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

But Why Not Canon City?

But it was not easy for the leading promoters of the Canon City Sanitarium to give up their enterprise. In late September Dr. Wade visited Ellen White at Elmshaven and laid the matter before her in as favorable light as he could. Adjustments had been made in the plans that would leave the conference president and non-SDA businessmen off the board, and limit the financial support to non-church members. As he sought her support, she told him if she had further light from the Lord on the matter she would send it to him. On Thursday night, September 28, a vision was given to her providing “further light.” This formed the basis of three communications. The first, a letter to Dr. Wade, was written October 2: 6BIO 40.3

I have not written to you before, regarding the sanitarium enterprise with which you are connected; for I have received no light that would lead me to write anything contrary to that which was contained in the testimony read in Denver by Elder Irwin. But I am now prepared to speak positively. Last Thursday night [September 28] the matter was presented to me more fully. 6BIO 40.4

She told Dr. Wade that he was in need of “treatment from the Great Physician of soul and body.” “You need a new spiritual life,” she urged, and then added: 6BIO 40.5

Were a sanitarium established by you, circumstances would arise that would injure the experience of others who might be connected with the institution. The matter has been made plain to me, and I am authorized to say that the men who are united in the matter of erecting and controlling a sanitarium in Canon City are not qualified to do the best kind of work. Should they carry out their plans there would be disappointment and continual friction.—Letter 285, 1905. 6BIO 40.6

This was followed by a personal appeal for the cultivation of the heavenly graces. 6BIO 41.1

The same day she wrote an eight-page testimony addressed to “The Promoters of the Canon City Sanitarium.” It opened with words right to the point: 6BIO 41.2

Last Thursday night, September 28, light was given me that the testimonies written out and sent to Elder Irwin to be read at the camp meeting in Denver were being made of no effect by some who are not pleased with the instruction that the Lord has given in regard to the undertaking of private sanitarium enterprises in Colorado. 6BIO 41.3

I saw that in the company formed for the management of the Canon City Sanitarium enterprise, it is not alone the unbelieving elements that are objectionable. Some of those connected with this movement, who profess to believe the truth, are not qualified to carry out their ambitious purposes. It is in mercy that the Lord, who knows the end from the beginning, sends His warning to these brethren, not for their discouragement, but that they may be kept from making mistakes which would lead them away from Him. 6BIO 41.4

Then she added words of gentle reproof to those who persisted in endeavoring to find a way to carry out their own plans in spite of counsel that they should not do so. She declared, stating a hermeneutic principle: 6BIO 41.5

In the testimonies sent to the Denver meeting, the Spirit of God dictated a message that should prevent the carrying out of plans which would result in disappointment....God does not at one time send a message of warning, and later another message, encouraging a movement against which He had previously given warning. His messages do not contradict one another.—Letter 287, 1905. 6BIO 41.6