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

An Affirmative Response to Testimonies Carefully Presented

After the difficult Denver meeting, Elder Irwin wrote telling how he had dreaded that meeting, for “there were so many conflicting interests to harmonize.” But, he reported, “the testimonies...came just at the right time.”—G. A. Irwin to WCW, August 28, 1905. He first took the conference president to one side, talked with him, and read him the testimonies. Irwin reported that the president listened very attentively and respectfully to the end, and that a very deep impression was made upon him. He had favored the transfer of Boulder Sanitarium to Dr. Place, and was, as noted, also in sympathy with the enterprise in Canon City. The message struck him hard, but he accepted the counsel (Ibid.). 6BIO 39.2

Elder Irwin then talked with Dr. Hills and he also acquiesced to the counsel, although it was clear that it was a heavy blow to him (Ibid.). 6BIO 39.3

Dr. Wade, who could not be at the camp meeting, learned of the testimonies and telegraphed that he felt in harmony with what the Lord had said. 6BIO 39.4

The messages from Ellen White were read to the conference committee and then to all the workers of the Colorado Conference. With the workers committed, Elder Irwin took the matter to the whole body of believers assembled, where a vote was taken. There was not a dissenting vote. 6BIO 39.5

The victory was gained. The conference committee issued a statement, referring first to the counsel given, which “met with a hearty general response on the part of our conference workers and conference delegates” (Ibid., 49). 6BIO 39.6

Then in penitent explanation the statement continued that while this instruction seemed to cut directly across plans that were believed to be right and that accorded with the best judgment of those concerned with them at the time, they felt that the only consistent position they could take was to acknowledge the mistaken judgment cheerfully and gladly, and yield their own plans to the instruction sent to them (Ibid.). 6BIO 40.1

The statement of the conference committee pointed out that in the reorganization of Boulder Sanitarium it was now “more than ever before a denominational institution” (Ibid., 50). Full support of the conference constituency was solicited. 6BIO 40.2