Our Leading Physicians
Washington, D. C.
July 24, 1904
This letter is published in entirety in 1SM 193-198. +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.
To our leading physicians
Dear fellow workers,—
I am awakened at eleven o’clock. The representations passing before me are so vivid that I cannot sleep. The word of the Lord has come to me that there is a decided work to be done in warning our medical missionaries against the dangers and perils that surround them. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 1
The Lord calls upon those connected with our sanitariums to reach a higher standard. No lie is of the truth. If we follow cunningly devised fables, we unite with the enemy’s forces against God and Christ. God calls upon those who have been wearing the yoke of human manufacture to break this yoke and no longer be bound up with delusive sophistries. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 2
The battle is now on. Satan and his angels are working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. They are untiring in their efforts to draw souls away from the truth, away from righteousness, to spread ruin throughout the universe. They work with marvelous industry to furnish a multitude of deceptions to take souls captive. Their efforts are unceasing. The enemy is ever seeking to lead souls into skepticism and infidelity. He would do away with God and with Christ, who was made flesh and dwelt among us, to teach us that in obedience to God’s will we may be victorious over sin. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 3
Every form of evil is waiting for an opportunity to assail us. Flattery, bribes, inducement, promises of wonderful exaltation will be most assiduously employed. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 4
What are God’s churches doing to raise the barrier of a “Thus saith the Lord” against this evil? The enemy’s agents are working unceasingly to prevail against the truth. Where are the faithful guardians of the Lord’s flock? Where are His watchmen? Are they standing on the high tower, giving the danger signal, or are they allowing the peril to pass on unheeded? Where are the medical missionaries? Are they co-workers with Christ, wearing His yoke, or are they wearing a yoke of human manufacture? 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 5
Satan and his angels are making every effort to obtain control of minds, that men may be swayed by falsehood and pleasing fables. Are our physicians lifting the danger signal? Are the men who have been placed in prominent positions in our sanitariums lifting the danger signal? Are many of the watchmen asleep, while mischievous tongues and acute minds, sharpened by long practice in evading the truth, are continually at work to bring in confusion and to carry out plans instigated by the enemy? 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 6
Will the men in our institutions keep silent, allowing insidious fallacies to be promulgated to the ruin of souls? The sentiments of the enemy are being scattered everywhere. Seeds of discord, of unbelief, of infidelity, are being scattered broadcast. Shall our medical missionaries raise no barrier against this evil? Is it not time that we asked ourselves, Shall we allow the adversary to lead us to give up the work of proclaiming the truth? Shall we allow him to keep us from being channels through which the blessings of the gospel, as a current of life, shall flow to the world? Let every man now arouse and work as he has opportunity. Let him speak words in season and out of season and look to Christ for encouragement and strength in well-doing. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 7
The dangers coming upon us are continually increasing. It is high time that we put on the whole armor of God and worked to keep Satan from gaining any further advantage. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 8
Angels of God, that excel in strength, are waiting for us to call them to our aid, that our faith may not be eclipsed by the fierceness of the conflict. Renewed energy is now needed. Vigilant action is called for. Indifference and sloth will result in the loss of personal religion and of heaven. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 9
At this time the Laodicean message is to be given to arouse a slumbering church. Let the thought of the shortness of time stimulate you to earnest, untiring effort. Remember that Satan has come down with great power, to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 10
For years our physicians have been trained to think that they must not give expression to sentiments that differ from those of Dr. Kellogg. O that they had broken the yoke! O that they had called sin by its right name! Then they would not be regarded in the heavenly courts as men who, though bearing weighty responsibilities, have failed of speaking the truth in reproof of that which has been in disobedience to God’s Word. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 11
Physicians, have you been doing your Master’s business in listening to fanciful and spiritualistic interpretations of the Scriptures, that undermine the foundations of our faith, and holding your peace? God says, “Neither will I be with you any more, unless you awake and vindicate your Redeemer.” 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 12
My message to you is, You should no longer consent to listen without protest to the perversion of the truth. Unmask the pretentious sophistries that, if received, will lead ministers and physicians and medical missionary workers to ignore the truth. Every one is now to stand on guard. God calls upon men and women to take their stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel. I have been instructed to warn our people; for many are in danger of receiving theories and sophistries that undermine the foundation pillars of the faith. We cannot accept as present truth the theories and explanations made by Dr. Kellogg; for it is not a true presentation. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 13
Sometimes Dr. Kellogg talks for hours when he is weary and perplexed and in no fit condition to talk. Medical missionaries should refuse to hold long night sessions of conversation. These night talks have been times when Satan, with his seductive influence, has stolen away from one and then another the faith once delivered to the saints. Brilliant, sparkling ideas will often flash from the mind that is worked by the great deceiver. Those who listen and acquiesce will become charmed, as Eve was charmed by the serpent’s words. You cannot listen to these charming sophistries and at the same time keep a “Thus saith the Lord” in your mind. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 14
Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega will be of a most startling nature. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 15
We need to study the words that Christ uttered in the prayer that He offered just before His trial and crucifixion. “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee. As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world. Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word.” [John 17:1-6.] 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 16
The righteousness of God is absolute. This righteousness characterizes all His works, all His laws. As God is, so must His people be. He that doeth righteousness is righteous. The life of Christ is to be revealed in the lives of His followers. In all His private and public acts, in every word and deed, a practical godliness was seen, and this godliness is to be seen in the lives of His disciples. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 17
Had Dr. Kellogg heeded the light given him, he would have brought the virtues of the character of Christ into his life. Christ manifested no sin, because there was no sin in Him. God has shown me that the lives of believers are to reveal practical righteousness. Confess and forsake your sins. Then you will have a transformed character. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 18
Our physicians have lost a great deal out of their lives, because they have seen wrong transactions and heard wrong words spoken and seen many principles followed and have not spoken in reproof for fear that they would be repulsed. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 19
I call upon those who have been connected with Dr. Kellogg as his associate physicians to break the yoke to which they have long submitted, and stand as free men in Christ. Nothing but a determined struggle will break the spell that is upon them. 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 20
Has not God spoken in His Word concerning the solemn events which must shortly take place? As you read these things, do you believe what He says? Or have you, through listening to the specious sophistry, given up your faith in God? Can any man avert the punishment that must come upon you unless you humble your hearts before God and confess your sins? How is it, my brethren in the medical missionary work? Does not the living God speak to you from His Word concerning the events that are taking place in fulfilment of that Word? Soon the last great reckoning with men will take place. Have your lives been such that you can then be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and not be found wanting? Has your faith been molded and restricted until it has become unbelief? Has your obedience to men become rebellion against God? “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” [2 Corinthians 13:5.] 19LtMs, Lt 263, 1904, par. 21