A Response to an Urgent Testimony
By Doctor Charles Stewart
13
Testimonies For and Against Dr. Kellogg
Notwithstanding these facts Dr. Kellogg and the Sanitarium managers were severely criticized, apparently for the reason that they refused to send part of the Sanitarium earnings to Australia when they knew that by so doing they would be violating the charter under which they were organized. We say apparently for these reasons, because previous to 1899 the work of Dr. Kellogg and his associates received the highest kind of commendation from you as is evidenced by the following quotations from your writings prior to this time:
"The medical missionaries are doing the long-neglected work which God gave to the church in Battle Creek. They are giving the last call to the supper He has prepared."
"In order to be carried forward aright the medical missionary work needs talent. It requires strong and willing hands and wise discriminating management. But can this be while those in responsible places-presidents of conferences and ministers-bar the way?"
"The Lord has moved upon Dr. Kellogg and his associates to do the work which belongs to the church, . . . and God has placed his precious work in the hands of those who will take it up and carry it forward."
"If you feel no interest in the work that is going forward, if you will not encourage medical missionary work in the churches, it will be done without your consent, for it is the work of God and it must be done."
Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, No. 10, March, 1897, p.1:
"I wish to say that the work that is being done by Dr. Kellogg is not to be regarded as a strange work, for it is the very work that every church that believes the truth for this time should long since have been doing.... It is a work of God's own appointment."
The Danger of Rejecting Light,— Feb. 6, 1896:
"You are worried and perplexed because Dr. Kellogg is gathering disproportionately in the medical missionary work because his work far exceeds the work being done in the churches by the General Conference. What is the matter? It is plain that the light given by God has not been acted upon. Men have supplemented God's plans by their own plans. The prosperity of the medical missionary work is in God's order. This work must be carried to the highways and the hedges."
- SUNNYSIDE, COORANBONG, May 19, 1898.
- Dear Brother Irwin:
The complaint comes, Dr. Kellogg has gathered up all the young men he can get, and therefore we have no workers. But this is the very best thing that could be done for the young men and the work. To you, as President of the General Conference, and to Brother Evans, as president of the General Conference Association, and to Brother Durland, as President of the Michigan Conference, I would say, Continue to work with tact and ability. Get some of these young men and young women to work in the churches. Combine medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel's message. . . . Send out into the churches workers who will get the principles of health reform, connected with the third angel's message, before every church in Michigan. See if the breath of life will not come into these churches." . . .
"The indifference among our ministers in regard to Health reform and medical missionary work is surprising. Even those who do not profess to be Christians treat the subject with greater reverence than do some of our own people, and they are going in advance of us."
"Brother Irwin, take hold of health reform. If any of our ministers have the idea that the medical missionary work is gaining undue preponderance, let them take the men who have been working in these lines with them into their fields of labor, two here and two there. Let the ministers receive these medical missionaries as they would receive Christ, and see what work they can do."
- Feb. 21, 1899
- To Elders Irwin, Prescott, Waggoner, and Jones:
"Dear Brethren: All in responsible positions, every minister in the Conference, are to be true yoke-fellows of Dr. Kellogg. All who from God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, should acknowledge that Dr. Kel1ogg has been instructed by the mighty Counselor."
"The message of truth has gone from the Sanitarium at Battle Creek to all parts of the inhabited world."
"The world must have the light. Medical missionary work gives opportunity to communicate light and to present our faith to those of all classes and all grades of society. This work ought to have been done; and would have been done if God's people had been converted to the truth; if they had studied the Word with humble hearts, if they had reverenced the Creator of the world instead of exalting themselves and seeking, as many have done, to counterwork Dr. Kellogg's influence."
"Would that there were men who had the same zeal for the Master, the same courtesy, the same love for the truth of God that Dr. Kellogg has. He has not betrayed his trust. The Lord has wrought with him in his surgical operations, giving him wisdom and success that the world marvels at."
"I know that when admonitions and warnings have been given, Dr. Kellogg has not despised these warnings and set them aside. . . . The truth is going forth from the Sanitarium at Battle Creek as from no other center in our work."
"Let no man think it is his prerogative to plan the way in which Dr. Kellogg shall work." . . . Neither Bro. M— nor any other Brother need suppose that God has laid upon him the burden of settling Dr. Kellogg in right methods of work."
In 1899 when the leaders in the medical work could not conscientiously accept the message in which you stated that they had taken money from the Battle Creek Sanitarium to erect buildings in Chicago, you sent a message in which you severely reprimanded these same men for carrying on this work in such an aggressive manner. In some of these messages, "An Appeal for the Work in Australia," p. 13, you state as follows:
"Time and means are being absorbed in a work which is carried forward too earnestly in one direction. . . . .The Lord has not appointed this."
If the Lord did not appoint this, why did He so highly commend it, and why were the results so eminently satisfactory? In another message received in 1900, you state concerning the medical missionary work in Chicago: "I have no hesitancy in saying God did not set you at that work in Chicago." Another accused Dr. Kellogg of misappropriation of funds. If God did not set Dr. Kellogg at this work in Chicago, why did he (Dr. K.) receive the following message from you? "I am more than pleased with the work that is being accomplished for a class that never would be restored unless merciful, compassionate hands reached TO THEM WHERE THEY ARE."
Other statements of criticism were received during 1899 and 1900, but all seemed to be directed at the medical leaders because they failed to comply with your request to send money to Australia.
In the spring of 1901 when on your way to the General Conference in Battle Creek, you had an opportunity to study the medical missionary work in Chicago—it was on this occasion that you asked "where are the buildings"—and later to come in contact with the work in Battle Creek, your views with reference to the work seemed to change somewhat, as will be seen by what follows.
When considering the matter of attending the Conference to be held in Battle Creek in the spring of 1901, you stated as follows:
"Well, while I was praying and was sending up my petition, there was as on other times, — I saw a light circulating right round in the room; and a fragrance like the fragrance of flowers, and the beautiful scent of flowers, and then the Voice seemed to speak gently, and said that I was to "accept the invitation of My servant, John Kellogg, and make his house your home. Then the word was, 'I have appointed him as My physician. You can be an encouragement to him.' That is why I am here, and that is why I am at his home. Now I want in every way possible, if I can, to treat D. Kellogg as God's appointed physician, and I am going to do it."
- St. Helena Elmshaven Feb. 23, 1901
- Dr. Kellogg
- Dear Brother
I have been in some trial in reference to the movements that it is wisdom for me to make, many letters were received and different times opened for and welcoming me, and I appreciate these hearty kind of letters, Friday we assembled to have our usual season of prayer I laid my case before the Lord and entreated most earnestly for the Lord to indicate my duty Dr. Kellogg had been the first to write me and I had felt it was best for me to accept his wholehearted invitation. Will the Lord instruct me. While praying I seemed to be surrounded with light and a voice said respect the courtesy of my servant John Kellogg the physician by my appointment.
He needs encouragement, that I can give him. Let him put his trust in Me, My arm's strong to uphold and sustain. He may safely lean upon my strength. I have a work for him to do. He must not fail or be discouraged."
(Signed) Ellen G. White
"Now God has not blessed us as he would have blessed us had there been an appreciation of the work that He is carrying on. I thank God that Dr. Kellogg has not sunk into despondency and infidelity. I have been afraid of it, and I have written some very straight things to him, and it may be, Dr. Kellogg,—if he is here,—that I have written too strong; for I felt as though I must get hold of you by the power of all the might I had. But I have seen the work that has been carried on; and how can anybody see it and not see that God is at work? That is the mystery to me. I can not understand it. I can not explain it."
Your testimony of Feb. 27, 1900, to Dr. Kellogg states, "I have no hesitancy in saying that God did not set you at that work in Chicago." One year later, just a few days after you investigated the medical missionary work in Chicago, and at the time when the Lord called Dr. Kellogg "My servant," and appointed him as His physician, you state with reference to the medical missionary work as follows: "But I have seen the work that has been carried on, and how can anybody see it and not see that God is at work? That is the mystery to me. I can not understand it, I can not explain it."
General Conference Bulletin, 1901, p. 25: Mrs. E. G. White:
"The institution under the management of Dr. Kellogg has done a great work for the education of the youth. It has sent forth more workers in the cause in medical missionary gospel lines than any other agency I know of among our people throughout the world. And I ask how have you treated the matter? . . .
Page 184: "Do not divorce yourselves from the medical missionary work. Dr. Kellogg has been almost driven to despair as he has sought for some way in which he could bring the truth more prominently before the world . . .
"I will tell you of a place where the workers labor on economical lines, where they may be even too economical. This is at the Sanitarium."
General Conference Bulletin, 1901, p. 203: Mrs. E. G. White:
"Over and over again instruction was given that our health institutions were to reach all classes of people. . . . When I heard that Dr. Kellogg had taken up the medical missionary work, I encouraged him with heart and soul, because I knew that only by this work can the prejudice which exists in the world against our faith be broken down."
"Dr. Kellogg has been carrying too heavy a load, and our own people have been standing by, warring against him. [Do you sanction the present warring against him?] His work has been made heavier and harder because of lack of sympathy shown by those who ought to have seen the importance of the work he was doing."
"Cautions were given Dr. Kellogg showing him that his work was to reach the higher classes by maintaining the very highest standard in the Sanitarium. This is the only way in which the higher classes can be reached, and I felt that our people are highly honored because God has placed among us an instrumentality that could reach the higher classes." . . .
"I encouraged Dr. Kellogg all I could. . . . He did not need any of your discouragement. The responsibility of the lives in his hands was enough. As he prayed about his work and then took up the most difficult cases where if the knife had slipped one hair's breadth it would have cost a life, God stood by his side, and an angel's hand was upon his hand guiding it through the operation. All human beings are of value in the sight of God, because they are purchased by the blood of his only begotten Son. He wants every one to stand in close connection with him. . . The medical missionary work is doing this and it should have the support of every one of you."
(At the present time, as in the past, before operations are performed all those who perform and assist in the operations have a season of prayer, and the results of these operations are even more successful than they were in 1901 and previous to this time. Since the success in 1901 and prior to this was attributed to the God's standing by the surgeon's side, and an angel's hand upon his hand, is the greater degree of success which accompanies the surgical operations at the present time attributed by you to the same watchful care of our Heavenly Father and his angels?)
"I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines, but medical missionary work."
"You will never be ministers after the gospel order till you show a decided interest in the medical missionary work, the gospel of healing and blessing and strengthening." . . .
"God wants every soul to be imbued with the Holy Spirit. He wants those who have felt it their duty to circulate disparaging reports about Dr. Kellogg and the medical missionary work to be converted. Take hold of the gospel ministry as it really is."
During the spring of 1901 when you stated before a large audience in the College library that God was in the medical missionary work and that he called Dr. Kellogg "My servant" and appointed him as "His physician," you also at this very time (April, 1901) recommended that Dr. Kellogg be ordained to the ministry, and in a testimony to Dr. S—, dated October 12, 1901, stated as follows: "I hope you will not refuse the invitation which Dr. Kellogg has given you to go to Battle Creek and spend " some time there. . . . I hope that you will go to Battle Creek; for I must tell you that the counsel the Lord has given me for you is that you should be associated with other physicians. . . . The counsel given me by the Lord for you is that you should connect with' the physicians at Battle Creek, regarding yourself as one who needs additional qualifications to those you now have. I have a deep interest in you, and I greatly desire your success. But you can not be what you should be in all lines until you associate with other competent, trustworthy physicians. God says of Dr. Kellogg, 'He is my physician.' Respect him and sustain him." During this period Dr. Kellogg was preparing the "Living Temple," the teachings of which you, two years later, claimed the Lord showed you would "sweep away the whole gospel economy."
Is it possible that the Lord would so fully indorse a man and his work as you claim that the Lord did that of Dr. Kellogg, when he was engaged in preparing a work that would tend to undermine the principles of the Christian religion?
Your endorsement of the work was so convincing that the General Conference Committee was encouraged to take hold, and after due consideration a committee was appointed to further it, and as a result the "Forward Movement" was organized. The following, copied from the Review and Herald of Dec. 31, 1901, will further explain the objects of this movement:
"THE FORWARD MOVEMENT.
A Revival of the Study and Practical Application of the Physical Side of Spiritual Truth in its Relation to the Second Advent of Our Lord: "PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD."
"We are living in the time when the earth should be lightened with the glory of the message which is to prepare the Way for the coming of the Lord. It is time for the truth to shine forth. The light of life must reach all those who sit in darkness. It is a time of privilege and a time of opportunity. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come." We have been strangely slow to appreciate the meaning of the light committed to us, and slow to impart it to others. It is plain that a decided advance must be made. There must be an awakening .and a new experience among all his people,"
"The very circumstances as shaped by the providence of God seem to indicate that the time has come for a genuine revival of interest throughout the whole denomination in that phase of the gospel truth which relates to the body as the temple of the living God. It has been a long time since there was such a general movement of this kind. In the meantime a whole new generation has grown up, and many thousands have received the message. It is true that these truths have been taught among us during these years, but their importance as an integral part of the message gospel has not always been appreciated, and in too many cases their practical application has been largely neglected. During these years there has been a wonderful increase of light, and a development of the truths which were but dimly perceived in former years, so that to-day there is offered to this people a system of truth dealing with the principles which govern our physical well-being, such as has not been committed to any other people since the days of Israel. These facts and their meaning were considered at the Council of the General Conference Committee and other brethren, which was held in Battle Creek, Oct. 23 to Nov. 3, 1901, and it was decided to conduct a special educational effort in behalf of the gospel of health for at least six months, beginning with January, 1902. This work has since been placed under the direction of a central committee composed of the following persons: W. W. Prescott, Chairman; J. H. Kellogg, W. A. Spicer, G. W. Thompson, A. J. Read, E. R. Palmer. The general scope and purpose of this effort are indicated by its name, "The Forward Movement: A Revival of the Study and Practical Application of the Physical Side of Spiritual Truth in its Relation to the Second Advent of Our Lord." We hope to make this a real forward movement in Christian experience, based upon a study of the complete gospel for spirit, soul, and body. We hope to set forth the right way of living, the pathway of an intelligent faith in the revelation of God's life, and thus to have teaching positive rather than negative. It will be a study of the gospel of life, the gift of God's life to man, and how to co-operate with God's purpose in this gift.
In order to carry out the design to make this movement a general one, the central committee has suggested the forming of local committees in the different parts of the field, to direct the work in their several districts, especially in the matter of health conventions and other meetings for practical instruction in the application of the principles studied. The central committee has also asked the co-operation of the editors of all our publications in the United States, and as far as practicable in other countries, that space may be granted for articles by special writers, a large number of whom have been asked to contribute.
"A book is also being written by Dr. J. H. Kellogg for use in this movement. This book will contain twenty-six chapters, thus providing one chapter as the basis of a study for each week during the six months. The title of the book, "The Living Temple," suggests the general plan of the work. Viewing the body as the temple of the Holy Ghost, the writer gives such instruction in the essential principles of anatomy and physiology as will enable one to apply intelligently in daily life those rational methods for the preservation of health and the cure of disease which are based upon Biblical principles, and attested by a long experience.
This book will be ready about the first of February. In the meantime there will appear in our different publications articles which will present some of the fundamental principles upon which the studies in "The Forward Movement" will be based.
"The hearty co-operation of all the people is earnestly asked for, that this effort may be the means of real and permanent blessing. More definite suggestions for organized efforts will be made later, and through other channels which we hope will commend themselves as worthy of being adopted. It has been decided to merge the Reading Circle into this larger educational effort, and that work will therefore not be carried forward as a distinct department. It is for this reason that no announcements have appeared concerning it.
"The headquarters of this movement will be at the office of the General Conference, and any correspondence relating to it should be addressed to "The Forward Movement," 267 W. Main St., Battle Creek, Mich., U. S. A. In behalf of the Central Committee,
(Signed) W. W. PRESCOTT, Chairman.