p. 220 | Untitled article by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 17, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 14

TO A BROTHER AT MONROE, WIS.

By James White

DEAR BROTHER: Yours of Feb. 23 I have, and think proper to reply through the Review. Probably there has not been an important movement or reform for the benefit of fallen man, which would, if properly conducted, result in his own spiritual advancement, that has been free from extremes. There are always many who move too slowly, and that testimony necessary to urge them to duty, is always sure to be taken advantage of by some who have more zeal than caution. While Satan tempts the many to be too slow, he always tempts these to be too fast. Mrs. W.'s labors are made very hard, and, sometimes perplexing, by reason of the course of extremists, who think the only safe position is to take the extreme view of every expression she has written or spoken upon points where different views may be taken.

These persons will often hang upon their interpretation of an expression, and push matters at all hazards, and utterly disregard what she has said of the danger of extremes. We suggest that these loosen their hold of some of her strong expressions designed to move the tardy, and for awhile suspend their whole weight upon some of the many cautions she has given for the benefit of extremists. In doing this, they will be more safe themselves, and will get out of her way, that she may speak freely to those who need urging to duty. Now they stand between her and the people, and paralyze her testimony, and are the cause of divisions.

Satan uses two classes to keep the body of the people behind their duty. First, those who are too fast, and second, the rebellious. The latter are usually either those who have been reproved for their haste, or those who have been turned aside by these hasty persons. Let those get out of the way, and let the body be moved forward unitedly, by the testimony of the Lord.

Having made these general remarks, we will now notice some of the particulars of your letter.

1. In the case of ——, deceased, Mrs. W. did state that had she been present, she should have given food, and a little grape wine diluted with water. That at a previous sickness, when she appeared to be near her end, she gave her wine to stimulate, and a trifle of food, and she recovered. Mrs. W. did not charge the friends and attendants with fanaticism, but did suggest that her case might not have been understood by them as well as by herself, as she had been with her several times when very sick. She did not say that she need not have died.

2. Mrs. W. had nothing to say about “alcoholic stimulants,” and is at a loss to know what you mean by referring to what she has written about drugs. Certainly you would not class the purest juice of the grape with drugs, such as are used in the common practice of physicians. The apostle Paul, we presume, would not recommend drugs. Neither would he advise the use of alcoholic stimulants, in their varied forms, to well persons for common use, such as rum, brandy and gin. And more, he has not recommended even wine in its purest form to well persons. But notice how cautiously he speaks to Timothy touching his health: “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities.”

a. Timothy might use wine. Pure wine was better for him than water.

b. He is cautiously told to use a little wine. Much might be worse than none.

c. Timothy had a bad stomach, which needed to be gently stimulated to action by a little wine.

d. By the expression, “often infirmities,” we conclude that his illness was not periodical, but occasional. Not every morning, requiring an early glass of wine, but in his labors in the ministry, ever on the move, and ever changing, he had occasional ill turns, and on those occasions, needed a little wine.

During the past year, Mrs. W. has, at three or four times, had feelings of great debility and faintness in the morning. One was at Eld. Sanborn's, at the time of the Convocation Assembly at Johnstown, Wis. To prevent distressing fainting at these times, she, immediately after rising, has taken an egg in a little pure, domestic, grape wine, perhaps a spoonful at a time, and never thought that this had to do with drugs, as she uses the term in her writings, more than with the man in the moon. During the past year, she may have used one pint of wine. It is only in extreme cases that the use of wine is justifiable, and then let it be a “little wine,” to gently stimulate those in a sinking condition.

2. What Mrs. W. has said in regard to two meals a day for adults, and the proper manner of feeding children, she should be understood as suggesting general rules. To these there may be a hundred and one exceptions, especially in the care of children. She believes and teaches that it is the duty of all to adopt the two meals, excepting infants and some very aged persons. In the first, it is too early to establish the habit of two meals. In the last, it is too late to make so important a change, unless for conscience' sake they can do so without suffering.

There are certain general rules which may govern in the treatment of all infants; but in some particulars there may be as many variations as there are different constitutions of the parents, different circumstances and conditions. And he who would urge in the cases of all infants a general rule for taking of nourishment three times a day, is certainly more fit for an insane asylum than to be about talking the health reform. She teaches that at as early a period as possible, the infant should take nourishment at regular periods. She opposes the common stifling practice, so generally resorted to, whenever necessary to stop their crying.

3. Mrs. W. uses no medicines, in the common use of the word, gives none, recommends none.

4. On the subject of hoops, Mrs. W. did say in Testimony No. 11, p. 14, “I protest against the perversions of my private conversations on this subject, and ask that what I have written and published be regarded as my settled position.” You say, “I have thought it to be proper to apply this rule to all other points upon which she has written, preferring to take the written testimonies as her views, instead of verbal reports of conversations.”

In this you are partly right and partly wrong. And the wrong may be carried to that length as to prove a very great wrong. You are right in not receiving all verbal reports. You are also right in taking what Mrs. W. has written and published as her settled positions on general principles. Wherever she has descended to particulars, showing exceptions to general rules, please regard that as her settled position also. But when you take what she says relative to what she has said on the subject of hoops, and apply this rule to all other points upon which she has written, you are in danger of erring greatly. For, while there are exceptions to general rules on almost all points upon which Mrs. W. has written, there are none upon the subject of hoops.

She teaches that stimulating drinks are wrong, yet in a few cases a little wine might be better than water.

She teaches that the use of flesh meats is a great evil, yet in the cases of age and debility, she would advise to make the change slowly. And even in a very few extreme cases, especially in females, a small amount of the least objectionable flesh would be better than suffering, and injury to the offspring.

She teaches that children will do best to take nourishment twice, or at most three times a day; but in the case of infants, especially if the mother has not had a nourishing diet, they may take nourishment twice as many times each day for a while.

She teaches the use of water as a remedial agent for the sick, and that all may use water, more or less frequently, in quantity and temperature suited to the condition of persons, yet a bath that would meet the case of that strong man, burning up with fever, might extinguish the life of that feeble person as easily as it would the fire of a feebly burning candle dropped into the same cold water.

She teaches the importance of ventilation. That pure air is necessary to life and health, yet she would not expose herself to cold air, thinly clad, so as to unnecessarily chill and take cold.

She teaches that it is the duty of all Christian women to adopt the reformed dress, with the exceptions of those cases where a rigid father or husband forbids it, causing a constant war which might be a greater detriment to health than an improper style of dress; and also a failure in getting up a neat tasty style of dress. She says to all, “Don't put on the short dress till you can put it on right.”

She teaches that hoops are a shame, that they are unnecessary, that they are destructive to health, and should be put away. No exceptions here, dear brother, and when you take this as a general rule on all points, you greatly err.

Mrs. W. needs the help of all who can help in the cause of truth and reform. The people generally are slow to move, and hardly move at all. A few move cautiously and well, while others go too fast. The work of reform is not brought about in a single day. The people must be helped where they are. They can be helped better by one standing on the line of truth nearest them, than on the side the greatest distance from them. It is best for them to be taught on all points of truth and duty by persons of judgment and caution, and as fast as God in his providence unfolds them to his people. He who is but partly reformed himself, and teaches the people, will do some good. He who sees the duty of reform, and is full strict enough in any case, and allows of no exceptions, and drives matters, is sure to drive the reform into the ground, hurt his own soul, and injure others. Such do not help Mrs. W., but greatly burden her in her arduous work. We invite, yea, entreat, such to get out of the way, and let Mrs. W. come to the people. She works to this disadvantage, namely: she makes strong appeals to the people, which a few feel deeply, and take strong positions, and go to extremes. Then to save the cause from ruin in consequence of these extremes, she is obliged to come out with reproofs for extremists in a public manner. This is better than to have things go to pieces; but the influence of both the extremes and the reproofs are terrible on the cause, and brings upon Mrs. W. a three-fold burden. Here is the difficulty: What she may say to urge the tardy, is taken by the prompt to urge them over the mark. And what she may say to caution the prompt, zealous, incautious ones, is taken by the tardy as an excuse to remain too far behind.

We say to those who wish to help Mrs. W. in her work, you will not find her far ahead of the people, with a few extremists. No, she is back with the people, tugging away at the wheel of reform, and has to lift all the harder because of your extreme advance. Come back, good, whole-hearted souls, and stand by her side, and lift where she lifts. What can you do there at such a distance from the people? Come back. You must meet the people where they are.

By this, dear brother, we do not mean that any are to come back to the wrong habits of the people. No, indeed. Their habits should be right. In this respect we say to them, Go on. But those who have run ahead of the work should come back from their heated zeal, and want of Christian patience, and labor for their brethren in the cause of reform as they can bear it. In this way they can help Mrs. W., who is tugging along with a double burden of the work. There may be those, whom others cannot reach, that she can, if rashness on the part of others does not place them out of her reach. If one cannot mend a vase, he need not break it into fragments. It is possible that another can mend it.

We protest against the plan practically taught by some, “Cure or Kill,” and give a dose accordingly. Some sores need help in their cure, others will work their own cure best. It takes time to reform a poor, sinful, intemperate, blind, stubborn piece of humanity. It is a large job. And those who come a good way short of the faith of Abraham, and the patience of Job, had better lay out a little more time and toil on their own case, before going to work for others. He who deals with mind, engages in the nicest piece of business ever undertaken by mortal man. And the greater the reform, and the closer the work, the more difficult and responsible it is.

Some persons can be converted in a day, others in a week, and still others in a month, while it takes from

one to two years to convert and thoroughly reform some. Those who have a work laid upon them for others, will patiently set before the people plain principles, and clear facts, and then leave them to answer for the use they make of them. Those called to teach, are responsible for what they teach, and how they live their own teachings. And it should be a matter of great relief to them, that they are not responsible for the manner the people dispose of their teachings, providing they do their duty, both by precept, and example. Let him who teaches make haste to do his duty, then patiently wait the result. Don't drive. “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.”

God has called some to teach the truth, and has called all to live it, teachers, and all. Some leave off living out the sweet principles of the truth, and go to battling for it. Now if they cannot do both, they had better live out the truth, and leave the teaching of it to those who can both patiently live and preach the truth. In fact, those not especially called of God, and qualified for the work, will be safest for themselves and others in the position of learners.

Satan stands ready to tempt unconsecrated persons, and prejudice them against the truth. And those who practice it, and especially those who teach it should be exceeding careful not to give Satan good grounds to tempt people concerning their course. The day of the Lord is the great event before us. The keeping of the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus is the great duty of God's people. And that they may do this acceptably, they must reform in life, and cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Those who drop all other points, and run their own testimony all on the health, and dress reform, will disgust the people, and before they are aware of it, they will introduce a spirit of discussion, and contention into their meetings.

The health reform has not taken the place in any respect whatever, of the third angel's message. It is a work designed to follow in its wake. Yet it is a fact that from the course of some, people might labor under similar difficulties of that of the colored boy at Johnstown Convocation, who differed with Mrs. W., and was filled with prejudice against her, because he could not see that the Health Institute was the third angel's message. Mrs. W. explained the matter, patiently, and the poor boy appeared quite satisfied.

Let the work go on, saith my soul, in all its branches. Not a piece at a time, lest it go all to pieces; but let it move on as a complete whole. Not fluttering and trembling in the wind, but like an old seventy-four gun ship, let all the friends of truth and reform get on board and work together. Yet let all the friends of Jesus, his coming, and the future glory of the kingdom, patiently, cheerfully, joyfully unite and stand together in the work of preparation.

Dear brother, your letter suggested a few thoughts, and as I have written, others have come. I would not give the impression that all I have said is directed to you alone. My acquaintance with you has amounted to a little more than meeting you in a crowded meeting a few times. I have been favorably impressed with your zeal for the truth, and hope it will be balanced with due caution, patience and tenderness toward the erring. What I have stated in these remarks to you, have been for the benefit of the readers of the Review. If anything I have said meets your case, and that of brethren in Monroe, I am glad, and hope it will accomplish good. I wish you prosperity, and hope to hear from you and others of your church soon.

A servant of the church, JAMES WHITE.