Experimenting with Ellen White's Counsel

Either the writings of Ellen White are true, or they are not. Some authors may ride two sides of the fence, mixing truth and error but never one who claims inspiration from God. And such a one must be tested. In this case the person must be tested against God's words: "If they speak not according to this word, . . . there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20.

Ellen White invites exactly such a test. No other modern "prophet" has been able to do this. Mrs. White insists that her writings are "the lesser light" designed "to lead men and women to the greater light" of the Scriptures. "The Word of God is sufficient," she says, "to enlighten the most beclouded mind." Her writings were given by God to provide more detail in this time of great speed, stress, and the increase of knowledge and deception.

Only "the truth shall make you free." John 8:32. And Jesus said, "I am the . . . truth." John 14:6. We can try to free ourselves by rationalizing, justifying, or excusing ourselves, saying that her words were for older times. But we will never then be free.

If we have read her words carefully and thoroughly and still do not believe them, we really have no right to call ourselves Seventh-day Adventists. And if we do believe them, we should live by them fully.

Have you found these writings lacking in any respect? If so, by what means? Your habits? tastes? intuition? tradition? Or by God's Word?

Have you read these writings thoroughly? Have you experimented with them determinedly? If not, why? Are they out-of-date? If you think so, note these words, for example, which refer to our schools.

"Though in many respects our institutions of learning have swung into worldly conformity, though step by step they have advanced toward the world, they are prisoners of hope. Fate has not so woven its meshes about their workings that they need to remain helpless and in uncertainty. If they will listen to His voice and follow in His ways, God will correct and enlighten them, and bring them back to their upright position of distinction from the world." 6T, 145.

Those who determine to live completely by the Scriptures and on the Gift of Prophecy will be fulfilled in happiness with lives of love, forgiveness, patience, and service. The blessings —spiritual, physical, mental, and material—will make their cups run over.

But this will require sacrifice, and change—made easy only by complete surrender to Christ. When this happens to the larger number of us, our campuses and our churches will see remarkable changes in many things—our attitudes, our motives, our dress, our diet, our recreation, our work, our speech, and our very thoughts.

All teachers and all students will be working together daily. Our personal standards will be measured by the glory of God. Our campus will ring with harmony and love. And the Holy Spirit will be poured out in a measure never known on this earth, not even at Pentecost.

Some have partly tasted this by experimenting with God's Word and instructions through Ellen White. Such a taste calls for more, much more of such experimentation here now—and then eternally.

"Success in education depends on fidelity in carrying out the Creator's plan." Ed, 50.4.

"It is the degree of moral power pervading a school that is a test of its prosperity."; 6T, 143.2.