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

The Vision Concerning Recreation

The records for 1912 mention only a few visions given during that year, but there was one of considerable significance on the night of July 4. In 1912, the Fourth of July fell on Thursday. The management of St. Helena Sanitarium was concerned about keeping their patients and helpers on the grounds happy, and planned a well-filled day of patriotic activity and recreation. In the morning there was band music and a flag-raising ceremony, and in the afternoon a baseball game, which, according to reports, was played in a good spirit. 6BIO 370.1

But in the evening there were some events of a different nature. Among the activities, of which musical renditions were a part, was a contest between two boys with blackened faces who, balanced on rails, endeavored to knock each other off with pillows. Another feature was a contest called “Slinging the Monkey.” Each of three or four young men put his feet in a slip noose, the other end of which was tied to a ceiling beam. Walking on their hands they tried to see who could go the farthest before the rope swung them back. Then there was a pie-eating contest. Four fellows with their hands tied behind their backs ate custard and blackberry pies off the table (DF 249d, WCW to E. C. Kellogg, November 1, 1912). 6BIO 370.2

The W. C. White children were at the party; the parents were not. Grace reported years later that her parents, Willie and May, were in bed by the time the children returned home. Ellen White at her Elmshaven home had retired much earlier. 6BIO 370.3

When W. C. White stepped in to see his mother the next morning, he found her “perplexed and disheartened.” She told him that she had slept but little the night before, and various scenes had passed before her. She felt too weak to talk about it then, but later in the day dictated a letter addressed to “The Sanitarium Family at St. Helena.” On Sabbath morning, July 6, she asked for the pulpit at the Sanitarium church so that she might address the worshipers and read the letter written on Friday. As she stood in the pulpit in the chapel, with employees and guests before her, she began to speak: 6BIO 370.4

I have felt an intense interest in regard to the directing of this sanitarium; and as we have considered the best course to pursue to bring the light of truth before the patients, I have earnestly desired that they should understand what is truth for this time. And I have felt some anxiety in regard to the youth in this institution. The example set at this place should be such as to reveal the uplifting principles of the Word of God, that those who come here may be led to follow fully the light of truth. 6BIO 370.5

In the night season some matters were brought very clearly before me. A message was given to me for you.... Some things have been presented to me showing that we needed to come into a more sacred nearness to God. In the night season I was taken through the institution, and I heard some things and saw some things that were not pleasing to God. I do not know that others noticed them. If they did not, they will have to know, because everything done in this institution must be done to the glory of Him who established it.—Manuscript 49, 1912. 6BIO 371.1

Picking up the transcript of her letter addressed to the Sanitarium family Friday morning, she read: 6BIO 371.2

Last night after I had retired to rest, a strange depression came over me, and for a long time I was unable to sleep. 6BIO 371.3

Then I seemed to be talking with companies of our people.... I was saying to them, “You do not need to plan for unholy amusements. When your life is hid with Christ in God, you will find in Him all the enchantment that you need.” Words like these had been spoken to me. 6BIO 371.4

As I passed from one group to another, I experienced disappointment after disappointment. There was revealed in each company a desire for foolish pleasure. Men and women, acting like children, seemed to have forgotten their responsibility to glorify God. I saw the foolish actions, and heard the foolish words that were spoken. 6BIO 371.5

And I saw how the Spirit of God was grieved, and the Lord dishonored. While God and angels were working by every possible means for the upbuilding of the kingdom of heaven in earth in truth and righteousness, those who should have been standing as heaven's representatives were taking a low level and dishonoring their Redeemer's name. 6BIO 371.6

I said to some, “You should bear in mind that as God's professed people you are called to reach a high standard. The Lord cannot be glorified by such a course as you are now pursuing. He bids us glorify Him in our body, and in our spirit, which are His. 6BIO 371.7

“I do not know with what words to describe these scenes, or what character to give them; but I know that in participating in them you are lessening your influence for righteousness; you are displeasing the Lord; you are setting an example that none can safely follow.”—Letter 32, 1912. 6BIO 372.1

The letter she was reading continued in this vein, stressing the responsibility of sanitarium employees for setting a high standard in example, and the raising of the question of what influence for good could those who participated in such happenings have as they should pray at the bedside of patients who witnessed what had taken place. She mentioned that she saw angels standing by, writing. 6BIO 372.2

I looked to see what they had written. I read these words: “None of these things will give you spiritual strength, but will lessen your influence for righteousness.”— Ibid. 6BIO 372.3

After reading the six-page letter, she commented at some length and reminded the personnel of the institution: 6BIO 372.4

We are here to minister to the sick and afflicted, to relieve their sufferings, and if possible, to win them to Christ. It is your privilege to seek to benefit all who come upon this ground. Nothing should be done on these premises that will in any way counteract the influence of the Spirit of God which should constantly abide here.—Manuscript 49, 1912. 6BIO 372.5

It was a solemn meeting. There was no resentment, but a humbling of heart. Commenting on the experience the following Wednesday, W. C. White wrote: 6BIO 372.6

The tenderness with which Mother introduced the matter and which accompanied her presentation of that which she had written impressed those present very much. In the afternoon we had an excellent social meeting in which many bore testimony expressing sorrow for a part which they had taken in the Fourth of July program, and many expressed gratitude to God that He had sent them a message of counsel and reproof. We are hoping that this will mark the turning point in the experience of our Sanitarium helpers.—WCW to E. E. Andross, July 10, 1912. 6BIO 372.7