Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

G. I. Butler to E. G. White, Aug. 23, 1886

G. I. Butler to Ellen G. White
pp. 16-20 Mount Vernon, Ohio
August 23, 1886

Elder Underwood and others have told me about the effect of the articles in the SIGNS and Sabbath School lessons, in various localities, on the Law in Galatians. The positions taken are causing great debate, and stirring up a spirit of discussion and controversy and making trouble. I dislike to recur to this subject again. I have kept very quiet myself and only talked with a few leading brethren about it, or those who have asked my opinion. The matter was all out through the public print before I dreamed what was coming, and I could not stop it then if I had tried. Whatever may be considered, concerning the positions taken, the making of our Colleges, Sabbath School lessons and pioneer papers, the vehicle for presenting theological views not believed by two-thirds or three-fourths of the denomination, seems to me very wrong. MMM 21.1

Many a time have I kept quiet and not referred to Galatians while writing for print, simply because I knew these were not considered correct by some persons of high standing in the church. Now I do feel after such a course, that the time has come for this question to be settled if possible. This has been a standing question in debate from the beginning of the Cause. At first the position held by Elder Waggoner was considered the true one. But through the efforts of father Stephen Pierce, quite a change of opinion was brought about. At least he told me years ago of his coming to Battle Creek under a great burden as he felt, from the Lord, to talk with the leading brethren on this subject. The brethren in Vermont held with him. He told me how Elder Waggoner used him, as he thought, badly. MMM 21.2

But your husband and Elder Smith listened to what he had to say, and they always held the view afterwards, which he held. MMM 21.3

This question has been discussed for years, but it seems to me the true view has never been yet fully brought out in print. I feel impressed to write a brief comment on the Epistle to the Galatians with reference to the question. What Law, is the principal subject of the apostle’s discourse in that book. It does seem to me that it can be made very plain. I shall attempt this if I can, and wish to place my thoughts to be presented before all our leading brethren. MMM 21.4

It seems to me the scheme or design of the Epistle to the Romans and of the Galatians are both quite different, yet very important. Paul in the former proves that Jew and Gentile alike are all condemned by the law of God as sinners, that the Law of God is universal in its application, and condemns all, that the grace of Jesus Christ alone can save us, that the superiority of the Jews over the Gentiles consisted in the greater light they had, and greater privileges. These were (many, or mercy?), which only added to their responsibility—but that their feeling of superiority and contempt for the Gentiles was wholly wrong and they needed a Saviour as much as the poor Gentiles. The Law of God was universal, and condemned all mankind. MMM 22.1

But the scheme of the letter to the Galatians was different. Paul wrote that, explain the transition from the typient (?) ceremonial system pointing forward to Christ and the peculiar laws separating that people from the rest of the world. Many of the Jews were more angry because of the breaking down of the lines of separation between them and the Gentiles than anything else, because that took from them their power to claim a special superiority to the rest of the world. Circumcision was the sign of this barrier of separation. MMM 22.2

The Gospel as Paul preached it swept all this away. Hence all Jews and many Christians who came from the Jews still cherished this same exclusive spirit. They were mad with the apostle. And when he came up to Jerusalem a great effort was made upon Paul to show some recognition of those peculiar customs and Paul did it to a certain extent, but got into trouble by so doing. MMM 22.3

When the Galatian church accepted these teachings of the Judaizing teachers, Paul wrote the Epistle to clear up this whole matter. It was hard for the church then to sense the immense importance of the great epoch of Christ’s first advent and all it included. I cannot see that the design of Romans and Galatians is alike at all. Yet if the position taken is right, they are essentially alike. MMM 23.1

Now I am not writing in any sense to influence your mind—far from it. But I do feel that we have presented a divided front long enough on this question. The SIGNS has brought it out in the most public manner possible, with a series of articles. I cannot see but it must be considered. I want to take a reasonable, judicious course. I have never spoken with you concerning this question and know very little of your opinion. Of course it would be quite a shock to me, after studying the question so long and having it seem so clear to me, if it should be shown to you the position I hold was wrong. But I feel sure I would accept it and at least keep quiet if I could not clearly understand it. This is the only proper position to take, while we acknowledge the gifts of the Spirit. MMM 23.2

May God guide you, my dear Sister, and if you have light to help me to move carefully, I shall be very glad. I want to do right in this as all other matters. Let me hear from you on this. MMM 23.3

I have written Elder Shultz of Nebraska in regard to his giving himself to the German work wholly, and taking quite a general position in the field to visit different localities in Brother Conradi’s absence.... [Selection ends here.] MMM 23.4