Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

G. I. Butler to E. G. White, Oct. 1, 1888

Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 1, 1888.
Mrs. E. G. White,

Most respected Sister,-I am lying on a sick bed as I dictate this letter, having been obliged to return from the Indiana camp meeting two weeks and a half since. I have been able to do very little until now since that time. I have apparently a return of the same kind of sickness I have had several times within the last two or three years. In a certain sense I cannot say that I am sick at all. I know of no special form of disease that is fastened upon me; but it seems to be nervous exhaustion, my nerve force having given out. I am not in much pain unless I try to arouse up and do something; then I have quite a rise of temperature, and severe pain in my head with rush of blood. I have in previous attacks had nervous chills, but have had none of these this time, cut have had quite a rise of temperature for sometime, though now it is about reduced to normal. When I lie still and keep quiet, I feel very comfortable, but when I stir around and try to do anything, I find myself in trouble at once. I have little or no appetite. And am loosing flesh quite rapidly, and the prospect seems now most likely that I shall have another long pull of weeks and perhaps months before I shall be prepared to do business of any importance. So far as general health is concerned, my digestion has always been good, my lungs and heart are sound and strong as far as I can see, my physicals powers show no effects of failure; but the worry and perplexity arising from matters concerning which I will speak quite fully have seeded to exhaust my nerve power until it seems to me I stand on the brink of a complete break down, nervous exhaustion, and mental imbecility; and at last a physical wreck. Of course this prospect is not particularly exhilarating. I feel that a crisis has come in my life work, and it seems to me that a point is reached where I should drop out of all positions of responsibility in this cause. As I have lain here upon my bed for two weeks and a half, my mind weak, I have not been able to restrain a certain line of sad thoughts and reflections, which course through my mind continually, night and day. MMM 77.1

It has been my custom in the past, when I had what seemed to me important matters, resting heavily upon my mind, to writ to you freely and fully, unfolding my mind as I do to no other person of earth. This I have done because of the great respect I have for you and your work. It has seemed to we that the time has come for me to express myself to you freely on quite a number of points, which seem to me to have a marked relation to the causes which have brought me to this condition. Or course I may be wrong, and have mistaken ideas. If so I know of no one on earth better qualified to set me right than yourself. But I have certain convictions stamped upon my mind which seem to me to be true and beyond all question, concerning which I feel I should speak freely. Probably I should never have done this had I not come to my present low condition of mental power. But these things rest upon my heart, and it does not seem to me that I shall ever feel free until I have expressed my feelings fully. Doubtless there will be some things painful to you. This I greatly regret, and would have borne them with patience, but now it seems to me I should speak of them. The prospect of having to retire from being actively connected with the cause to which I have devoted my life and soul, of course is most sad to me, but I see no other prospect. The rapid recurrence of these nervous attacks within the last few years admonish me that the crisis of a break-down may not be far away, and if I am to save myself from it, important changes must occur. Two years ago last August I was taken with one of these attacks, and was laid up with nervous chills for some two months. A year ago last April I came down again, and was worth but little to the cause until the following August. The past year I have tried to be very careful, but have felt great weariness many times. I feel that I am loosing my memory, and my mental grasp seems to be weakening, and I am conscious of loosing greatly my grip upon matters; and now I am down again, how long to remain I cannot say. Certainly, Sister White, there can seem to be no good reason for my clinging to responsibilities under such a state of things, and with such prospects before me until I break at last, and become a total mental wreck. So I see no other way but to drop these burdens upon others. MMM 78.1

There is one painful feature in all this to my mind, which causes me much mental anguish. It is the consciousness to me that it is not the ordinary work which I do in the cause, the looking after the business matters, planning how to meet the wants of the cause in various directions, writing letters, etc. which has brought me to this condition. It is not the work, which I dearly love to do, and the performance of it is often a pleasure, but it is another class of things which have wrung my heart, and worn out my nerve power,—things which seem to me to be unnecessary and unjustifiable. I do not believe I can feel clear before God without stating to you quite fully how some of these matters look to me. I shall try to do it in a Christian spirit with feelings of personal kindness to all parties involved, and with hatred and malice towards none, but I feel I should state the facts as they appear. If I am wrong that I may be corrected, if others are wrong that they may correct their mistakes. MMM 79.1

There are several different points upon which I shall dwell at some length, and I trust you will bear with me as patiently as you can, and consider what I say. I stated a moment since that it is not the ordinary labor connected with my work in the cause which has brought me to this condition, though of course this labor is wearing and perplexing. But it is a class of things which I think are unnecessary and unjustifiable, which have been forced in and caused evil and only evil in connection with our work. MMM 80.1

The first point I shall mention is this matter of the law in Galatians. I am well satisfied that it is the way that this matter has been pushed and urged by responsible men in the cause, and by your seeming attitude also which has brought me to my present condition more than any one other thing, I will say that the first attack I had two years ago this fall was after this matter had been called to my attention for several months, after I had written you over and over again concerning it, and no notice whatever was taken of what I said until my mind was filled with perplexity and anxiety by the course pursued by my brethren, that this nervous attack came upon me. My mind has been much exercised over these thugs, and I cannot keep them from agitating me much, because the whole matter seemed to me so unjust and inconsistent. But I rallied after two months of sickness, and was finally able to go through that terrible conference we had here the last held in Battle Creek. I worked exceedingly hard through the following winter and spring, laboring unceasingly in general meetings, doing my best to build up the financial interests which were suffering greatly, and carrying on the work while you and other leading laborers were in foreign countries. I wound up my winter’s labor by attending the college special course here at Battle Creek, where I had many responsibilities to bear. I felt a deep interest in the progress of our youth. And the importance of their giving themselves to the work and cause. And labored with all the intensity of interest at my command until the close of that course. I felt very weary, but thought that a week or two of rest would again enable me to labor. As I expected my system to rally with its usual promptness. My health was apparently good only I was exceedingly tired. Just at this point your letter to Elder Smith and myself of April 5, 1887 came to hand in which you stated your attitude relative to this matter, censuring my course considerably. In my state of weakness I could not rally, but those nervous chills returned, and for some five months I was unfit for any work, being unable to gather my strength sufficiently to throw them off. I am well satisfied they were not malaria chill but simply the result of exhausted nerve force. They were not periodic, and when I could rest and had no particular excitement upon me, I did not have them. But a slight contemplation of these perplexing matters would bring their return at once. I had perhaps a dozen of these attacks. I did not finally overcome them until the month of August. I have never had any doubt myself but what it was sadness of heart brought upon me by the position you took that gave me that four month’s sickness. I have not complained a word concerning it, and do not feel like doing so now. From statements I have heard I believe you yourself think the same. Some of the same perplexities, which I will mention more fully hereafter have doubtless brought this attack upon me. I have not the strength to stand the pressure. MMM 80.2

I have not, Sister White, been able to see the justice of your letter of April 5, 1887, and never expect to. This remark may sound unbecoming in me, but I shall give you my reasons for it, which I trust you will at least fairly consider. I had thought I would never answer that letter, but bear in silence and patience that which seeded to me to be unjust. I determined I would get some good from it if possible, and though I never could see the justice of it, I thought I could obtain at least from it the blessing of 1 Peter 2:19. I think I have obtained this good from it. At any rate I have felt many times the blessing of God while thinking these things over, and entertaining the views I have expressed concerning it, I have had no wrangling or wicked feelings I trust towards any, and have tried to make allowance for their views, and tried not to censure them severely. I have been able to meet those whom I think have pursued a wrong course towards me with a calm feeling, with love in my heart for them, but have never changed my mind concerning the justice of some of these things, which have been done. I feel before God that I can write these things calmly and kindly, though I find myself pretty much used up. I think you can see, Sister White, that I have from these statements some reason to think it is not the ordinary labor and work which I have done that has brought me to this condition, but they have followed in the line of these things which seem to me to have been unjustifiably handled, and forced burdens and perplexities upon me, which were wholly unnecessary. MMM 82.1

In your letter of April 5, 1887 you seem to be quite anxious lest I should take advantage of the letter of reproof you had written to Eld. Waggoner and Jones concerning their course in pushing their views on Galatians, and lest I should draw conclusions that perhaps I was right in my views of that subject. Let me say in regard to this that I had never used your article up to the time you had written, in any such way as your letter intimates, and had no thought of doing so. You say in your letter “I was pained when I saw your article in the Review, and for the last half hour have been reading the references preceding your pamphlet. Now, my brother things that you have said many of them are all right. The principles that you refer to are all right, out how can this harmonize with your pointed remarks to Dr. Waggoner, I cannot see. I think you are too sharp. And then when this is followed by a pamphlet published of your own views be assured that I cannot feel that you are just right at this point to do this unless you give the same liberty to Dr. Waggoner.” In another place later on “I tell, you brethren, I am troubled when I see you take positions that you forbid others to take and that you would condemn in others. I do not think that this is the right way to deal with one another. I want to see no phariseeism among us. The matter of the law has now been brought so fully before the people by yourself as well as by Dr. Waggoner that it must be met fairly and squarely in open discussion. I see no other way. And if this cannot be done without a spirit of phariseeism and war spirit then let us stop publishing these matters and learn more fully lessons in the school of Christ. I believe now, that nothing can be done to settle this question but open discussion. You circulated your pamphlet and now it is no more than fair that Dr. Waggoner should have just as fair a chance as you have had. I think the whole thing is not of God’s order. But brethren, we must have no unfairness. We must work as Christians. If we have any point that is not fully and clearly defined, and can bear the test of criticism, don’t be afraid or too proud to yield it.” .... “My brethren, we want self-pride in us to die, self will struggle hard for an existence and for the mastery, but it must die and we become as little children, or we shall never see the kingdom of heaven.” MMM 83.1

With the moral advice and statements of what we should be I have no trouble. It is right. But with the attitude in which you place my efforts in this matter I cannot see the justice. I think that I have not been too sharp with Dr. Waggoner, and that every word that I have said is true and much of the truth has not been told. I think that every word that I said was more than backed up by what you said to him and to A. T. Jones. In your letter to them of Feb. 18, which is now before me. I am willing to compare statement by statement, and if your words are not sharper and more condemnatory toward their course than what I have said, then I am unable to understand language. MMM 85.1

And now I feel it is proper for me to take a brief review of this whole Galatians movement. This seems to me to be the only way in which I can state my views concerning it. As you well know, the subject of the law in Galatians was a controverted point in a very early period of this message. At first the view entertained by Eld. Waggoner that the added law in Galatians was the ten commandments obtained quite a number of our leading brethren, your husband, Elder Smith, Eld. Andrews, Eld. Bates, and others; but with this view some of our brethren, especially those in Vermont, could not agree. Eld. Waggoner’s view was published in his pamphlet “The Law of God” quite fully. Father Stephen Pierce and others were greatly pained, for they felt that this position was incorrect. I have often talked with Father Pierce relative to his feelings on this point. He said he was so distressed and burdened in spirit over the matter that he could not rest, and came all the way to Battle Creek, feeling driven to do so by the spirit of God, to talk this matter over with the leading brethren. He said if he ever felt pressed out by the spirit of God to do any thing he did to do this. He came and talked with your husband and Eld. Smith, and presented his reasons why this added law could not be the moral law; and from that time they both accepted the position that he held on that subject, and have always held it firmly ever since. Eld. Pierce told me that they tried their best to get Eld. Waggoner to come into the council, but could not persuade him to do so, and he left for his home and did not come, apparently unwilling to meet the issue. From that time the current began to turn on the subject. Father Pierce was a man of God, a man of deep faith, and a deep Bible student, and though I never received my views from him, having studied them out for myself without anybody’s help, yet I have always felt that God was in that move which brought Father Pierce to Battle Creek. The controversy on this point continued, but the views held by Eld. Waggoner gradually lost their hold upon the mass of our ministers. He continued, I suppose as he does yet to hold the same view strenuously. I guess he never gives up a view he once entertains. Eld. Andrews held about half and half between Eld. Waggoner and the views held by the rest of us. But the time came when your testimony was brought in and it weighted heavily in favor of the view held by us, that the added law was not the ten commandments, but referred to those laws peculiarly Jewish. I was watching these things with great interest about this time, though not then connected with the work Battle Creek, and knew when the chance came. Ransome wrote me that you had been shown some thing on this point, and he was very positive it was in favor of the view held by Father Pierce and myself. Eld. Smith has told me the same, and I knew full well that a change came in the public views held by our people. Eld. Waggoner’s pamphlet which contained his views on this subject was taken out of print. With the exception of his views of this Galatians matter, we always thought that this was an excellent treatise on the law. But it has ceased to be printed ever since that time, but other publications favoring the other side of the question were published in tracts and pamphlets and through the Review more or less from that time until the present, The view was considered settled by the larger part of our people, yet those of us who have held this view have tried to refrain from pressing our brethren who may have entertained different views, though they are largely in the minority. But we have made as few references to the subject as we could consistently for the sake of peace and good feeling. This course I know was pursued for years, though a strenuous a believer in the other side as any one I have often refrained from writing or speaking on that subject lest others should feel the we were hurting their feelings. The public attitude of your husband Brother Smith, the publishing house, etc. have been unmistakably, since the point where your testimony came in, settled on this question. And now to show that the conclusions which have been reached in my mind for many years are true I quote from your letter to E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones, or Feb 18, 1887, as follows:-“I have some things to say to you that I should withhold no longer. I have been looking in vain as yet to get an article that was written nearly twenty years ago in reference to the added law. I read this to Elder Waggoner. I stated then to him that I had been shown his position in regard to the law was incorrect, and from the statements made to him he has been silent upon the subject for many years.” Then further on you say, “I have not read Eld. Butler’s pamphlet or any articles written by any of our writers, and do not mean to, but I did see years ago that Eld. Waggoner’s views were not correct and read to him matter which I had written.” MMM 85.2

These words I believe to be the exact truth and if they do not show beyond all question that Eld. Waggoner’s position on the added law was incorrect and untrue, I should fail to know how human language could make a point clear. There have been simply two views held on this subject of the added law, the one Eld. Waggoner has held that the added law refers to the moral 10 commandments, the other that the added law refers to the laws particularly Jewish. These two positions are the only positions held on the subject. They are the points on which the whole matter turns, which has been in debate and controversy for years. When you condemned in the testimony, as you did, Eld. Waggoner’s position on the added law, you unmistakably condemned the principle that the 10 commandments are the added law. There can be no escape from this conclusion. That this was settled then and there, and should have remained settled in quiet is too self-evident to me to need argument. The public attitude assumed by your husband, by the publishing house, and by our writings issued from the press, and by the whole attitude of the question everyway leads to this conclusion, and can to no other. The opening up of this question as it has been on the Pacific coast during the last four years is fraught with evil and only evil. I firmly believe it will be found to be the cause of unsettling the minds of many of our people, and breaking down their faith in the work as a work of unity, and that souls will be lost and give up the truth because of this, and that it will open a wide door other innovations to come in and break down our old positions of faith. And the way it has been managed will tend to break the confidence of our people in the testimonies themselves. And this whole matter I believe will do more to break down confidence in your work than any thing which has occurred since this cause has had an existence, if this pacific movement on the Galatians question is sustained. Taking into view the fact that this question was settled and kept in quiet for so many years from the position that the testimony took on it, and now if our people come to think that the other side is supported it will break the faith of many of our leading worker in the testimonies. There is no other possible result but this that can come from it. Who then is responsible for the opening up of this question? I do not know as I can fully answer this question responsibility lies, it has been a study with me to ascertain where the it certainly rests heavily upon E. J. Waggoner. MMM 88.1

When I went to California in the spring of 1886, I was surprised to learn that at the Healdsburg College this subject had been agitated for some two years, and that diligent efforts made been made to indoctrinate young minds who came to that institution for instruction from different parts of the Pacific coast with a knowledge of their theological views. I learned this from those who were present and had the best opportunities to know, men whose word you would not question, that these things were taught, and taught assiduously, and when I went to the North Pacific Conference, I found that it had caused quite a serious trouble there, and that it was quite a vital point among some of the young men who were going out to labor, those who came from Healdsburg had obtained these views and held them stoutly, and were unwilling to be sent out to labor with any who might take the other side of it. I was on the ground but a short time when I was visited by the president and others, to ascertain how I stood on the question, and they stated to me the difficulties in which they found themselves. It made serious trouble in the conference in planning their tent companies. Those who held Waggoner’s view of it thought it was so important that their fellow laborers must agree with them or they could not tolerate them. I did not raise the question myself but these questions were referred to me. And I can assure you, Sister White, that the way this matter has been conducted will tend to seriously affect the prosperity of your Healdsburg College. It has not been two months since I received a letter from two prominent members of the state conference committee of one of the northern Pacific conferences questioning me in regard to the propriety offending their young men to the Healdsburg College. They said if these views were to be taught, they would be sent elsewhere. I have always tried to follow the pathway of peace. I told these parties that I thought such theological views would not be pressed at that institution, and I hoped that they would not withdraw their patronage from the Healdsburg College, as I have always felt interested in its prosperity and tried hard I think to work for its interest. But I want you to understand how these things are working. I want you to understand that this movement which has been pushed so vigorously from the Pacific coast and still seems determined to be pushed, if continued I shall not give my influence for our young people to attend it. I have tried to follow the things which make for peace, and tried the best I could to sustain the Healdsburg College, but these things in my judgment are wrong, and I cannot and will not sustain what I think is wrong for any one. MMM 90.1

So we see so far as our literary institutions are concerned that they were taken possession of to push this unjustifiable raid, when I learned these things I wrote to you freely about them, but received no reply. MMM 91.1

During the summer of 1886 E. J. Waggoner’s lessons to be used in all the Sabbath schools in the world contained pointed references on this subject, and all the ingenuity he was capable of using was brought in to substantiate this view. They created numerous contentions in the body, discussions in the Sabbath schools, and I heard from many directions of their evil effects. If this was not a wicked course in view of the past history of that belief, and what the testimony had said concerning it, then I have no knowledge of judgment. These were followed by a long series of argumentative articles in the Signs of the Times the same summer, in which he did his very best to make his views prominent and give them as wide a circulation as possible. These are facts which must be well known to yourself, and well known to all our people. None of these facts have been or ever can be disputed. There was a most persistent effort that it was possible to make to bring these views out most prominently in our institutions of learning, in the Sabbath schools, and published in our leading missionary paper which at that time went to some 20000 people. They went to all parts of the country, to every one of our people, and to every Sabbath-school member. A more bare-faced and defiant course on a controverted question I never saw taken. That statement may sound strong, but if you can show that every word of it is not true, I will be glad to recall it. MMM 91.2

Up to this point I had never said one word publicly. To be sure I held the position of president of the General Conference. One might naturally suppose that one holding the highest position that our people could impose, that I should have some little right to say something in regard to such questions. And one would suppose in view of the principles heretofore taught by the testimonies and by long custom of this body that controverted points should not be introduced without being brought before leading brethren, or at least the president of the General Conference should have a little intimation that something of this kind was in the wind before being cast broadcast before the public. And if you are prepared, my dear Sister White, to treat the highest officer in this body thus, and that is the policy you wish to introduce and sustain, I wish you to tell me so. Of course I have too much confidence in you to believe you will sanction it for one moment. MMM 92.1

Now, I wish to speak of some things in regard to my own attitude. I am blamed in the above extracts for making any statement of this matter, and my attitude is presented as a reason why a public discussion of this matter must be held. My course is held up as a cause for this necessity because I simply ventured to make a few statements on the other side of the question. One would hardly suppose in reason it seems to me that a person holding the position of president of the General Conference was obliged to keep his mouth shut while persistent efforts were being made to bring up a silent controverted point before the public. I do not know as I understand what the president of the General Conference is to do, but if he has no province in such questions and cannot say anything, but must let young men fairly fledged in the editorial chair say anything in public, and he cannot say a word, it seems to me to be a strange idea. Let me say further I wrote to you at least three times concerning this matter during the spring and summer of 1886 before I said one word in public. You never answered me a word concerning it or paid the slightest attention to these things, concerning which I so much desired your advice. Your son wrote me that mother was considering the subject of the law, and might hereafter write some articles. I knew from this that some of the letters at least had been received by you and read. I claim that I did every thing that a man could do to keep the peace, and followed the directions, customs, and of the testimonies relative to those controverted questions up to the time of the General Conference in which this discussion took place. These things were the public talk of all, and I was not the man that was responsible for it either. It could have not been made more public in any way I can see possible. These things brought me into the greatest distress and anxiety possible. Here was a question that I believed in my soul was wrong, and which had been condemned by the testimonies, and in consequence had been kept quiet for years, and here it comes out in public under the sanction of our leading public journals, Sabbath-school instructions, leading institutions of learning, and made public in every possible way they could contrive, and I could not get one word of advice from you concerning it. It had every appearance of being sanctioned by someone in leading positions. I knew that Eld. E. J. Waggoner was not a fool, and would not go on in this bold and unprecedented manner on his own responsibility. Neither have I ever believed that you could really sanction such a movement. But I have believed and do to the present time that your son W. C. White is more responsible for it than any other man, and that in some way his influence sustained it, or it never would have assumed such proportions, or dared to cut such a figure. And I have been forced to believe that your influence has been in some way, lugged in, though I do not believe that you intended it to be. But these young men who have ventured to come out in this public, defiant way would hardly have dared to without some one of large influence back of them I can never believe. MMM 93.1

Now, lest you shall think these statements concerning W. C. are strong and untenable I will, give you my reasons for thinking so. MMM 95.1

1. As he was on the ground in California when this matter occurred in Healdsburg College, he must have known of it. MMM 95.2

2. Eld. E. J. Waggoner states before the theological committee when we were calling these things into question, that he was thoroughly endorsed by W. C. White, and thought he was by yourself. MMM 95.3

3. Because your son’s attitude has all the while seemed to be behind this sustaining it, even to the present time. He has always apologised for their course, and has never seemed to think there was anything particularly wrong in it, though he has known full well how I have regarded it. I can therefore only conclude that he has sustained it with the full strength of his influence. If I am wrong in this there would be none more happy to find it out than myself. MMM 95.4

Not only were these public efforts made through the signs of the times, Healdsburg College, and this Sabbath school lessons, but Eld. E. J. Waggoner came to the General Conference expressly to fight this battle under the patronage of Eld. S. N. Haskell. Elder Haskell saw fit to take the doctor under his special charge, and sustained him in every way he could. If I was ever brought into a trying and unpleasant position in my life, it was at the time of the Conference assembled at that session, smarting under the injustice of a wrong course which had been pursued and seemed to be sustained, and could get no help from you in checking these things until it had the run of all its influence. Not a word has been said in public or any way that there was anything wrong in all this course. (Of course I except here your private statements to them.) But Brother Haskell comes on and comes into my private family, enjoying my hospitality throughout the meeting, with Brother B. L. Whitney also both filled with this spirit of opposition. They knew well my feelings. They knew well what perplexity and trouble of mind I had over these things and yet their influence sustained Dr. Waggoner every way they knew how during the whole meeting. Their quality effort was to keep Dr. Waggoner from being censured and help him all they could. MMM 95.5

Eld. Whitney, at least, took occasion to go out and collect little knots of brethren of those whom they supposed were not so well posted on the subject and spend hours of time in having Dr. Waggoner indoctrinate them in their view of this subject. This I knew was going on. Some of my friends happened to catch them at it several times, how many I have never known. Such a course was taken that no censure could be placed where it really belonged. Here was a course pursued though violating one of the plainest principles of our organization, stirring up strife throughout the whole body in violation to the decisions of the testimonies, but anything against it must be kept quiet. Dr. Waggoner must not have his feelings heart, while Eld. Haskell and Whitney were the men, eating at my own table, who were standing back and sustaining such a course as that. I tell you these things were hard to bear, and it is no wonder my poor nerves have given away at last, as I have tried to bear these things all these years. I told Eld. Haskell plainly how I looked at these things in a kind and Christian manner. I considered it a grievous fault. I expect always to. But there has never been an apology for it. Yet I have shown a kind spirit to help Eld. Haskell in every way possible. Have stood by his school when things seemed to go hard against it. I am willing to do this, and have I think shown a Christian spirit to him ever since that time. As for Eld. Whitney, poor man, when he came here on his death bed, I did every thing in my power to make his last days happy. My wife prepared him food, for he could hardly get anything at the sanitarium that he could eat, and did everything in her power to make his last days pleasant. He seemed much to enjoy it. I prayed with him, and wept with him, and though these things had grieved me sore, I have tried to act a brother’s part, I have tried to care for his widow and orphan children, and he in his last words did me the honor of committing them to my care. I say this that you may see that I have not held wicked and bitter feelings concerning this, though it caused me one of the most bitter experiences of my life. I have tried to act a Christian’s part, though I feel that my brethren have made it hard for me. I have tried to bear it without complaint. MMM 96.1

And now you censure me for having written a little pamphlet on the subject of the law in Galatians. My writing that pamphlet you say makes it necessary to have a public discussion. You say you can’t feel that I am right on this point unless I give Dr. Waggoner the same liberty that I have taken myself. Then again you say I have circulated my pamphlet. And it is only fair that Dr. Waggoner should have just as fair a chance as you have had. My dear sister, you will pardon me if I say that that language seems to me passing strange. I wrote a little pamphlet of the subject after these things had been made public in every way he knew how. I knew that Canright’s pamphlet was unfit for circulation, and that it did not meet the issue at all, and I was just simple enough to think that after these things had been taught through the Healdsburg College, the Sabbath school lessons and nine long articles in the Signs of the Times without one single word of notice from the positions held by the large majority of our ministers, I did think that it would be no more than fair that a few words be said on the other side. I had plead with you for advice three different times however before venturing this, but could get no reply and then after all this would you say, Sister White, that it was duty while I was president of the General Conference, and such a raid as this had been made on a long settled question by the testimonies to 20000 readers, beside thousands of Sabbath school scholars, and the students of one of our institutions of learning, that I should be obliged to sit still and not say one word. Do you call that fairness. If so let me have no fairness. For my part, what did I do even after he had taken such a defiant course and published his views to so many, I simply wrote a little pamphlet, and circulated it to perhaps 180 persons, taking great pains that it should not be sold generally. This has never been used for general circulation. It was only designed to be used for our leading brethren. I did fell and feel yet if such things were to go on without rebuke that some one had a right to say something on the other side. If these things are not so then I am certainly greatly unfit to see justice of right. And now how you can say the Dr. Waggoner should have a fair chance when he has done every thing possible in his power to make his views public and I had replied simply to 150 readers, I cannot tell. MMM 98.1

My only regret, Sister White, has been that when these arguments of Waggoner’s of the other side of the question appeared in the Instructor lessons and Signs of the Times, and had such a wide circulation, that Eld. Smith and I did not just wade into them and show them up in the widest channels possible. I fancy a few days of Elder James White’s administration when such a move as this would come up, if those young men would not have heard thunder around their ears, if he had been on earth, that would have made them tingle, then I have forgotten the nature of this procedure. I have not forgotten the way he handled things of this kind, if he would not go for them in public and private and make them regret such boldness then I misjudge. He would not have waited one week before he had put that thing through the Review and showed it up in its true light. For my part I have got about tired of this policy that young fledglings who have just fairly got seated in the editorial chair can attack any point of faith with out the least hesitation no matter how long it has been settled, and spread their views out broadcast no matter how much it may conflict with the views of the oldest pioneers in this work. If there is any justice or propriety in it I am mistaken. This is plain language, Sister White, I know; but before God I believe it is true. MMM 99.1

Your letter to E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones is good. I have no fault to find with it. It says stronger things than I have said. It says the truth. And you well say to them that they little realize the evils that will result from their course in this Galatians matter. We have not begun to see the end of it. Your private remarks to them I think are very much in place. How far Waggoner has ever heeded them is another question. But I have the best of evidence that only at the Oakland Gen. Conf. last year he took some of our ministers in private conference over this subject and read them a long review he had prepared of my pamphlet, and did every way his ingenuity could invent to impress his view of this subject. I have this from the mouth of men who knew for themselves what they were talking of. I am happy to say that one whom he had been trying to work upon has strongly settled on the right side of this question, and he will never be able to move him no matter how cunning his efforts may be. So I have no evidence that Eld. E. J. Waggoner or those backing him ever have any idea of letting up, but think they still propose to fight this to the bitter end. MMM 100.1

So far as I am concerned as to a public discussion, if I have any strength left, I would be only too glad to meet the doctor’s arguments. We are not afraid of any of them. But I have no great faith that a public discussion will amount to anything. I have heard J. H. Waggoner’s arguments and E. J. Waggoner’s best efforts I think, and I have no expectation that my mind will be changed by anything that he can produce after the efforts of such a man as his father, and after the positions that the testimonies have taken concerning them. Do you suppose that such a man as Eld. Uriah Smith, who once held that view and gave it up because he saw the weakness of it and has heard all that J. H. Waggoner can produce on the subject, will ever be changed by anything that such a man as Dr. Waggoner could produce? There are scores of our best ministers who have settled this question in their minds and will never give up the truth concerning it, and can never be changed by what young men like these may produce. If they pursue this course very likely there will be a good many feelings of strife engendered through the body and a spirit of discussion awakened, and much time spent, but that it will result in any agreeable settlement. I have no hope. These young men, as you say, need to cultivate modesty and humility. They are good men. I respect their talent, but they are far too self-conceited to appear to good advantage before men of far more talent and experience. MMM 101.1

And now let us calmly and briefly consider what have been the benefits of this raid for the last three or four years on this subject of Galatians. The subject was resting in peace, mutual forbearance was being used, but few knew there was a difference of opinion in our body on this point. But now, how is it? This matter has seen pushed to the front by E. J. Waggoner and those who have sustained him, through the length and breadth of the land. It is known everywhere that there is a wide division among us and controversy through our churches have arisen over this subject. Souls have been thrown into doubt and certainty. Sorrow and sadness have reigned in many hearts. The strength of some of us has been ground out in sorrow and sadness over this dissension unnecessarily brought in, and apostates have scattered the fact broadcast through all the land; and a crop of young men are rising who venture to publish their pet opinions broadcast to the world, which are essentially different an contrary to the long established positions held among us. This last feature I consider one of vast importance. Since this Galatians question has been introduced, and the principle of order established among us violated how many how things have sprung up among this body. Bro. A. T. Jones comes out strongly that the Huns are not one of the ten kingdoms, contrary to the long established faith of our people taken forty years ago. He states in his Sabbath schools lessons that the first angel’s message was never proclaimed until after the passing of the time in 1844, which I believe is a great mistake. For surely if it was not proclaimed until then, it never was by the body of advent people before the third angel’s message. Owen of Canada comes on with his new application of the seven trumpets. Eld. Wilcox of New York, a man of so little judgment that he cannot believe that the earth is round is able to give us special light on the fact that the seven heads of the papal beast have never been properly applied, and that the deadly wound of the papacy has never been healed with various other interesting particulars and Eld. Haskell publishes them through the Present Truth. For my part I look with the deepest alarm at the boldness and self conceit manifested by our young men. I think it is about time we ceased to talk about the unity of the message and going on year after year in this work until some of these things are brought to a check. I don’t know where we are coming to. MMM 101.2

But it is these innovations into the unity of our work and such movements as these I have pointed out which fill me with the deepest anxiety. And this movement on the Galatians question stands at the head of the list. It is the opening wedge by which this deluge has been let in. If any one can see any one good thing that as come out of it, I wish they would inform me, for I stand sadly in need of light on that point. I regard it as an enormous fault, injurious to the cause, destructive to peace and union. And I do not believe that a few private words to E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones is sufficient to cover such a course as they have taken in public for years. I believe that this thing needs to be publicly rebuked. Nothing can ever make me believe that the other course is right. MMM 103.1

There is another question also upon which I feel called to speak. It relates especially to Dr. Kellogg and his movement at the Conference last fall, and the attitude you assumed relative to it. After much reflection I have been about forced to the conclusion that Sister White intended to give me a public slap before the General Conference over Dr. Kellogg’s matters. I have been loath to come to this conclusion, but I really see no way to escape it. I was not present when the remarks were made to which I refer, and of course cannot speak as understandingly as I would be glad to, but from all the circumstances, I think you had me especially in your mind as one that cruelly raised suspicions against Dr. Kellogg and his charitable and benevolent projects. The circumstances were such that I am really forced to this conclusion. If so I feel it was a gross injustice to me. I desire to express my mind concerning it. MMM 103.2

The facts are Dr. Kellogg proposed to put up his new building, and proposed to put it up as a private institution. And I was opposed to it, and ever expect to be. I believe that it is utterly inconsistent with our public policy of our institutions that they should be mixed up with private affairs of any kind. And I would oppose it if it was W. C. White, A. R. Henry, Dr. Kellogg or any other man. Dr. Kellogg was at my house before we went to the Pacific coast, and I told him so. He fired up and became very angry at once and accused me of insinuating that he was dishonest, etc. Because I was opposed to his putting up a big building to be owned privately in connection with and close to the sanitarium, one of our public institutions, I told him I had made no such insinuations and I had no right of accusing him of them, but I thought I had a right to my own convictions on such matters connected with our public institutions. He was very much stirred up indeed to think that I should dare to oppose it. I have never made such accusations or inference whatever. But I was opposed to that way of doing and am yet. MMM 104.1

When the Sanitarium meeting was opened in connection with the General Conference, I was not present at the opening and did not know what meeting it was but happened to drop in after it had begun. I had been very busily engaged on committee work and did not know what was going on, and I believe Eld. Farnsworth came in with me they were talking up the project of this new building, and Eld. Farnsworth without any previous talk with me whatever concerning it, asked some simple questions relative to the manner it was to be conducted, etc., how it was to be put up, from what funds, and other questions of this kind that would naturally arise from the stock holders of our institutions at such a time. I also asked some questions of the same matter. The doctor at once became frustrated and very much excited. Before he had left Battle Creek he had received a deed of the property made out to him as a private enterprise, but made no statement before the meeting that would imply any such things is thought I could see why the doctor became somewhat excited. The fact is he had placed himself in an entirely false position. He was standing up before the members of stock holders of our health reform institute, informing them in glowing terms of the free hospital that was going to be built, and the great good it was to accomplish, and the vast amount of suffering it was to alleviate, etc. etc., but he had never told them one word that this was an enterprise to be controlled by one man as a private institution. He stood there under false colors, and had not given them the facts in the case. The stock holder of our institutions have a right to know the facts concerning matters of this character. They have paid in their money, and the officers they have placed in charge do not treat them justly unless they give them full particulars as to the running of the institution. So when any questions are asked which tend to strike out the actual facts, the doctor became very much excited, and refused to do as requested by the stock holder. But is it not a privilege of the stock holder to ask questions of this character, when such changes as were then contemplated seemed to be on foot, and expect a respectful explanation? Has it come to this that that important portions of our institutions are to be deed away to private parties without the knowledge of the stock holders? This of course excited, and entirely changed the program of the doctor, and he was very much stirred up to think that his nice little scheme was thus interfered with, and so made it appear that those who asked these questions were very unjust on him, and gets up the idea that they had suspicioned him of being a rascal, whereas the only thing we had done was to tell him positively that we were opposed to having private enterprises in connection with our public institutions, and uncovered his course which was concealed from the stock holders of the institution. This was what brought about the second public meeting, and called in Sister White to speak of the cruelty of those who suspicioned the doctor’s motives, it seems to me. MMM 105.1

I say there was not one single hint in anything we said that he was taking a suspicious course or anything of the kind, but as one of the stock holders, we wished simply to have an understanding of the matter, finally it was decided by the stock holders that there should be a committee appointed to investigate this matter and report to the stock holder as he seemed to be unwilling to have it brought out in public in this manner. MMM 107.1

He became much wrought up over this and refused to appoint the committee, and soon brought about an adjournment. I saw it was a very tender point with the doctor, and expected probably there would be some such movement as afterwards came up, for I was quite sure that he would communicate with you, placing his construction upon the whole matter. A few days afterwards there was another meeting called, I being so busy on committee work was not present, but learned from those who were something of its nature, in which you spoke at some length on this matter making the references I have referred to concerning those who might have suspicions etc., and oppose a work of this kind. This occurred I am forced to believe after hearing his private interpretation of the matter, without giving me so much as a chance to state how it appeared to me or say anything concerning it before it was brought out in public. If it has come to this that such questions as those cannot be asked and properly answered to the stock holders of our institutions, then I for one want to discontinue my whole connection with them, so that I will not be liable to such public rebukes, etc., for what simply seemed to me a personal right. MMM 107.2

On the next day when we went to Healdsburg on the cars you had a conversation with me, in which you expressed a desire that there never might come a time when you and I should be found on the opposite side of questions in public in this body. Of course I desired this as much as you. You then went on to speak of Dr. Kellogg and referred me to the doctor’s position, and you hoped that I would do nothing in public to hurt his influence or make it hard for him. At first I did not get the drift of this conversation, or understand it. But upon mature reflection, I thought I understood that Dr. Kellogg had been talking with you concerning this matter, and had cast such suspicions against me upon your mind. So I took occasion at St. Helena to tell you what my position was in regard to his private enterprises mixed with our public institutions. I told you I think in a kind Christian spirit the reason why I was opposed to such a course, and you never made any answer one way or the other. When I came to learn how you had spoken in reference to the simple questions Eld. Farnsworth and myself had asked in regard to the propriety of private enterprises of this kind, and realized that Dr. Kellogg had been to you and probably called out the remarks you made, I confess I felt somewhat astonished. MMM 108.1

I solemnly aver that my position was right in regard to saying[?] private enterprises mixed up with our public institutions, and I believe in your heart you know they are right. I have seen the hesitancy of Dr. Kellogg himself in proceeding with this matter since that time, and I have thought that he was afraid to go ahead with it in that way, but however that may be I will not attempt to say. But, Sister White, if it has come to this that no question can be asked in regard to such public matters without being considered that we are reflecting upon the character and motives of men, and if it has come to the point that you are ready to come before a public meeting with sharp rebuke for such a course on the representation of the party which I feel confident was designed for me, I think it is high time that I should retire from public office. I would not for a moment circumscribe your liberty for reproof of my course from Dan to Beersheba. I have nothing to say concerning how much you may do that. But if a man who stands in the position of president of the General Conference cannot have a right to respond upon such insinuations as Dr. Kellogg makes concerning me, but must be reproved in public, I think some one better be selected to hold these offices who is entitled to more respect than I seem to be. I do not feel that that is the proper way for the president of the General Conference to be used, and in behalf of the office made honorable before out people I shall contend in its behalf, and protest against such manner of doing. If you tell me I am mistaken, and you did not refer to me in that speech, I take all this back. But from the best of my belief you had me in view, and intended to give me a public reproof, which I contend I did not deserve, and was brought upon me by the misrepresentations of Dr. Kellogg, concerning which I had no opportunity to answer or give explanation. MMM 109.1

And now I have a few words to say in regard to the doctor. I have got to the point where I do not propose to stand up for all that the doctor does. I am not ignorant of the many good things which he has done and is doing in the cause. I have no desire to impute wicked or unworthy motives to him. I leave that entirely to others and always have. I have stood by Dr. Kellogg in many hard spots, when your husband was not so very friendly to him, but I have come to the point where I feel very certain that he is using his influence and all the underhanded policy at his command to injure my reputation in the minds of many of our brethren, and where there may be considered some conflict between us perhaps. But I have said nothing or done nothing particularly against him. Dr. Kellogg is a double. One Dr. Kellogg is pleasant, benevolent, efficient, and gentlemanly, every way lovely and desirable. But there is another Dr. Kellogg that I do not fancy so much, politic, sometimes deceptive and his influence worldly and leading away from the true spirit of this work, and the humble religion of Jesus Christ. He knows with what adroitness to work his cards, and how to work his influence, doing many favors to every rich and influential persons, especially those like yourself who have large influence in this body. I know how the rich and great are favored regardless of character, who can go to the sanitarium and be favored and entertained for nothing etc. I know how by the enormously high prices, often grinding[?] the poor unfortunates who may wish help are charged so that money flows plentifully into the institution, and new buildings and vast enterprises are set on foot. I also know some other things. I know how poor, humble Christian women, who have had a few hundred dollars saved, have paid it all out and gone away without receiving any benefit, who have been put into some poor bed in a churches room, paying $10 or per week, and when they were too sick to go down to the table for food will be charged up extra prices for a little milk or something of that kind they might try to eat. I know how such godly men as old Father Olsen came there and stayed for weeks without receiving one particle of help, and paid out some $15 or $16 dollars per week, and though they never complained one word, went away feeling very sore. I know how such good women as Sister Shaw of Colorado were placed in a lonely dismal room and stayed a few weeks and was to be sent home, giving her to understand there was not much the matter with her, and how I went up to visit her and found her in her lonely desolate room weeping like a child, and told her to come to my house and stay these until she was better and it would not cost her one cent. And when I took hold of her case in this way how things began to swing around and she received much different treatment, and they found something the matter with her, and was willing to try to help her. But I never heard her complain. I have watched these things so I know what I am talking about. I know how the doctor has a corps of workers around him and how they have to go and come at his beck and grow up simply his shadow. I know full well if any one doesn’t see through his eyes there is trouble in the camp at once. I know how he talks about health reform, and presents some of his cranky ideas which I believe have done more injury to the health reform and many who have tried to follow his exaggerated views of it, and taken some of them nearly to ruin. I know also how after I had lectured to our students on the testimonies, and tried to explain then, and clear up any points of doubt which might exist in the young minds, how he came in and followed it up, and made personal reference to me and my course and break down what I had said after I had tried to establish their faith. I know how he refers to me through the press. I have not yet commenced to reply to some of these things, though I may, but I will tell you truly that I have got to the point where I shall not back up and stand by all that Dr. Kellogg says by any means. And if the crisis must come, you know me well enough to know that I will meet it squarely. I don’t want to have any contest with him, but I am not ignorant of his sly, politic course, and how he works with persons of influence, and when he has a good chance can misrepresent a little. I could speak of many other things, but this will perhaps be sufficient to give you some idea of the vent[?] of my mind. I am fully satisfied that the doctor expects to get me down. In fact I think he has been heard to say so in substance several times. This will be no great matter so far as I am concerned. I am willing to be down, but I would not have you for a moment suppose that I did not see through his movements. I do. MMM 110.1

There is one other matter I shall refer to briefly, and that is the erection of buildings in Switzerland. I have felt that my brethren White and B. L. Whitney etc., when they moved out in that enterprise, took studious pains to keep me from knowing anything about it. I know that Brother Whitney did and that it was stoutly contended that this building should not cost the conference one cent. But I know full well that the matter has now reached that point where from $15000 to $20000 must be raised by the General Conference for them or else the cause there is to be brought into disgrace. I cannot think that what that such a course is right when the president of the General Conference is placed in a position where he is expected to look after the finances. It seems to me no more than right that he should be counseled before great expenses of this kind are incurred. The thing seems to me to be so self evident that I will not extenuate the matter, but some of these questions have caused me deep anguish and I have felt it was proper and right for me to tell you how they looked to me. I do not say that I have just the correct view of them, but I have expressed the views that have pressed themselves upon me. If you can show me that I am mistaken in regard to these things, you will do me the greatest favor. MMM 113.1

I think now that you will be fully prepared to say that the time has come for me to retire from all public and official trusts in this body. You will think my views so blind and darkened, that I must be unfit to hold any such positions, doubtless. I do not of course expect to change your mind, or that of my brethren, to whom I have referred, but I do want you to know how I look at some of these things. I am here on a sick bed, a poor broken down nerveless man, as it seems to me my nerve power is ground out and slaughtered in the house of my friends. I have tried to labor with an unselfish purpose in this cause, doing all I could in labor, giving all I could in means. I have had no private enterprises or money making schemes, but have given the best I had to the precious cause, I have no regrets to offer on this score would to God I could have done ten times more, I have no feelings of sadness over it. It has gone in and I have done what seemed to me to be my duty cheerfully and pleasantly without complaint. I fear you will think that I have had hard feelings laid up in my heart against you and others. If so I beg you to go back to the season of prayer we held at St. Helena last winter when my heart was broken down in tenderness for poor afflicted Mary and in sympathy for yourself and W. C. Have my letters to Brother Will been marked by uncharitable and unkind feelings and bitterness the past summer? If so I am unaware of it. If I have any hard feeling in my heart against you or your son, or Eld. Haskell or any living man, I am unawares of it. But these things have seemed unjust to me. They have ground upon my heart until I can stand under it no longer. I cannot feel that I can consistently hold responsibilities in the work while things stand in this way. Many times the grave has looked to me the right spot on earth, but I am willing to live if it is the Lord’s will, and if I had any remaining strength left that would make it at all safe, in spite of all these trials, I would still continue to do the best I could. But I have got to the point where I feel that my only chance is to throw up the sponge. I could have lasted longer, and done more for the precious cause if my brethren had had a little more feeling and considerations for my feelings, and could have been persuaded to leave some of these schemes where they should have been left. But they have pushed them and still seem bound to push them to the bitter end. Hence I have concluded to withdraw my name from the candidates for office, and shall feel it is proper to refuse to serve in any leading capacity. I must get out and try to gather my energies in a quiet way working with my hands, I shall preach perhaps a little, write some for the paper, and do what little I can to save precious souls for the Master. I long to be out of office and have for a long time and be a simple minister. The cares and perplexities for twenty years of official life have been it seems to me my share. I would be glad to use what experience I have gained to help my successor all I can. MMM 114.1

It now seems to be improbable that I shall be able to attend the General Conference at all. If I get a little strength I may manage to crawl up for a few days sometime during the session. If I am able to do I shall, for there have been some important questions with which I have been connected, and in which I feel a deep interest I would desire to present, and wish to leave my work in as good a condition as possible for my successor. MMM 116.1

I shall retire with no morose or bitter feelings. To be sure things look dark in the cause, and I see no way but what we are right in the shaking time for which we have been looking. The worldly spirit which seems to be running riot among us, the cold and formal spirit with many, and the lack of humility and sacrifice, the avalanche of dark sins and iniquity which seems to be coming on many, and the lack of humility and the blessed spirit of our Saviour which are everywhere seen, speak sadly to my spirit, and show that fearful times are coming. If it were God’s will it world be a pleasure for me to sleep in the grave until the troubles are overpast. But I will not murmur nor complain. I shall not go out in despair or crying for sympathy, but I shall stand up like a man of God whatever comes, with a brave and fearless spirit. I have tried to do my best. I have committed no crimes, or disgraced my name or reputation, or taken a politic or underhanded policy, but have tried to leave a record I would not be ashamed to meet. My work seems unworthy of the blessed Master. I cannot tell you now much I wish it were better, but I have tried to be faithful to God and the cause. MMM 116.2

It is with a sense of sadness I cannot express to think of being deprived of the ability to work on more fully in this blessed cause. But I shall do the very best I can hoping that you will look with some pity upon a poor nerve-broken man, and that you will not feel too indignant at what I have said as I have tried to express my feelings frankly. I must close this letter. I can tell you that in the meetings I have attended in various parts of the country the past season, I have labored most earnestly to strengthen faith in the testimonies and your work. They have not lost their interest to me nor is my faith in them at all shaken. Yet I think Sister White is human as well as the rest of us. My poor prayers ascend in behalf of all those brethren I have mentioned and in behalf of yourself. And my greatest regret in writing this letter is the sadness you will feel in reading it. But I feel pressed by a sense of duty which I cannot repress to write it. May God have mercy upon us all is my prayer. MMM 117.1

Your unworthy brother in the work,
Geo. I. Butler.

P.S. Oct. 8[?], 1888. Since writing the above I have seen very sick. I rode out one afternoon and got chilled and since that time have had very high temperature some of the time running as high as 105[?] and have been a very sick man. So much so that some of the time it has seemed doubtful how it might turn with me Yet I think I am rather better now and the doctors think that my fever rather assumes a typhoid turn. I have given up all idea of being at the General Conference, and presume it will be many weeks before I will be able to be about much. MMM 118.1

Only two members of my family have seen this letter, and know of its contents. I have written it for your perusal, and shall send it by some one to be place in your hands. MMM 118.2

With kindest regards as ever,
G. I. B.