Testimonies to the Church Regarding our Youth Going to Battle Creek to Obtain An Education

A Warning Against Deceptive Teaching

Nashville, Tenn.,

June 23, 1904.

Before leaving Washington for Berrien Springs, I was instructed upon some points regarding the work at Battle Creek. In the night season I was in a large meeting. The one who has stood for many years as the leader in our medical work was speaking, and he was filled with enthusiasm regarding his subject. His associate physicians and ministers of the gospel were present. The subject upon which he was speaking was life, and the relation of God to all living things. In his presentations he cloaked the matter somewhat, but in reality he was presenting as of the highest value, scientific theories which are akin to pantheism. SpTB06 41.1

After looking upon the pleased, interested countenances of those who were listening, One by my side told me that the evil angels had taken captive the mind of the speaker. He said that we were to stand as guardians of the churches, but that we were on no account to enter into discussion with those who hold pantheistic theories, on these subjects. He said that just as surely as the angels who fell were seduced and deceived by Satan, so surely was the speaker under the spiritualistic education of evil angels. SpTB06 41.2

I was astonished to see with what enthusiasm the sophistries and deceptive theories were received. The influence of this talk gave the speaker encouragement to call for a council of our brethren at Battle Creek, for a further examination of these seducing sentiments. SpTB06 41.3

I was bidden to warn our people on no account to send their children to Battle Creek to receive an education, because these delusive, scientific theories would be presented in the most seducing forms. The matter has been working in his mind in such a way that he thinks he is to be the channel to infuse other minds with great light regarding certain scientific problems. Words and sentiments from my books will be taken and presented as being in harmony with his theories. But the Lord has forbidden us to enter into any discussion with him.... SpTB06 42.1

I am bidden to tell our ministers to enter into no discussion over these theories, but to let them alone. When engaged in discussion over these theories, their advocates will take words spoken to oppose them, and will make them appear to mean the very opposite of that which the speaker intended them to mean.... SpTB06 42.2

The night interviews held by the leader in this work are one of his most effective means of gaining his point. His constant stream of talk confuses the minds of those he is seeking to influence. He mistakes and misquotes words, and places those who argue with him in so false a light that their powers of discernment are benumbed. He takes their words, and gives them an impress which makes them seem to mean exactly the opposite of what they said. SpTB06 42.3

If permitted, the evil angels will work the minds of men until they have no mind or will of their own. They are led as the angels cast out of heaven were led. Under Satan's influence these angels uttered sentiments directly opposite to loyalty to God. Thus the family of God in heaven became corrupted. And thus will it be with physicians or ministers who continue to bind up with the one who has had light, who has had warnings, but who has not heeded them. At the Oakland Conference I was forbidden to have any conversation with him. I was not to place any writings in his hands; for he would read from these writings what I had not written, bringing in his own sentiments. SpTB06 42.4

God has given him opportunity after opportunity to place himself on vantage ground. As his feet were slipping down a precipice, Christ grasped his hands, saying, “Do not struggle. Hold fast to me.” Thus the Saviour has done again and again, to save him from making shipwreck of the faith. SpTB06 43.1

At the Berrien Springs meeting the Lord showed him special favor. God gave me power to present messages of admonition and encouragement. The two forces met, the Satanic influences and the influence of Christ. But Satan fought hard to hold his advantage, and he whom Christ sought to rescue is now in a more dangerous condition than before the meeting. Every ray of light rejected leaves him more surely fastened in Satan's toils. SpTB06 43.2

I have no charge to make, no judgment of my own to give. I speak the word of the Lord. Our people are not to become entangled with the present leader of the medical work in Battle Creek, in sanitariums which are to be established or in sanitariums that have already been established. As a people, we are to make sure that the Lord's money is invested wisely. We are not to take on any additional burdens of debt unless it is made plain that we should do this. SpTB06 43.3

Let the world go into spiritualism, into theosophy, into pantheism, if they choose. We are to have nothing to do with this deceptive branch of Satan's work. The pleasing sentiments of pantheism will lead many souls into forbidden paths. God forbids his servants to leave their fields of labor to enter into a discussion of these sentiments. The last testimony published opens to our people the danger of these theories, and the testimonies published in the future will urge still more strongly the necessity of lifting up and carrying high the banner on which are inscribed the words, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” God's people are to let no one take this banner from their hands. I am instructed that false theories will be presented, and that some in the medical missionary work, who have been wavering, will yield up the faith, and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. SpTB06 43.4

The only hope for our people now is to take their stand on the true foundation. Higher and still higher they are to raise the banner of truth. Not for one moment are they to give place to the enemy. SpTB06 44.1

Ellen G. White

*****

“Elmshaven,” Sanitarium, Cal.,

August 13, 1903.

My Dear Brethren,

I understand that efforts are being made to establish a college in Battle Creek, after the Lord has plainly stated that there should not be a college there, giving the reasons. He said that the school was to be taken out of Battle Creek, to remove one excuse for so many crowding into Battle Creek, and settling there.... SpTB06 44.2

The establishment of a college in Battle Creek is contrary to the Lord's direction. The Lord does not look with favor upon this plan, or upon those who devised it. It is a plan of human devising. SpTB06 44.3

The Lord does not require his people to give of their means for the establishment of a college in Battle Creek; for he has declared that a college shall not be established there. He has declared that his people are not to settle in places where for so long the light of truth has been shining.... SpTB06 45.1

By written messages and by fire the Lord has declared that he wants his people to move out of Battle Creek. May God help us to hear his voice. Does it mean nothing to us that our two great institutions in Battle Creek were swept away by fire? You may say, “But the new Sanitarium has many patients.” Yes; but if there were many thousand patients there, this would be no argument in favor of our people building homes in Battle Creek, and settling there. SpTB06 45.2

Temptations are increasing. Men are rejecting the light that God has sent in the Testimonies of his Spirit, and they are choosing their own devising and their own plans. Will men continue to separate themselves from God? Must he reveal his displeasure in a still more marked manner than he has already done? SpTB06 45.3