Spalding and Magan Collection

Judge Not

St. Helena, Cal.,

Jan. 12, 1906.

Dear Brethren and Sisters in Battle Creek,

I wish to write you a few lines. I understand how the enemy is working, and I wish to say to every soul, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” There are times when we have to take a decided stand, but, in magnifying the Lord, be sure that you do not condemn and make charges against others. It would cause all the powers of hell to rejoice if our people were to become divided. The way has been preparing for contention and division. Some are in great danger of drifting into infidelity. Now, let your study be to save these imperilled souls. I have sorrow, great sorrow of heart, that they do not understand their bearings. SpM 383.1

But whatever you may say to vindicate the truth in righteousness, be sure not to make a raid on the one who for many years has borne heavy burdens in connection with our medical missionary work. He has always personally treated me as respectfully as he would treat his mother. It is nothing he has done to me personally that has led me to speak as I have been compelled to. While it makes my heart ache, I must speak. God has given me a message to give to his people, that the sentiments contained in the book, “Living Temple,” are mingled with fallacies that beguile the reader. It is the specious errors in that book that makes it a dangerous production. I can not hold my peace, and let the flock of God be misled. But I beseech you not to let a drive be made against our brother; for this would not be right. SpM 383.2

Stand in defense of the truth; exalt the truth. God has given the erring one every encouragement to turn fully to him. Our brother has been following his perverted judgment, and his soul has been lifted up into vanity; but he should not be personally attacked, because it is not the right thing to do, to open those opposition charges before the world. Keep the affirmative of truth, as did Paul in his charge to Timothy: “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts, shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” SpM 383.3

The truth of this I have experienced. In the early days of this message, I have passed through most trying ordeals in refuting false doctrines, and especially such doctrines as we are meeting now. We are passing over the same ground, and while we are to call error, error, and withstand delusive sentiments that will continue to come into our ranks to palsy the faith and assurance of the people of God, we are to make no tirade against men and women. We are to show the evil of the false sentiments that Christ himself has warned us not to receive; but let us consider that the power of the enemy is strong. SpM 383.4

In the past, the one who has been recognized as our leading physician has, under the Spirit of God, done a grand work, and he has not received from some the encouragement that he should have received. There are ministers who have not accepted the principles of health reform, but have stood in opposition to them. SpM 384.1

I have been carrying a great burden for the people in Battle Creek. Last night I was laboring most earnestly in prayer. The commission was given me by the Saviour, “It is not you they have rejected, but Me, their Saviour. You have nothing to retract of the messages that you presented during the General Conference held at Oakland and during the Berrien Springs meeting. You have a work to do of the same order. You have nothing to regret, in the words you have spoken and written, to the leading medical missionary workers. I have for you still more decided messages to bear. Those who have made light of the messages that I have given my messenger to bear have insulted the One who gave the messages.” Our people need to humble their hearts, and confess their sins, and be converted. They need to fear and tremble lest God's Spirit be withdrawn from them, and they be left to hardness of heart and blindness of mind, because they have rejected the word God has given them. The messages that God has sent have been borne, line upon line, precept upon precept. The Lord is still working, and he gives the admonition, “Keep the people, the flock of my pasture, from being educated by physicians or teachers who reject the warnings I have given through my messenger. My Sabbath has been transgressed, and the light that would have shone forth has been quenched.” SpM 384.2

God would not have his people drawn into false paths, into a belief in sophistries and misleading scientific sentiments. For years the testimony has been given that Battle Creek has been and is, under an influence that is not spiritual. The message given is, “When the one who has borne responsibilities in the medical missionary work shall humble his heart in my sight, confessing his sins, I will speak peace to him. His associates who have helped him to walk in false paths, I will judge; for they have helped him to be deceived.” SpM 384.3

Since the Lord's will has not been done, since our enemies have had occasion to see a departing from the faith, as I know and am instructed that they have, will not the one who has been reproved now make a change? Will he not humble his heart as did Daniel, a man whom God calls “greatly beloved”? Will he not read the prayer offered by Daniel, and see what it means to humble himself before God? SpM 384.4

Brethren, there is one thing you can do. You can see that you yourselves are in a condition of repentance. You hearts need to be converted. The end is near; the time is short. Plead with God, clear the King's highway, and lift up the trailing standard on which is inscribed, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” As you advance, step by step, proclaim, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Moses declared, “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commands me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people ... Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but teach them thy sons and thy sons’ sons.” SpM 384.5

Ellen G. White.