Meeting Direct Attacks

But in Battle Creek there was no peace. In early March A. T. Jones launched an attack on General Conference organization—on A. G. Daniells directly and indirectly on Ellen White. It was he who in 1901 advocated that there be no elected president of the General Conference. The statement he read to Sanitarium workers on March 4, 1906, soon appeared in a seventy-four-page pamphlet titled Some History, Some Experience, and Some Facts.6BIO 77.3

At Elmshaven a week was devoted to a study of the specific criticisms, accusations, and charges; Ellen White participated. Elders Daniells and Irwin had come from Washington to join her and her staff in this study. Following the week-long task, she wrote two communications: one on March 20 dealing with the accusation that she reproved Dr. Kellogg for erecting buildings in Chicago that in actuality were never built (Manuscript 33, 1906); the other on March 23 titled “A Message to A. T. Jones and Others in Battle Creek” (Manuscript 34, 1906). From the study developed a ninety-six-page pamphlet published in May by the General Conference. It was titled A Statement Refuting Charges Made by A. T. Jones Against the Spirit of Prophecy and the Plan of Organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination.6BIO 77.4

That night she was in vision. Of this she said:6BIO 78.1

Many things in reference to the past experience given me of the Lord were vividly reviewed—the rise and progress of Seventh-day Adventists, and the part that I had been called to act in this matter. Scenes of the richest blessings, which no tongue can describe, were presented, when the evidence of the truths was substantiated to us beyond any doubt.—Manuscript 36, 1906.

On Sabbath she spoke in the Sanitarium chapel and related to the people those early experiences that had just been refreshed in her memory by the vision:6BIO 78.2

I spoke of my conversion, and of how I traveled for months, unable to speak except in a low, husky voice. The physicians decided that I could not live, that consumption had settled on my lungs.... My whole life has been a continual evidence of the miracle-working power of God. So plain were the manifestations of the Holy Spirit as I was instructed to write out the things shown me that I had not a doubt but that the Lord had been pleased to make me His messenger. All the way along I have had the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit. At various times, manifestations have been given me personally of the Spirit's working, and it would be sinful for me to doubt. From the beginning up till the present time, I have had the accompaniment of the special working of the grace of God. Without this, I could not go from place to place, and bear my testimony.—Letter 102, 1906.6BIO 78.3