Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 299, 1903

White, W. C.

Healdsburg, California

August, 1903

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son, W. C. White,—

I have just read the little pamphlet issued from Washington, D.C. Elder Daniells sent me a copy of a letter sent to you. I am very much gratified to read it. He wrote me one page which I appreciate. I send this letter with the one before it to you. I do not care to copy for it is hardly worth copying. All that I have written to you is correct, that the enemy has come down in great power, but he put on angel garments; and some who have persistently followed their own devising will not recognize the companion whose arm he has accepted. For this reason there must be a counterworking. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 1

I shall furnish some one in whom I can trust with copies of the very things essential for them to have, that all may not voice the words of Dr. Kellogg and all accept his influence. We need watchmen upon the walls of Zion to keep guard resolutely, determinedly, and not be found sleeping at their post of duty. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 2

I had a conversation Sabbath morning last with A. T. Jones. I told him if he would at any time allow his own mind to take in all the Doctor’s propositions, he would find himself ensnared. Well, I had much to say, and I have continued to pray for Dr. Kellogg. He may after a time be afflicted bodily, and if he is it may be the salvation of his soul. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 3

I have felt at times a swelling indignation that we are obliged to be so perplexed to understand how to deal with him. I shall never venture to speak one encouraging word that he can use to lift himself up, whatever may be my opinion of Brother John Kellogg. The last encouragement I gave him filled his poor weak soul with vanity. We stand where I fear one word of appreciation would have the [same] results. May the Lord just help me to express myself in few words, if I have to speak with him and converse with him. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 4

I have not an idea that the doctor can understand what is genuine truth, for his heart is unrenewed with grace. The mind, heart, and moral principles of the man have been revealed so fully that it is impossible for me to speak words in his favor, but that he should flourish himself about and threaten the law of men that he supposes will say something in reference to him; [all this] evidences that he is not a Christian, whatever he may profess; and unless he shall greatly humble his soul before God and repent, his candlestick will be removed out of his place. God forbid we should [see] any more exhibitions of his poor, human, foolish self. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 5

We need men now who are truly converted, then all the wonderful secret working will end; conniving and double-dealing will come to an end. There are those who act very much as Lucifer acted in the heavenly courts, who boast of being rich and increased with goods and having need of nothing. I do not wonder that Christ pronounces them poor, wretched, blind, and miserable and knowing it not. They are full of knowledge and satanic craft and art; they are neither cold nor hot. Christ says, “I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.” [Revelation 3:15, 16.] He will not [take] such names on His lips. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 6

Oh, how verily blind are the souls who are pompous and demerit the good and the true and the righteous! They cannot appreciate true virtue. God wants the souls He has purchased with His own blood to be in every respect valuable according to the purchase money paid. “Ye are not your own.” “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] Every provision has been made. “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir;” that is, every man who will submit to become, through the grace of God, refined, ennobled, sanctified. [Isaiah 13:12.] If he chooses his own defective, objectionable traits of character, the devil will surely be accepted and honored as his god. His schemes, his intricacies, his resentment—if all his propositions are not entered into as the superior wisdom, and if opposed—the wicked one will be sure to reveal himself as one who has knowledge and has power, but not the wisdom to use his smartness, abusing it and making him disgusting to the Lord Jesus. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 7

“I would,” Jesus says, “thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and nether cold nor hot I will spue thee out of My mouth.” [Revelation 3:15, 16.] This condition represents the Laodicean Church. And the representation is correct, for Christ Himself hath given the description. Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon to drink of the murky, befouled waters of the valley? Will human beings care so little about their behaviour as to threaten taking them before Caesar’s judgment seat? And if their case is not so disgusting to the heavenly [Father] that He takes life away, he will in that great day never know how he cast himself wholly on Satan’s side. But they who will do the opposite of this man will have the overcomer’s reward. A soul converted, unless he stay converted, will be left outside of heaven. The Lord says He would be mind and judgment, for even the mind of God and the Lord has no place for him. He would, if in heaven, educate himself to be an accuser of his brethren, and this class will never, never enter heaven to spoil the happiness of the whole heavenly host. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 8

I must now stop; only I will say, Talk about Jesus, for His life will shine. He has goldened every page of the Word of God to aid the soul in partaking of the water of life. I must stop for I cannot hold my eyes open. Will write more soon. This must stop now if it goes into the mail. 18LtMs, Lt 299, 1903, par. 9