The Removal to Washington
During the last twenty-five years, the Lord has been speaking very plainly to us through the spirit of prophecy, warning us against colonizing, and pointing out the evils that would result from centering so much responsibility in Battle Creek. The clearest and most direct instruction has been given, and many times repeated, declaring that we were doing wrong in enlarging our Battle Creek institutions to such proportions. Seventeen years ago the following warning was given:— “The evils of centering so many responsibilities in Battle Creek have not been small. The dangers are great. There are unconsecrated elements that only wait for circumstances to put all their influence on the side of wrong. I can never feel exactly safe in regard to Battle Creek.” Similar warnings have been sent over and over again. About ten years ago the following stirring words were addressed to this people:— “Years ago the large responsibility that is centered in Battle Creek should have been distributed. The people are encouraged to center in Battle Creek, and they pay their tithe and give their influence to the building up of a modern Jerusalem that is not after God’s order. In this work other places are cut off from facilities which they should have. Enlarge ye, spread, yes; but not in one place. Go out and establish centers of influence in places where nothing, or next to nothing, has been done. Break up your consolidated mass; diffuse the saving beams of light, and shed light into the darkened corners of the earth. A work needs to be done something like that which is described as an eagle stirring up her nest. ‘Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.’ This is true of many Christians who are coming into Battle Creek. Many have a spasmodic zeal, but it is like a meteor that flashes across the heavens, and goes out.” “Why have not the men and women who have so frequently gathered to the large assemblies in Battle Creek put into practice the truth which they have heard? . . . The work that has been done for them has not been prized as it should have been, or they would have gone forth into the darkened places of the earth, and shed abroad the light which God has shed upon them. . . . Many have gone into the grave in error, simply because those who professed the truth have failed to communicate the precious knowledge they have received. If the light that has shone in superabundance in Battle Creek had been diffused, we would have seen many raised up to become laborers together with God.” “God expects practical work in getting out of Battle Creek. Too many are there now, and too many interests are being piled up in Battle Creek. Were those interests divided and located in other cities, where the light and knowledge might bless other localities, it would be in God’s order. The Lord does not want a second Jerusalem in Battle Creek. There will have to be strong reformations and transformations and transferring of facilities and institutions if the will of God is done. Short-sighted mortals can not discern that crowding so much into Battle Creek is taking away from other localities opportunities and privileges which they so much need, and which God designs they should have.” This instruction has been received, and acknowledged as true. At times feeble efforts have been made to change the order of things, but the real situation has not been remedied. It has continued to grow worse until the judgments of God have begun to fall upon our institutions located in Battle Creek. This has caused many to think seriously. It has aroused our people everywhere, and for months there has been a general feeling that there must be an exodus from Battle Creek. When the Review and Herald factory was destroyed by fire, Sister White wrote as follows:— “In one year, two of our largest institutions have been destroyed by fire. . . . When the Battle Creek Sanitarium was destroyed, Christ gave himself to defend the lives of men and women. In this destruction God was appealing to his people to return to him. And in the destruction of the Review and Herald Office, and the saving of life, he makes a second appeal to them. He desires them to see that the miracle-working power of the Infinite has been exercised to save life, that every worker may have opportunity to repent and be converted. God says, ‘If they turn to me, I will restore to them the joy of my salvation. But if they continue to walk in their own way, I will come still closer; and affliction shall come upon the families who claim to believe the truth, but who do not practice the truth, who do not make the Lord God of Israel their fear and their dread.’” At the late General Conference at Oakland, when the question of removing from Battle Creek was under consideration, Sister White said:— “For years the warning has been given to our people, Get out of Battle Creek. But because of the many interests established there, it was convenient to remain, and men could not see why they should move.” “Will those who have collected in Battle Creek hear the voice speaking to them, and understand that they are to scatter out into different places, where they can spread abroad a knowledge of the truth, and where they can gain an experience different from the experience that they have been gaining?” “In reply to the question that has been asked in regard to settling somewhere else, I answer, Yes. Let the General Conference offices and the publishing work be moved from Battle Creek. I know not where the place will be, whether on the Atlantic Coast or elsewhere. But this I will say, Never lay a stone or a brick in Battle Creek to rebuild the Review Office there. God has a better place for it. He wants you to work with a different influence, and connected with altogether different associations from what you have had of late in Battle Creek.”6 In view of such instruction as is quoted above, the General Conference at Oakland voted — “That the General Conference offices be removed from Battle Creek, Mich., to some place on the Atlantic Coast.” In the Council of the General Conference Committee that followed, the committee took the following action:— “Voted, That we favor locating the headquarters of the General Conference in the vicinity of New York City.
“Voted, That A. G. Daniells, W. W. Prescott, I. H. Evans, S. N. Haskell, H. W. Cottrell, S. N. Curtiss, J. E. Jayne, W. A. Spicer, and such union conference presidents in the United States as are not named in this list, act as a committee to select the location, and remove the headquarters.” Before proceeding to search for a location, the committee wrote to Sister White, explaining their plans, and earnestly requested her to communicate to them any definite light she might have regarding the exact place of location. The letters that have come to the locating committee have been so good that I take the liberty to quote from them at length. Here is the first:— “I have no special light, except what you have already received, in reference to New York and the other large cities that have not been worked. Decided efforts should be made in Washington, D. C. It is a sad thing that the record stands as it does, showing so little accomplished there. It will be best to consider what can be done for this city, and see what ways of working will be the best. “In the past, decided testimony has been borne in regard to the need of making decided efforts to bring the truth before the people of Washington. I shall find what I have written on this point, if I can, and send it to you.” “May the Lord help us to move understandingly and prayerfully. I am sure that he is willing that we should know, and that right early, where we should locate our publishing house. I am satisfied that our only safe course is to be ready to move just when the cloud moves. Let us pray that he will direct us. He has signified, by his providence, that he would have us leave Battle Creek. In the large Tabernacle there, many meetings, many ministerial institutes have been held. Light and power have been centered there when they should have been scattered far and near, in the many cities yet unworked. Small centers should have been made in many places, to represent the truth. Thus much good would have been accomplished. New members would have been added to the ranks of believers. With an increase of numbers would have come an increase of tithe, providing means to carry the message to other places. “New York needs to be worked, but whether our publishing house should be established there, I can not say. I should not regard the light I have received as definite enough to favor the movement.” “Let us all lift our hearts to God in prayer, having faith that he will guide us. What more can we do? Let him indicate the place where the publishing house should be established. We are to have no will of our own, but are to seek the Lord, and follow where he leads the way.” The Locating Committee met in New York City, May 18. There were present H. W. Cottrell, S. N. Haskell, J. E. Jayne, I. H. Evans, S. N. Curtiss, C. D. Rhodes, D. W. Reavis, and A. G. Daniells. We formed our plans and organized our movement the best we knew how, and began a thorough search for a suitable place in the vicinity of New York City. We inspected places on Long Island, along the Hudson River, and in New Jersey. We went north along the coast as far as Rhode Island. After looking about for several days, we failed to find a place that seemed really suitable. Only one or two places were found that appeared at all possible, but these were so unfit that we began to despair of finding what was required. While pursuing our search, though not until two or three members had returned to Battle Creek, a second letter came from Sister White. It was dated May 30, and was addressed to the General Conference Committee. The portion that speaks definitely regarding a location reads as follows:— “During the past night many things have been presented to me regarding our present dangers, and some things about our publishing work have been brought most distinctly to my mind. “As our brethren search for a location for the Review and Herald Publishing House, they are earnestly to seek the Lord. They are to move with great caution, watchfulness, and prayer, and with a constant sense of their own weakness. We must not depend upon human judgment. We must seek for the wisdom that God gives. “God understands our situation. He alone knows where the Review and Herald Publishing House should be established. ‘The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way.’” “In regard to establishing the institution in New York, I must say, Be guarded. I am not in favor of it being near New York. I can not give all my reasons, but I am sure that any place within thirty miles of that city would be too near. Study the surroundings of other places. I am sure that the advantages of Washington, D. C., should be closely investigated.” “The workers connected with the publishing house must be closely guarded. Our young men and young women must not be placed where they will be in danger of being ensnared by Satan.” “We should not establish this institution in a city, nor in the suburbs of a city. It should be established in a rural district, where it can be surrounded by land. In the arrangements made for its establishment, the climate must be considered. The institution should be placed where the atmosphere is most conducive to health. This point should be given an important place in our considerations; for wherever the office of publication is established, preparation must also be made to fit up a small sanitarium and to establish a small agricultural school.” “My brethren, open up the work intelligently. Let every point be carefully and prayerfully considered. After much prayer and frequent consultation together, act in accordance with the best judgment of all. Let each worker sustain the other. Do not fail or become discouraged. Keep your perceptive faculties keen and clear by learning constantly of Christ, the Teacher who can not err. Avoid all that would endanger your eternal interests. The foe, keen and wary, stands ready to take the helm if he is given opportunity. He watches his chance to seduce souls to their ruin. “I have seen heavenly angels watching with intense interest the movements of the people of God. I have seen Satan presenting false securities, while a hand was stretched out, pointing the other way. One reckless movement, one imprudent step, and the surging waves of some strong temptation would have to be met.” This communication, as all can see, is more definite than the first. In the first are these expressions:— “He has signified, by his providence, that he would have us leave Battle Creek.” “I have no special light, except what you have already received, in reference to New York and other large cities that have not been worked.” “Decided efforts should be made in Washington, D. C.” “New York needs to be worked, but whether our publishing house should be established there, I can not say. I should not regard the light I have received as definite enough to favor the movement.” In the second letter written eleven days later, are these statements:— “During the past night many things have been presented to me regarding our present dangers, and some things about our publishing work have been brought most distinctly to my mind.” “God understands our situation. He alone knows where the Review and Herald Publishing House should be established.” “In regard to establishing the institution in New York, I must say, Be guarded. I am not in favor of it being near New York. I can not give all my reasons, but I am sure that any place within thirty miles of that city would be too near. Study the surroundings of other places. I am sure that the advantages of Washington, D. C., should be closely investigated.” “We should not establish this institution in a city nor in the suburbs of a city. It should be established in a rural district, where it can be surrounded by land.” “Wherever the office of publication is established, preparations must also be made to fit up a small sanitarium and to establish a small agricultural school. We must, therefore, find a place that has sufficient land for these purposes. We must not settle in a congested center.”