Ellen G. White: The Later Elmshaven Years: 1905-1915 (vol. 6)

The President Reelected

When the election was held, Elder Reaser was returned to office as president for the usual one-year term. W. C. White wrote his mother: 6BIO 151.7

The people here are devoted and loyal. Many greatly admire their leaders, and if your testimony had not come, they would have remained blind to their dangers. But they are now placed on their guard, and the leaders see that they must walk circumspectly. Day by day our leading men see more clearly the conditions existing here.— Ibid., 109. 6BIO 151.8

He added, “It is difficult for Elder Reaser to see his peril, but I think that he begins to see men as trees walking.” 6BIO 152.1

After his election was an accomplished fact, Ellen White endeavored to help him understand his situation and the need of a change in his attitudes. She wrote on August 29, 1907, a letter he received in September: 6BIO 152.2

Dear Brother Reaser: The Lord has revealed to me that in your work as president of the Southern California Conference, you are in danger of embracing too much responsibility. Some time ago the Lord showed me that if you were placed in office, you would attempt to rule in every branch of the work, but that this was not to be permitted, because you have not the judgment to deal with all lines of work, and because God has chosen especially qualified workers for certain lines of His work. 6BIO 152.3

Because of a wrong comprehension of the duties of your office, the work in your field has become sadly confused in the past two years. You have accepted responsibilities that should not have been placed upon you. Because you were president of the conference, you considered yourself to be in a certain sense the manager of the work of the Loma Linda Sanitarium, and that it was your duty to see that matters there were conducted according to your ideas. I am bidden to say to you that you are not qualified to take the control of the sanitarium work. 6BIO 152.4

Elder Burden has been given this work, and he has good helpers and advisers in the workers who are associated with him. The Lord appointed Elder Burden to the position he occupies, and he is to humbly bear his responsibilities in that position without interference. He is fully capable of doing the work that has been given him to do. The Lord has not told you to watch and criticize, and interfere with His work. He bids you, my brother, to stand out of the way. 6BIO 152.5

In particularly earnest terms she pointed out: It is a mistake for a conference to select as president one who considers that his office places unlimited power in his hands. The Lord has instructed me to tell you that you do not know when to use authority, and when to refrain from using it unwisely. You have much to learn before you can do the work of a conference president intelligently. You are to bear in mind that in the cause of God there is a Chief Director, whose power and wisdom is above that of human minds. 6BIO 152.6

The pointed testimony closed with the admonition: 6BIO 153.1

My brother, God lives and reigns. Let your brethren have the right of way to the footstool of Christ. Encourage them to carry their burdens to the Lord, and not to any human being. Never take the responsibility of becoming conscience for another.

As brethren you can counsel together, and pray together, and seek instruction from the Source of all wisdom; but you are not to seek to direct another regarding his duty. Let all work of this character be done away. God forbids that this spirit shall again come into His work while time shall last.—Letter 290, 1907. 6BIO 153.2

In somewhat the same vein she penned lines on September 2, addressed to “The Workers in Southern California.” She reminded them that what she was writing was prompted by the visions God gave to her: 6BIO 153.3

I have been instructed regarding the mistake that has been made in placing men in positions of large responsibility to meet emergencies which they think it necessary to be met. 6BIO 153.4

Here are two paragraphs from the six-page testimony: 6BIO 153.5

Man is not to be made amenable to his fellowman. I am bidden to write decidedly regarding this matter. The work of exalting men as rulers is a dangerous work, for it educates the workers to look to human agencies instead of looking to God, and this spoils their religious experience. Their minds are diverted from the only true Source of their strength.

I have been shown that the evangelistic labors of the gospel minister are not to be directed by a fellow minister. The workers for God should inquire of Him, the fountain of wisdom, in regard to their labors. They are to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. God is able to move upon their minds, and to guide them with judgment. “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” God will work with those who will listen to His voice. The Word of God is to be the man of our counsel, and is to guide our experience.—Letter 342, 1907. 6BIO 153.6