South Lancaster, Mass
November 27, 1901
The Lord has again shown me some things with reference to Dr. Kellogg's dangers. May the Lord give me much of His Holy Spirit; for of myself I can not do the work that God has committed to me. And unless God shall influence the minds of Dr. Kellogg and his associates, they will surely say, “Who has been talking with Sister White?” My answer is, “One who is in authority”. But the question, “Who has been talking with Sister White?” by whomsoever asked, shows a lack of confidence in the work that the Lord has given me to do. It shows that this work is not appreciated. BCL 43.1
Is it so that if, when the Testimonies come to our brethren, they harmonize with their ideas and plans, they are confident that they are of God; but that if, when they come, they do not harmonize with their cherished plans, they regard them as of no special value? If this is so, how can the message I bear fulfill the purpose for which it is sent? What power to help is there in the message I bear if when leading men receive from me a communication that cuts across their plans, they have so little faith in the Testimonies as to say that I have been influenced by my son or by some member of my family, or by some one else high or afar off. It is hard for me to believe that this is a true measure of their confidence. When the testimonies reprove men of experience, who are bearing large responsibilities, are we to expect that they will endeavor to justify themselves, as others of less experience have done? This is the temptation to which many yield, and by yielding they lose the benefits and blessings that they might receive by accepting the message. BCL 43.2
Suppose that some one had talked with me concerning the work of Dr. Kellogg and other leading men. Do you think that I would dare to mingle these words and thought with the message that the Lord gives me for these brethren? While we are in this world, we shall always hear words of criticism regarding the course that others are pursuing. If my brethren look upon the warnings that they have received as being unimportant because of words that have been spoken and letters that have been written to me, if they refuse to accept the Testimonies given through me, because they think in their hearts, “Somebody has influenced Sister White; somebody has told her, “they must bear the responsibilities of the influence of this course of action upon themselves and others. BCL 43.3
It makes me very sad to know that some have yielded to this temptation. The Lord has charged me to enter into no controversy with any one who, when a message comes, shall ask, “Who has told Sister White?” I am neither to admit nor deny such charges, but to state the facts according to the instruction that God has given me at different times and in many places. If I do not speak, I am accountable for withholding the light. I have not wittingly but many times I have had cautions to defer speaking until the time of danger makes it necessary to speak. BCL 44.1
I have so great an interest to see Dr. Kellogg following on to know the Lord, that I shall try to do my utmost to remove every shadow that might cause him to walk in strange paths. I shall listen to every word that he has to say to me. If he speaks right words, I shall thank my heavenly Father. If he speaks words, the truth concerning which I know much better than he himself, I shall never try to please him by calling darkness light and light darkness; for by so doing I should be imperilling his soul. If I speak at all, I shall always try to speak the truth,—that which is based on a “Thus saith the Lord”. Whatever interpretation may be placed upon my words, or whether they are received or rejected, I shall not refrain from speaking, unless I am instructed by the Lord to remain silent. When certain things come to pass I must speak in order to prevent wrong plans from being carried any further. And I must speak not only to Dr. Kellogg, but also to other men in positions of responsibility who are unacquainted with the facts and with the result of a disregard of the messages that God has given. BCL 44.2
I know Dr. Kellogg's dangers in his home life, in church capacity, and in his connection with men of the world. Many things have taken place that the Doctor has not understood, and messages have been sent to him that I well know he will not receive as truth before a certain time, when a doctor will open before his mind, and the spirit of God will lead him to see that he has laid on the foundation as precious material that which will not bear the test of fire. BCL 44.3