32
Last Day Events
it would have remained until this day.”—
The Review and Herald,
August 1, 1893
. [
The bracketed comments are by Ellen White.
]
[49]
The church is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not
in her midst.—
A New Life [Revival and Beyond]1:99
(1898).
Abuse of Power at Church Headquarters
The General Conference is itself becoming corrupted with wrong
sentiments and principles....
Men have taken unfair advantage of those whom they supposed
to be under their jurisdiction. They were determined to bring the
individuals to their terms; they would rule or ruin....
The high-handed power that has been developed, as though position
has made men gods, makes me afraid, and ought to cause fear. It is a
curse wherever and by whomsoever it is exercised.—
Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, 359-361
(1895).
There are altogether too many weighty responsibilities given to a
few men, and some do not make God their Counselor. What do these
men know of the necessities of the work in foreign countries? How
can they know how to decide the questions which come to them asking
for information? It would require three months for those in foreign
countries to receive a response to their questions, even if there was
no delay in writing.—
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers,
321
(1896).
Those living in distant countries will not do that which their judg-
ment tells them is right unless they first send for permission to Battle
Creek. Before they will advance they await Yes or No from that
place.—SpT-A(9) 32 (1896).
[50]
It is not wise to choose one man as president of the General Con-
ference. The work of the General Conference has extended, and some
things have been made unnecessarily complicated. A want of dis-
cernment has been shown. There should be a division of the field,
or some other plan should be devised to change the present order of
things.—
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 342
(1896).
[
The Seventh-day Adventist Church was organized in 1863 with 3,500
members, half a dozen local conferences, about thirty ministerial la-
borers, and a General Conference Committee of three. The General
Conference president was well able to provide the leadership and