Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

F. E. Belden to E. G. White, Mar. 27, 1895

F. E. Belden
Chicago, Ill
4331 Indiana Ave
March 27, 1895
[Written in margin:] The accompanying letters to A. T. Jones and C. H. Jones have never been answered by them. They are doing wrong.
Dear Aunt Ellen:

Ella and Mable are here for a few hours on their way to you, and I send a few books by them, so you can see what I am doing. Ever since receiving your last letter I have not been able to believe that the Lord has shown you that I left Review and Herald because I had a selfish object in view. For Hattie and I agreed that if it was right for me to stay and yield my principle as I considered it to be—the right to own what music I wrote in my spare moments, as I wrote the child songs for my “Object Lessons” book—then we were willing to give up, free of any charge whatever, my interest in my three books, “Object Lessons and Songs for Little Ones,” “Songs of Freedom,” and “Echoes of Liberty”—which I offered to turn over to R&H on royalty basis, first, and that being rejected. I offered my interest in them all for $2,500, including the right to the kindergarten material used in connection with the “Object Lessons” book; and on this material there is as much profit as on the book. So it was virtually four books already prepared, and then I offered to get up the “Song Sheaf” for Review and herald if they took the other books, and they would thereby own not only the book, but the copyrights on each piece of my music in the book also, on payment of the average price for such work already written. Some of these songs in the “Sheaf” were written ten years ago, and ever since the hymn book came out I have been writing, little by little. The Association had no right to it, nor to what I wrote in odd moments while in the employ of Review and Herald, unless it interfered with my duties there. But A. R. Henry himself had told me several times before the fight came on, that I had filled the position of Superintendent better than anyone they ever had. They all know it. But the motion was, nevertheless, that “We cannot consistently give Brother Belden royalty on his books while in the employ of the Association.” Several months later I offered to sell, as above stated, but meanwhile I had made the motion on the Board to reduce the wages, which I know offended Henry, Eldridge, and Lindsay, who did not want them reduced, although some or all of them had said they thought it would have been better had the rate been $25 instead of $30 per week. To show how bad Eldridge felt about it, he wrote me, as secretary of the board, while he was in California, that he would like to have Henry’s wages raised to $30 the same as his was. So I reported to the board, and it was done. Then Smith and Lindsay were raised to $30 also, after much talk about the gray hairs they all carried. Right here I did wrong. I ought never to have accepted anything over $20; but I asked them if the value of a man in the publishing business was determined by the color of his hair, or by what he knew about the business. Henry at once saw the point, and I accepted what the rest had. But Eldridge could have dropped from $30 to $25 or $20 instead of asking that the others be raised to $30, had he truly thought $30 too high. It was not high from a worldly view, but the influence was wrong, considering our work. So, I finally made the motion that cut us down to $20, I think it was, Eldridge having $25 as manager. This was right after D. T. Jones and O. A. Olsen came on the board, and Jones seconded my motion. Then I acknowledged my wrong also in feeling unkindly toward you over your criticism concerning my relation to “Great Controversy” and “Bible Readings.” It looked as if I had gone over to your side as soon as I began to get on the Lord’s side, and so when I offered to sell my books, I was never more unkindly treated in all my life than by those three men. MMM 280.1

They then for the first time talked as if they were dissatisfied with my work in the office, that being the only logical position if they claimed that I was not entitled to anything for the use of a talent never gained (though cultivated slightly in my spare time) while in their employ. Henry abused me on the board, even lying to maintain his wrong argument. Lindsay agreed with Henry that I was a poor Superintendent, and Eldridge was silent, the meanest course of all, as he knew I had told him all he ever knew about the business, and helped him to appear thoroughly posted, as I would an own brother. MMM 282.1

Then I asked Lindsay for the reasons for his opinion. I had been buying machinery and stock for three years, and I know the Lord helped me to save thousands of dollars. He could not name anything in all that time except that “He saw a carpenter one day fixing a door sill differently than what he would have fixed it!!” All that Henry could name was that I had been late several times. MMM 282.2

So I saw that the devil was no longer my friend. Strange to say, yet so it was. MMM 282.3

Then to show how wicked was their spirit, I demanded that they go over the office with me and point out my neglect. We spent a half a day, and I explained just how everything was before I came and let them see the condition then. They showed that they knew nothing about the business, and afterward, when I had gone over the whole business with them, they said they were satisfied with my work. But no one but Henry ever took back the unfair course before the board. I asked Eldridge why he did so (Kept silent, when he knew I was being lied about), and he said, “I don’t know, the human heart is a strange thing sometimes.” But he, having shortly before offered me a good thing if I would go into business with him, and I having absolutely refused to leave the work for money consideration, he was no friend of mine thereafter, and only lately has he acknowledged that the board ought to have taken the books. As they did not, of course I had to leave and take care of them. I did not desire to leave, or I would never have offered the books at such a figure, and when I saw that it was a fight of retaliation on their part, and not a fair or honest treatment of me or the case in hand, then I decided that if God wished me to turn over the books to R&H (as their argument had tried to prove that I had no business doing anything but for the Association), I would do so, and remain there. I asked Henry if all the rents be received on houses and lands did not belong to the R&H on the same basis. Royalty on money capital is the same as royalty on literary capital not belong to the Association. MMM 282.4

Hattie and I agreed to cast lots on it, and after submitting the question to God, I drew the paper that said “Leave R&H and keep books.” So I did. Wherein was that selfish? Yet you wrote a document that was sent to several prominent persons, stating that I left because I was selfish. I asked Olsen if he told you the reason (my reason) why I left. He said he did not, and looked troubled. Eldridge read me a copy of a letter he wrote you at that time, in which he said that I left because I considered it for my interest to do so, giving a financial coloring to it. I asked him why he did not tell the truth, and he said he did not believe in casting lots, admitting that he had not fairly stated my position in that letter to you. Now, put my true story along side of their false ones and tell me how I could have been more unselfish than to give up all I thought I had a right to if God so willed. This direct violation of the truth in this matter has been an astonishment to me, and if I anchored my soul to any mortal thing I would have been adrift long ago. Hattie knows the fact in the case and I am more sorry than words can express that you took what somebody else said about this, and then sent it out as of God. MMM 283.1

I am one of the most unworthy of His children; I have no merit; but I know that God lives and that for Christ’s sake He has forgiven my sins—like crimson and in number as the sands of the sea. Wherein I was wrong I have acknowledged it, and wrote the board a long letter, showing them wherein they had done you wrong, as well as hurt the cause. All of this has been against me, and you continue to accuse me as though I had made nothing right, showing that you do not know that I fully acknowledged my wrongs, long ago. I have a copy of one long letter sent to R&H about two years ago, and will send it if I can find it. Olsen received it for the board, or Eldridge, I don’t know which. MMM 284.1

I have consecrated myself to God as never before, and the songs lately written have come by His Spirit’s aid, as I think you will see. They will, I believe, be a help to all who use them. But since the Pacific Press has sold 15,000 of “Song Sheaf” in the six months since it was printed, the effect is not to make the R&H board feel any better, since they had the first chance to get the book, and did not take it. That is for our Sabbath Schools, and it is the largest and best collection ever published—240 pages, as you will see. I send you and Will a copy each. I offered to furnish Pacific Press the plates of a 176-page book with right to the SDA denomination in all the world, and also right to the entire Pacific Coast, for $1,000. But I kept adding to the book, making it better and better, until it is now 240 pages, and the plates and music permissions have cost me over $700. So I got only about $300 from Pacific Press for my work on the book, they having Pacific Coast exclusively and our denomination everywhere in the English language. That was not selfish on my part, to continue to increase the expense for myself, until it reached twice the figure I intended it should when I offered the 176-page book to them. Yet I got no more than the amount first stated, and have not asked for more. I intended when I agreed to furnish them set of plates for $1,000 (with rights stated) to use some of the plates of good pieces from “Pearly Portals” and other books, without re-setting the music, thus saving me much expense; but I finally had everything set up new, and got no more for it. I did my duty anyway, and desire God’s blessing on the book for the good of all who sing from it. MMM 284.2

But now another battle is on foot, so to speak. My work on “Song Sheaf” led me to write pieces more missionary in character, and breathing the consecration I myself feel now as never before. It finally seemed to me that God had a work for me to do in this line for our people and the world, and my own soul has been so much blessed and encouraged in writing, that I have felt impelled to issue a book for use in our missionary meetings; sample songs from this I send you. I had no idea of writing so much or of getting out anything but “Song Sheaf” when I left R&H and did not decide to put out “Mission Songs” until after my work on “Song Sheaf”; but finally gave a large primary department instead, as you will see in front part of “Song Sheaf.” Well, I first wrote Review and Herald, as soon as I thought that a book for our missionary workers and meetings would glorify God, and I offered it to Review and Herald, desiring that they print it and apply every cent that might come in, on my account at the office. MMM 285.1

This was about six months ago, just as “Song Sheaf” plates were going to Pacific Press. R&H wrote that they would not accept my offer—because the book would interfere with sale of “Song Sheaf” and the large hymn book. Purely mercenary objection, without caring to know whether I had anything that would be a help to the truth for this time or not. My offer was certainly unselfish, but I have found that the R&H, or Henry at least, would rather have the debt against me, to talk about, than to avail himself of favorable opportunities to reduce it. It tallies up against me better so. But being now wholly the Lord’s I look for no smooth sea, yet trust for final anchorage through His grace. Praise His name. I feel more since believe more; but the way has been very dark in every sense. MMM 286.1

Next I offered the “Mission Songs” to Pacific Press, and they claimed they wanted it; but as the Battle Creek folks had censured them for taking “Song Sheaf” from me without asking the Book Committee, they (PP) now wrote on to know if they might publish it. (Whether they wished to do so or not, I don’t know. Recent action of C. H. Jones causes me to think that he feared it would hurt sale of “Song Sheaf” and took the Book Committee as his headsman. But this I only surmise.) MMM 286.2

Well, the Book Committee worded their reply to the effect that they would not give their consent to Pacific Press issuing the book for the reason that it would interfere with the sale of the large book. Purely mercenary reason, without regard to anything good or bad to be accomplished by bringing in justification by faith in song, as never before. The Gospel always breaks up old formulas, and this boycotting report, without a spiritual consideration in it, I knew to be wrong and an extension of the old war on me from prejudice mistaken for principle. So God has lately been giving me beautiful thoughts and songs to show how little man can control His work. MMM 286.3

I went on to the General Conference, got singers together, and had several thousand of the pamphlets distributed among the audience of 3,000. They all like the songs, and I briefly stated that as the Book Committee and the R&H and PP had refused to issue the book I was obliged to do so myself, not from choice, hence the notice on third page of the song pamphlet, as you will see. I said that the only reason given by Book Committee was that the book would interfere with the sale of the large book and “Song Sheaf,” and asked for hands to be raised by all who objected to the “Mission Songs” being published for this reason, they having heard some of the pieces. Only five hands came up, and these in a spirit of “I’ll stick by what I’ve done if it kills me.” A. T. Jones, L. T. Nicola, and three others I don’t remember, raised their hands, out of 3,000. MMM 287.1

The next day I spoke ten minutes before the General Conference, briefly reviewing the music work of the denomination, and appealing to the body, from the decision of the Book Committee stating that we had been taught lately the divine right of dissent, and in spiritual matters I could not consent to a mercenary judgment. I said that I would like to visit the camp meetings this season, as far as I could get invitations to do so, help in the singing and introduce the missionary song book. As it was not designed to enter either the Sabbath school field or the Sabbath service, but only for missionary workers and missionary occasions especially, I could see no reason for even the mercenary objection. MMM 287.2

A. T. Jones blurted out—“How long before you will get up another book after this?” I replied by asking him if he could tell just what God had yet for him to do. If he could, so could I. He said no more, and I added that his Two Republics never would have been issued had we considered merely the question of its interfering with Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation. Everybody saw the situation, and about a dozen conference presidents have already invited me to attend their camp meetings. Not a word about my remarks was allowed to appear on the General Conference minutes or in the Bulletin, probably because they thought it would help me if they mentioned even the name of the proposed book. I told them that every cent that comes from the book shall go to the missionary work after it pays my debts, if it ever does; yet I am regarded as a selfish man, by them as well as by you. I am, naturally, but have acted unselfishly in all these matters. MMM 288.1

I never had less confidence in myself and more in God, but can’t confess to a falsehood. Am very much in debt, and greatly embarrassed thereby, but we are here at God’s order and He will not leave those who trust Him. I love everybody, hate self and sin, and have God’s blessing in my work. I remember you as God’s servant, and my friend, but not infallible. Is not that true? What God shows you is true. I stand there. Man is not God’s mouthpiece always. MMM 288.2

Affectionately,
F. E. Belden

[Written in margin:] The large book we use has only a few missionary songs in it, and they have been used eight years. Can you help this “Mission Songs” book any? I believe it is of God, and want it helped for His glory only. Will send you more proofs soon. Am I not doing right to issue it? MMM 288.3