Another Vital Difference

Another vital difference between the two conceptions of the Creator was set forth a few weeks later in another editorial statement in the church organ, as follows: “Where shall we look to find the God of our salvation? Shall we look within or without? Is the power for righteousness developed from within, or is it a gift from without? In the gospel according to man we are instructed to look within, and to develop the power within. In the gospel according to God we are invited to accept power from without. ... We may well be afraid of any teaching which leads us to look within for salvation, even though it claims to find God within. ... ‘From within ... proceed ... wickedness, deceit, ... pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within.’ ‘Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.’”—Ibid., March 10, 1904.SHM 325.1

Other issues of a minor nature were involved in the controversy between the denomination and some of the leaders in the medical work, but those we have noted—especially the questions of denominational control and conflicting doctrinal teachings—were the outstanding causes of the final separation.SHM 325.2

A brief statement of facts pertaining to the transfer of ownership and control of the Battle Creek Sanitarium and other properties from the denomination may be of interest. As already related, the Health Reform Institute had been owned and controlled by stockholders forming a corporation known as the Health Reform Institute, who—according to the original bylaws—must be Seventh-day Adventists, persons “keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ.” The constituency meetings of the Health Reform Institute were usually held in connection with the General Conference sessions, and none but church members participated in the operation of the institution. But the institution was incorporated for only thirty years, and according to law the charter expired in 1897. It was then legally necessary to dissolve the corporation and to sell the property by auction to the highest bidder. The sale was put off until July 1, 1898.SHM 325.3