Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 64, 1904

A Warning Against Deceptive Teaching

Nashville, Tennessee

June 23, 1904

Portions of this manuscript are published in SpTB #6 41-44. See Lt 259, 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. Dr. Kellogg 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 presentation he cloaked the matter somewhat, but in reality he was presenting scientific theories which are akin to pantheism, as of the highest value. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 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. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 2

I was astonished to see with what enthusiasm the sophistries and deceptive theories were received. The influence of this talk gave him encouragement to call for a council of our brethren at Battle Creek for a further examination of these seducing sentiments. 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 Dr. Kellogg’s mind in such a way that he thinks he is to be a channel to infuse other minds with great light regarding certain scientific problems. He will be led to take words and sentiments from my books and present them as being in harmony with his theories. But the Lord has forbidden us to enter into any discussion with him; for he is becoming more and more deceptive, through the influence of evil angels clothed in beautiful garments of light. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 3

I am bidden to tell our ministers to enter into no discussion over these theories. 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. Dr. Kellogg has been studying these matters for a long time and has been preparing himself to present his ideas and to lead souls to adopt them. I am now commissioned to tell our people to beware. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 4

The night interviews which Dr. Kellogg holds 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 misstates 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. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 5

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 from 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 Dr. Kellogg. He has had light, he has had warnings, but he 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. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 6

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.” This the Saviour has done again and again, to save him from making shipwreck of the faith. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 7

At the Berrien Springs meeting the Lord showed Dr. Kellogg a 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 Dr. Kellogg 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. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 8

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 Dr. Kellogg 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. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 9

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.” [Revelation 14:12.] 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. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 10

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. 19LtMs, Ms 64, 1904, par. 11