The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

A Divine Interposition

This created a deplorable situation, which could but result in controversy between leading men. When the author of the book appeared before the Committee and asked for the promised co-operation in bringing out and circulating it as a relief agency for the rebuilding of the sanitarium, we could not give that co-operation. We could not conscientiously consent to giving our approval to the circulation of teachings that we believed dangerous and erroneous. On the other hand, the author was just as firm in his belief that his views were new light, and should be disseminated everywhere. AGP 335.1

At length a committee of five was appointed to bring in a report on the teaching of the manuscript, and on its suitability for the purpose for which it had been planned. But the subcommittee was itself divided. Three were in favor of its publication, and two were opposed. After hearing their report, the General Conference Committee voted against the majority report, and accepted that of the minority. AGP 335.2

Then a public hearing was demanded by the disappointed author. This was granted, with the inevitable result that the issue became more involved, and as the controversy became more widely known, strong men were taking sides. AGP 335.3

Despite the advice of the majority of the General Conference Committee that the book be dropped, an order was sent to the Review and Herald Publishing House to print five thousand copies at once. Then there came, what seemed to some, a divine interposition to avert the open rupture that must inevitably follow its publication and its attempted circulation in the church. Just as the book had received its final corrections and was about to be run through the press, the factory was destroyed by fire and the plates were ruined. AGP 335.4

The copy, however, was immediately sent out to another publisher. A few months later a large edition of “The Living Temple” was printed. It was placed on the market, and energetic efforts were made to enlist our young people in its circulation. AGP 336.1

Up to this time I had made no public statement, either through the press or on the platform, in opposition to some of my brethren who were working most earnestly to leaven the denomination with what I believed to be veiled heathenism. But I spent many sleepless nights, as I reviewed the situation, and sought to be true to the trust that had been committed to me, while avoiding a controversy that I feared would bring confusion and pain to our people. I saw seeds being sown among the hundreds of young people in our leading institutions that I firmly believed would produce results heartbreaking to hundreds of our brethren. AGP 336.2