The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters

Authority of the General Conference

The highest authority under God among Seventh-day Adventists is found in the will of the body of that people, as expressed in the decisions of the General Conference, when acting within its proper jurisdiction. - Action Of General Conference, 1877 Year Book, 1914 page 255. PC 422.1

I have been shown that no man's judgment should be surrendered to the judgment of any one man. But when the judgment of the General Conference, which is the highest authority that God has upon the earth, is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be maintained, but surrendered. - Testimonies for the Church 3:492 (1875) PC 422.2

God has ordained that the representatives of his church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority. The error that some are in danger of committing is in giving to the mind and judgment of one man, or of a small group of men, the full measure of authority and influence that God has vested in his church, in the judgment and voice of the General Conference assembled to plan for the prosperity and advancement of his work. PC 422.3

At times, when a small group of men entrusted with the general management of the work have, in the name of the General Conference, sought to carry out unwise plans and to restrict God's work, I have said I could no longer regard the voice of the General Conference, represented by these few men, as the voice of God. - Testimonies for the Church 9:260 PC 422.4

That these men (leaders) should stand in a sacred place, to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be, that is past. - The General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1901 par. 25 PC 422.5

Let those in America who suppose the voice of the General Conference to be the voice of God, become one with God before they utter their opinions. - Testimony To Elder Haskell, November 16, 1899. PC 422.6

Do not understand me as approving of the recent action of the General Conference Association, of which you write, but in regard to that matter it is right that I should speak to them. They have many difficulties to meet, and if they err in their action, the Lord knows it all, and can overrule all for the good of those who trust in him. - Testimony To Elder Littlejohn, August 3, 1894 PC 422.7

Who can now feel sure that they are safe in respecting the voice of the General Conference Association? If the people in our churches understood the management of the men who walk in the light of the sparks of their own kindling, would they respect their decisions? I answer, No, not for a moment. I have been shown that the people at large do not know that the heart of the work is being diseased and corrupted at Battle Creek. Many of the people are in a lethargic, listless, apathetic condition, and assent to plans which they do not understand - Special Instruction Relating To The Review And Herald Office And The Work In Battle Creek, pp. 19, 20 (1896) PC 422.8

After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations, at a time when every conceivable power of evil is set in operation, when minds are confused by the many voices crying, “Lo, here is Christ; Lo, he is there; This is truth, I have the message from God, he has sent me with great light.” and there is a removing of the landmarks and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith - then a more decided effort is made to exalt the false sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God himself by supplanting the day he has blessed and sanctified. - To Brethren In Responsible Positions, 1892. PC 423.1

There seems to be a burning desire to get up something fictitious and bring it in as new light. Thus men try to weave into the web as important truths a tissue of lies. This fanciful mixture of food that is being prepared for the flock will cause spiritual consumption, decline and death. When those who profess to believe present truth come to their senses, when they accept the Word of the living God just as it reads, and do not try to wrest the Scriptures, then they will build their house upon the eternal Rock, even Christ Jesus. PC 423.2

There are those who say, not only in their hearts, but in all their works, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” They show the effect of error upon them by smiting their fellow servants and eating and drinking with the drunken. As in the days of Noah, those who have had great light will show their inconsistency. Because Christ's coming has been long foretold, they conclude that there is a mistake in regard to this doctrine. But the Lord says, “If the vision tarry, wait for it: for it will surely come. It will not tarry past the time that the message is borne to all nations, tongues and people.” - Testimony To Elder A. G. Daniells, October 14, 1900. PC 423.3

In ours, as in Christ's day, there may be a misreading or misinterpreting of the Scriptures. If the Jews had studied the Scriptures with earnest, prayerful hearts, their searching would have been rewarded with a true knowledge of the time, and not only the time, but also the manner of Christ's appearing. They would not have ascribed the glorious second appearing of Christ to his first advent. They had the testimony of Daniel; they had the testimony of Isaiah and the other prophets; they had the teaching of Moses; and here was Christ in their very midst, and still they were searching the Scriptures for evidence in regard to his coming. And they were doing unto Christ the very things that had been prophesied they would do. They were so blinded they knew not what they were doing. PC 423.4

And many are doing the same things today, in 1897, because they have not had experience in the testing messages comprehended in the first, second and third angels’ messages. There are those who are searching the Scriptures for proof that these messages are still in the future. They gather together the truthfulness of the messages, but they fail to give them their proper place in prophetic history. Therefore such are in danger of misleading the people in regard to locating the messages. They do not see and understand the time of the end, or when to locate the messages. The day of God is coming with stealthy tread; but the supposed wise and great men are prating about “Higher Education.” They know not the signs of Christ's coming, or of the end of the world - Testimony dated December 20, 1896 PC 424.1