Heretics and How to Deal with Them

Koot van Wyk (DLitt et Phil; ThD) Visiting Professor, Department of Liberal Education, Kyungpook National University, Sangju Campus, South Korea, Conjoint lecturer of Avondale College, Australia

Source: A. V. Olson, “Appendix A: Ellen White’s Sermons and Minneapolis”; “Appendix B: What became of A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner?”; “Appendix C: The President of the General Conference,” in Through Crisis to Victory 1888-1901: From the Minneapolis Meeting to the Reorganization of the General Conference (Washington DC: Review and Herald, 1966), 242-320.

These are sermons of Ellen White to the Ministers at the Minneapolis Conference in 1888. She dealt with the views of G. Butler and his associates against A. T. Jones and E. J.Waggoner. She spells out how one should deal with a heretic.

Bible Reader and Bible Believer

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter

in among you, not sparing the flock" (verses 28, 29).

Our actions can prevent God from weaving truth into our lives and character

 We are placed in trust with the most solemn truths ever committed

to mortals, but the course of some is of such a character that

God cannot answer their prayers. Their prayers are offensive to His holiness,

and should He hear and answer their prayers they would be confirmed

in a wrong course, and others would be led away from the

straight paths. Why cannot we take the truth God has revealed and

weave it into our very life and character

Vain and Foolish talking with Associates should be avoided thinking and talking about Jesus (Olsen 242)

If Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, you will put away all

vanity and foolish speaking. You will be sanctified through the truth.

You will so labor for God that you can have an approving conscience in

your ministerial work, and you can say with the devoted Saint Paul

that you are clean from the blood of all men. But you cannot say this

unless you are constantly gaining wisdom and knowledge from God as

the branch draws nourishment from the living vine, unless His Holy

Spirit is resting upon you and you are taking Jesus into your heart,

thinking and talking of Jesus, and doing His work wherever you are.

This is the only way that we can work successfully in these last times.

Clear Apprehension of Gospel: not sadness; no cherishing of doubts; study God’s Word constantly; (Olsen 245)

You should have a clear apprehension of the gospel. The religious

life is not one of gloom and of sadness, but of peace and joy coupled

with Christlike dignity and holy solemnity. We are not encouraged by

our Saviour to cherish doubts and fears and distressing forebodings;

these bring no relief to the soul and should be rebuked rather than

praised. We may have joy unspeakable and full of glory. Let us put

away our indolence and study God's Word more constantly. If we ever

needed the Holy Ghost to be with us, if we ever needed to preach in the

demonstration of the Spirit, it is at this very time. If we will not work

without it now, we shall have it in every emergency in the future, and be

prepared for what is coming upon the earth.

Focus on Present Truth so that Sinners may be saved

 We need to dwell more

upon present truth and the preparation essential in order that sinners

may be saved

Do not cramp the intellect

Let there be

no more cramping of the intellect. There are greater wonders to be

opened to our senses, consistent with the progress of the work.

Revelation challenges investigation since mines of truth should be opened still

The

mystery of revelation challenges investigation, for there are mines of truth

to be opened to God's people. We must put off self-righteousness, we

must reach loftier heights.

Handling the Word of God deceitfully is not truth resting upon a person (Olsen 245)

If the truth rested with greater weight upon ministers of God, they

would not handle the Word of God deceitfully.

People caring for salvation of others in the pulpit but denial in spirituality of daily life, be afraid of them

They seem to have a

burden for souls while speaking to the people, but when out of the

desk they are destitute of spirituality. Be afraid of such. They preach

but do not practice. They show by their manner that the truth has not

245

Truth in the pulpit and lie in the daily life do not go together

God

will not work with the man who preaches the claims of God in the desk

and gives a lie to the truth out of the desk.

Christ came to save us not in our sins but from our sins

After the transgression of Adam in Eden it was Christ whom God gave

to us, not that we might be saved in our sins, but that we might be saved

from our sins, that we should return to our loyalty to God and become

obedient children.

How did Ellen White know that the World is a little atom

The

Father sent His Son here, and right here on this little atom of a world

were enacted the grandest scenes that were ever known to humanity.

All the universe of heaven was looking on with intense interest.

Do not focus on ourselves but behold what manner of love

We must not give up at the defilement that is in the human race

and ever keep that before the mind's eye. We must not look at that.

What then are we to do? What is our work?—To behold "what manner

of love the Father hath bestowed upon us."

Do not let culture be the picture before you mind

Do not let the blighting influences

that are flooding the world be the picture that is before the

mind, but hold up the purity and love of God.

Guard your memory hall of pictures in the mind (Olsen 247)

Do not hang in memory's

hall pictures of all the corruption and iniquity that you can bundle to-

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gether. No, do not do it. It discourages the mind

Environmental filth does not mean that a white lily cannot appear

No matter how much scum and debris

and filth there is around it, yet that does not destroy our desire for the

lily. We wonder how the lily can be so beautiful and white where there

is so much filth. Well, there is a stem that strikes down to the golden

sands beneath and gathers nothing but the purest substance that feeds

the lily until it develops into the pure and spotless flower as we see it.

Should not this teach us a lesson? It ought to. It shows that although

there is iniquity all around us we should not approach it. Do not talk

of the iniquity and wickedness that are in the world, but elevate your

minds and talk of your Saviour. When you see iniquity all around you

it makes you all the more glad that He is your Saviour, and we are His

children. Then, shall we look at the iniquity around us and dwell

upon the dark side? You cannot cure it; then talk of something that is

higher, better, and more noble. Talk of those things that will leave a

good impression on the mind, and will lift every soul up out of this

iniquity into the light beyond.

Living in a dark cellar and talking about it does not make it light

Now, we may go into a cellar and stay there and look around into

its dark corners, and we can talk of the darkness and say

You are what you eat and you are what you dwell upon with the mind (Olsen 248)

You know our bodies are made up of the food assimilated. Now, it

is the same with our minds. If we have a mind to dwell on the

disagreeable things of life, it will not give us any hope, but we want

to dwell on the cheery scenes of heaven

If you go into a rose garden do not focus on the thorns but at the roses

While we were in Switzerland I had many letters from a sister whom

I dearly love and highly esteem. In every one of these letters were the

most gloomy pictures. She seemed to be dwelling on everything objectionable.

Now, said I, God does not want you to gather up everything objectionable;

He wants you to look at His wonderful works and at His

purity.

Do not talk about Satan more than about Jesus

It taught her a lesson. She said, "Ellen, we talk a great deal more of

the power of the devil than we have any right to. It pleases him, and his

satanic majesty is honored; he exults over it, and we give him honor in

doing this; but," she said, "I am going to talk of Jesus, of His love, and

tell of His power." And so she brought her soul right out of darkness

and discouragement into light, and she bore a living testimony for

God and heaven.

No desire for supremacy over faithful

If we have a sense of the goodness of God in sending His Son to die

for sinful man, and if we keep that interwoven into our experience and

riveted in the mind, we shall have such love for those for whom Christ

died that there will be no [desire for] supremacy. It is Satan that brings

in these differences.

Don’t make a time of trouble

Now I want to read another scripture: "Be careful for nothing."

What does that mean? Why, don't cross a bridge before you get to it.

Don't make a time of trouble before it comes. You will get to it soon

enough, brethren.

Train the mind to think on good things

Shall we do it? Shall we turn over a page

in our religious experience and train and educate the mind so that it

will not take these things that are disagreeable and think on them?

Shall we think on these things that give us no power, or shall we let

our minds dwell on those things that will give us a better feeling toward

our brethren and elevate our souls to God?

Do not be content with a superficial knowledge of truth (Olsen 257)

There are many who are content with a superficial knowledge of the

truth. The precious truths for this time are brought out so clearly in our

publications that many are satisfied, and do not search the Scriptures for

themselves.

Many accept the truth minus deep conviction of sin and become leaders

They accept the truth, without

any deep conviction of sin, and present themselves as laborers in the

cause of God when they are unconverted men.

Easy church life with no obligation should be avoided

Instead of going without the

camp, bearing reproach for Christ's sake; instead of seeking the hard

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places, and trying to bring souls into the truth, these beginners settle

themselves in an easy position to visit those who are far advanced in ex,

perience. They labor with those who are more capable of teaching

them than they are of teaching others. They go from church to church,

picking out the easy places, eating and drinking, and suffering others to

wait upon them. When you look to see what they have done, there is

nothing but leaves.

Leaders should not appoint inefficient people

I want to exhort those who are in positions of responsibility to

waken to their duty and not imperil the cause of present truth by engaging

inefficient men to do the work of God. We want men who are

willing to do hard service for the Lord.

Beware of Christless sermons (Olsen 259)

There are too many Christless sermons preached.

Wherefore I

will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things,

though ye know them, and be established in the present truth" (2 Peter

1:1-12).

.

Baptism

Many seem to think that as soon as they go down into the water and

receive baptism, and their names are entered upon the church book, then

the work is all done. They might have tasted of the knowledge of the

world to come; they might have received the evidence that they are children

of God; but they cannot retain it unless they go on making progress.

Doing evil but stay in the church is a problem

Those who live doing the works of the enemy, yet bearing the name

of the Lord, are lying; they profess to believe the Bible, yet they are

working right away from it in their lives and character.

.

Elijah preached to those with little light and living up to it rather than those with much light but not

Now this widow was a heathen woman. God did not send Elijah to

those who were in Samaria. Why? Because they had great light, blessings,

and privileges, and did not live up to them. And because they had had

this great light and had not lived up to it, they were the most hardhearted

people in the world, the hardest to impress with the truth. They were not

susceptible to the influences of the Spirit of God.

Evil angels cause disbelief

But Christ

was accepted by some; the witness was there that He was God. But a

counterinfluence pressed in, and the evil angels were working through

the congregation to raise doubts that would cause disbelief so that it

would shut out every ray of light that God would permit to shine.

If you are not advancing you are retrograding

I wish you could see and feel that if you are not advancing you are

retrograding. Satan understood this; he knew how to take advantage of

the human mind, and he had taken advantage of the human family

ever since they had first stood upon the field of battle against the powers

of darkness.

Saved and transgressing the law is not saved (Olsen 268)

Many will say, I am saved, I am saved, I am saved. Well, have they

been cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit? and can they

cleanse themselves by the righteousness of the law? Jesus Christ came

to this world, and there is His righteousness to impart to the children

of men who are obeying the law of God. The whole world can say, I

am saved, as well as any transgressor today. They can say, I believe on

Christ that He is my Saviour, but why do they disregard His law which

is the transcript of His character? When they disregard the law of Jehovah

they disregard the Lord Jesus Christ.

.—Manuscript 8, 1888.

Remnant a chosen generation (Olsen 269)

"YE ARE a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a

peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath

called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. . . . Dearly beloved,

I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which

war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:

that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by

your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of

visitation" (1 Peter 2:9-12).

A Chosen People

Sermon by Ellen G. White at

Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 21, 1888

Law is not bondage just when you break it is it bondage

"But," one says, "I thought the commandments were a yoke of

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bondage." It is those only who break the law that find it a yoke of bondage.

To those who keep the law it is life and joy and peace and happiness.

The law is a mirror, into which we may look and discern the defects

in our characters. Should we not be grateful that God has provided

a means whereby we may discover our shortcomings?

There is no power in the law to save or to pardon the transgressor.

What, then, does it do? It brings the repentant sinner to Christ. Paul declares,

"I . . . have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying

to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and

faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:20, 21). Why did he preach

repentance? Because the law of God had been transgressed. Those who

have broken the law must repent. Why did he preach faith in Christ?

Because Christ is the One who has redeemed sinners from the penalty

of the law. The law points to the remedy for sin—repentance toward

God and faith in Christ.

Satan wants to substitute the law of God with his own rules

Do you wonder that Satan wants to get rid of the law? He and all

his agencies are striving to trample underfoot the commandments of

Jehovah, and to erect a standard of their own.

A Chosen People

Sermon by Ellen G. White at

Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 21, 1888

Instructors should not be bound to teach only what has been taught until now: progressive thinking (Olson 272-273)

Instructors in our schools should never be bound

about by being told that they are to teach only what has been taught

hitherto. Away with these restrictions

Not talking about God’s Messengers

They will not talk of the

faults of others, but will repeat the words of divine wisdom which have

penetrated and illuminated their hearts. They will be men who fear to

talk and make sport of God's messengers, but men who pray much.

No doubt and contention by John (Olsen 274)

When he testified of the Saviour's grace, the simplicity

of his language was eloquent with the love that pervaded his

whole being. He had not a doubt nor a suspicion. He entered into no

controversy, no wearisome contention.

Evil speaking and evil thinking in conferences must be avoided (Olsen 275)

Those who truly love God must manifest loving-kindness of heart,

judgment, and righteousness to all with whom they come in contact;

for these are the works of God.

Abiding in love John does not take hands of sin (Olsen 276)

But although John dwells so particularly on love, he does not clasp

hands with sin. Hear his words regarding the apostate from the faith,

he who has had a knowledge of the truth but has departed from the faith,

giving heed to seducing spirits.

Christlike principles of reproof only (Olsen 276)

But while reproof is to be given, it must be given in accordance with

Christ's direction. The apostle Paul writes, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken

in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit

of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

Do not speak of other’s errors to others (Olsen 276)

Do not speak of his errors to others.

Paul says we should speak sound doctrine (Olsen 277)

In his epistle

to Titus, Paul charges him to set in order things that are wanting in the

church. "Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine," he says.

The teacher of truth is to educate all, both old and young.

Jokes around the table talks bring pain (Olsen 277)

I have been pained to hear so much jesting and joking among old

and young as they are seated at the dining table. I have inquired, Are

these men aware that there is by their side a Watcher who is disgusted

with their spirit and the influence which they exert, and is making a

record of their words and actions?

Why we do not care about our feeble churches, remove controversial spirit in us

Why are we so listless? Why are we satisfied to remain so poorly fitted

to work for the uplifting of humanity? Why is not every entrusted capability

used for the Master? Why are so many contented with the feeble,

lifeless condition of our churches? The heavenly universe is looking

with amazement upon our Christless work.

Older Elders should stop and give to younger ones (Olsen 279)

Our older

ministering brethren must drop some of their responsibilities or else they

will go down in the silence of the grave. The aged standard-bearers may

act as worthy counselors and living witnesses, but their younger and

stronger brethren should bear the heavy burdens.

Combat spirit of the spiritless (Olsen 279)

Others,

not discerning spiritual things, will keep themselves in a combative frame

of mind, opposing every argument that does not meet their ideas. Shall

this miserable work cease?

Those who have not been sinking the shaft deeper and still deeper

into the mine of truth will see no beauty in the precious things presented

at this conference.

Once opposition is decided upon it is difficult to yield to light (Olsen 279)

When the will is once set in stubborn opposition

to the light given, it is difficult to yield, even under the convincing

evidence which has been in this conference. To controvert, to question,

to criticize, to ridicule, is the education many have received and the fruit

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they bear. They refuse to admit evidence. The natural heart is in warfare

against light, truth, and knowledge. Jesus Christ has been in every

sleeping room where you have been entertained. How many prayers

went up to heaven from these rooms?

Satan design apps to evade truth (Olsen 280)

Satan is fruitful in bringing up devices to evade the truth. But I call

upon you to believe the words I speak today. Truth of heavenly origin

is confronting Satan's falsehoods, and this truth will prevail.

Debater types (Olsen 281)

I saw an angel of God inquiring of these men who have educated

themselves as debaters, "How many prayers have you offered?" Oh, your

levity, your speeches, are all written in the book. If you only knew how

Christ has regarded your religious attitude at this meeting!

You must gain an experience for yourselves.

Do not preach long sermons (Olsen 281)

I beg of you not to think

that long sermons are an unmistakable evidence of your ministerial

ability. Oh, there is something more to the ministry than sermonizing.

Content is sometimes a discourse but Christless (Olsen 281)

Many, many discourses, like the offering of Cain, are profitless because

Christless. Those who give them tire the people and fail to give them

proper spiritual food.

Theatrical singing should be avoided (Olsen 282)

All the sang-froid,

which is so common, the theatrical gestures, all lightness and trifling, all

jesting and joking, must be seen by the one who wears Christ's yoke to

be "not convenient"—an offense to God and a denial of Christ. It

unfits the mind for solid thought and solid labor. It makes men inefficient,

superficial, and spiritually diseased.

To help people at their house is good for a pastor (Olsen 282)

A minister is one who ministers. If you confine your work to sermonizing,

the flock of God will suffer; for they need personal effort. Let your

discourses be short. Long sermons wear out both you and the people. If

ministers would make their sermons only half as long, they would do

more good and would have strength left for personal work. Visit families,

pray with them, converse with them, search the Scriptures with them, and

you will do them good. Give them evidence that you seek their prosperity,

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and want them to be healthy Christians. If you are staying in a family, do

not allow yourself to be waited on. Show that you wish to be helpful.

If possible, use the ax or the hoe. Bring in water and wood. Show that

you regard work as a blessing. Physical exercise will be a blessing to

you, and will increase your influence for good

Do not fix your attention on some favorite minister and his mannerisms (Olsen 283)

Do not fix your attention on some favorite minister,

copying his example and imitating his gestures; in short, becoming his

shadow. Let no man put his mold upon you. Let the hand of God mold

and fashion you after the divine similitude.

Achan’s sin is a wrong thing that the church does not want to remove (Olsen 284)

There was a time when Israel could not prevail against their enemies.

This was because of Achan's sin. God declared, "Neither will I be with

you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you."

Reproof and Correction is necessary but God’s way (Olsen 284)

He

expects His stewards to be true and faithful in giving reproof and correction.

They are to expel wrong after the rule God has given in His

Word, not according to their own ideas and impulses. No harsh means

must be used, no unfair, hasty, impulsive work done.

Do not fasten yourselves upon the ideas of one man (Olsen 291)

Now I am full of pain as I view these things, and how can I help

it? Do you think that when I see these things transpiring that I can keep

still and say nothing when these things have been shown me? I want to

tell you, my brethren, that it is not right to fasten ourselves upon the

ideas of any one man.

Ellen White changes or not? (Olsen 292)

God did

not raise me up to come across the plains to speak to you and you sit here

to question His message and question whether Sister White is the same

as she used to be in years gone by. I have in many things gone way back

and given you that which was given me in years past, because then you

acknowledged that Sister White was right. But somehow it has changed

now, and Sister White is different. Just like the Jewish nation.

Now, we did not intimate one word that we did not want that subject

taken up. We did want an investigation, but I cannot take my position

on either side until I have studied the question. There is the danger God

has shown me that there would be a deceitful handling of the Word of

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God. I have been shown that when debaters handle these truths, unless

they have the Spirit of God, they handle them with their own efforts.

They will, by making false theories and false statements, build up a structure

that will not stand the test of God. This is what the Lord has

shown me.

Truth rather than combativeness

Here is Elder Smith and Elder Van Horn, who have been handling

the truth for years, and yet we must not touch this subject because Elder

Butler was not here. Elder Kilgore, I was grieved more than I can express

to you when I heard you make that remark, because I have lost confidence

in you. Now, we want to get right at what God says; all this terrible

feeling I don't believe in. Let us go to the Lord for the truth instead of

our showing this spirit of combativeness. God has given me light, and

you have acknowledged it in times past.

Waggoner’s view of Galatians are not the same as EGW (Olsen 294)

Dr. Waggoner has spoken to us in a straightforward manner. There is

precious light in what he has said. Some things presented in reference to

the law in Galatians, if I fully understand his position, do not harmonize

with the understanding I have had of this subject; but truth will lose

nothing by investigation, therefore I plead for Christ's sake that you

come to the living Oracles, and with prayer and humiliation seek God.

If you disagree work with the person himself (Olsen 294)

Of one thing I am certain, as Christians you have no right to entertain

feelings of enmity, unkindness, and prejudice toward Dr. Waggoner,

who has presented his views in a plain, straightforward manner, as a

Christian should. If he is in error, you should, in a calm, rational,

Christlike manner, seek to show him from the Word of God where he is

out of harmony with its teachings. If you cannot do this you have no

right as Christians to pick flaws, to criticize, to work in the dark, to

prejudice minds with your objections. This is Satan's way of working.

Waggoner’s interpretations of some Scriptures are not correct EGW (Olsen 294)

Some interpretations of Scripture given by Dr. Waggoner I do not

regard as correct. But I believe him to be perfectly honest in his views,

and I would respect his feelings and treat him as a Christian gentleman.

I have no reason to think that he is not as much esteemed of God as are

any of my brethren, and I shall regard him as a Christian brother, so long

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as there is no evidence that he is unworthy.

No license for a combative spirit (Olsen 295)

The fact that he honestly

holds some views of Scripture differing from yours or mine is no reason

why we should treat him as an offender, or as a dangerous man, and

make him the subject of unjust criticism. We should not raise a voice of

censure against him or his teachings unless we can present weighty reasons

for so doing and show him that he is in error. No one should feel

at liberty to give loose rein to the combative spirit.

Decision making in committee cannot be made by moving feelings, impulses stirred so as to control the judgment (Olsen 295)

There are some who desire to have a decision made at once as to

what is the correct view on the point under discussion. As this would

please Elder B., it is advised that this question be settled at once. But

are minds prepared for such a decision? I could not sanction this course,

because our brethren are exercised by a spirit which moves their feelings,

and stirs their impulses, so as to control their judgment. While under

so much excitement as now exists, they are not prepared to make safe

decisions.

EGW shown before what Waggoner presented in 1888 (Olsen 295)

I know it would be dangerous to denounce Dr. Waggoner's position

as wholly erroneous. This would please the enemy. I see the beauty

of truth in the presentation of the righteousness of Christ in relation to

the law as the doctor has placed it before us. You say, many of you, it is

light and truth. Yet you have not presented it in this light heretofore.

Is it not possible that through earnest, prayerful searching of the Scriptures

he has seen still greater light on some points? That which has been

presented harmonizes perfectly with the light which God has been

pleased to give me during all the years of my experience.

Butler wanted to decide quickly but that is wrong (Olsen 295)

The messages coming from your

president at Battle Creek are calculated to stir you up to make hasty decisions

and to take decided positions; but I warn you against doing this.

You are not now calm; there are many who do not know what they believe.

It is perilous to make decisions upon any controverted point without

dispassionately considering all sides of the question. Excited feelings

will lead to rash movements

Strife in a meeting is from the evil EGW and James 3:13-18

Says the apostle James: "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge

among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with

meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your

hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth

not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying

and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that

is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated,

full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without

hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that

make peace" (James 3:13-18).

If you question, study EGW (Olsen 296)

The truth must be presented as it is in Jesus; if there are any among

us who become stirred up because ideas contrary from what they have

believed are presented in this meeting, then stop your unsanctified criticisms

and candidly investigate the subject, and it will sanctify the soul.

Apostates shown to EGW (Olsen 297)

Many who claim to believe the truth will change their opinions in

times of peril, and will take the side of the transgressors of God's law in

order to escape. persecution. There will be great humbling of hearts before

God on the part of every one who remains faithful and true to

the end. But Satan will so work upon the unconsecrated elements of the

human mind that many will not accept the light in God's appointed way.

Do not believe because someone tells you (Olsen 297)

They take the ideas

of the men they are associated with, not because by searching the

Scriptures they conscientiously accept the teachings in doctrine as truth.

I entreat you to make God your trust; idolize no man, depend upon no

man.

Old Truths in a new light (Olsen 297)

I have been shown that Jesus will reveal to us precious old truths in a

new light, if we are ready to receive them; but they must be received

in the very way in which the Lord shall choose to send them. With humble,

softened hearts, with respect and love for one another, search your Bibles.

The light may not come in accordance with plans that men may devise.

But all who reverence the Word of God just as it reads, all who do His will

to the best of their ability, will know of the doctrine, whether it be of

God, notwithstanding the efforts of the enemy to confuse minds and

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to make uncertain the Word of God. God calls every man's attention to

His living Oracles. Let no one quench the Spirit of God by wresting the

Scriptures, by putting human interpretations upon His inspired Word;

and let no one pursue an unfair course, keep in the dark, not willing to

open their ears to hear and yet free to comment and quibble and sow

their doubts of that which they will not candidly take time to hear.

Word of Inspiration should be handled with care (Olsen 298)

Let men be careful how they handle the Word of inspiration, which

has been preserved for ages through the power of God. If men were

themselves controlled by the Holy Spirit they would bring heart and

soul to the task, searching and digging in the mines of God for precious

ore. They would be eager to come into harmony with the writings of inspired

men. If they are not controlled by the Spirit of God, they will give

evidence of this by caviling over His Word and by sitting in judgment

upon its teachings just as did the Jews.

Be careful of trained debaters (Olsen 298)

We should guard against the influence of men who have trained

themselves as debaters, for they are in continual danger of handling the

Word of God deceitfully. There are men in our churches all through the

land who will pervert the meaning of the Scripture to make a sharp

point and overcome an opponent. They do not reverence the Sacred

Word.

Putting their own construction upon the biblical text (Olsen 298)

They put their own construction upon its utterances. Christ is not

formed within, the hope of glory. They are educated critics, but spiritual

truths can only be spiritually discerned. These men are ever ready

and equipped to oppose at a moment's notice anything that is contrary

to their own opinions. They handle the Scriptures in an unwise way,

and bring self into everything they do.

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all

men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose

themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging

of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of

the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Tim.

2:24-26). The servant of the Lord must not strive, but must teach the

Word of God in the manner that God has ordained. Any other way is not

God's way, and will create confusion.

Morrison like Canright has a problem that they make false issues and treat them as reality (Olsen 298)

Brother Morrison is a debater; he is a man who has not had a daily,

living experience in the meekness and lowliness of Christ. He is in danger

of making false issues, and of treating them as realities. He will create

strife, and the result will be dissensions and bickerings. He has many

things to overcome, and if he fails to overcome them, he will make shipwreck

of faith, as did Elder Canright. It is dangerous to cherish feelings

of self-sufficiency.

Debating spirit has come into the ranks of Sabbathkeepers (Olsen 299)

The debating spirit has come into the ranks of Sabbathkeepers to

take the place of the Spirit of God. They have placed finite men where

God should be, but nothing can suffice for us but to have Christ dwell in

our hearts by faith. The truth must become ours. Christ must be our

Saviour by an experimental knowledge.

Greatest fear is to rebel against God’s Word (Olsen 299)

Our greatest fear should be that we may be found rebelling against

God's Word, which is to be our guide amid all the perils of the last days.

Debaters becloud evidence and are dangerous biblically (Olsen 299)

We would discourage the discipline that tends to make persons debaters.

We urge you not to connect young men who are learning to be

teachers of Bible truth with one who has a debating spirit, for they will

surely receive the wrong mold of character. The habitual debater is so

accustomed to beclouding and turning aside evidence, and even the

Scriptures, from the true meaning to win his point, that everything

that does not strike him favorably and is not in harmony with his ideas

he will combat, caviling at God's inspired Word.

Elijah spirit people will make crooked things straight (Olsen 300)

Men will go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way

for the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is their work to make

crooked things straight. Some things must be torn down, some things must

be built up. The old treasures must be reset in a framework of truth.

They are to preach God's Word; their testimony must not be molded by

the opinions and ideas that have been regarded as sound, but by the

Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.

Do not deal with Scripture in a debating style (Olsen 300)

The Scripture should not be treated in a debating style. Those who

have educated themselves as debaters have so increased their spirit of

combativeness that they are ready to cavil over the Word of God, to resist

and oppose everything that disagrees with their ideas or opinions. They

are in their element when an opportunity is offered for them to question

and criticize, for it is natural for them to be ready for battle at any time.

They will play upon words, misinterpret and misstate, because this has

become a settled habit with them, a second nature. Nothing is safe in

their hands. Now, the Lord desires that those who are in this condition

should be converted, that they become as little children—simple, meek,

teachable, and Christlike.

Say a doctrine is wrong but when evidence presented they refuse to change (Olsen 300)

All the evidence produced

they decide shall not weigh a straw with them, and they tell others that

the doctrine is not true, and afterward, when they see as light evidence

they were so forward to condemn, they have too much pride to say "I was

wrong"; they still cherish doubt and unbelief, and are too proud to

acknowledge their convictions. Because of this, they take steps that lead

to results of which they have never dreamed.

Associate belief is dangerous, personal investigation is called for (Olsen 300)

Those who have not been in the habit of thinking and investigating

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APPENDIX A

for themselves, believe certain doctrines because their associates with

them in the work believe them. They resist the truth without going to

the Scriptures for themselves to learn what is truth. Because those in

whom they have had confidence oppose the light, they oppose it, not

knowing they are rejecting the counsel of God against themselves.

Where opposition rings in the meeting investigation should reign (Olsen 301)

It is not wise for one of these young men to commit himself to a decision

at this meeting, where opposition, rather than investigation, is the order

of the day. The Scriptures must be your study, then you will know that

you have the truth. Open your heart that God might write the truth

upon its tablets.

Doubt about doctrines should not be a pastor or teacher (Olsen 301)

One who would be a teacher of sacred things should not go forth

to work with the people without a full assurance that he has the truth.

He should not go forth feeling that perhaps the doctrines which he advocates

may not all be substantiated by the Bible. Anything short of a

full conviction that what he presents is truth will make his preaching

powerless, unless he has the presumption to put forth mere assertions as

conclusive evidence. This is unfair, and yet this has often been done by

sharp debaters. You should give your authority to the people from

God's Word. You should not believe any doctrine simply because another

says it is truth. You should not believe it because Elder Smith, or Elder

Kilgore, or Elder Van Horn, or Elder Haskell says it is truth, but because

God's voice has declared it in His living Oracles.

Formalism should not deceive us (Olsen 302)

 We cannot afford to

be deceived by a semblance, a form. The truth of the Bible may be read,

and we may think that a form of words will accomplish that which only

the Spirit of God can accomplish by its converting, transforming power.

We may hold certain points of truth firmly and yet refuse to let in any

fresh rays of light which God may send to show us the beauty of the

truth. It is dangerous for us to take a step in uncertainty. We should

not reject or oppose the views of our fellow laborers because they do not

agree with our ideas until we have used every means in our power to

find out whether or not they are truth, comparing scripture with scripture.—

Manuscript 15, 1888.