Past Warnings

For years, the dangers of our medical work have been presented to me. Some of the letters that I have written to the physicians and managers of our older sanitariums will soon be published, for the benefit of our younger physicians. But to you who are associated together at Battle Creek, I feel that I must write very plainly; for you need a thorough awakening.BCL 88.3

One year ago I wrote the following, which I will now send you,—BCL 88.4

Oct. 26, 1902. During the past night I have slept but little. I feel grateful to God for goodness and love. I thank Him for permitting me to have a part in the work of preparing the way for His second coming.BCL 88.5

I have spent the greater part of the night praying that the Lord, by some way of His own choosing, will open Dr. Kellogg's understanding, that he may see that he is departing from the faith. Unless he is led to realize his true spiritual condition, he will walk away from Christ into false paths. I am greatly burdened by the thought that those connected with the doctor in medical missionary work do not see that he is not standing on the platform of Bible truth. Unless there is a change, grave errors will be brought in. These will be rejected by some, but by others they will be accepted. Dr. Kellogg will have a sad account to give unless he sincerely repents for lifting himself up into vanity and assuming over souls a power that has hurt them spiritually.BCL 89.1

Dr. Kellogg has favored those who have consented to follow his plans, and he has disparaged those who have differed from him in their understanding of what constitutes medical missionary work. Of those who have not shaped their course to suit his devising, it has been declared that they are not in harmony with medical missionary work. But these assertions are not always the truth. No man has the right to attach to the work his own plans and methods, and then claim that those who do not in all things act in harmony with his ideas are not medical missionaries.BCL 89.2

Dr. Kellogg has woven so much of himself into some lines of the medical missionary work that it is sick, diseased, needing the care of the great Physician. When he does the work of a true medical missionary, as heaven designs he shall, the showing will be very different from what it now is.BCL 89.3

When the leaders of the medical missionary work see themselves as the Lord sees them, there will be sorrow and humiliation. All who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit will see that self-denial and genuine humility are the first requisites for the success of medical missionary work. God acknowledges only the work that bears His seal.BCL 89.4

Had our brother, who has assumed many responsibilities that God has not laid upon him, devoted his energies to that which for years the Lord has bidden him do he would now be a much safer man to entrust with larger responsibilities. But he does not discern the truth for this time. He has been framing false theories, and by these he governs himself. He thinks and asserts that he is right, but he does not understand the testing truth for this time. Unless he is converted, it will not be safe to accept him as a leader. He who stands as a leader of God's people should do nothing that will mislead, nothing that will bring in false theories and sentiments.BCL 89.5

It becomes those who are associated with Dr. Kellogg to watch and pray, lest they be found building on sliding sand. It is not safe for any man to interpret the Scriptures according to his own ideas. Whoever does this places himself where he is subject to strong temptations.BCL 89.6

The Lord has given me many messages for Dr. Kellogg, to encourage him, to point out his mistakes, and to place him where he would have clear light in regard to the testimonies that the Lord has been giving His people. But he did not take heed. The Lord gave him evidence of the truth of the testimonies that He was sending His people. But Dr. Kellogg has often disregarded the cautions and reproofs given him, when they did not coincide with his own ideas and judgment.BCL 90.1

When, during the General Conference of 1901, light came clearly to him, he should have confessed his mistakes and errors, that he might be converted. But instead of humbling himself, he began to build himself up in his own purposes. The work that he should have done at this meeting was not done. Had he at that time taken his stand as one determined to cleanse his soul from all iniquity, there would have followed a reformation that would have placed the medical missionary work on a proper basis, where it would have been all that the name includes.BCL 90.2

The Lord has a great work to accomplish through His faithful medical missionaries. But in order for them to do this work, they must be converted, body, soul, and spirit. God has made provision for every possible emergency. He will furnish help to all who walk and work in purity of heart. There is no lack to those who walk uprightly.BCL 90.3

Dr. Kellogg occupies a position of great responsibility. Many are looking to him as one able to comprehend the truth. But he often misleads minds in regard to his work. He can not meet his high responsibilities unless he is converted. That which he most needs is a knowledge of God's will concerning himself,—a knowledge of how to speak, how to teach, how to control his spirit. He needs to learn how to place in the Lord's ministers the confidence that he desires them to place in him. The Lord calls upon Dr. Kellogg and his associates to step into line with their brethren, to become united in spirit with the ministers and teachers who are carrying forward the work that the Lord has given them to do. Many of these workers are conscientiously trying to serve the interests of the cause of God, and they should have the sympathy and support of the medical workers.BCL 90.4

The rich and wonderful provisions of the gospel embrace the medical missionary work. This work is to be to the third angel's message as the right arm is to the body. It is not to be made the head. Dr. Kellogg has endeavored to make it the head, but this is not right.BCL 90.5

The Lord reproves those who do not watch unto prayer, those who forget that they are wholly dependent upon him and amenable to Him. He reproves those who misrepresent the great Medical Missionary, those who do not keep the way of the Lord, doing their utmost to prepare a people to become members of the family of the redeemed. He is dishonored by those whose course leads away from Christ and the truth for this time. The Lord desires that our medical workers shall proclaim the last warning message of the gospel. When they leave out the principles of present truth, skepticism runs through their work, and God can not endorse it.BCL 90.6

The principles of present truth are to be studied and practised by our people, that the line of demarcation between Him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not may be kept unmistakably distinct. A close examination of God's word will reveal the riches of the grace of Christ, which are to be received by God's people, and by them imparted to those in need.BCL 91.1