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

Mid-December Week of Prayer Meetings in Battle Creek

The West Michigan Conference invited Elder Daniells to assist in the Week of Prayer in Battle Creek in mid-December. After taking counsel with Elders Irwin, Prescott, White, and Evans, he felt he should accept the appointment and go. This would give him an opportunity to present the testimonies dealing with the situation. The Week of Prayer would begin Friday night, December 15. Daniells, W. C. White, and one or two others went over on Tuesday, the twelfth. This gave them an opportunity to get the feel of the situation. One of the testimonies Daniells carried with him had been penned by Ellen White on June 28, 1905. It was titled “A Solemn Warning.” Indeed it was! It opened with the words: 6BIO 65.8

I wish to sound a note of warning to our people nigh and afar off. An effort is being made by those at the head of the medical work in Battle Creek to get control of property over which, in the sight of the heavenly courts, they have no rightful control. I write now to guard ministers and lay members from being misled by those who are making these efforts. 6BIO 66.1

Several lines of warning were sounded: 6BIO 66.2

Notwithstanding the warnings given, Satan's sophistries are being accepted now just as they were accepted in the heavenly courts. The science by which our first parents were deceived is deceiving men today. Ministers and physicians are being drawn into the snare.

I have sent warnings to many physicians and ministers, and now I must warn all our churches to beware of men who are being sent out to do the work of spies in our conferences and churches—a work instigated by the father of falsehood and deception. Let every church member stand true to principle. We have been told what would come, and it has come.... 6BIO 66.3

I cannot specify all now, but I say to our churches, Beware of the representations coming from Battle Creek that would lead you to disregard the warnings given by the Lord about the effort to make that a great educational center. Let not your sons and daughters be gathered there to receive their education. Powerful agencies have been stealthily working there to sow the seeds of evil. 6BIO 66.4

I must speak plainly. It is presented to me that the condition of things is just what we were warned that it would be, unless the messages of heaven were received by the leaders of the medical work in Battle Creek. But notwithstanding the warnings given, some to whom they have been sent stand up in self-confidence, as if they knew all that it was needful for them to know.... 6BIO 66.5

Very adroitly some have been working to make of no effect the testimonies of warning and reproof that have stood the test for half a century. At the same time, they deny doing any such thing.... 6BIO 67.1

Again, I say to all, Keep your families away from Battle Creek. Those who have so often opposed the efforts to remove from Battle Creek will some of them be seduced from the truth.—Manuscript 100, 1905. 6BIO 67.2

On Friday night, December 15, just as the Week of Prayer opened, the church board met in the early evening. Dr. Kellogg was present. Daniells presented some of the testimonies and finished just in time for the evening meeting in the Tabernacle. Early Sabbath morning he met again with the church board, and at the eleven-o'clock worship service he presented the prepared Week of Prayer reading. At two-thirty there was another meeting at the Tabernacle with Dr. Kellogg present. Daniells read to the packed house a number of the testimonies. Many of the board members expressed their acceptance of the testimonies (AGD to Dear Friends, December 17, 1905). 6BIO 67.3

While Elder Daniells and W. C. White were in Battle Creek, Ellen White and her assistants continued to collect and copy material. That weekend she wrote to Elders Daniells and Prescott: 6BIO 67.4

I have lost all hope of Dr. Kellogg. He is, I fully believe, past the day of his reprieve. I have not written him a line for about one year. I am instructed not to write to him. 6BIO 67.5

I have been reading over the matter given me for him, and the light is that we must call our people to a decision....We are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.—Letter 333, 1905. 6BIO 67.6

Her burden of heart intensified as the week progressed. To W.C. White she wrote: 6BIO 67.7

I have many things I wish you and Elder Daniells and those united with him in his labor in Battle Creek to have just as soon as possible. I have very decided testimony that I am sending in to Battle Creek to Elder Daniells. I fear he will leave before he gets this so I will send a telegraph message to him to tarry till he receives this that I send.—Letter 336, 1905. 6BIO 67.8

The message was sent on Thursday, December 21, and Elder Daniells tarried in Battle Creek as the Week of Prayer meetings continued. Dr. Kellogg and many of the medical personnel were in Chicago attending the meeting he had called of the International Medical Missionary Alliance to convene Monday through Thursday, December 18-21. Daniells let it be known that he had changed his plans and was staying by to await the message promised in Ellen White's telegram. 6BIO 68.1