A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health

The Testimony Not Sent

Concerning the testimony about the rebuilding of the Battle Creek Sanitarium mentioned in Prophetess of Health, page 193, it does appear that poor judgment was used in publishing the Testimony in 1905 (Stewart says 1904), when the testimony had not been previously given to Dr. Kellogg. The compilation of materials for these special testimonies was not a project in which Mrs. White controlled every detail. She would give general instructions about the subject matter she had prepared that she wanted to have included and leave her assistants to gather from her writings relevant material. In this case either they or she overlooked the fact that the February 20, 1902, diary entry had not been sent to Kellogg at that time. CBPH 88.13

Still, Kellogg was not by any means in the dark as to Mrs. White’s position on the size and location of the Sanitarium. She had written him as early as 1890 saying: CBPH 89.1

In our conversation I spoke to you of the light given me that we were centering too many weighty responsibilities at Battle Creek, and I am of the same opinion now. I have been looking over some of my past writings, and I find that warnings were given to me years ago upon this very point, and we were instructed not to accumulate special interests in Battle Creek. There is danger that it will become as Jerusalem of old, a concentrated, powerful center. The evils that ruined Jerusalem will come upon us if we do not heed these precautions. It is perilous to so largely center in Battle Creek for while you are expending means in this one center, you are neglecting cities that will be come more and more difficult to work as time goes on.—Letter 18, 1890. (To K. H. Kellogg Oct. 18, 1890.) CBPH 89.2

An even more pointed statement was sent him in 1900: CBPH 89.3

If the mammoth sanitarium at Battle Creek was divided and subdivided, and its strength put in different parts of the vineyard, where there is nothing to represent the truth, the Lord would be much better pleased.—Letter 177, 1900. (To J. H. Kellogg Jan. 21, 1900.) CBPH 89.4

Mrs. White explained to the General Conference of 1903 why she had sent nothing out: CBPH 89.5

When the Sanitarium there [Battle Creek] was burned, our people should have studied the messages of reproof and warning sent them in former years, and taken heed.... I had many things written out, but I thought, I will not say a word to condemn any one. I will keep quiet. When the planning for the new building was taken up, I think there were no questions or propositions sent to me about it, from those in charge.—The General Conference Bulletin, 1903, 86. CBPH 89.6