The Story of our Health Message

A Health Lecturer in the Field

A few weeks before the conference, Elder White secured appointments for Dr. M. G. Kellogg to lecture to some of the churches. After hearing one of his lectures, he wrote: “Our ministers speak on the subject of health from a Bible standpoint. This seems right. Brother Kellogg treats the subject from a scientific view, and we think well calculated to teach the people and lead them to a practical understanding of how to live. It seems to us that the Lord has enough such men as Brother Kellogg to teach the people the science of human life, without our ministers being called from their work.”—Ibid., May 5, 1868. SHM 238.1

Dr. Kellogg attended the General Conference and was seated as a delegate from California. It was in response to his appeal that Elders Loughborough and Bourdeau soon left to introduce the message in that field, where today the medical work of Seventh-day Adventists is so prominent. Elder James White expressed his convictions regarding the need for lecturers who were qualified to present the scientific reasons for the health reform. His views met with a hearty response, and thus the way seemed to be opened for Dr. Kellogg to take up his labor among the churches. SHM 238.2

In a note addressed to the “friends of health reform,” the General Conference Committee introduced Dr. M. G. Kellogg, setting him forth as “an instructive and interesting lecturer, and one qualified to advise the sick,” and urging that “all our churches should secure his labors.” He was appointed to work under the direction of the General Conference Committee, who would guarantee his expenses. It was expected, however, that when he was called to labor in a place, the church placing the call would pay his traveling expenses, together with “a reasonable compensation for his time and labor in treating the sick.” For an examination and prescription he should receive two dollars. If his receipts from the churches should amount to more than what was paid to a minister, the surplus that he thus received would be paid into the General Conference fund. Ibid., May 26, 1868. SHM 238.3