Problems in Organizational Relationships

Here and there in the church at large, problems of unity and organization festered. E. E. Franke was leading a New Jersey church away from the denomination. In Washington, D.C., Elder L. C. Sheafe, one of the most talented black ministers, was, along with his church, bolting the denomination, largely over organizational problems. In Battle Creek, a contest over the ownership of the Tabernacle was nearing a climax (Ibid., 666).6BIO 120.2

W. C. White shared a letter with his mother written January 18 by Elder A. G. Daniells in Washington, D.C. It told of the Sheafe disaffection in Washington, and the steps his church was taking in pulling away from the denomination and striking out in the lines of congregational government. Sheafe was in close touch with Dr. J. H. Kellogg and Elder A. T. Jones, and had spent some time at Battle Creek Sanitarium. This visit lent support to Sheafe's urge for independence. It gave support to the views on organization that were counter to those for which the church stood.6BIO 120.3

On February 4, Ellen White wrote to Daniells concerning the “present situation” and declared that at Battle Creek “a strong testimony should be borne ... all the time regarding proper organization,” and that “the movements of Elder A. T. Jones must be carefully watched.”—Letter 24, 1907.6BIO 120.4

The same day she wrote to Elder Sheafe:6BIO 120.5

Dear Brother: I am writing to you in the early morning. In the night season I have had representations of your case, and have been conversing with some of the brethren in Washington, D.C., in regard to the work to be done in that city.

Elder Sheafe, Satan has been at work upon your mind, and for a long time you have been entertaining his suggestions.... You have lost your bearings concerning many things, and cherish some views that bear the same mark of spiritual disease that has led to the disaffection at Battle Creek. And the enemy is working through you to spoil the flock of God. The Lord bids me to say to you, Stop right where you are.6BIO 120.6

She urged that he let no man unsettle his faith, and she admonished:6BIO 121.1

Do not, I beg of you, turn aside to strange doctrines. In the visions of the night I am charged by the Lord to warn you against this. I want you to be a happy man in this life, a representation of what a minister of Christ should be.—Letter 44, 1907.6BIO 121.2

Unfortunately, the warnings and appeals went unheeded. A few years later, Elder A. T. Jones, after his full apostasy, joined the breakaway church led by Elder Sheafe.6BIO 121.3

On that same day, February 4, 1907, as her mind turned to Battle Creek and the detrimental work being done by A. T. Jones, she urged that “we must make sure [i.e., secure] the control of the Tabernacle.” She warned that “Elder A. T. Jones will work in every possible way to get possession of this house, and if he can do so, he will present in it theories that should never be heard.”—Letter 38, 1907.6BIO 121.4

In the same communication she wrote that according to the light the Lord had given to her, “Elder A. T. Jones and Dr. Kellogg will make every effort possible to get possession of the Tabernacle,” and she admonished that “we must not allow that house to be used for the promulgation of error.”6BIO 121.5

The Tabernacle was built by the Seventh-day Adventist people. It is their property; and their loyal representatives should control it.— Ibid.6BIO 121.6

In this letter Ellen White called for unity as a hedge against the seductive work of the adversary.6BIO 121.7