Chapter 5—Silence is Eloquence

[The following letter from C. C. Crisler, leading secretary in Mrs. White’s office, addressed to Elder E. E. Andross, president of the Pacific Union Conference, was called forth by a request from him to Sister White for any light she might have bearing on the teachings of Dr. B. E. Fullmer of Los Angeles, that the 144,000 will be made up of Americans only, none from other lands.]CR144 2.1

“Elmshaven, Sanitarium, California

December 8, 1914

Elder E. E. Andross

Box 146

Glendale, California

Dear Brother Andross:

During the few minutes remaining of the noon hour before close of mails, after receiving your special delivery letter of inquiry, I sent you a hurried reply to your communication, promising further word by wire. Tonight I am sending [you] the following telegraphic letter:CR144 2.2

“‘Mrs. White instructs me to inform you she has no light further than that the presentation of uncertainties as certainties, and the urging of mysteries as revealed truths, is perilous and leads to disappointment. She suggests building on Holy Scriptures, the true foundation, rather than on personal conjecture.—C. C. Crisler.’

“When reading the letter to Sister White, and listening to her remarks in response, I had with me as a witness Elder D. E. Robinson.

“‘I have no light on the subject,’ she said, upon hearing the letter. ‘It is a very delicate time in which we are living—a time when we must individually cling to the Lord with all the powers of our being.’ She said further:

“‘Those who urge theories regarding matters that are not revealed, are placing themselves where they are in peril of meeting with disappointments. “Hide yourself in God; hide your mysteries in God”—these words have been repeated during the night season, over and over again. From the fist, I have been instructed that the Lord Jesus can give counsel that will not bring disappointment.

“‘Please tell my brethren that I have nothing presented before me regarding the circumstances concerning which they write, and I can set before them only that which has been presented to me.

“‘There are those who attempt to deal with uncertainties as certainties; and when they reach this position, they are where it is possible for the enemy to use them.

“‘In the past, light has been given me repeatedly that when a crisis arises, we are to take the counsel of God, and trace interestedly every item that presents the truth in its verity.

“‘The greatest help will come when we see the influence of the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. Their influence is to lead us to stand on an exalted basis, where we will build our faith and the faith of others, not on this one’s say-so, and that one’s say-so, and another one’s say-so, but on the real foundation, the Word of the living God.’

“I have tried to write out from my notes the words spoken by Sister White after listening to your letter and to portions of the letter written by me, also to my hastily written reply to you. By no word or sign did Sister White attempt to say which party is right and which party is wrong. In no wise did she make any comment on my letter to you, and, so far as we could understand, in no wise did she attempt to interpret or explain that which she has written in former years regarding the 144,000. But, rising above mere detail, she outlined the principles set forth above.

“I have nothing to add to that which I wrote at noon. Yes, there is one comment Sister White did make when I was

reading to her my letter. She expressed pleasure over the fact that I had included in my letter to you the words, ‘On the matter of the exact meaning of the 144,000 Sister White was repeatedly instructed us that “silence is eloquence.”’CR144 3.1

“She also commented favorably upon hearing the words with which I closed: ‘So far as I now know, no one knows the full truth of the matter, nor will we know until we are on the other side of Jordan.’

“I feel confident, Elder Andross, that the brethren in Southern California will find blessing in reviewing the teachings of Scripture concerning the 144,000, and bringing to bear upon these teachings whatever light there may be in the published writings of Sister White. And as prayerful consideration is given the matter in all its bearings, I believe that God will make the truth sufficiently clear to make possible the avoidance of needless and unprofitable controversy over questions not vital to the salvation of precious souls.

“With kindest regards, and praying that God may given breadth of sympathy was well as clarity of vision to those called upon to handle this perplexing problem that has arisen, I am as ever,

“Yours truly,

C. C. Crisler”

Ellen G. White Estate
December 21, 1964
Revised September, 1990CR144 3.2