Sanitarium, Calif., March 29, 1908
“I am instructed to bear a message to all our people on the subject of health reform for many have backslidden from their former loyalty to health reform principles; the light that God has given is being disregarded. A true reformation needs to take place among the believers in Washington in the matter of healthful living. If the believers there will give themselves unreservedly to God, He will accept them. If they will adopt in the matter of eating and drinking the principles of temperance that the light of health reform has brought to us, they will be richly blessed. Those who have received instructions regarding the evils of the use of flesh meats, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparation, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice will not continue to indulge their appetites for food they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed and self-denial be practiced in regard to these things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him as perfect people. . . .
“The Lord has given clear light regarding the nature of the food that is to compose our diet: He has instructed us concerning the effect of unhealthful food upon disposition and character. Shall we respond to the councils and cautions given? Who among our brethren will sign a pledge to dispense with flesh meats, tea, coffee, and all injurious foods and become health reformers in the truest sense of the term. . . .
“Let the good work begin at Washington and go forth from there to other places. I know whereof I am writing. If a temperance pledge providing for the abstinence from flesh foods, tea and coffee, and some other foods, that are known to be injurious were circulated through our ranks, a great and good work would be accomplished, I ask you at this time, will you not circulate such a pledge? . . . I am instructed to say to parents, place yourselves, soul and spirit on the Lord’s side of this question . . . I am sure that if you begin at Washington to do this work of reform, in school, in the printing office, and among all the workers, the Lord will help you to present a pledge that will help the people to return from their backslidings on the question of health reform. As you seek to carry out the will of the Lord in this particular, He will give you clear understanding of what the health reform will do for you.”
Signed: Ellen G. White
Testimony and Pledge Sent to the General Conference
March 29, 1908
This testimony on health reform was sent directly to Elder Daniells, but it was withheld and not circulated because he said it would “split the church.” He evidently did not know that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” God’s true church. Later on, when Elder Daniells wanted to see Sister White, she refused to see him, saying: “I have nothing more for him.” I understand that this testimony was the last one in the way of reproof ever sent to the Laodicean church.
“God gave the light on health reform, and those who rejected it, rejected God.” Testimony Series B, #6, 31.
The Pledge
“I SOLEMNLY PROMISE, BEFORE GOD, TO ABSTAIN FROM TOBACCO, SPIRITOUS LIQUORS, SNUFF, TEA, COFFEE, FLESH-MEATS, BUTTER, SPICES, RICH CAKE, MINCE PIES, A LARGE AMOUNT OF SALT, AND ANIMAL FAT OF ALL KINDS, BAKING POWDER, SODA OR SALERATUS IN ANY FORM, AND CHEESE, AND FROM ALL EXCITING ARTICLES OF FOOD, AND TO ABSTAIN FROM EATING BETWEEN MEALS, AND TO DO ALL I CAN TO INDUCE OTHERS TO DO LIKEWISE.”
MY PERSONAL PLEDGE, BEFORE GOD,
SIGNED_____________________________