Earlier text: IDLENESS IS SIN.OUR YOUTH NOT TO GO TO BATTLE CREEK
When I first heard of the re-opening of Battle Creek College, I was in great distress; for I knew that this, if managed as some desired, would call many young people there. I knew that this move, if unopposed, would bring results very different from those intended or anticipated by some connected with the movement. 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 gather there. Some who stand there as leaders and teachers do not understand the55 real groundwork of our faith. Many of those who have been educated in Battle Creek need to learn the first principles of present truth. We can not advise our youth to go to Battle Creek to obtain their education when the Lord is calling them away from Battle Creek, that they may be taught the truth for this time. “I will turn and overturn,” saith the Lord. Not all the leaders in Battle Creek are safe, reliable teachers; for they are not taught and led by God. Those who have had message after message, and yet have not heeded these messages, do not know the value of the knowledge that maketh wise unto salvation. Let those who have seen our youth lose their Christian experience and go into infidelity in Battle Creek, for quite a number have, ask themselves the question, “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul.” What line can sound the depths of the ruin of one soul? Who can weigh the eternal weight of glory and bliss that every human being who is saved will surely enjoy? 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. 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. I have been instructed that there are in Battle Creek men who are or have been connected with our institutions, who have rejected light, and chosen their own perverse way. Unless these men are converted, they will become Satan’s decoys, to lead souls away from the truth. At times they will work to undermine the confidence of those in whose minds they56 can plant the seeds of doubt and questioning. They hate the testimonies of reproof sent them, and refuse to follow the light given by God to direct their feet in the right way. My soul is so greatly distressed as I see the working out of the plans of the tempter that I can not 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? The showing at the Battle Creek Sanitarium is not in harmony with the Lord’s design for that institution. I have been instructed that in building so large a sanitarium in Battle Creek, men have followed their own devising. They have not been led by the Lord, but have done directly contrary to the light that He has given. I write these words in order that the example that has been set in Battle Creek shall not be followed in other places; for it is not in accordance with God’s plan. Instead of so large an institution being built in one place, plants should have been made in many cities in which there is nothing to represent the truth. Large sanitariums place in close association a great number of believers and unbelievers. The Lord is calling for separation from the world, but large institutions call for the mingling of our youth with worldlings. This association brings great temptation to the youth. The work of soul-saving that could be done were fewer unbelievers gathered together in one place, is greatly retarded. The enemy will devise many plans to occupy minds, and to divert attention from the message that is to be proclaimed. But we are to go straight forward with our work. The end of all things is at hand. The coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, is very near. At this time, when wickedness is at its height, ministers of the gospel are crying, “Peace and safety.” Upon those whose minds are thus set at rest, sudden destruction cometh. Unprepared, they shall not escape. When Christ comes to gather to Himself those who have been faithful, the last trump will sound, and the whole earth, from the summits of the loftiest mountains to the lowest recesses of the deepest mines will hear. The righteous dead will hear the sound of the last trump, and will come forth from their graves, to be clothed with immortality, and to meet their Lord. And those who pierced the Saviour, those who scourged and crucified Him, will also be raised, to behold Him whom they mocked and despised, coming in the clouds of heaven, attended by the heavenly host, ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands. “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” This scene has been presented before me as fully as I could bear to behold it. Then the scene has changed, and representations of things existing at the present time have passed before me. I have seen men who have been placed in positions of trust as watchmen, molding and fashioning the work in our conferences and institutions in accordance with worldly policy, which God condemns. The medical missionary work is sick, and needs the restoring power of the great Healer, before it can accomplish a work in harmony with its name. THE BERRIEN SPRINGS MEETING
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 25, 1904. Near the close of the Berrien Springs meeting, the Lord opened before me, in the night season, many scenes regarding the opportunities and experiences of that meeting. I was given a presentation of the meeting that has weighed me down almost to the earth, and nearly taken my life. I carried the load all the time that I was in Nashville, and I could not rid myself of it. At times I would try to rise above the things that burdened me, and then again they would come upon me with crushing force. A glorious victory might have been gained at the Berrien Springs meeting. Abundant grace was provided for all who felt their need. But at a critical time in the meeting unadvised moves were made, which confused minds and brought in controversy. The Lord was working upon minds. Angels of God were in the assembly, and had all heeded the message borne, very different results would have been seen. Had all freely confessed their own sins, laying aside all anxiety about the acknowledgments and confessions to be made by others; had all humbled their hearts before God, as on the day of atonement in the days of ancient Israel, the Lord would have come in, and great victories would have been gained. But in the scenes presented to me, I saw men talking together between the meetings about the mistakes and faults of their brethren. In the place of searching their own hearts, and praying, and confessing their own mistakes, men seemed to be anxious that others should feel that they had acted unwisely. Angels from heaven, sent to minister wisdom and grace,59 were disappointed to see self pressing its way in, to make things appear in a wrong light. Men were talking and accusing, and conjectures were brought in that should have had no place in the meeting. In some of the business meetings unwise words were spoken, which manifested suspicion and distrust of men bearing responsibilities. This aroused wrong feelings. Trifling things, looked at through the enemy’s magnifying glass, became larger and larger. A mote became a mountain. Words were spoken and thoughts cherished that grieved the Holy Spirit. Those who ought to have been seeking the Lord with subdued, contrite spirits, were bringing to the foundation material represented by wood, hay, and stubble. Brother Sutherland spoke words that were untimely. For him to present his resignation at a time when so much was at stake, at a meeting in which the ministers had assembled for prayer and confession, and especially to seek for unity of spirit, was an unfortunate move, and showed that a strange power had come in to influence his mind, and lead it away from the living fountain to the brackish streams of the lowlands. He said that to which he would not have given utterance had he not been talked with and wrought upon. He spoke at a time when silence would have been eloquence. Brother A. T. Jones acted unwisely. He acted in the light of another’s mind. He introduced matters that he would not have touched had he been wholly worked by the Spirit of God. Brother Hiland Butler lost a great blessing when he sought to humble others in the place of humbling himself. Every heart must feel its own peril. In the place of trying to humble others, men are to humble their own hearts, confessing their own sins,60 and placing themselves, where God can bless them. But many take an attitude that is like putting a new patch on an old garment, making the rent worse. From work of this kind the Lord turns away. The course taken by some at the Berrien Springs meeting resulted in building up in self-confidence men to whom God had given solemn warnings. It confirmed Dr. Kellogg in his self-righteousness. Many are so blind that they do not yet discern the misleading character of some of the sentiments contained in the book “Living Temple.” Such ones, whether they be ministers, physicians, or teachers, would better go apart and study the Scriptures alone with God. O that men, instead of dwelling upon the faults and errors of their brethren, had talked with God concerning their own dangers and defects of character, leaving their fellow-workers with the Lord Jesus! O that those who had grievances had gone directly to those whom they supposed had wronged them, and said, “My brother, will you forgive me? I have had unchristian feelings toward you, because I thought that you were trying to hurt my influence. I know that God is working to make hearts one. If I have grieved you in any way, will you forgive me? Christ has forgiven my mistakes, and I will forgive everything that I have thought was an injury to me. Let us be one. Let us, right here and in unity, offer up our petitions to the Heavenly Father.” Had each one felt that he had done more to be forgiven by the Lord than he could express, a wonderful change would have come into the meeting. The representation given me of the Berrien Springs meeting is similar to the picture presented in the third chapter of Zechariah. “He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist61 him.” Compare this picture with the experience at Berrien Springs, where so many words were spoken in vindication of self and in condemnation of others. “And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee; is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” Every one may have this change of raiment. Every one may be cleansed, refined, ennobled, covered with the robe of Christ’s righteousness. But at the Berrien Springs meeting those who most needed to place themselves where they could have been thus favored were standing as accusers of their brethren. Heavenly angels were in the midst of God’s people, ready to give glorious victories, wrought out through prayer and the personal intercession of Christ. These victories would have been given had men been looking at their own defects, instead of pointing to the defects of others. By empowering His people to employ the argument of His name, Christ places the merits of His virtue within the reach of those who are meek and lowly. He will imbue them with His Holy Spirit, giving them power to plead for themselves, as well as to grasp His promises in their behalf. Thus man and God become united in one. Those who have gained this experience do not utter accusations against others. They are too earnestly engaged in making sure that they themselves shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Those who are invested with Christ’s Spirit are62 virtually clothed with priestly garments, and are placed on vantage ground, commissioned to minister to others. Christ puts into their hands a censer filled with the incense of His righteousness. And He distinctly pledges Himself to answer their supplications. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name,” He says, “that will I do.” But if men occupy the time of the heavenly Guest in justifying themselves and finding fault with others, they lose the opportunity to be placed on vantage ground, and they encourage evil angels to abide with them, and to unite with them in warfare against God’s people. Earnest pleading with God for the holy fragrance of the character of Christ is of value. But Christ is ashamed of those who exalt self, and bring accusations against others. To those who set themselves up as accusers of their brethren comes this reprimand from God, “Who art thou that sittest as a judge? Get down from the judgment seat, and on your knees, with humility and contrition, confess your sins.” If this course of humiliation and confession is followed, the sure result will come. Christ’s intercession prevails with God, and at the same time is the almoner of infinite grace. BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICH., May 20, 1904. DEAR BRETHREN DANIELLS AND PRESCOTT:— Yesterday a very strong impression came upon me that now is our time to save Dr. Kellogg. We must now work with determined effort. We must not prescribe the precise steps he must take, but we must lay hold of the man himself, and let him see that the Spirit of God and the spirit of soul-saving are in us. Satan has worked to bind him up with himself, but shall we stand by, and make no effort to pull him away from Satan? Shall we not, in the name of the Lord, call for Dr. Kellogg to come to this meeting, not that we may make accusations against him, but that we may help him, and all of us draw with Christ? Not one of us is above temptation. There is a work that Dr. Kellogg is educated to perform as no other man in our ranks can perform it; and if he will draw nigh to God, God will draw nigh to him. We are to draw with all our power, not making accusations, not prescribing what he must do, but letting him see that we are not willing that any should perish, but that every man should have that which Christ died to present to him,—eternal life. Is it not worth the trial? Satan is drawing him, but last night I saw a hand reached out to clasp his hand, and the words were spoken: “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me, and he shall make peace with Me. Satan is striving for the victory. I will help Dr. Kellogg to stand on vantage ground, and every soul who loves Me must work with Me. As he sees Me do, so must he do. “Leave the individuality of the man for God to work with at the present time. Every one needs to remember that Christ will pardon all transgression and all sin, because He came to save those that were lost.” To all — for there were many looking on — He said, “Look not on this man, but look on Me. I gave My life to save him unto eternal life. He has dishonored Me. It is My name that must be honored as a sin-pardoning Saviour. I will open blind eyes. “Take heed, every soul, take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” Then the Saviour stretched out His hand, saying: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day. If ye be obedient to the knowledge ye have received from My word, then, walking according to My word, ye are the children of the day. Ye are not of the night, nor of darkness; therefore ye are not to sleep as do others, but to watch and be sober. Walk as children of the day. You all need a more earnest hold upon heavenly things. All need the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. You have not already attained, neither are you now perfect. A work of purification is to be done in your souls; then your lives will demonstrate that you are pressing65 toward the mark of the prize of your high calling in Christ. “Every man needs to walk humbly with God. Grow in grace and in a knowledge of God and your Saviour Jesus Christ. By looking unto your Saviour, beholding with open face as in a glass the glory of the Lord, you will be changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. As I work with you and you abide in me, you will reveal perfection of character. You will be made perfect in one. John Kellogg, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, that you may see that of your own self you can do nothing. You can not possibly atone for your own sins. Through faith in Christ Jesus purify your soul from all dross, and reveal the righteousness of Christ, which is of God by faith. Christ has marked your desires when His Spirit has striven with you.” Then Dr. Kellogg exclaimed: “I am sinful, but He hath covered me with His own righteousness, and henceforth I will go in the strength of the Lord God. Henceforth I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only.” Confessions were made, and the words were spoken by Christ, “Unless you walk in all humility of mind, Satan will obtain the victory.” Dr. Kellogg exclaimed, “He hath broken the bands of Satan; He hath covered me with the robe of His righteousness. I will go in the strength of the Lord God. I will make mention of Thy righteousness.” A hand was laid upon the hand of Dr. Kellogg and upon the hand of W. K. Kellogg, and the Saviour said: “I have not been unmindful of your struggles; but ye would not come unto Me that ye might have life. Take My yoke upon you, and unite with your brethren, all of whom need to wear My yoke. Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For66 My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Ye were sometimes in darkness, because you did not wear My yoke. If you will wear My yoke and learn of Me, you will henceforth reveal My meekness and lowliness. Ye were sometimes darkness, but henceforth you are to be children of the light. If you will keep hold of My strength, you will be all light in the Lord. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light.” Christ took the hands of both Dr. Kellogg and W. K. Kellogg, and said, “Awake to your responsibilities, but take on yourselves fewer burdens than you have taken in the past. Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee spiritual light. See that you both walk unitedly. I will be your sufficiency. Do not walk in your own strength, but with the sense that I am your helper. See, then, that ye walk circumspectly.” Then His hand was laid upon the hands of Elder Daniells, and Elder Prescott, and W. C. White, and the words were spoken: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Then He turned to the gospel medical missionaries, and said: “Ye strike too low. There is a broader work for you to do. Leave the smaller work for those who need the experience, but teach them all to be ever reaching a higher standard. Keep your souls in the love of God. Broaden your work. Teach those who know not the truth. The cities are to be worked.67 All the work to be done God will open before those who are striving to save souls perishing in their sins. There are various lines of work; but unite, unite in perfect harmony. This is your safety and your wisdom and your strength. “Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump,—the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. “Unify. Your unbelief and lack of unity have been a standing reproach to the people of God, who have been given such great light. The pride of the human heart has dishonored the greatest work ever committed to mortals. Unify; come into the sanctifying circle of truth. Draw together; walk humbly with God; and be subject one to another, according to the light of the word. Let no man seek to be the greatest. This has been an offense to God. Press together, and heed every word of God; that will create oneness. Avoid all fault-finding and dissension. Perplexing matters will adjust themselves if each one will walk circumspectly.” “As you seek to reach the highest standard, I will turn My hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin. I will melt them and try them. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. You are to be one. Strive no longer to be first. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Read the first twelve verses of the second chapter of First Peter. God gave these words through His servant. Let all help their brethren to be one as Christ is one with the Father.” I can write no more now. I am bidden to present this to my brethren, for them to carry to others, who are not at this meeting. Work with all diligence in harmony with Christ. We have not a moment to spend in contention. Every soul is to be hidden with Christ in God. There is to be a time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation. Those who have any realization of this will not regard it as a virtue to make little differences a hindrance to their own spirituality and to the advancement of the work of God. Let the Lord’s entrusted means be put in operation, that new fields may be opened. Let lines of work be set in operation to warn the cities and villages as fast as possible; for the time will soon be upon us when the enemy will imbue all wicked men with his devising. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. God calls upon His people to assist with their means, that in the places which He has specified should be worked, there may be wise men to carry the work forward. HUNTSVILLE, ALA., June 15, 1904. TO UNION CONFERENCE PRESIDENTS:— During the past night, scenes that clearly outline our present position, were vividly presented to me. Scenes that had passed before me while we were on the steamer “Morning Star,” were once more presented. These representations, with the instruction given me, make clear to my mind some of the experiences of the Berrien Springs meeting, and of the councils which followed in Battle Creek. The long-suffering patience of God and His wonderful forbearance were manifested during the Berrien Springs meeting. Once more the Lord held forth to men who have been linking up with worldlings and working with unbelieving lawyers, the words of love and mercy that He has been speaking for years. The meeting at Berrien Springs was an occasion of great perplexity to many of our brethren. It was a time of heavy burden and of taxing labor for me. The Lord strengthened me, and gave me power to stand before the people, and speak words of counsel and encouragement. A special message of hope and courage was given for men at Battle Creek. O, why did they not lay hold of it! There was opportunity for them to be placed upon vantage ground. Why did they not appreciate this opportunity? Greater evidence will not be given them that God is calling for a change of attitude. Some good confessions were made, but some chose to justify themselves, and demanded confessions from their brethren. I have been given no encouragement to go to Battle Creek.70 I was shown that efforts would be made to call our leading men there to investigate the Scriptures, and discuss points of difference. I was then instructed that the students who had been called to Battle Creek, and the ministers held there, are in a dangerous atmosphere. The proposition to continue the same relations to Battle Creek, which again and again have been pointed out as detrimental, and the proposal to do that which should not be done, are ill-timed and dangerous. The result of these relations is unbelief in the movings of the providence of God. The testimonies that the Lord has given to establish the faith of His people in His word, have been made of no effect. Men have sneered at the thought that it was God’s judgments which had come upon the institutions in Battle Creek. Notwithstanding this, God’s hand of mercy was not withdrawn from the institutions, and the men in positions of responsibility. He still strove to save those who have been binding themselves up with worldlings. . . . I have been instructed to say that altogether too long have our ministers been answering the calls to come to Battle Creek to attend councils. That which has been done by calling men away from their work to attend councils in Battle Creek for the purpose of bringing about a better understanding, has failed to meet our expectations, because leading men in the medical work were determined to carry out their cherished plans, and at the close of each council these men have made representations that they had gained decided victories. It has been shown me that the effort made at Berrien Springs to save the leading men in the medical work, was interpreted by them as a victory over their brethren, and has been used to strengthen their hands in the carrying out of their purposes. The gracious71 invitation was given, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light.” But the invitation was not accepted. The Lord says, “Why will you not come to Me and find rest? Why do you refuse My outstretched, helping hand?” After I had spoken for the last time at Berrien Springs, a scene passed before me, showing me that some would construe what had been done at that meeting to save them, as special victories for their side. I saw evil angels working with their deceptive sophistries on men’s minds, so that they might work on other minds, to deceive if possible the very elect. I was filled with an intense desire that those who were deceived might come to the light. Our brethren are not to be called to Battle Creek to hold a council for the examination of doctrines, while the men who profess to know the truth remain surrounded by a cloud of unbelief. Our ministers, instead of turning their faces toward a council at Battle Creek, should be considering the thousands of people in the cities of America, who should be hearing the message of warning. These cities have been strangely neglected, and the judgment will reveal the result. This is not a time to call from the field our leading workers, to discuss and adjust points of difference between the medical workers and the workers in other lines. The remedy for many of these differences will be found in heeding the messages of counsel published in recent testimonies. The present is a time for aggressive work in the field. To our brethren in Washington the word is given, “Arise and build.” To our people in all72 the conferences the word is, “Strengthen the hands of the builders.” . . . “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., July 23, 1904.
Dear Brethren Magan and Sutherland:— I have words of counsel for you. There must be harmony between you and the men in responsible positions in the General Conference. You catch at straws in matters concerning Elder Daniells and Elder Prescott. Why?—Because they have not harmonized with you in all your plans, and have not given you the credit that you deserved. But when the Lord corrected errors, and spoke encouraging words concerning your efforts, why did you not praise Him, and show your gratitude by manifesting thankfulness and a forgiving spirit, and by showing an appreciation of the burdens borne by these fellow workers of God’s appointment? Why did you cast imputations upon them, or allow others to cast imputation upon them? Your feelings in regard to Elder Daniells and Elder Prescott are not correct. If you expect them to harmonize with you, you must harmonize with them. Elder Daniells and Elder Prescott have made some mistakes. But where can you find men of capability who have not made mistakes? A grave mistake was made when you and Elder A. T. Jones set yourselves to the defense of the movement for the re-opening of the Battle Creek College, the full results of which none of you understand. The Lord did not inspire the words spoken in defense of that movement, and the criticisms that were made against the attitude of the men who felt it to be74 their duty to point out the dangers attending the effort to bring a large number of our youth to Battle Creek. Another counselor had taken the place of the divine Counselor. In this perilous time the Lord has given us men of His choice to stand as the leaders of His people. If these men will keep humble and prayerful, ever making Christ their confidant, listening to and obeying His words, the Lord will lead and strengthen them. God has chosen Elder Daniells to bear responsibilities, and has promised to make him capable by His grace of doing the work entrusted to him. The responsibilities of the position he occupies are great, and the tax upon his strength and courage is severe; and the Lord calls upon us to hold up his hands, as he strives with all the powers of mind and body to advance the work. The Lord desires every church to offer prayer for him as he bears these heavy responsibilities. Our brethren and sisters should not stand ready to criticize and condemn those who are bearing heavy burdens. Let us refuse to listen to the words of censure spoken regarding the men upon whom rest such weighty responsibilities. . . . I know that Elder Daniells is the right man in the right place. He has stood nobly for the truth, and has striven earnestly to deal in a right way with the controversies arising regarding the relation of the medical work to the evangelical work. If the men whom the Lord has chosen to stand in positions of responsibility will heed the testimonies that God has given and is giving, if they will keep close to His word, if they will separate from those who are binding up with worldly influences, they will be safe men for the times upon which we have entered. The words and attitude of Brother E. A. Sutherland and Brother A. T. Jones at the Berrien Springs meeting 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 Berrien Springs Conference would have shown very different results. My brethren, God is dishonored when you seek to throw a burden of censure upon your brethren, as you did at that meeting. You were not working in harmony with God; for this is not the way in which He works. If you felt it your duty to lay before your brethren matters reflecting upon the leaders in General Conference work, it was your duty first to call the most reliable men together and modestly present to them your statements. You should not have thrown in your ideas without counsel, as you did. The impulsive disposition of Brother Jones has led him many times to make wrong movements, which have called for correction and reproof. At the Fresno camp-meeting, after I had borne a very plain testimony, Brother Jones acted the part of a man, doing thorough work in confession. He was working out his own salvation with fear and trembling. The blessing of the Lord came in, and the glory of the Lord was revealed. Angels of heaven were present in that meeting, and a great blessing was experienced by all who were present. And so it would have been in the meeting at Berrien Springs, if Dr. Kellogg had heartily accepted the message sent by the Lord, and had fully broken with the enemy. A spirit of humiliation would have filled every heart, and sincere confessions would have been made by all. At the Berrien Springs meeting, a special message of hope was given for Dr. Kellogg. He might have stood on vantage ground, accepting the Lord Jesus as his counselor. In and through the power of the Saviour, he might then have broken the spell. But he did not. For a long time Dr. Kellogg has not been humbly accepting Christ as his teacher, and, unknown to himself, has been taught by the master of sophistries. And the enemy has used him as a channel through which to exert a strong controlling influence upon the physicians associated with him. But the Lord will break the spell that is upon these men if they will allow the yoke that has been placed upon them to be broken.