Manuscript Releases, vol. 17 [Nos. 1236-1300]

MR No. 1285—The Role of Christ's Object Lessons; Concern Over Health Food Companies and Restaurants; Soul Winning to be Emphasized

(Written May 11, 1903, from “Elmshaven,” Sanitarium, California, to Lucinda Hall.)

I have been so busily employed in writing day after day that I have failed to write to you. I have been expecting and hoping that you would soon return to California, to be a member of our family. Your presence is worth much to me. I hope that you will soon be free to come back to us. 17MR 294.1

Marian, Sara, Dores Robinson, Clarence Crisler, Helen Graham, and Maggie attended the General Conference. We rented a furnished house, and all except myself took their meals at the restaurant. 17MR 294.2

We decided not to take a horse and carriage to Oakland, thinking that it would be better to hire a conveyance there. We went out once for a ride of about two hours, and paid two dollars. This I could not consent to do again. 17MR 294.3

In a furniture store Sara found an easy wheelchair with good springs. This she rented, and in it I was taken to and from the meetings. Sometimes I was wheeled by Sara and sometimes by Dores Robinson. The chair was an excellent one, and after the conference we purchased it, paying fourteen dollars for it. 17MR 294.4

Since the conference I have carried very heavy burdens, and this has worn upon me. I am still hoping and praying that the Lord will bring peace and unity into the church. If our church members cannot live in harmony here, how can they live in harmony in heaven? 17MR 294.5

I am writing much in regard to several matters. The suggestion has come from our canvassers that after the Relief of the Schools Campaign is finished, Christ's Object Lessons be made a subscription book. They are sure that it would have a large sale all over the world. 17MR 294.6

When Willie told me of this suggestion, the thought at once came into my mind that the plan suggested might perhaps be best. If it were carried out, my royalty on the copies sold would help to settle my debts. 17MR 295.1

While these thoughts were passing through my mind, it was distinctly represented to me that Object Lessons was, in the plan of God, given to help our schools to roll away the terrible burden of debt. I saw clearly that the way in which the book had been handled was the Lord's plan, and that it was accomplishing great good. 17MR 295.2

I turned to Willie, and said, “I made of that book an offering to the Lord, and I cannot take it off the altar of sacrifice. As long as I live, that book is to be handled as none of my other books have been handled. And when I am no longer with you, you must see that this book is kept on the altar of sacrifice. I will not change a plan that has already brought to the cause of God, for the relief of our schools, two hundred thousand dollars.” 17MR 295.3

Willie's lips quivered. Tears came into his eyes, and he said, “Yes, Mother, the matter is settled now, never to be changed.” 17MR 295.4

But I have written fully on this particular subject elsewhere, so I will not give you any more particulars, but will send you a copy of what I have written to our leading brethren. 17MR 295.5

Many schools, large and small, are to be established in country places, and the proceeds from the sale of Object Lessons will be needed in this work. The sale of this book is under the Lord's supervision. He will continue to make it a blessing. 17MR 295.6

I feel an intense desire that more shall be done to warn the world of the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. I want to do all in my power to arouse our brethren to resist the temptation to erect many food factories and food stores for the manufacture and sale of health foods. There is danger that the minds of those engaged in the health food work will become absorbed in commercial interests. The attention of young and old will be given to these interests, and the proclamation of the gospel message will be neglected. At this time we need men who are filled with zeal for the circulation of our larger books. 17MR 296.1

Our young men should enter the field as canvassers, evangelists, and physicians. As they go forth they will gain a knowledge of how to do medical missionary work and of how to present the message of truth. If the talents of men and women and youth are to be bound up in food factories, food stores, and hygienic restaurants, where are the workers for other branches of the cause to come from? 17MR 296.2

We are now to prepare for the marriage supper of the Lamb. We are to give the message everywhere, in the highways and the hedges, to high and low, rich and poor. House-to-house work is to be done. I am becoming afraid as I see how little soul-saving work is done by our restaurants. As I think of these things, I am instructed that unless the restaurant work is managed in such a way as to save souls, the young people engaged in it will be in danger of losing their interest in present truth. God would have us make decided plans to keep as far as possible from the snares that await those who enter largely into food speculations. We must pray, and watch unto prayer, and we must find out the real results of the restaurant work. 17MR 296.3

The Lord calls for men and women to stand on the watchtower and sound the warning, as they see many things coming in to absorb the mind and call the attention from eternal things. We are to be getting ready to move to the better country, to the mansions that Christ is preparing for those who love Him. We have a special message to give. We cannot be silent now. We must arouse from our lethargy and, realizing our danger, prepare for eternity. 17MR 297.1

Tuesday morning. This morning we received an excellent letter from Sister Haskell. I am sure that a good work is being done in New York, and I wish that the work there were a hundredfold stronger than it is. 17MR 297.2

Dr. Kellogg has written me an excellent letter. I wish that he could unload from the many burdens that he should not be carrying, for while he carries these burdens he cannot do justice to himself or to the medical missionary work in which he acts so important a part. 17MR 297.3

I know that God will give us light if we will be humble and contrite. But my soul is greatly troubled for many who are in partial blindness. There are those who refuse to see the meaning of the destruction of two of our largest institutions. God has borne long with these men. When He saw that they were determined to disregard His counsels, He spoke in judgment. He will not be dishonored, and make no sign. 17MR 297.4

We are warned that the Lord will come suddenly, surprising the world in their idolatrous wickedness. But I sincerely hope that our people will see the necessity of drawing near to God. We need at this time clear, decided testimonies, which are right to the point. The end of all things is at hand. I may see it myself. May God help me to do my work faithfully, that I may be ready to meet Him—watching, waiting, and praying. Only a little while longer and we shall see the King in His beauty.—Letter 243, 1903. 17MR 297.5

Ellen G. White Estate

Washington, D. C.,

August 6, 1987.

Entire Letter.