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

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Truths That are to Stand Forever

Sanitarium, california, December 11, 1905 I have been pleading with the Lord for strength and wisdom to reproduce the writings of the witnesses who were confirmed in the faith and in the early history of the message. After the passing of the time in 1844 they received the light and walked in the light, and when the men claiming to have new light would come in with their wonderful messages regarding various points of scripture, we had, through the moving of the holy spirit, testimonies right to the point, which cut off the influence of such messages as elder ballenger has been devoting his time to presenting. This poor man has been working decidedly against the truth that the holy spirit has confirmed.... 5BIO 426.1

We are not to receive the words of those who come with a message that contradicts the special points of our faith. They gather together a mass of scripture, and pile it as proof around their asserted theories. This has been done over and over again during the past fifty years. And while the scriptures are God's word, and are to be respected, the application of them, if such application moves one pillar from the foundation that God has sustained these fifty years, is a great mistake. He who makes such an application knows not the wonderful demonstration of the holy spirit that gave power and force to the past messages that have come to the people of God. 5BIO 426.2

Elder Ballenger's proofs are not reliable. If received, they would destroy the faith of God's people in the truth that has made us what we are. 5BIO 426.3

We must be decided on this subject, for the points that he is trying to prove by scripture are not sound. They do not prove that the past experience of God's people was a fallacy. We had the truth; we were directed by the angels of God. It was under the guidance of the holy spirit that the presentation of the sanctuary question was given. It is eloquence for everyone to keep silent in regard to the features of our faith in which they acted no part. God never contradicts himself. Scripture proofs are misapplied if forced to testify to that which is not true. Another and still another will arise and bring in supposedly great light, and make their assertions. But we stand by the old landmarks.—Letter 329, 1905 (Selected Messages 1:160-162). 5BIO 426.4