we allege
that Mrs. White sets up a standard of duty unknown to Scripture?
[7]
The seventh
objection that we allege against the claim of Mrs. White is, that she exalts her
"visions" above the Bible.
Mrs. White began to have "visions" in the year 1845. Vol. 1, page
73. She commenced to keep the Sabbath in the autumn of 1846. Early in that
year her attention as called to the question of the Sabbath, but she rejected its claim,
and would not recognize the authority of the fourth commandment. She even rebuked
those who observed the day, and refused to accept their counsel. Subsequently she
was taken to heaven in visions and was shown, as she claims, the ark
containing the two tables of stone upon which was written the ten commandments, the fourth
of which was encircled with a halo of light. She then commenced to keep the
Sabbath.
By this act she exalts her visions above the
Bible. She would not obey the command until she could have a "vision" to supplement the Word of God.
[8]
The eighth objection we name
against the claim of Mrs. White as being a prophet of God, is that she uses her professed
gift for obtaining money.
The manuscript of Testimony No. 11 was all ready for the press, and in the publisher's
hands. While preparing the manuscript for No. 12 she receives a letter from the
publishers informing her that the publication of No. 11 would be delayed until she could
prepare a testimony for that No. that would move the brethren. The leaders at Battle
Creek were in need of money; the brethren were holding back and did not furnish all the
funds that were wanted. But the leaders knew what string to pull to make the means
forthcoming. They just delay the publication of No. 11 and inform Mrs. White of the
situation. She says, "They needed the influence of my testimony to move the
brethren." She yielded to their request, and the necessary
"Testimony" was forwarded. This transaction is recorded in Vol. 1, page
563, and onward. Mrs. White let out this little secret of artful financiering, and
says: "I shall be blamed for speaking as I now speak." Among any other
people such a transaction as this would bury all the parties concerned in eternal infamy
and shame. What shall we call such a transaction as this -- this using the
professed gift of prophecy for the purpose of "moving the brethren"?
But again, Vol. 4, page 390. --
The volumes of Spirit of Prophecy
and also the Testimonies should be introduced into every Sabbath-keeping family...
It is not the wisest plan to place these books at a low figure... You should lend
Spirit of Prophecy to your neighbors and prevail upon them to buy copies for themselves.
This testimony appears very
significant when we take into consideration the price for which these books are
sold. Books as large, and bound equally as well, can be bought for fifty cents per
volume. The "Testimonies" sell for $1.50 per volume. Now here are
directions professing to come from a divine source that call upon all to buy these
books. If these "Testimonies" contain the "revealed will of
God," why not sell them at a "live and let live" price? Do I need to
say more? -- selling "Testimonies" at $1.50 per volume which call for
free contributions! Is this what the "gift of prophecy" is for, to sell
books at an exorbitant price? to "move the brethren" to contribute freely?
Here are a few choice extracts
from the writings of Mrs. White. Let the reader judge if they are in harmony with
the teachings of the Bible.
Early Writings, supplement,
page 31. --
There is no example given in
the word for brethren to wash the sisters' feet; but there is an example for the sisters
to wash the feet of brethren... I saw that the Lord had moved upon sisters to wash
the feet of brethren, and that it was according to gospel order.
The holy salutation ... should ever be regarded in
its true character. It is a holy kiss. It should be regarded as a sign
of fellowship to Christian friends when parting, and when meeting again after separation
of a few weeks... There can be no appearance of evil when the holy kiss is given at
a proper time and place.
Vol. 1, page 664-665. --
Bro. C. A. White introduced to us
the matter of his Combined Patent Washer and Wringer... He has since made us a
present of one ... It does the work well and fast. A feeble woman who has a
son or husband to work this machine, can have a large washing done in a few hours.
Bro. White sent circulars which any can have by addressing us including postage.
It is well to bear in mind the
fact that Mrs. White claims that these "Testimonies" are from God, and are all
alike inspired by the Spirit of God. It therefore follows that in the above extract
we have an inspired advertisement of a patent washing machine. Bro. White, it would
seem, had an eye to business in introducing to the notice of, and present to the
"Spirit of Prophecy," one of his "Combined Patent Washing and Wringing
Machines," and was seeking for his wares a free advertisement. An impartial
judge in any court of justice would refuse with disdain any gift which might be presented
to him for the purpose of personal gain. Should not one who presents herself as a
prophet of the Most High be equally as judicious? Is this what the "Spirit of
Prophecy" is for, to advertise patent Washing Machines?
The following extracts in regard
to diet are to be understood in the light of divine commands, that is, if we admit her
claims.
Vol. 3, page 21. --
We bear a positive testimony
against tobacco, spirituous liquors, snuff, tea, coffee, flesh meats, butter, spices, rich
cake, mince pies, a large amount of salt, and all exciting substances used as articles of
food.
Vol. 2, page 68. --
Cheese should never be introduced
into the stomach.
Page 61. --
You have used the fat of animals,
which God in his word expressly forbids.
Page 400. --
Eggs should not be placed upon
your tables.
Page 368. --
Pickles should never find a place
in any human stomach.
Page 370. --
I frequently sit down to the
tables of brethren and sisters and see that they use a great amount of milk and sugar
... from the light given me, sugar when largely used is more injurious than meat.
Page 373. --
Never let a morsel pass your lips
between your regular meals.
We may well ask, what then does
she allow us to eat?
Page 67. --
A plain, simple diet, composed of
unbolted wheat flour, vegetables and fruits, prepared without spices or grease.
Undoubtedly much can be said in
favor of abstaining from the use of many of these articles as a question of Health Reform --
that is a question to be considered by itself, and is well worth our
attention. Upon this question I do not presume to decide. I raise this simple
question: Does not Mrs. White prohibit much that the Bible permits, upon an authority she
claims to be equal with the Bible? If so, can it be that she speaks by divine
authority? It is unnecessary to refer to the permission given in the Bible for the
use of meat as an article of food or to call attention to the fact that the Bible does not
forbid the use of nearly every article which Mrs. White prohibits. It is enough for
us to learn that she, by an authority which she professes to be divine, sweeps from our
tables nearly every article we have upon it, and confines us strictly to a vegetable diet
permitting neither "fish, flesh or fowl."
-------------------
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We have alluded to but a few of
the many instances in which the assertions of Mrs. White are not in harmony with the Word
of God. But these are sufficient to convince any unprejudiced mind that her claim of
being inspired by the Spirit of God is unworthy of credit, and is false, and that it will
not stand the test of Scripture.
It may be asked, How are we to
account for much of the phenomena which attend the "visions" of Mrs. White, if
we deny her claim that these visions are given by the Spirit of God? How account for
her great influence over the people with whom she is connected, her apparent success in
laboring for the denominational body, and the fact that much which she writes is in
harmony with the Bible?
We answer, we are not called upon to account for
or explain any phenomenon, however wonderful or even miraculous it may seem which may
attend any person whose teachings, in part or whole, are not in harmony with the
Bible. "If they speak not according to this word it is because there is no
light in them." If they contradict this word we cannot believe them, even
though their magic rod be turned into a serpent, or though fire fall from heaven to
consume their flocks and herds, or
bands of Chaldeans are called forth to destroy with the sword, or "a great wind from
the wilderness" destroy our dwellings. Our motto should be, "God's Word
against anything or everything that man or Satan can bring against it," and if we
should be unable to account for any visible manifestations which may attend any who speak
contrary to God's word, we are nevertheless to hold to that Word still, and reject all who
speak against it. But is there anything more surprising or unaccountable
attending these "communications" of Mrs. White than is seen in connection
with spiritual mediums at the present day? We answer, No! So far as we can
learn there is not a single phase of phenomena attending the one that does not attend the
other. It is undoubtedly true that if we solve the mystery of one, we likewise solve
the mystery of the other.
Neither is there anything new or
wonderful in the fact that Mrs. White exerts a great influence over those who admit her
claims. When we shall be able to account for the strange fascination and power which
Spiritualism exerts over those who accept it, we then, undoubtedly, will be on the right
path to account for the influence of Mrs. White over those who accept her.
As to the claims that the fact of
the success of Mrs. White in advancing the denominational interests is a proof that she is
led by the Spirit of God, we reply, if the objections we allege against her claims of
divine inspiration are valid, then her success in such a work can be no proof that she is
of God. So also the fact that she is in harmony with the Bible in much that she
teaches can be no proof of the claims she makes, if so be that she antagonizes the Bible
in any essential particular. Christ declares, Matt. 24:24, "For there shall
arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders,
insomuch that were it possible they shall deceive the very elect." How are we
to suppose these false prophets will speak if they are so nearly to deceive the
elect? If their teachings, as a rule, did not harmonize with the Bible, there would
be no danger whatever that the elect would be deceived by them. The force of the
warning of our Lord lies in the fact that, in the main, their teaching will be so
scriptural, and the visible manifestations so wonderful, that the false will seem
to be the real. We must expect these false prophets to speak so nearly as the
Scriptures teach that the false will be hid behind that which seems true.
It may appear singular to some
that a church bearing the name "Seventh Day Adventist" should issue a public
protest against the claims of Mrs. White, and that to be consistent we should abandon the name
if we abandon the prophetess. When this church was organized we were not
asked to accept Mrs. White. In fact all, or nearly all, were ignorant as to what was
claimed for her. When, however, the issue was forced upon us by those in authority,
a decision was made, yet so as to leave the church organization and church property
in the hands of those who rejected Mrs. White. The name "Seventh Day
Adventist" correctly expresses our faith. We hold to the Sabbath, and are
looking for the personal coming of Christ. What name then more fitting than the name
we bear -- the name first chosen by a vote of the church?
It is true that as a matter of
self-protection we have withdrawn from the N.E. Conference, but our relations to the body
of S.D.A. is precisely the same now as during the first year of our organization. We
were S.D.A. then without any connection with the N.E. Conference. We are the same
now. We are "Seventh Day Adventists" in name and fact,
standing publicly committed against Mrs. White, and protesting against her unscriptural
and unreasonable demands.
We have refused to allow this yoke
of bondage to be placed upon us. We have taken our stand for a free Bible --
for free thought -- for a free conscience -- and for Religious
Liberty. We appeal to all who recognize the Bible as the only and sufficient rule of
life and faith; to all who would have a conscience in harmony with the Bible; to all who
would reserve the right of thinking for themselves, and who desire personal liberty in
their religious experience and belief, to all such we appeal against the demands of this
self-appointed prophetess.
There are many other statements of
Mrs. White which are not in harmony with the teaching of Scripture that cannot be noticed
in the brief limits of this tract. We may, at some future time, allude to
them. We urge upon those whom it may concern to carefully read the writings of Mrs.
White with this thought in mind, that she claims an authority for her writings equal with
the Bible, and that it is an unmanly, a dishonorable thing, to profess to believe
her claim while disbelieving any statement she makes. She herself declares that
"The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil." Say
not that she is a good woman, for if she be not something more than a good
woman, how, in view of the claims she makes, can she be a good woman even. Mrs.
White allows no half-way work, but demands that we either fully accept her or reject her
altogether.
We have thus,
in as concise a manner as possible, endeavored to state a few of the many objections we
hold against the claims of Mrs. White. If human language is capable of correctly
expressing ideas, the extracts we have quoted from her writings assert doctrines which are
entirely at variance with the Scriptures, and make demands to which we cannot yield
without the surrender of all that makes us Christian freemen.
It is because we believe that Mrs.
White places herself between those who accept her and the Word of God that we enter this
public protest against these unscriptural demands, and challenge her friends to a fair
investigation.
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