A Protest by L. D. SANTEE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 28, 1906

A Protest

By L. D. SANTEE

L. D. SANTEE

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Ps. 11:3. For half a century we have built on the foundation, “the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17), and claimed that we were the “remnant” here spoken of. As a natural result the testimony of Jesus (“the spirit of prophecy,” Rev. 19:10) has had an important place among us. On these foundations our work has spread, new conferences have been organized, and unbelief has given way. We have rejoiced to know that we “come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:7. We have received these gifts from God as tokens of his favor. But there have been wrecks all along our history. Generally, the first evidence of unsoundness was criticism or doubt in regard to the Testimonies. The spirit of prophecy itself gives the general history:—

“Now if those to whom these solemn warnings are addressed say, ‘It is only Sister White’s individual opinion, I shall still follow my own judgment,’ and if they continue to do the very things they were warned not to do, they show that they despise the counsel of God, and the result is just what the Spirit of God has shown me it would be,—injury to the cause of God, and ruin to themselves.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 687.

As these disaffected ones go, they involve others in their downfall. Perplexed ones ask, “Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart.” Deut. 1:28. A suitable answer is found in verse 29: “Then said I unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.”

Recently a leaflet was placed in my hand, published at Battle Creek, and tending to show the unreliability of the writings of Sister White. Its reading called forth the thoughts contained in this article. The position taken by the writer of the brochure is so well stated in Volume V, page 683, that we can not do better than to copy it: “In some cases it has been represented that in giving a Testimony for churches or in- 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 Testimonies 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, then, if her words are worthy of credence, is an emphatic denial of the statements made in the leaflet. The idea that some of her writings are reliable, and that others are not, is not tenable. In that case, as Ingersoll said, “It would take more inspiration to read them than it did to write them.” We should have to discern between the inspired and the uninspired. It won’t do. “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.”

I was surprised when I read in the leaflet this statement: “Possibly some may say that what I have written does of itself repudiate the Testimonies. With me, it does not.” And again I say, It won’t do. When you impeach a witness, no court or jury will receive his testimony after that. It is thrown out, and is valueless; and if it is not so with the writer, it is simply because he does not believe that he has impeached the witness.

Only God knows how much the Testimonies have done for us as a people. They were set in the church “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Eph. 4:12. They have certainly filled their office. They have enriched our literature. “Steps to Christ,” “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “Great Controversy,” and later on, “Desire of Ages,” have edified the body of Christ, and “Testimonies for the Church” have drawn the church nearer God. My success in the gospel ministry, lasting over thirty years, is due largely to the study of the Bible in connection with the Testimonies. I believe that this is the case with the large number of my brethren in the ministry. And further, what sublime assurance it would be for her to say to a leading physician, strong intellectually and having great influence, “You are unconverted,” or to a prominent minister, “You are in the dark,” and be backed only by her “opinion.” It is easier to believe that it was true, and that God told her to write it because it was true.

Again, it would be a strange thing and without precedent, for God to use a prophet for fifty years, and then allow her to become a catspaw for designing men; that the gift of prophecy that has helped the church so much, should now be prostituted to base ends. I don’t believe it.

I might go further. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” We know that the third angel’s message is preached only by Seventh-day Adventists, and that it is the truth that prepares a people for the coming of the Lord. Now is the influence of that leaflet a help or a hindrance

to the work? Remember the curse that is pronounced on him that “offends [discourages] one of those little ones that believe on me,” and be careful about causing a weak brother to stumble.

Christ is anxious to save his people, and he says to us through his prophet. “If you seek to turn aside the counsel of God to suit yourselves, if you lessen the confidence of God’s people in the Testimonies he has sent them, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”

It is easy to be brave against an outside foe, but an enemy in the camp creates alarm. Let me read my text again: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Find the answer in 2 Tim. 2:19: “The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Thank God the foundation stands, we still have the testimony of Jesus Christ, and may expect the wrath of the dragon. Let us heed the counsel of safety: “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chron. 20:20.

Dixon, Ill.