First General Conference Medical Missionary Convention

On November 16, W. C. White left the West Coast to attend the first General Conference Medical Missionary Convention to be held at College View, Nebraska, November 21-26 (Ibid., 664; The Review and Herald, November 16, 1905).6BIO 64.7

Careful plans had been laid for this important five-day meeting. A. G. Daniells, writing to W. C. White, had described plans for it and urged:6BIO 65.1

Now the point I want to emphasize is that you shall attend this convention. You must be with us. This will be a very important occasion. A strong influence is being exerted against our movement, and we must do our best to make it succeed. You may think it difficult for you to leave California, but you must be present.—AGD to WCW, October 13, 1905.6BIO 65.2

The College View meeting was attended by a hundred physicians, nurses, and ministers, about evenly divided. Elder Daniells had an opportunity there to present some of the testimonies relating to Battle Creek. Nearly all took a firm and open stand on the testimonies. This encouraged church leaders.6BIO 65.3

Stirred by plans announced for the College View meeting, the medical people in Battle Creek launched countering measures. Dr. Kellogg called a convention of his new International Medical Missionary Alliance in Chicago for December 18-21 (The Medical Missionary, November, 1905).6BIO 65.4

As matters thus rapidly developed, with growing opposition to the Spirit of Prophecy messages, Ellen White wrote:6BIO 65.5

He [Dr. Kellogg] will present anything and everything possible to make of no effect the testimonies that the Lord has given me. I must do my part to meet the situation just now.—Letter 322, 1905.6BIO 65.6

At the College View meeting W. C. White studied with A. G. Daniells and others the matter of publishing testimonies that would help in the crisis. Here and in further consideration in Washington, with W. C. White participating, the decision was reached to publish two pamphlets of warning and instruction.6BIO 65.7