Ellen G. White: The Early Elmshaven Years: 1900-1905 (vol. 5)

Action on Institutional Ownership and Control

As Dr. Kellogg occupied Sunday afternoon with his review of his experience with the Battle Creek Sanitarium, some rather sharp things were said at times. Eventually, the following action was taken on control of institutions: 5BIO 255.5

All institutions created directly by the people, through either General Conference, union conference, State conference, or mission field organization, to be owned by the people, through these or such other organizations as the people may elect.—The General Conference Bulletin, 1903, 223. 5BIO 255.6

At times when Ellen White attended general gatherings such as this, she absented herself from the business discussions, but at the General Conference of 1903 she was often present and occasionally spoke to the matters that were being discussed. Writing to old friends on April 1, early during the Oakland meeting, she stated, “I expect to take part in the meetings daily. There are many important questions to be settled.”—Letter 48, 1903. Her contributions to the meetings were mostly in the form of addresses, and in these she often made reference to the light that God had given to her in vision a few hours or a day or two before. 5BIO 256.1