Mrs. White’s Indebtedness

Part II—Mrs. White’s Indebtedness; Was It Consistent With Her Teaching?

Having given evidence that Mrs. White’s benevolence far exceeded the amount of her indebtedness at the time of her death, and having shown that she left assets which have met the full amount of this indebtedness, we should also consider the question some have raised as to her teaching regarding the incurring of debt. Was her teaching contrary to her own example? MWI 8.1

This question can be answered only be considering her entire line of instruction on this subject. It would be manifestly unfair to judge from one or two or a very few of her statements. Here are some of them. MWI 8.2

“We should shun debt as we should shun the leprosy.” “The very highest kind of education that could be given is to shun the incurring of debt as you would shun disease.” “Let them guard themselves as with a fence of barbed wire against the inclination to go into debt.”—Testimonies for the Church 6:217, 211; Volume 7, p. 236. MWI 8.3

These statements, isolated from their context and given a general application, might plausibly give an impression that Mrs. White taught that any debt, under any circumstance, should be shunned as the leprosy. A study of the context shows that the first two quotations relate to school management, and the third was addressed to our brethren who were seeking to establish the publishing work at Nashville, and had gone ahead faster than the prospect for earnings and donations would warrant. MWI 8.4

In all these instances, a warning is given against incurring debts that can be paid only by calling upon the people for gifts, and where there is no prospect for an income from the enterprise itself, sufficient to meet the debts incurred. MWI 8.5

Mrs. White borrowed money, and incurred debt, but she never made nor did she ever expect to make an appeal to individuals for gifts to pay her indebtedness. Indeed, at one time she refused to accept of a plan by which others would help her to pay her debts. She had an assured income, and there were assets which were sufficient to form a sound basis for credit exceeding the amounts of money which were borrowed by her. That this is so, is evidenced by the fact that the income from the estate has completely liquidated the debt which Mrs. White left. MWI 8.6

She recognized that there is a vital difference between debts contracted by institutions or persons not having an earning power to pay these debts, and the incurring of debts as in her own case. MWI 9.1

Mrs. White did give cautions against the incurring of debt through extravagance or lack of economy, or unwise management. She greatly helped by her own generosity as well as by her counsels the efforts that were made to relieve the denominational institutions from debt. She urged the payment of debts as fast as possible. She decried dishonest debts and debts caused by reckless and inconsidered moves. Yet she did not teach that under no circumstances is it right to borrow money. A few of her utterances regarding conditions under which money should be borrowed follows: MWI 9.2

In 1904, she wrote to certain brethren who hesitated because the purchase price was not in sight to secure property that had been plainly indicated should be purchased, and upon which quick action was necessary. MWI 9.3

“The idea that a sanitarium should not be established unless it could be started free from debt, has put the brake upon the wheels of progress. In building meeting-houses we have had to borrow money, in order that something might be done at once. We have been obliged to do this, in order to fulfil the directions of God. MWI 9.4

“Persons deeply interested in the progress of the work have borrowed money and paid interest on it to help establish schools and sanitariums and to build meeting-houses. The institutions thus established and the churches built have been the means of winning many to the truth. Thus the tithe has been increased, and workers have been added to the Lord’s forces.”—B-211-1904. MWI 9.5

Some of the conditions that mark the difference between faith and presumption in the incurring of debt, are set forth in the following communication, written by Mrs. White, January 27, 1910. MWI 9.6

“In the providence of God there comes to this people in time of need favorable opportunities to secure valuable facilities that can be utilized wisely for the rapid advancement of the cause. At times the Lord has specified that we should come into possession of property in certain localities where we needed to gain entrance for the proclamation of the third angel’s message. MWI 9.7

“The idea that we are not to purchase any such properties unless first the money is in hand, is not in accordance with the mind of God. Again and again in years past the Lord has tested our faith by opening the way for us to secure places possessing advantages, at a cost far below their real value, and at a time when we had no money. MWI 10.1

“We have at such times met the situation by borrowing money on interest, and advancing in harmony with the command of our divine leader, who bade us advance in faith. MWI 10.2

“These experiences have been attended with many perplexing problems, but the Lord has helped us through them all, and His name has been glorified. Had we hesitated the precious cause would have been retarded rather than advanced, and in many cases opportunities would have been given our enemies to triumph over our failure to secure these advantages placed within our reach. In such matters as these, we are to learn to walk by faith when necessary, as some have walked in the past.”—B-12 1/2-1900. MWI 10.3

In 1905, our brethren in Nashville were offered a valuable and suitable church property, and money was borrowed to meet the first payment of one thousand dollars. In this connection, Mrs. White wrote: “God would have the standard lifted higher and still higher. The church can not abridge her task without denying her Master. Meeting-houses must be built in many places. Is it economy to fail to provide in our cities places of worship where the Redeemer may meet with His people? Let us not give the impression that we find it too great an expense to provide properly for the reception of the heavenly Guest. “In laying plans for building, we need the wisdom of God. We should not needlessly incur debts, but I would say that in every case all the money required to complete a building need not be in hand before the work is begun. We must often move forward by faith, working as expeditiously as possible. It is through a lack of faith that we fail of receiving the fulfilment of God’s promises. We must work and pray and believe. We are to move forward steadily and earnestly, trusting in the Lord, and saying, ‘We will not fail nor become discouraged.’ “Let our brethren in Nashville and in all parts of the South lay aside their doubts, and come over to the side of faith. Let them say, ‘We will do our best. No longer will we question the work and ways of the Lord. From this time we will believe the word of the Lord, and obey His command to “arise and build,” whether all the money required is in sight or not.’”—The Review and Herald, September 7, 1905. Similar instruction may be found in Testimonies for the Church 9:271, 272. MWI 10.4

In the Review and Herald, April 11, 1899, there appeared an article entitled “Denominational Debts.” In this article, a good brother who deplored the heavy indebtedness of many of our institutions, took the position that it was wrong to borrow money. Quoting from Deuteronomy the instruction to Israel regarding their prosperity if they remained true and faithful to God, “Thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow,” the writer commented: MWI 11.1

“In the verses just cited, He distinctly told His people not to borrow; and to the spiritual one the command takes the form of a promise, and says in thunder tones, ‘Thou shalt not borrow.’...

“All our institutions have been in the borrowing business. It is now time for them all to quit....Forever then, let loaning to our institutions have an end.”

This copy of the Review reached Australia just at a time when efforts were being made to raise money for a Sanitarium near Sydney. In a meeting in Cooranbong, Sister White made calls for as many gifts as possible, and then for loans by those who felt that they could not give all that was asked for, but, having given some, could lend more. She herself pledged a gift of one hundred pounds, ($500.00). In her appeal, she said: MWI 11.2

“We want God to take hold of this work. But to say we will not receive any loans, with or without interest, would not be wise. There may be those who could loan us money, while they would not feel able to make a gift. Newly come to the faith, they might hardly feel that they could give the money. We need a sanitarium, and we must have it. I have not had much to do with this institution, but I feel that it is my Sanitarium as much as it is yours, because my prayers and interest are in it. It is a necessity that we have a Sanitarium, but I cannot go so far as to say that there will be no debt upon it. For years I have been hiring money from America. Nevertheless, from those who can make donations we shall be very thankful to receive donations. There are many who can give. But to say to our brethren, ‘You must make a donation, because we will not take a loan, with or without interest, would be unwise.’

“One brother said to me not long ago, ‘You are in a heavy pressure for means. I will loan you sixty pounds for one year without interest.’ We were under heavy pressure in order to put up the Health Retreat, and I knew this means would help us. I felt as though it was a God send, and I was very grateful for it.

I believe the Lord stirred up our brother’s mind to loan this money, and I felt very thankful. I help as long as I have any means to help with. As for laying up money, I do not do it; and I do not expect to do it.”—Aus. Union Conference Recorder, July 28, 1899.

Much more might be quoted to show that Mrs. White deplored debts. unwisely made; but that in an emergency, rather than to allow an opportunity to pass for making a forward move that was in God’s providence, she counseled that the necessary money be borrowed, and then that appeals be made for its payment as soon as possible. One more brief, well-balanced statement must suffice. Writing to the brother who was author of the Review_article, above referred to, she said: MWI 12.1

“It is right to borrow money to carry forward a work that we know God desires to have accomplished. We should not wait in inconvenience, and make the work much harder, because we do not wish to borrow money. Mistakes have been made in incurring debt to do that which could well have waited till a future time. But there is danger of going to the other extreme. We are not to place ourselves in a position that will endanger health and make our work wearing. We are to act sensibly. We must do the work that needs to be done, even if we have to borrow money and pay interest.”—M-11-1903.

This statement was prepared by W. C. White and D. E. Robinson t. Helena, California February 13, 1933.