A Statement of Facts Concerning Our Present Situation
By Arthur G. Daniells
It is quite generally known among Seventh-day Adventists that for years there has been more or less trouble between the main body and the medical missionary branch of this cause. The differences that have existed have been dealt with principally by the General Conference Committee and the Medical Missionary Board. Naturally the men who have been members of these committees have been most prominent in this long-continued controversy. These unhappy differences have been a reproach to our cause, and a source of deep regret and sorrow to the members of the General Conference Committee connected with it. The real causes of this trouble have not been fully known by all our people. Many have been wholly at a loss to account for the existence of such a controversy in our ranks, and have remained confused and perplexed. Many who have ventured to form an opinion regarding the causes of the difficulty have done so, to a large extent, from the representations that have come to them in various ways from those prominent in the difficulty. In view of all the circumstances, it could hardly be expected that our people should form an intelligent, correct, and generally harmonious opinion regarding these differences, and the wisdom of the course pursued by those whose positions have forced them to take an open, prominent part in them. And it is not surprising that some, looking from a distance, have feared that the whole thing was an uncalled-for, humiliating wrangle between men. Such a condition of things certainly calls for a plain, accurate, reliable statement of facts. This is due our loyal people, who are not in possession of the information they should have, to make the situation clear to them. One of the reasons why such a statement has not been published long ago has been the hope that in some way these differences would be adjusted, and this regrettable controversy brought to an end. And, while hoping for such a settlement, many and varied efforts have been made to bring it about. At times it has seemed as if these efforts had been crowned with success; but the trouble is still with us, and it is growing more serious as time wears on. In making a statement regarding this controversy, the first thing to be said is that it is not simply and only a disagreement between men. It is true that the men bearing the responsibilities of leadership on both sides of the conflict disagree; but the disagreement is not the cause of the trouble; it is but a result of it. The real difficulty with which we are dealing is due to a conflict between principles. The men disagree because the principles for which they stand are at war. These principles can never be changed nor harmonized. While they exist, they will clash; and while men stand for conflicting principles, the men must of necessity disagree. The only possible way to secure harmony is for one or the other of the parties to abandon the principles for which it stands. But men who have a profound conviction that the principles for which they stand are right, do not readily abandon them. If one side or the other in a controversy can not be convinced of error, the conflict must continue. Thus it has been, and still is, with this long-continued controversy in our cause. Those whose responsibilities in this denomination have made it necessary for them to take an active part in this conflict are well acquainted with its character. They know how vital the questions are which are involved. They have studied, weighed, and analyzed them many times, with many persons. If discussion, argument, reasoning, and marshaling of evidence to support positions taken, would bring contending parties into harmony, these difficulties would have been settled long ago. A very remarkable feature of this trouble is the fact that through it all—from its beginning until this day—the voice of the spirit of prophecy has spoken to all parties, declaring in clear and unmistakable language just what and where the wrongs are, and the true and only way out of the difficulty. It is not strange that men should differ regarding even the most vital questions. But it is a matter of surprise that they should continue to differ about questions concerning which the spirit of prophecy, which they all profess to accept and follow, has given the most positive instruction. For twenty years the testimonies of the spirit of prophecy have been naming the precise causes of this disturbing evil in our midst. Hundreds of pages of manuscript have been written, dealing exhaustively with every detail of these causes, defining them, pointing out their subtle, dangerous character, and telling just what course to take to get rid of them. The evils which are mentioned, emphasized, enlarged upon, and made more prominent than all others, in these writings, and which are, therefore, the primary causes of our trouble, are these:— First, the danger of a false, subtle, ruinous philosophy creeping in through the medical leaders, and swinging this people away from the truth of the gospel as revealed in the third angel’s message. Second, plans of administration which, if carried out, would make the medical missionary work the body instead of the right arm of this cause, and would give to a central board of management and a single individual a controlling, dominating power that would utterly pervert God’s plan of organization. Third, a failure on the part of many of our ministers and people to appreciate the value and importance of the principles of health reform, and to give them the earnest support they should. These evils and their remedy have for twenty years been kept before us by the spirit of prophecy. Had the warnings, reproofs, and instruction that have come to us, been received and obeyed, the differences that now exist would never have arisen. The following quotations from the Testimonies contain some of the evidence upon which the foregoing statements regarding the causes of our trouble are based. First, the danger that deceptive teaching will lead us away from the truths which have made us a separate people. In 1898 there was published by our pioneers a little volume called “Spiritual Gifts,” containing views that had been given Sister White in vision. One of the chapters is entitled, “A Firm Platform.” The following paragraph taken from that chapter should be read with great care:— I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps,—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.” I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience7It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. God had led them along step by step until he had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform. I saw individuals approach the platform and examine the foundation. Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the foundation. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the platform to examine it, and declared it to be laid wrong. But I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and exhorted those who had stepped off to cease their complaints; for God was the master builder, and they were fighting against him. They recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the first platform, and in union raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God. This affected some of those who had complained and left the platform, and they with humble look again stepped upon it. —“Early Writings,” page 121. From this it will be seen that nearly fifty years ago the Lord warned us that some connected with this cause would feel dissatisfied with its platform, declare that it was laid wrong, want improvements made so that it might be more perfect, and the people much happier. But the angel of the Lord declared: “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.” In 1903, forty-five years after those statements were published, a Testimony was written, entitled “Decided Action to Be Taken Now.” In this Testimony the following view is given:— During the past night, I have been shown more distinctly than ever before that these sentiments have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be brought in and made prominent at the present time. I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers, the truths of the Word of God. Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I heard a voice saying, “Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? How can they be silent? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand the storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.” . . . The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result?—The principles of truth that God in his wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Series B, No. 7, pages 38, 39. During the forty-five years that passed between the publication of these two Testimonies, many messages have been given warning the medical leaders of the danger of wandering from the clear, true light of the first, second, and third angels’ messages into the mist and fog of false philosophy. Some of these will be given in the next issue. President General Conference.