The Chicago Buildings
Prophetess of Health on pp. 192, 193 states that Ellen White cited an article in the New York Observer to prove that her information about a “large building” in Chicago was correct. What Prophetess of Health fails to point out is that she did not cite this article in that context. W. C. White gives the background for the mention of the Observer article. He states that Mrs. White found the article on February 24, 1900, and immediately goes on to say:CBPH 88.4
For many months previous to the finding of this article, Mother had been writing cautions and reproofs regarding the Medical Missionary work, including the special work in Chicago. But her communications did not seem to be understood.CBPH 88.5
When the vision was given Mother which was finally written out in the letter of February 27, she was greatly depressed, and seemed especially burdened because the facts as presented to her were not recognized by those to whom she wrote.CBPH 88.6
When she found the Sherin article in the “Observer” she said to me “Here is the evidence that they have been planning great things. I will call their attention to this article.”—W. C. White Letter to C. E. Stewart, April 10, 1906.CBPH 88.7
What Mrs. White actually wrote to Kellogg on February 27 is as follows:CBPH 88.8
Three mornings ago I laid my hand upon several papers, exchanges from America, sent me about two years since. In the New York Observer of August 6, 1896, I saw your name, and the heading, “Dr. Kellogg’s Work, The Workingman’s Home, and Medical Missionary Work in Chicago.” There followed an account of the work then going forward, and the large amount of means required to sustain it. Since that time the work has greatly extended, and of course a much larger amount is required for its support. As I read the article, and thought of these things, I could understand the light given me by the Lord as to what the principles of truth and righteousness would lead the Sanitarium supporters and workers to do; that they should make it their first business to aid the work in this country [Australia], where the Lord had sent experienced workers fitted to carry forward His work.—Letter 33, 1900. (Feb. 27, 1900, to Dr. J. H. Kellogg.)CBPH 88.9
The article, of which the White Estate has copies, makes no mention of large buildings, nor does Ellen White claim that it does, nor does she cite it as proof that Kellogg was planning a large building.CBPH 88.10
The allegation that Mrs. White, on returning to America, asked to be shown the buildings during a visit to Chicago is apparently based only on Stewart’s assertion that this took place. By way of evidence that this charge of Stewart’s is not well founded, we need only mention that Mrs. White did not concede at this or any other time that “perhaps a slight mistake has been made.” She did explain that she indeed thought buildings had been erected, but this was not until 1903. (See EGW Letter 135, 1903 to S. N. Haskell March 6, 1903). Even then, in 1903, she said; “I understand that someone said that the testimony that I bore in regard to this was not true,—that no such building was erected in Chicago. But the testimony was true. The Lord showed me what men were planning to do” (Letter 135, 1903).CBPH 88.11
It must be kept in mind that the Lord did not always reveal to her whether certain events had taken place or not.CBPH 88.12