Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]

MR No. 1047—Church Leaders Must Practice the Truth

It is not in the order of God that a few men shall manage the great interests throughout the field. 13MR 289.1

Many of the men who have acted as counselors in board and council meetings need to be weeded out. Other men should take their places, for their voice is not the voice of God. Their plans and devisings are not after the order of God. The same men have been kept in office as directors of boards until, under their own management and their own opinions, common fire is used in the place of sacred fire of God's own kindling. These men are no more called “Israel” but “supplanters.” They have worked themselves so long, instead of being worked by the Holy Spirit, that they know not that spirit impels them to action. 13MR 289.2

The college at Battle Creek would be better if it had been only one-half as large, and if the other half had been located far from Battle Creek. 13MR 289.3

The spiritual blindness which rests upon human minds seems to be deepening. There are men who are handling sacred things who are unconverted. All such should be replaced by men who not only have a knowledge of the truth but who practice the truth and have respect enough for the Bible to obey a “Thus saith the Lord.” Many of the men who have long been connected with the Office and with other important lines of work are really ignorant of the influence of the decisions they make. If they had a real sense of the importance of these decisions, and comprehended what they mean with reference to the work, they would be far more modest in advancing ideas, and voicing by their vote the propositions others make.—Letter 100, 1896. (Written August 27, 1896, from “Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, N. S. W., to A. O. Tait, Battle Creek, Michigan.) 13MR 289.4

White Estate

Washington, D. C.,

March 1, 1984.