Testimony to the Church at Battle Creek

The Battle Creek Church

There are serious objections to having the school located at Battle Creek. Here is a large church, and there are quite a number of youth connected with this church. And in so large a church, where one has influence over another, if this influence is of an elevating character, leading to purity and consecration to God, then the youth coming to Battle Creek will have greater advantages than if the school was located elsewhere. But if the influences at Battle Creek shall be in the future what they have been for several years past, I would warn parents to keep their children from Battle Creek. There are but few in that large church who have an influence that will steadily draw souls to Christ. There are many who would, by their example, lead the youth away from God to the love of the world. PH123 50.1

There is a great lack with many of the church at Battle Creek of feeling their responsibility. Those who have practical religion will retain their identity of character under any circumstance. They will not be like the reed trembling in the wind. PH123 51.1

Those situated at a distance feel that they would be highly favored could they have the privilege of living in Battle Creek, among a strong church, where their children could be benefited with the Sabbath-schools and meetings. Some of our brethren and sisters in times past have made sacrifices to have their children live in Battle Creek. But they have been disappointed in almost every case. There were but few in the church to manifest an unselfish interest for these youth. The church generally stood as pharisaical strangers aloof from those who needed their help the most. Some of the youth connected with the church, who were professedly serving God, but loving pleasure and the world more, were ready to make the acquaintance of youthful strangers who came among them, and exert a strong influence over them to lead them to the world instead of nearer to God. When these return home, they are farther from the truth than when they came to Battle Creek. PH123 51.2

Men and women are wanted at the heart of the work, who will be nursing fathers and mothers in Israel, who will have hearts that can take in more than merely me and mine. They should have hearts that will glow with love for the dear youth whether they are members of their families or children of their neighbors. They are members of God's great family for whom Christ had so great an interest that he made every sacrifice that it was possible for him to make to save them. He left his glory, his majesty, his kingly throne and robes of royalty, and became poor, that through his poverty the children of men might be made rich. He finally poured out his soul unto death that he might save the race from hopeless misery. This is the example of disinterested benevolence that Christ has given us to pattern after. Many youth, and also those of mature age, in the special providence of God, have been thrown into the arms of the Battle Creek church, for them to bless with the great light God has given them, and have the precious privilege of bringing them, by their disinterested efforts, to Christ and to the truth. Christ commissions his angels to minister unto those who are brought under the influence of the truth, to soften their hearts and make them susceptible of the influences of his truth. While God and angels were doing their work, those who professed to be followers of Christ seemed to be coolly indifferent. They did not work in unison with Christ and holy angels. Although they professed to be servants of God, they were serving their own interest and loving their own pleasure, and souls were perishing around them. These souls could truly say, “No man careth for my soul.” The church had neglected to improve the privileges and blessings within their reach, and through their neglect of duty lost the golden opportunities of winning souls to Christ. Unbelievers have lived in their midst for months, and they have made no special efforts to save them. How can the Master regard such servants? The unbelieving would have responded to efforts made in their behalf, if brethren and sisters had lived up to their exalted profession; if they had been seeking an opportunity to work for the interest of their Master to advance his cause, they would have manifested kindness and love for them, and they would have sought opportunities to pray with them and for them, and would have felt a solemn responsibility resting upon them to show their faith by their works, by precept, and example. They might have had these souls saved through their instrumentality, to be as stars in the crown of their rejoicing. But the golden opportunity, in many cases, has passed, never to return. The souls that were in the valley of decision took their position in the ranks of the enemy, and became enemies of God and the truth. The record of the unfaithfulness of the professed followers of Jesus went up to Heaven. PH123 52.1

I was shown that if the youth at Battle Creek were true to their profession, they might exert a strong influence for good over their fellow youth. But a large share of the youth at Battle Creek need a Christian experience. They know not God by experimental knowledge. They have not individually a personal experience in the Christian life, and they must perish with the unbelieving unless they obtain this experience. The youth of this class follow inclination rather than duty. Some do not seek to be governed by principle. They do not agonize to enter into the strait gate, trembling with fear lest they will not be able. They are confident, boastful, proud, disobedient, unthankful, and unholy. Just such a class as this lead souls in the broad road to ruin. If Christ is not in them, they cannot exemplify him in their lives and characters. PH123 54.1

The church at Battle Creek have had great light. They have been a people peculiarly favored of God. They have not been left in ignorance in regard to the will of God concerning them. They might be far in advance of what they now are if they had walked in the light. They are not that separate, peculiar, and holy people that their faith demands, and that God recognizes and acknowledges as children of the light. They are not obedient and devotional as their exalted position and sacred obligation require, as children walking in the light. The most solemn message of mercy ever given to the world has been intrusted to them. The Lord has made them the repositories of his commandments in a sense that no other church is. God did not show them his special favor in trusting to them his sacred truth that they alone may be benefited by the light given them; but that the light reflected upon them from Heaven should shine forth to others, and be reflected back again to God by those who receive the truth, glorifying him. Many in Battle Creek will have a fearful account to give in the day of God for this sinful neglect of duty. PH123 54.2

Many of those who profess to believe the truth in Battle Creek contradict their faith by their works. They are as unbelieving and as far from fulfilling the requirements of God and of coming up to their profession of faith as was the Jewish church at the time of Christ's first advent. Should Christ make his appearance among them, reproving and rebuking selfishness, pride, and love of the friendship of the world, as at his first advent, but few would recognize him as the Lord of glory. The picture he would present before them of their neglect of duty they would not receive, but would tell him to his face, You are entirely mistaken, we have done this good and great thing, and performed this and that wonderful work, and we are entitled to be highly exalted for our good works. PH123 55.1

The Jews did not go into darkness all at once. It was a gradual work, until they could not discern the gift of God in sending his Son. The church at Battle Creek have had superior advantages, and they will be judged by the light and privileges they have had. Their deficiencies, their unbelief, their hardness of heart and neglect to cherish and follow the light, are not less than the favored Jews, who refused. the blessings they might have accepted, and crucified the Son of God. This people are now an astonishment and reproach to the world. PH123 56.1

The church at Battle Creek are like Capernaum, which Christ represents as being exalted unto heaven by the light and privileges that had been given them. If the light and privileges they had been blessed with had been given to Sodom and Gomorrah, they might have stood unto this day. If the light and knowledge had been given the nations who sit in darkness, they might have been far in advance of the church at Battle Creek. PH123 56.2

The Laodicean church really believed and enjoyed the blessings of the gospel, and thought they were rich in the favor of God, when the True Witness called them poor, naked, blind, and miserable. This is the case with the church at Battle Creek, and a large share of those who profess to be God's commandment-keeping people. The Lord seeth not as man seeth. His thoughts and ways are not as our ways. PH123 57.1

The words and law of God written in the soul, and exhibited in a consecrated, holy life, have a powerful influence to convict the world. Covetousness, which is idolatry, envy, the love of the world, will be rooted from the heart that is in obedience to Christ, and it will be their pleasure to deal justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly before God. Oh! how much is comprised in this walking, humbly before God. The law of God, if written on the heart, will bring into subjection the mind and will to the obedience of Christ. PH123 57.2

Our faith is peculiar. Many who profess to be living under the sound of the last message of mercy are not separated in their affections from the world. They bow down before the friendship of the world, and sacrifice light and principle to secure its favor. The apostle describes the favored people of God in these words: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. PH123 57.3

The dress reform is something or nothing. If all the light that has been given in regard to dress reform is of no account we wish to understand it. But if God has indicated his approval of a modest, simple, healthful and convenient dress, let us choose this dress and cheerfully wear it. The dress question, with all its advantages, has been repeatedly set before our people at Battle Creek, from a health standpoint, and its advantages from a Christian stand have been fully set before him. But they have been slow of heart to believe, and to act up to their faith. PH123 58.1

In order to benefit our people, and that our views might be distinctly understood by the citizens in the city of Battle Creek, that, as far as possible, the embarrassment might be removed attending the wearing of the reform dress, we called a health convention, inviting the most influential citizens to attend that they might have a more perfect knowledge of the important subject of health reform. Before the large concourse of people there assembled we spoke upon the subject of dress reform, giving our reasons why we adopted this style of dress, and the advantages to be gained healthwise as well as the advantages derived from a Christian standpoint. We told the people we viewed the adopting of the reform dress would prove a safeguard to preserve us from the temptation of following the absurd, unhealthful, extravagant fashions of this age. We did not wear the reform dress to be odd and singular, but we adopted and advocated the reform dress from principle. Judge of our feelings when we saw upon the platform where we stood, among the singers, several sisters who had previously worn the reform dress appear upon this occasion with their long dresses. We greatly desired to correctly represent the dress reform upon this occasion above all others. We thought that if this is all the principle and wisdom our sisters have, what dependence can be placed upon them. Pride blinds their judgment so that they do not seem to understand the fitness of things. PH123 58.2

What influence would all that I might say have upon the minds of the worldly, proud spectators, when they see those of our own people standing upon the platform as it were in defiance of our faith and the principles we were endeavoring to present before them. These things tell with great weight against us. Some of our sisters had the courage to adhere to their principles and wear the reform dress. We have pleaded for uniformity in dress. We set before the people at the time of our last General Conference our reasons. There was at that time a vote taken under the most solemn circumstances to unite their efforts in carrying out the principles of dress reform. Has there been any decided advance in this direction since that vote was taken? PH123 59.1

What can we think of a people who have had so great light as the church at Battle Creek, who profess faith in the testimonies and then go directly against the light given. I shall not repeat again what has been so often repeated in favor of dress reform. I will state that the simple, modest, convenient and healthful style of dress we advocate answers to us as did the ribbon of blue to the children of Israel. “And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them. And that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes. That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy into your God.” The great God, the Maker of Heaven and earth, has condescended to the particulars of dress, specifying the style of dress the children of Israel should wear for the purpose of preserving their peculiarity from other nations, and distinguishing them as a people who acknowledged the Creator of the universe as their God, whose ordinances and commandments they obeyed. PH123 60.1

If pride and love of changeable fashion had not controlled the hearts and dress of those who profess to be God's commandment- keeping people, they would not have been so slow to change their style of dress. Varying fashion is controlling the hearts of youth. The Lord has let light shine, and in his providence a style of dress modest, healthful, and convenient, has been proposed and adopted by those who were conscientious to follow the light. This modest, healthful style of dress does not change with every varying fashion. If mothers would move from principle, and with the united influence of the father, dress their daughters sensibly, clothing their limbs in a manner to preserve health and life, irrespective of fashion, they would be doing a good work, which will be reflected back upon them again in blessings. Young girls who wear the reform dress are shielded from many temptations. They are continually learning to think and to act for themselves independent of what others may say and do. They are learning to have true moral courage to do right, and choose the right, although there is a cross in so doing. The majority of youth of this age have no strength to resist temptation. The inclination is strong to follow fashion, dress as worldlings do, and attend parties, and mingle with the world in their amusements. PH123 61.1

They have not the firmness of character and foresight to consider the dangers to which they may be exposed. If they have a desire to do this, or to do that, duty and dangers bear no weight with them. Inclination overbears every other consideration. They have no experience in moving from principle and a sense of duty, having the fear of God before them. PH123 62.1

In most cases parents are responsible for this love of self-gratification, and the deficiency of moral independence in their children. Parents have not educated their children to restrict their desires. They have not taught them to practice self-denial. The reform dress would prove as a safeguard to their daughters, separating them from the evils of fashionable society, that to associate with would do them only injury and lead them to neglect the religion of the Bible. PH123 62.2

A family of my acquaintance had three interesting daughters who were convicted of the truth and gave evidence of change of heart. These children were willing to put on the reform dress, but the parents, through pride, wished their children to dress as others dressed. They objected to their being singular from the world. They feared remarks would be made upon their children's dress. This family had great light. The Spirit of God worked in their behalf to save them from ruin. They had undoubted evidence that the testimonies were of God; and yet they trifled with the light given relative to the reform dress, because it crossed their pride. Their children were sent away from home to school, and mingled with young company, and engaged with the young generally in their parties of pleasure and amusement. They dressed as others of their companions dressed, and lost their interest in truth. I heard the parents with deep feeling express their regret that they did not encourage their daughters to put on the reform dress from principle. They said if they had done so they were now convinced their children would be with them in the truth. The reform dress would have kept them separate from the world. They would not have had so strong inclination to attend parties of pleasure and mingle with their worldly companions in exciting amusements, which diverted their minds from God and the truth. PH123 63.1

These who come to Battle Creek from other places are grieved and astonished to see the lack of simplicity in dress in the Battle Creek church, and the disregard of the testimonies in reference to the reform dress. They find this church even behind those of other places who have not had a tenth part of the light on the subject of dress reform that the church in Battle Creek have had. The Health Reform Institute is located in Battle Creek, and gives its influence to the reform dress, and there is but a small cross in wearing the reform dress in Battle Creek compared with other places. PH123 64.1

There are some of our sisters who plead want of time as an excuse for not making and wearing the reform dress, while they find time to devote to making ruffles and tucks, and in trimming their long dresses. Again, others will plead that the pants will soil easily; so do the long dresses, and they not only soil, but wear and tear, easily. All these trivial excuses have weight with some. The children of Israel might have pleaded excuses more valid why the ribbon of blue should not be worn in their garments. The genuine excuse many of our sisters might urge is that the reform dress is very inconvenient, for it is mortifying to their pride. Should the dress reform become fashionable, all these excuses would vanish like the morning dew before the sun. PH123 64.2

When the large hoops were fashionable, many of our sisters became much interested in their health. They thought that they could work and walk so much easier. They did not wear them, they urged, because they were fashionable, but because they were cool in summer and an advantage healthwise. This we failed to see. If they were conducive to health in summer, what about the winter? they were worn in winter as well as in summer. If they were so necessary to health then, why do they not wear them now they are out of fashion? PH123 65.1

The sisters who plead the want of time to make their dresses short, and wear the pants, do very many things that are not necessary. And even if there should be some more work in preparing dress reform suits, should we not bear this, and give our influence for the benefit of young girls in favor of dress reform? Should we not have a principle in this matter? PH123 65.2

We do not know where to find the people of Battle Creek. They may have an overwhelming array of light and evidence, and we flatter ourselves that they will conscientiously follow the light, when in a few weeks we see them further back than before. The influence of two or three sisters on the wrong side will have more power upon a class of minds than the most direct testimony. If we take merely this one question, reform dress, and see how many of the church have treated this subject, we can judge how they would treat light and truth upon other points. We dare not venture to encourage the permanent location of a school at Battle Creek until men and women shall move into Battle Creek with firm religious principle and a genuine experience, who will be found on the right ground, and who can be intrusted to keep the fort, and who will exert an influence upon the cause that will lead the youth and those susceptible of the influence of the truth away from the world instead of leading them to join their hands with the world. PH123 66.1

If our people at Battle Creek refuse to heed reproof and counsel, if a reform cannot be brought about, or if those at Battle Creek do not see and repent of their disrespect of the light God has given them, our important institutions will have to be moved from Battle Creek. If so, tracts of land should be purchased in some good locality and then sold to those only who will be true, and will give evidence that they will sustain the important institutions in their midst. PH123 66.2

The church at Battle Creek, in their lukewarm, unconsecrated condition, is doing very much to counteract the influence of both institutions among them. These institutions, properly conducted, would have a living, powerful influence to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth, were not Sabbath-keepers a stumbling-block in their way. PH123 67.1