Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]

MR No. 1493—A. T. Jones in Need of Conversion; Health Reform to Be Taught and Practiced at Camp Meeting

(Written in July, 1908, from St. Helena, California, to Elder A. T. Jones.)

I have been conversing with you in the night season. I have carried the burden of your case upon my soul because the Lord has presented to me the dangers of your expressing your strong natural traits of character. These traits come to be distinguished in an objectionable way if you encourage them. Your soul and your mind and your character, unless under the influence of the Holy Spirit of God, lead you to extremes in spirit and in language, after the natural mind. 20MR 352.1

What then? You are unchristian in disposition. No soul professing to serve God reveals in words and disposition what you have ofttimes revealed in speech and action. Can such be accepted in the heavenly courts? Why, heaven would soon have a warfare, a second rebellion, if those with your confident, unsanctified disposition should be received in the heavenly courts. Therefore the Bible is given us as our guidebook. When you are a thoroughly converted man, all who associate with you will know this. The expression of your face will not be as we now see it. 20MR 352.2

The Lord set you to do a special work in Battle Creek, and placed before you your dangers in connecting with such men as Frank Belden and J. H. Kellogg. The particulars in these two cases were opened to you as I gave you writings to read to them, and requested you to pray with them. But those men converted you, and you lost your opportunity of converting them, for you took yourself in charge and left the Lord Jesus out of the arrangement. Therefore all the warnings given to save you were disregarded. That showed the manner of spirit you were of. These men converted you to do the very work they were doing and to voice their sentiments. 20MR 352.3

Now this is the picture I am presenting to you. You were more strong in your expressions, in your spirit, in your talk, than were these men, and expressions were made of an extravagant character. Therefore you swelled yourself to large proportions and did everything you could do to misrepresent, and if possible to turn away the flock of God to go into forbidden paths. 20MR 352.4

Oh, how sad I have felt over your case as you held on, determined to have your own way in keeping up the pretense of fitting the students to be better prepared to leave Battle Creek. Your words were not in accordance with the message given me of God that for their souls’ safety they must leave Battle Creek. You held them in Battle Creek—flattered some and ridiculed others. How many were receiving lessons, from the education you were giving, directly contrary to a plain “thus saith the Lord”? When the Lord sends warnings to those in danger, He means what He says. 20MR 352.5

Who is responsible for trusting to his own human wisdom and working directly opposite to the way the Lord has marked out that he should work? Had you had discernment you would have lived out your profession and your prayer made at that time while at Fresno. If you had been worked by the Holy Spirit, there would have been a work done showing zeal in proportion to the importance of the truths we are handling. The Lord would have given grace if you had humbled yourself and become meek and lowly of heart, and you might have been the instrument of warning hundreds and thousands through your words in writing and in ministry in speaking, and angels of God would have cooperated with the human instrument. 20MR 353.1

But you turned traitor after being thoroughly warned. And your zeal was similar to Satan's zeal in the heavenly courts when he brought in his strange ministry. You made many souls sick with your doubts. But the picture has been one that it is impossible to describe. The ministers are overworked in counteracting your representation—the work being done by Dr. Kellogg and you. 20MR 353.2

A. T. Jones, the spirit that has possessed you has been to lead souls into false paths. Only eternity will reveal what has been accomplished in the service of Satan in making souls sick with doubts. The ministry has been dishonored, greatly dishonored, and unrest has been brought in. And the Great Physician, who was waiting, longing to save to the uttermost all who would come unto him, has been dishonored by A. T. Jones. You do not hesitate to make false statements, for Satan works your mind to utter falsehood. But now if you will be converted and live the prayer you made in Fresno that morning, as you promised to do, the Lord will work with you in the large gatherings of our people. 20MR 353.3

Our camp meetings afford an excellent opportunity to illustrate health reform, for it is a part of our message. As we near the close of time every soul who lives the truth will see the necessity of being a health reformer; and each minister will practice the health reform and will educate others in Christian temperance, presenting this subject in straight, clear, positive lines, not only by word but by practice. 20MR 353.4

Precept and practice make impressions because precept and practice are a power when not divorced but combined. It is truth exemplified that becomes a power. But it does not stop here. We have found that where strict temperance is not only held forth in discourses before the public but exemplified at our tables, a decided impression is made upon the community, and they are desirous to cooperate. 20MR 353.5

Health institutions, rightly conducted, give character to our work as genuine. In every city where health reform is presented to the people there should be a limited ministry of the benefits of practical health reform, and a place provided where the sick may be treated for common ailments. The building may not be all that could be desired, but it may be fitted up to give treatment in simple lines. This simple work will prove a blessing. A good physician, who understands the simple means we used in our first practice of health reform, has done wonders even in our camp meetings. This work has always proved a blessing. If carried on under the labors of physicians and nurses, such work has given a practical sermon on health reform. 20MR 354.1

All who have had the light on health reform are to put their intelligence into practical use, and will thus remove prejudice against health reform. To furnish conveniences for the wise treatment of common ailments will be blessed of God, and do far more good than merely teaching without practicing. The backsliding of some upon this question is the result of a careless indifference to sound principles. After a camp meeting this work should be followed up by establishing a place for the practice of this branch of the work. This will be an agency for reaching the higher classes. 20MR 354.2

There are many things that need to be practiced in our camp meetings to give a correct idea of health reform. Our teachings on health reform should be demonstrated in every respect. A letter came to me a short time since concerning the idea of bringing in peanuts, candies, and ice cream for financial reasons. The light that the Lord has given over and over again on this subject is very plain. This practice was forbidden. The gain is not to be considered, but the influence of spoiling the stomach with these indulgences has proved a large objection religiously. It is contrary to health reform and is giving young children and grown-up children lessons in self-indulgence that the Lord forbids. There is need to give practical lessons in self-denial rather than lessons in self-indulgence. I am instructed to ever keep before the youth and older persons as well that the laying out of money for these sweets for the indulgence of appetite is not to be encouraged at all. 20MR 354.3

The lesson given is, Teach the children that they should have their missionary boxes and deny themselves as far as possible as a duty they owe to God—to act their part by self-denial. These lessons should come into every family. Everything of the character of ice cream, candies, and nuts brought into our camp meetings should not be permitted. Such practices as bringing these things upon the campground give lessons which counteract the very messages the Lord would have our ministers bear to bring young children and older youth to practice self-denial, and to see that it is necessary to let all such indulgences alone if they are to be in health. These extras that they do not need injure the stomach. 20MR 354.4

I lift my voice of warning to all who shall attend our camp meetings to refuse to have such indulgences brought on the ground. Whatever may be the amount gained, the injury done will be a loss healthwise. Self-indulgence should not be encouraged. Our camp meetings are to educate old and young to practice habits of strict temperance; let not temptations be placed before the youth to become selfish. Remember the many places where there are calls for missionaries.—Letter 239, 1908. 20MR 355.1

Ellen G. White Estate

Silver Spring, Maryland,

March 8, 1990.

Entire Letter.