Ellen White: Woman of Vision

Kellogg Plans A University In Battle Creek

A great deal concerning the Battle Creek situation had been written by Ellen White to church leaders, but the question with her was: When should it be broadcast generally? She explained the delay: she had been restrained until the appropriate time—when Dr. Kellogg made his first move. WV 484.4

The announcement in the September issue of the Medical Missionary, published in Battle Creek, of plans to launch a university in Battle Creek, was the “first move.” Two years before, steps being taken to reopen Battle Creek College were laid aside because of Ellen White's clear counsel. Now the counsel itself was laid aside, and articles and catalogs proclaimed the opening of a number of schools—virtually a university (AGD to WCW, October 12, 1905). WV 484.5

There would be “many courses of study offered by various schools carried on in connection with the Battle Creek Sanitarium”—”professional, scientific, literary, biblical, technical.” Forty courses would lead to diplomas and degrees. In addition to the above, numerous trades would be taught, such as steamfitting, plumbing, blacksmithing, carpentry, painting, tinsmithing, steam and electrical engineering, shoemaking, and dressmaking. WV 484.6

All these were offered to Seventh-day Adventist youth who had no money. They could meet expenses by working at the sanitarium (The Medical Missionary, October, 1905; AGD to EGW, October 11, 1905). WV 484.7

To draw Seventh-day Adventist youth to Battle Creek, most attractive inducements were made in courses and work opportunities offered. But there were the warnings sounded for two years that Seventh-day Adventist youth should not go to Battle Creek in pursuit of an education. The work of undercutting the Testimonies began with meetings held by Dr. Kellogg and A. T. Jones with the sanitarium workers and was advanced by correspondence with Seventh-day Adventist youth throughout the field. WV 484.8

In Daniells’ opinion the whole denomination should be informed as to what was going on at Battle Creek. He pleaded with Ellen White: “Has not the time come to give the people enough of what God has revealed to you to fully inform and arouse them? ... Has not the time come for the ship to strike the iceberg?” WV 485.1