The Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church

OTSEGO VISION

June 6, 1863, at Otsego, Michigan, Mrs. White had the great and wonderful vision on healthful living,—disease and its causes, drugs and their evil effects, etc. Regarding the nature of the principles there taught, and the proofs in the vision itself of its divine inspiration, I will quote from the words of Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in the preface to the book called “Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene,” published in 1890: PGGC 86.1

“1. At the time the writings referred to first appeared, the subject of health was almost wholly ignored, not only by the people to whom they were addressed, but by the world at large. PGGC 86.2

“2. The few advocating the necessity of a reform in physical habits, propagated, in connection with the advocacy of genuine reformatory principles, the most patent and in some instances disgusting errors. PGGC 86.3

“3. Nowhere, and by no one, was there presented a systematic and harmonious body of hygienic truths, free from patent errors, and consistent with the Bible and the principles of the Christian religion. PGGC 86.4

“Under these circumstances, the writings referred to made their appearance. The principles taught were not enforced by scientific authority, but were presented in a simple, straightforward manner by one who makes no pretense to scientific knowledge, but claims to write by the aid and authority of divine enlightenment. PGGC 86.5

“How have the principles presented under such peculiar circumstances and with such remarkable claims stood the test of time and experience? is a question which may very properly be asked. Its answer is to be found in facts which are capable of the amplest verification.... The principles which a quarter of a century ago [now more than forty-seven years ago] were either entirely ignored or made the butt of ridicule, have quietly won their way into public confidence and esteem, until the world has quite forgotten that they have not always been thus accepted.... Every one of the principles advanced more than a quarter of a century ago is fortified in the strongest possible manner by scientific evidence.... PGGC 87.1

“It certainly must be regarded as a thing remarkable, and evincing UNMISTAKABLE EVIDENCE OF DIVINE INSIGHT AND DIRECTION, that in the midst of confused and conflicting teachings, claiming the authority of science.... a person making no claims to scientific knowledge or erudition should have been able to organize ... a body of hygienic principles so harmonious, so consistent, and so genuine that the discussions, and researches, and discoveries, and the experience of a quarter of a century, have not resulted in the overthrow of a single principle, but have only served to establish the doctrines taught.” PGGC 87.2

Since 1863, the time when the diet question and healthful living were unfolded to Mrs. White, the subject of health reform has been classed with the preparatory work for fitting up a people to meet the events before us. The Lord is leading His people “back, step by step, to His original design,—that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth.” PGGC 87.3

Mrs. White, in 1863, further stated that from what had been revealed to her, “the animals whose flesh was used for food would become more and more diseased, until finally it would be unsafe to eat their flesh. The Lord was in mercy introducing these principles to His people, that by practicing them they might be better fitted to meet and resist the increase of disease upon the human family, and stand unharmed amid the seven last plagues.” The present increase of disease in the domestic animals is startling the nations of the earth. The Lord’s people see in this fact the fulfilling of the predictions made forty-seven years ago concerning this very thing. PGGC 88.1