Irwin, Brother and Sister [G. A.]
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
October 14, 1902
Portions of this letter are published in 3MR 282; 15MR 270. +NoteOne or more typed copies of this document contain additional Ellen White handwritten interlineations which may be viewed at the main office of the Ellen G. White Estate.
Dear Brother and Sister Irwin,—
I received your letter when I was in Fresno. I meant to write to you today; for the Australian mail must leave here tomorrow. But it is now almost half past three o’clock, and I have nothing written yet. This morning I was taken suddenly ill, and the day has been almost entirely lost. But I will try to write you a few lines, late though it is. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 1
I wish to tell you of a dream that I once had. You were sitting in a room. I came in, and you looked up with a sad face, and said, “Sister White, please tell me what my mistakes have been, that you could not trust me any longer in America?” I said, “My brother, you are entirely mistaken, in viewing the matter in that way. It was a great trial for me to give my consent for you to go to Australia. Brother and Sister Haskell told me that you felt drawn to Australia and that you had decided to go there. I dared not say anything then to disturb your mind; for Brother Haskell told me that your preparations were made. I did not want to work contrary to the mind and will of God. I knew that you had been passing through a trying experience, and I thought that it might perhaps be a relief to you to go to Australia. And I knew that your going would be a great help to the people there.” 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 2
In my dream, it seemed to me that when I had given you these particulars, you were relieved. So I wrote you as I did. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 3
Be assured, my brother, that you did not do or say anything in your work here that made me glad to have you leave. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 4
There is a matter that I wish to speak of to you. It is in regard to the representation given me concerning the scene in the meeting at College View. I have, as you know, spoken of this to Dr. Kellogg. Before the last General Conference, Dr. Kellogg came to St. Helena and had some conversation with me. I was very weak, and I told him so. I knew that I was not strong enough to talk with him. Nevertheless, he gave me his account of the scene at the meeting at College View. He presented things contrary to the way in which they had been presented to me by the Lord. He related matters as if he were the one who had been wronged. I said, “The Lord has instructed me in regard to that matter. When I am convinced that it is the Lord’s will for me to change my opinions, I will let you know. But I cannot now speak with you, for I have no strength.” Dr. Kellogg said that he did not expect me to say anything. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 5
Well, the matter passed on until some time after the Conference when Dr. Kellogg again visited me at St. Helena and once more repeated the same thing. He spoke with the same spirit of self-justification that he had spoken before. When he had finished, I said, “I wish you to understand, Dr. Kellogg, that every word that I have written to you in regard to that scene is correct.” But he would not accept the way in which I presented the matter as being correct, and I would not accept his statement. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 6
I have not seen Dr. Kellogg since, except for a few minutes, when I was at South Lancaster. But I was then very ill with a severe cold and could not talk with any one. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 7
There the matter stands. But every word of the presentation regarding the scene at College View is true. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 8
Dr. Kellogg seemed to care nothing about the after results. I told him that he had grieved the Spirit of God, and that he must never again act toward his brethren as he acted in that meeting. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 9
Very plain testimonies have been given me by the Lord for Dr. Kellogg. I have given him these testimonies, but I have no evidence that he accepts them. I regard him as in a very dangerous position. I have sent him the instruction God has given me regarding the signing of the agreements he has formulated. These agreements should not be signed, for God forbids. With reference to those you have already signed, wait. Do nothing with reference to these documents. The next General Conference will settle some questions that are now unsettled. There will have to be a reorganization of some matters. So let things move on quietly, and say nothing. Do not do anything to provoke the doctor. He is much displeased at my sending certain testimonies to the responsible men in the work. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 10
Brother Irwin, keep this letter to yourself. I have written as I have because I knew that there were some things that must be a great mystery to you. I thought that perhaps it might appear to you that, after stating so decidedly the Lord’s reproof in regard to certain things, I was passing these things over as if sustaining Dr. Kellogg. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 11
The Lord has given Dr. Kellogg an opportunity to place himself in a position to be instructed by the testimonies, but he refuses to be instructed. He will not admit that he has done wrong in any wise. The testimonies that have recently been sent to the leading men in the denomination have closed up his way of gathering in means from our people for the building of his tower. I am now waiting to see what the outcome of this will be. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 12
I hope you will have as little as possible to say about Dr. Kellogg. Pray for him. Ask the Lord to save him from himself. He is in great peril. I am praying for him. Let us all make his case a subject of special prayer. O how pleased Satan would be to have Dr. Kellogg’s talents opposed to the work of God. I cannot endure the thought. I pray that the Lord will work in our behalf, that His salvation may be revealed. God lives and reigns. He is working out His own will and pleasure. If those He has used in the past now refuse to come into line, He will withdraw His favor from them. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 13
I have written more than I thought I could this afternoon. A few more words, and I am done. I cannot favor the removal of the food factory to Sydney at this time. A course will be pursued by the worldly men in power that will make it hard for our people in the city of Sydney. Wait; and let the food business remain for the present where it is. 17LtMs, Lt 160, 1902, par. 14