Kellogg, J. H.
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
May 8, 1903
Portions of this letter are published in TDG 137; 5Bio 269. +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.
Dr. J. H. Kellogg
My dear brother,—
I received your letter, also one from Elder Daniells. It made my heart very thankful to know that our brethren are doing all they possibly can to come into unity. May the Lord lead them on step by step. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 1
I have begun several letters to you but have been hindered from finishing them. The responsibilities at this time rest upon me heavily. They seem tremendous, and I lay down my pen and feel like weeping. The day before yesterday, between one and two o’clock in the morning, I was greatly blessed. I was given the assurance that the everlasting arms were round about me. I praised the Lord with heart and soul and then went from my sleeping room to my office and walked the room, rejoicing in my Saviour and in my heavenly Father for giving Christ to our world. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 2
We have much to be thankful for. I am especially thankful for the present movement of the brethren in Battle Creek to become one with Christ in God. For several months I have been writing almost constantly, trying to present before our people that which the Lord has given me for them. Again and again it has been urged upon me to present to them that which has been presented to me. I thought that it might be that my work was about to close up, and that this was the reason that the charge was made so urgent; and I have written for the eternal interest of all who desire to know what is truth. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 3
There are many who will sell their eternal interests for worldly favors. On every side there will be oppression. The leaven of evil will be introduced by those who are not spiritual-minded, those who are not molded and fashioned after the divine similitude. Confidence placed in any one but God will blight and wither. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 4
The Word of God does not repress activity, but guides us aright, pointing out sanctified methods for the accomplishment of the work that is to save souls. It presents to us a work that if done faithfully will make us worthy of the immortal inheritance. God knows exactly what each man needs to enable him to rise in moral value. He puts the Bible into his hands—a light that is not to be ignored or set aside as of no special importance. “Search the Scriptures,” Christ says, “for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me.” [John 5:39.] The Word of God tells man how he may become an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ to an immortal inheritance. Knowing that it is man’s nature to accumulate and amass, God in His Word reveals to him the unsearchable riches, an inexhaustible treasure. Knowing that man’s strongest impulse is to stand on vantage ground before all, God points out to him an ambition that he may safely cherish. “I will make a man more precious than fine gold,” He declares, “even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” [Isaiah 13:12.] 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 5
It is that man may obtain the life that measures with the life of God that the Lord breaks up his worldly, ambitious projects, which, if permitted to engross the mind, would unfit him for the future world. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 6
God is testing every one of us. He entrusts us with talents, to see whether we will be thoroughly unselfish in the use we make of them. He tells us plainly, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” [Luke 16:10, 12.] 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 7
Let us remember that we are to be tried by the laws of Christ’s kingdom. We are not our own to do with ourselves as we please. We have been bought with a price, and the laws of Christ’s kingdom, the ten holy precepts, present the standard that we are to reach. God is jealous of His law. He tests every man to see whether he will obey or not. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 8
Man sinned, and death is the penalty of sin. Christ bore the penalty and secured for man a period of probation. In this time of probation we are now living. We have been given an opportunity to prove ourselves of value in the sight of Him who gave His only begotten Son that we should not perish, but have everlasting life. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 9
One is our Master, even Christ. We are to remember that we are His blood-bought heritage. God’s will is to become our will. Physical, mental, and spiritual gifts have been placed in our possession. In the Bible, God’s will is plainly made known. God expects every man to use his gifts in a way that will give him an increased knowledge of the things of God and will enable him to make improvement, to become more and more refined, ennobled, and purified. In this world men and women are to fit themselves to take their places among the nobility of heaven. In this world they are to prepare for translation into the courts above. Those who take up this work as the Bible directs will, through the grace of Christ, become examples of what all must be who enter in through the gates into the city. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 10
We are to use God’s gifts in a way that will please Him. We are to make real advancement in knowledge and virtue, learning Christ’s meekness and lowliness, wearing His yoke and bearing His burdens. Thus we co-operate with Christ. His followers are to reveal to the world His spotless character, giving an example of the purity and nobility of those who will make up the family of the redeemed. Thus they work out their own salvation, knowing that God is working with them to will and to do of His good pleasure. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 11
Those who remain faithful to God will meet the high standard that He has set up. Thus they will prove that human beings can, through the infinite sacrifice made for them, live pure, holy lives in this world carrying out the principles of the heavenly kingdom. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 12
Those who do not value their high calling, those who do not fulfil God’s purpose for them, who fail of meeting the conditions plainly marked out in His Word, cut themselves loose from God. They prove themselves entirely unfit to serve the interests of their Master. Professing to be Christians, they dishonor Christ. They are doing the works of Satan, and God cannot co-operate with them. Their defects of character are constantly increasing. How can the Lord work with them? How can He place responsibilities in their hands? He can entrust His work to men only who will to do His will, to men who with consecrated hearts keep His commandments. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 13
How can those who do not properly estimate the things that are of eternal interest be safe guides for God’s people? The work that God requires from the leaders and teachers of His people demands eternal vigilance. It demands that men watch for souls as they that must give an account. He who is reckless in regard to his character building will make many others reckless, if he makes an effort to be pleasing to them and to gain their favor. 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 14
In all that we do we are to seek the glory of God. We are to be cleansed, renewed, sanctified, made in character like Christ. “They that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.” [Romans 8:8-11.] 18LtMs, Lt 80, 1903, par. 15