Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887

The Question of the Spirit of Prophecy

It is not difficult to understand—in the light of Conradi's divergent views—why he would oppose Ellen G. White. After all, she supported the Seventh-day Adventist interpretation of the prophetic scriptures dealing with the three angels’ messages and the sanctuary. It is also easy to understand why the break finally came, with Conradi's separation from the church. The committee meeting at Omaha made this statement: EGWE 295.3

“On the question of accepting the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, the positions taken by Elder Conradi ... have very naturally led him to question the position and authority of the Spirit of Prophecy in the church, since these writings clearly teach the accepted denominational view of the sanctuary and its cleansing.”—“Statement on Conradi Hearings,” p. 8. EGWE 295.4

The statement noted also the position of the church regarding Mrs. White's inspiration: EGWE 295.5

“The Word of God, however, clearly reveals that this prophetic gift will be manifested in the remnant church and will constitute one of its distinguishing features. Revelation 12:10. The proof of this gift in the church, as manifested through the work of Mrs. E. G. White, has been found in the harmony of her teachings with the Holy Scriptures. Her work has ever been to point the church of Christ to the Bible as the foundation of faith and to the Lord Jesus Christ as the one and all-sufficient Saviour. The same spirit that inspired the prophets of old has been manifest in her work for the church. While the Scriptures constitute the basis of all faith and doctrine, they at the same time plainly teach the existence of the gift of prophecy in the remnant church.”—Statement on Conradi Hearing, a General Conference Document, p. 8. EGWE 295.6

Conradi ceased to be a Seventh-day Adventist in 1932 at the age of 76. His last years were spent in Hamburg, Germany, where he is buried. His son, a notable physician, and his son's wife continued in the faith. Conradi was accepted as a minister for the Seventh Day Baptists; in fact, he became the principal organizer and promoter of that denomination in Germany. EGWE 296.1

Thus we trace with sorrow the defection of a much-loved brother and leader among the Adventists in Europe. The story of similar defections of prominent workers in America has been described in print, e.g., D. M. Canright, who became a Baptist, and Moses Hull, who drifted into spiritualism. These experiences warn all of us off Satan's enchanted ground of deception and apostasy from the “Present Truth.” “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). EGWE 296.2