Book: General Conference Committee, 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 (Washington, DC: General Conference Committee, 1906). HTML, Scan.
Contents: Refutes charges made by A. T. Jones after he had united with J. H. Kellogg in undermining the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Chapter 16: Does It Make Any Difference?
On page 63 we read this: “However, please bear in mind that I am not trying to prove that she is not a prophet. It is nothing to me one way or the other; and I have nothing to prove one way or the other.” This is an alarming statement. Since the rise of this message this denomination has believed in the spirit of prophecy. We have preached it as widely as we have the Sabbath and other kindred truths, and believed it as thoroughly. It is an integral part of the beautiful system of truth which we call the third angel’s message; so much is this so that those who have given up their faith in this part of the truth have invariably lost their spiritual perception, and eventually given up the whole message.
Sister White has been with this cause from its rise. Her counsel has molded the plans and policy of the work, and has led the denomination through many a crisis. We have believed that she was endowed with the prophetic gift. Elder Jones says he once “honestly and truly believed” this. Our hearts have been encouraged and cheered as she has told us of the things which the Lord has opened to her in visions and dreams of the night.
To us it makes a vast difference whether the one whom we have regarded from the rise of this message as being endowed with the prophetic gift is a prophet of God, or whether she is not. Elder Jones says, “It is nothing to me one way or the other.” It is nothing to him, it seems, whether we have one among us who has visions from God, or who is a mere pretender. It is immaterial to him whether her books and writings, which he says he uses in his “own private study” and in “family worship,” from which he says he receives “wonderful help,” and upon the value of which, to him, he says no “sufficient estimate” can be made, are written by a prophet of God or by an imposter. If appealed to for light regarding this question, he has “nothing to prove one way or the other.”
[p. 87]
It would be just as consistent to say, “It is nothing to me one way or the other” whether the seventh day is the Sabbath or not; I have “nothing to prove” whether the Lord is coming or whether he is not; it is “nothing to me one way or the other” whether a man is mortal or immortal, or whether the wicked are to be annihilated or tortured throughout eternity.
We can not take the indifferent position Elder Jones professes to take here. “The Testimonies either bear the signet of God or that of Satan.”—Vol. V, page 98.
To us it seems incomprehensible that an intelligent person should send statements broadcast which lead to such absurd conclusions. For fifty years the spirit of prophecy has been on trial. It has been opposed by foes, both within and without the denomination; but it has stood the test. Various individuals have given it up, and as a result have become hopelessly lost in the “mist and fog” of skepticism and unbelief. This should serve as a warning. Aside from the Bible, the writings which have emanated from this source are the most spiritual the world can produce, and we confidently expect that they will stand the test till the end.
Just which of the writings coming from this source Elder Jones believes to be Testimonies, and which not, he has not stated. He has simply cited certain ones, and said he did not believe these to be Testimonies. This is precisely the attitude taken by the “higher critics” toward the Bible. They single out certain parts of the Bible, and assert that these are not inspired. But no more subtle nor effective Method can, be employed than this to break down all faith in all inspired writing. Those who thus create doubt, weaken confidence, and destroy faith in God’s message to his people and to the world, are sowing a harvest which they will little care to reap.
Elder Jones may say that to him his arguments do not destroy faith in the Testimonies; but this is by no means convincing proof as to their character. A tree is known [p. 88] by its fruits. The effects of the sentiments and arguments to which Elder Jones has in this leaflet given expression, are the best evidence as to their real character and tendency. Because of these things, doubts and unbelief have been created in many minds, not only in regard to the Testimonies, but in regard to the whole message; and not a few have given up their faith in the message, and left the truth altogether.
Some who have been halting and doubting and looking for something to confirm them in their unbelief in the Testimonies will doubtless welcome this new assault upon them; while those who are believing, and loyal, and true will only be confirmed in their faith, and strengthened in their determination to press forward.