ELLEN G. WHITE COUNSELS RELATING TO ADULTERY, DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. DE 360-0gE. TABLE OF CONTENTS MARRIAGE PLANS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED... ..... 1. God is to be Glorified ... . oe 2. Marriage Should be Spiritually Uplifting. | 11. Early Marriages Not Encouragec...... 2.0.04 3. 4, Union with Unbelievers Forbidden... . 2. 00s 5. Other Cautions and Cousels...... 2.0000 MABREAGE:T8-FOR GIR cee 1. To be Severed Only by Death... 2.2... ee 2, An Ill-advised Marriage is Also for Life... . . : 3. Conversion of One Partner Strengthens the Marriage Tie 4, Married People Should Not Separate... .... 5. Separation Better than Apostasy, But Marriage Vow Still 6. Legally Divorced But Still Married in God's Sight . . . ‘ADULTERY ALONE CAN BREAK THE MARRIAGE TIE... 2... 0. 1. This was Christ's Teaching... ......-0000- 2. Let This be Prayerfully Considered... . 2... 1. 3. Incompatibility No Ground for Divorce . . . ie 4. If no Adultery, a Second Marriage is Morally Wrong. . | 5. The Innocent Party May Remarry. ... 2-1... 6. The Innocent Party May Choose to Remain with the Guilty ADULTERY AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP «2... 1... eee ae 2. 3. The Guilty Should be Disfellowshipped ..... . . Cleanse the Camp of this Moral Pollution... .... The Lora will Forgive the Truly Penitent. ... . . . the eM ee eee (Gea Felien Minister ee (c) Certain Unnamed Individuals... 2.1.2... The Guilty May be Restored to Church Membership... . One Man the Church Could not Fellowship Again... . . Public Exposure Not Always Necessary... .. 2... ict A ee eae (o) A Bible Instructor... (c) Church Members in General... 6... 21s DIVORCE AND REMARRTAGE AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP... . 2... 1. 2. 3. a The Lord Will Forgive the Truly Penitent........ Not to be Cut Off from Fellowship, if Repentant . .. . ACase of Insanity... 2. eee ee ee Professor Gee ee Binding « eon saan woo 10 + 10 + 10 . at iTable of Contents (con't.) page F, SECOND MARRIAGE NOT 10 BE BROKENUP............-..... 2 1. WN Wales 2. ee ee tee es B 2, ProfessorG...... ie Ste Othertiirongtil (Gecond Marriages | Sg G. HE NEED FOR HEAVENLY WISDOM AND CHRISTLIKE COMPASSION . 2... .. 2h 1. Oh, for Wisdom From on Hight»... eee ee ee ee ee ee Uh 2. Will Wales" Case Referred to the Brethren... oe a 3. Ellen White Gave no Rule that Would Settle All Cases... 1... 15 h. If we Err, Let it be on the Side of Mercy... ....-.-.. 15MARRIAGE PLANS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSTDERED A:_MARRIAGE PLANS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED 1. God Is to be Glorifiea Those professing to be Christians should not enter the marriage relation until the matter has been carefully and prayerfully considered from an elevated standpoint, to see if God can be glorified by the union. ‘Then they should duly consider the result of every privilege of the marriage relation, and sanctified principle should be the basis of every action.--MYP_ 462. 2. Marriage Should be Spiritually Uplifting Exemine carefully to see if your married life would be happy or inharmonious and wretched. Let the questions be raised, Will this union help me heavenward? Will it increase my love for God? And will it enlarge uy sphere of usefulness in this life? If these reflections Present no drawback, then in the fear of God move forward.--FE 10,105. 3. Early Marriage Not Encouraged Before assuming the responsibilities involved in marriage, young men and young women should have such an experience in practical life as will prepare them for its duties and its burdens. Early marriages are not to be encouraged. A relation so important as marriage and so far-reaching in its results should not be entered upon hastily, without sufficient preparation, and before the mental and physical powers are well developed.—-~ Mi 358. 4, Union With Unbelievers Forbidden Great care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of friendships and in the choice of companions. Take heed, lest what you now think to be pure gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly associations tend to plece obstructions in your way of your service to God, and many souls are ruined by unhappy unions, either business or matrimonial, with those who can never elevate or ennoble. Never should God's people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God.--FE_500. 5. Other Cautions and Counsels, see Adventist Home, pp. 43-96. Other Cautions and Counsels, see Adventist Home, B, MARRIAGE IS FOR LIFE 1. To Be Severed Only By Death In the youthful mind marriage is clothed with romance, and it is difficult to divest it of this feature, with which imagination covers it, end to impress the mind with a sense of the weighty responsibilities involved in the marriage vow. This vow links the destinies of the twoindividuals with bonds which naught but the hand of death should sever.-- AH 340. Marriage, a union for life is a symbol of the union between Christ and His church.--77 46. If there is any subject that should be considered with calm reason and unimpassioned Judgment, it is the subject of merriage. If ever the Bible is needed as a counselor, it is before taking a step that binds persons together for life.--MYP ll7. Every marriage engagement should be carefully considered, for marriage is a step taken for life. Both the man and the woman should carefully consider whether they can cleave to each other through the vicissitudes of life as long as they both shall live.-~AH 340. 2, Av Ill-edvised Marriage is Also for Life Her marriage was a deception of the devil. Yet now she should make the best of it, treat her husband with tenderness, and make him as happy as she can without violating her conscience; for if he remains in his rebellion, this world is all the heaven he will have.--AH 351. 3. Conversion of One Partner Strengthens the Marriage Tie He who has entered the marriage relation while unconverted is by his conversion placed under stronger obligation to be faithful to his com- panion, however widely they may differ in regard to religious faith; yet ‘the claims of God should be placed above every earthly relationship, even though trial and persecution may be the result. With the spirit of love and meekness, this fidelity may have an influence to win the un- believing one.--AHl 69. If the wife is an unbeliever and an opposer, the husband cannot, in view of the law of God, put her avay on this ground alone. In order to be in harmony with the law of Jehovah, he must abide with her unless she chooses of herself to depart. He may suffer opposition end be oppressed ‘and annoyed in many veya; he will find his comfort and his strength and Support from God, who is able to give grace for every emergency.--AH 344-45. 4. Married People Should Not Separate My brother, my sister, for some time you have not been living together. You should not have pursued this course and would not have done so if both of you had been cultivating the patience, kindness, and forbearance that should ever exist between husband and wife.-~Ai 342. 5. Separation Better Than Apostasy, But Marriage Vow Still Binding Dear Brother: I hoped the change which seemed to take place in your wife at the meeting in Chicago would be lasting, and was grateful to ourheavenly Father when I heard her confession, for I thought that a most severe task was lifted from my shoulders, but the burden is still upon me. I know that she is not changed for the better. . . . However earnestly her husband my endeavor to pursue a straightforward course to serve God, she will be his evil angel, seeking to lead him away fron righteousness. . . . She is Satan's agent, seeking to occupy the place where God should be. . . . In this case it is not the woman whom Brother H is dealing with, but a desperate, satanic spirit. His best course with this child-wife, so over-bearing, so unyielding, and so uncontrollable, is to take her home, and leave her with the mother who has made her what she is... . . He is under no obligation to keep one by his side who will only torture his soul. . . . Brother H must let Satan rage, and not allow himself to be cut off from religious privileges because his wife desires it. . . . The marriage vow that binds the husband Prubbe,witgmugt remain unbroken. ~-Letter 34, 1890 (Mar. 23,1890) [Ms. Re. 6. Legally Divorced But Still Married in God's Sight A-woman may be legally divorced from her husband by the lews of the and and yet not divorced in the sight of God and according to the higher jaw. Although the lews of the land may grant @ divorce, yet they are husband and wife still in the Bible light, according to the laws of God.—- AH 3Ubs C. ADULTERY ALONE CAN BREAK THE MARRIAGE TE 1, his Was Christ's Teaching Among the Jews a man was permitted to put away his wife for the most trivial offenses, and the women was then at liberty to marry again. This practice led to great wretchedness and sin. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus declared pleinly that there could be no dissolution of the marriage ‘tie except for unfaithfulness to the marriage vow. "Every one," He said, "that putteth away Lis wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery."--AH 3h0. 2. Let This Be Prayerfully Considered Your ideas in regard to the marriage relation have been erroneous. Nothing but the violation of the marriage bed can either break or annul ‘the marriage vow. . . . God gave only one cause why a wife should leave her husband, or the husband leave his wife, which was adultery, Let this ground be prayerfully considered.--AH 3141-342. 3. Incompatibility No Ground for Divorce I would say that there is only one thing for which a husband mey lav- fully separate from his wife or a wife from her husband, and that isadultery. If your dispositions are not congenial, would it not be for the glory of God for you to change these dispositions?-AH 345. 4, If No Adultery, A Second Marriage is Morally Wrony I consider that you have no moral right to marry L; he has no moral right to marry you. He left his wife after giving her great provocation. He left her whom he had vowed before God to love and cherish while both should live. Before ever she obtained her divorce, when she was his lawful wife, he left her for three years, and then left her in heart, and expressed his love to you. ‘The matter has been negotiated largely etween you and a married man while he was legally bound to the wife he married, who has had two children ty him. I see not a particle of leniency in the Scriptures given either of you to contract marriage, although his wife is divorced. From the pro- vocation he has given her, it was largely his own course of action that has brought this result, and I cannot see in any more favorable light his having a legal right to link his interest with yours or you to link your interest with his.--25M_340,3W1. 5. The Innocent Part; Remar: In regard to the marriage of your daughter with J, I see where you are troubled. But the marriage took place with your consent, and your daughter, knowing all about him, accepted him as her husband, and now I can see no reason why you should carry any burden over this matter. Your daughter loves J, and it may be that this marriage is in the order of God in order that both J and your daughter may have a richer Christian experience, and be built up where they are deficient. Your daughter has pledged herself to J in marriage, and to break her marriage vows would be far from right. She cannot now disannul her obligations to him. . . T had a personal knowledge of his former relations with his first wife K. J loved K far too well; for she was not worthy of his regard. He did all in his power to help her, and sought in every possible way to retain her as his wife. He could not have done more than he did do. TI pleaded with her, and tried to show her the inconsistency of her course, and begged her not to obtain a divorce; but she was determined and willful and stubborn, and would have her own way. While she lived with him, she sought to secure all the money possible from him, but she would not treat him kindly as a wife should treat her husband. J did not put his wife away. She left him, and put him away, and married another man. I see nothing in the Scripture that forbids him to marry again in the Lord. He has a right to the affection of a woman. I cannot see that this new union should be disturbed. It is a serious matter to part a man and his wife. ‘There is no scriptural ground upon which to take such a step in this case. He did not leave her, she left him. He did not marry again until she had obtained a divorce. When K divorced herself from J he suffered most keenly, and it was not until Khad married another man that J married again. The one he has chosen I feel certain will be a help to him, and he can be a help to her. . . . I see nothing in the Word of God that would require her to separate from him. As you have asked my advice I will freely give it to you.--25M 339,340. 6, The Innocent Party May Choose to Remain With the Guilty 1. In cases of the violation of the seventh commandment where the guilty party does not manifest true repentance, if the injured party can obtain a divorce without making their ovn cases and that of their children, if they have them, worse by so doing, they should be free. 2. If they would be liable to place themselves and their children in worse condition by a divorce, we know of no scripture that would make the innocent party guilty by remaining. Time and labor and prayer and patience and faith and a godly life might work’a reform. To live with one who has broken the marriage vows and is covered all over with the disgrace and shame of guilty love, and realizes it not, is an eating canker to the soul; and yet s divorce is a lifelong, heartfelt sore. God pity the innocent party! Marriage Should be considered well before contracted.--AH 3h6. D. ADULTERY AND CHURCH MEMBERSHTP 1. The Guilty Should be Disfellowshipped I saw that the seventh commandment has been violated by some who are now held in fellowship by the church. This has brought God's frown upon them. This sin is avful in these last days, but the church have brought God's frown and curse upon them by regarding the sin so lightly. 1 sew it was an enormous sin and there have not been as vigilant efforts made es there should have ven to satisfy the displeasure of God and remove His frown by taking @ strict, thorough course with the offender. Tt has had an awful, corrupting influence upon the young. They see how lightly the sin of breaking the seventh connandment is regarded, and the one who coumits this horrid sin thinks that all he has to do is to confess that he was wrong and is sorry, and he is then to have all the privileges of the house of God and be held in embrace or fellowship of the church. They have thought it was not so great a sin, but heve lightly esteemed ‘the breaking of the seventh commandment. This has been sufficient to remove the ark of God from the camp, if there were no other sins to cause the ark to be taken away and weaken Israel. ‘Those who break the seventh commandment should be suspended from ‘the church and not have its fellowship or the privileges of the house of God.-- Ms 3, 1654 (Feb. 12, 1854) [Ms. Release #448, p. 2].+8- Cleanse the Camp of this Moral Pollution ‘The youth, for misdemeanors of a comparatively light character, are treated with much severity; but when men and women of large experience, who have been considered patterns of piety, are revealed in their true character ,--unsanctified, unholy, impure in thought, debased in conduct ~~ then it is time for such to be dealt with in a decided manner. The greater forbearance that is exercised toward them has only had, as far as my knowledge extends, the influence to cause them to regerd their fornication and adultery as @ very light matter, and all their pretense has proved to be like morning dew when the sun shines upon it. . . Cleanse the camp of this moral corruption, if it takes the highest men in the highest positions. God will not be trifled with. Fornication is in our ranks; I know it, for it has been shown me to be strengthening and extending its pollutions. There is much we will never know; but that which is revealed makes the church responsible and guilty unless they show a determined effort to eradicate the evil. Cleanse the camp, for there is en accursed thing in it.-~1M 426-426. 3. The Lord Will Forgive the Truly Penitent (a) A Paramour: I again address you not to fail in this time which is the crisis of your life, to take the only right course left for you to take. ‘The strong hold of sin is in the will. Put your will on God's side of the question; place yourself no longer in the position of a sinner, a harlot. You may not see clearly how you will obtain deliverance from the sins which have been cherished, and strengthen with repetition. ‘The only way is to confess your sins, forsake them, and believe that Jesus alone will pardon you. Your deliverance is to be found in Christ and Him alone. Your temper and your pride must die and Christ live in you, else you are still in the bondage of sin and iniquity, You must jumble your heart before God and Jesus will pity and save you. Surrender to God, leave no sins unconfessed, send them beforehand to Judgment, that they may be blotted out of the book of life. Make no secret reserve, and Jesus will pardon you. . . - You have been living in adultery so long that sin does not appear heinous to you. You love sin. If now you want to leave sin, you must forever renounce it. If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness .-- Letter 2ha, 1690 (Jan. 26, 1890) (fis. Release #48, pp. 12, 137 (b) A Fallen Minister: There is no more hope of you than of any common sinner, nor as much unless you greatly humble your soul before God, repent and are converted. Take the first steps in the way to life, re~ pentance, faith, and baptism, You have tampered with the divine safeguards of your peace. If you refuse to listen to the voice of reproof, if you choose your own course, if you will not allow the grace of Christ to trans— form you, your guilt will be as much greater than that of the coumon sinner as your advantages of light and influence have been greater.-- Letter 51, 1886 (Sept. 6, 1886) /jis. Release #449, pp. 19, 207c) Certain Unnamed Individuals: When I know that there are those who have fallen into great sin, but we have labored with and for them, and God has afterwards accepted their labors, when these have pleaded for me to let them go and not to burden myself for then, I have said; "t will not give you up; you must gather strength to overcome." These in acti ‘vice,--Letter 16, 1687 to G.I. Butler, April 21, THE Ph HLS BNE ps5) Metter 16, EET vo 6.2 tes. ap 4. The Guilty May be Restored to Church Fellowship In regard to the case of the injured sister, A.C., ve would say in reply to the questions of. thet it is a feature in the cases of most who have been overtaken in sin, as her husband has, that they have no real sense of their villainy. Some, however, do and are restored to ‘the church, but not till they have merited the confidence of the people of God by unqualified confessions and a period of sincere repentance. -. AB 3 5. One Man the Church Could Not Fellovship Again Tt is impossible for E to be fellowshipped by the church of God. He has placed himself where he cannot be helped by the church, where he can have no communion with nor voice in the church, He has placed himself there in the face of light and truth. He has stubbornly chosen his own course, and refused to listen to reproof. He has followed the inclinations of his corrupt heart, hes violated the holy law of God, and hes disgraced the cause of present truth. If he repents ever so heartily, the church must let his case alone. If he goes to heaven, it must be alone, without the fellowship of the church. A standing rebuke from God and the church must ever rest upon him, that the standard of morality be not lowered to the very dust.--1T 215. [Note: While no contemporary record of the nature of E's transgression is available, W. C, White declared it to be @ particularly revolting case of incest. | 6. Public Exposure Not Always Necessary a)_A Paramour: As your case has been opened before me, and as your sins have been pointed out to me, I have kept them to myself, hoping ‘that a time would come when your hard spirit might be softened. I now implore you to seek the salvation of your soul before it shall be forever too late.--Letter 23a, 1890 (Jan. 14, 1690) [Ms. Release #448, p. 10]. May the Lord send most deep convictions to your soul, for I never want to give publicity to the things which I have been shown, and I hope you will take a course which will make it unnecessary for me to do this. Letter 2la, 1890 (Jan. 26, 1890) [Ms. Release #48, p. 14]. (b) A Bible Instructor: I leave the matter where it is. I could say to you to go to trustworthy persons in the Conference (not men but vonen), and talk with them, but I am inclined to think that should you do this, you would be giving publicity to those things which would cause all to be removed from you, and they would not encourage you or accept-10- you to engage in any branch of the work, when they should understand the matter as it is. I must now leave this matter between you and your God, and please do not trouble me any more about it. I have no disposition to expose you; but leave you to develop character. I pity you and hope that you will move in discretion, and become altogether that which God would have you.--Letter 95, 1893 (July 20, 1893) (fis. Release #9, p. 237. c) Church Members in General: We shall not urge anything more in his case, but shall do the uttermost in our power to save his soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. I am in great perplexity at times, and have about come to the conclusion when a case of error and grievous sin is presented before me, to say nothing to ny ministering brethren if they do not know the matter themselves, but labor earnestly for the erring one, and encouage him to hope in God's mercy, and cling to the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, look to the Lamb of God in repentance and contrition and live in His strength.--Letter 16, 1887 to G.I. Butler, (April 21, 1867) /Ms. Release #449, p. 207. DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 1. God Will Pardon the Most Guilty if Repentant - (More on the Will Wales Case.) I am fully convinced that Brother Wales should be given encourage- ment to stand forth in the strength of the Lord as an overcomer. I see no reason why he should be hounded to death by his fellow-men, when the Lord Jesus says, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Tf ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. 7 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge avay they dross, and take away thy sin.” I see no reason why we should not encourage Brother Wales to be @ worker in the Lord's vineyard.* The cleansing of the soul from sin includes the gifts of forgiveness, justification, and sanctification. And the inward cleansing of the heart is whown by the outward cleansing of the life. God's mercy to those who sincerely repent and come to Him through Christ, knows no limit. He will pardon the most guilty, and purify the most polluted. iste: By context and related statements it is clear that Ellen White suggests that Will Wales could assist in the work of the Lord as a layman, not as an ordained minister. See W.C. White's statement of Sept. 15, 1911: "Mother does not wish to take large responsibility in this matter; but she says regarding Elder Wales as she has said regarding other men in a somewhat similar position, if they have thoroughly repented, if they are living such lives as convince their brethren that they are thoroughly in earnest, do not cut them off from fellowship. do not forbid their working for Christ in a humble capacity, but do not elevate ‘them to positions of responsibility."--Ms Release #8, Whe Spirit of Prophecy, and Adultery, Divorce, Remarriage and Church Membership, pp. 27, 28.infinite power, feithfulness, and love to save to the uttermost. Let Brother Wales know that I have written this.--Lettes P-lN1-1902 (March18, 1902). Not to be Cut Off From Fellowship, rf Repentant (From a W. C. White “SNe Be Cut Off From Fellowship, If Repentant Letter under date of September 15, 1911.) Dear Brother MeVagh: It is two or three weeks since I received your patter of August 15, regarding the perplexity which has arisen in whe, Alabame Conference over the case of W. C. Wales. jg@ther says that those who have dealt with the perplexities arising from his many transgressions in the past, should take the responsibility Of eavising regarding our present duty toward him. Mother dees nee wish wacake ltse Fesponsibility in this matter; but she says regarding Elder Wales as she has said regarding other men in a sovevnes similar position, if they have thoroughly repented, if they are living such lives as convince their brethren that they are thoroughly in earnest, do not gut them off from fellowship, do not forbid thelr working fer Choise on @ humble capacity, but do not elevate them to positions of responsibility. At some later time Ellen White endorsed the W. C. White letter quoted shove. We have & copy of it bearing in her own handwriting the following words: Tajs is correct advice in such cases. Let nim valk humbly before God. TI see no light in giving him responsibilities ‘Ms. Release #48 pp. 27, 28. aa 3+ A Gase of Insanity. (From aW. C. White letter dated February 21, 1927.) Sr. White's next oldest sister, Sarah Harmon, vas married to C and becene the mother of five children. After her death, in pity for hin siikiren, he married a woman who had many years been a faithful sereant in his household. Shortly after this, the measles visited the vicinity, o24 she with others had the measles in a severe form. The measles wend Coneeserains and she becene insane, and had to be taken to the asylum ¢ struggled along for some time, trying to care for his five children, hha naer their sake, married a very good, efficient woman. She helped him make @ home and bring up his children, and vas with him in Noctis fooend when he died. At various times, individuals where C lived, unter- took to secure his exclusion from the church because he had navcied mthout rerera son from his wife on the charge of adultery. When appealed to in regard to this matter, Sr. White said, "Let them alone. Release #6, Pp. 33.-12- hk. Professor G. Seven years after his remarriage Ellen White encouraged Professor ¢ to enter the work again in a different country. She does not discuss his church membership, but it seems obvious that if he was to work in the cause of God he would be a church menber. Professor G was never ordained to the ministry. Her letter follows: Dear Bro. G: I have had my mind drawn out for you time and again. Had I felt at liberty to exercise my judgment, T should have given my counsel a long time ago for you to change your location. TI had hoped ny brethren would have had wisdom from above to give counsel to you that you should not. be where you are today. If you have anything to do, i% Just be soon. Were you in this country I fully believe you would see Goors opening where you could be at work to be a lightbearer to those who are in the darkness of error. How would it be should you come to this country? Like Abraham, going out not knowing whither he vent, and humble seeking guidance, 7 plead that you make a break. Come here to Australia, while we ere here. Come on your own responsibility. You will have means, if you sell your farm, to bring you here. Then I believe the way will open for you to work. and may the Lord direct you is my earnest wish, and sincere prayer... + There is work in abundance for you to do in the great harvest field. Here are fields all ripe for the harvest; work to be entered upon in Syaney, of about a million people, and Melbourne numbering still more- There is Queensland to be entered. There are thirty Sabbathkeepers in one place in Queenslend that have never seen or heard the living preacher, and others are scattered all through that region, waiting for the message of truth. wil you please consider this matter, and write us vhat you think? Wnat ere your finances? What are you thinking of doing? How is the Lord leading your mind? Please consider the matter and may the Lord give you wisdom to move somewhere at once. In much love.--Letter 7a, 1694 (May 17, 1894) (Ms. Release #449, pp. 31, 32]. SECOND MARRIAGES NOT 10 BE BROKEN UP 1. Wil] Wales His case cannot be improved by leaving the present wife. Tt would not better the case to go to the other woman is first wife/ in the question.--25M 341. Professor G@ (W. C. White letter dated February 21, 1927) Sr. White did not sympathize with those who took the ground that a person who had separated from a companion on other than Scriptural grounds, had married again, that this second marriage must, be broken up if they were to be accepted or retained in an SDA church.-1e Sr. White fully recognized that these people in most cases had sinned, that some had sinned grievously, and that they should not be accepted into fellowship of our churches unless that sin was repented of. Sr. White did not accept the contention that such repentance could not be genuine without breaking the new bond, and making an earnest effort to return to former companions. She recognized the fact that in most instances, a reunion with the parties formerly connected with in marriage would be either impossible or exceedingly unprofitable. She also recognized that the vows entered into in the second marriage called for such an action as was most merciful and kind to the contract ing parties. She sometimes referred to the peaching of Paul, who having reached certain point in his experience, said, "But I spare you." He knew there were existing conditions that people were living in relations resulting from sin. He also knew that Christ would accept their genuine repentance, and that in many cases, it would make matters worse if existing relations were torn up, to prepare @ way for a reunion with the parties who were incompanionable, so Sr. White used to say, "But I spare you.". . . Regarding G, I can speak quite freely. About 1875 he married a very brilliant schoolteacher. Her mother was a very devoted woman; her father was a great hypocrite. She was very talented, but after a number of years she became quarrelsome and made his life miserable. At that time he was associated with a very brilliant young woman who was an accountant at College, and formed a fondness for her. Sr White wrote him a very plain warning, which he promised to heed. Shortly after Sr. White hed gone to Europe, Bro. G resigned his position at College, went to Michigan to visit his sister, and offered no obstruction to his wife in getting a divorce. Thus far, those who knew the case approved, but shortly after this he married the bookkeeper before mentioned; then all his friends were greatly grieved. He taught, awhile at, » then settled near. . and for many years worked very hard, his wife helping him to make @ living one little fruit and vegetable farm. They came to see the wickedness of the course they had taken. They repented of it very bitterly, and their brethren and sisters were satisfied that their repentance was genuine. They had three beautiful children, growing up, and no one as far as I knew encouraged them to separate. When the matter was put before Sr. White, she did not encourage a separation, nor could she encourage any movement to exclude him of participation in the work of the third angel's message.--WW Letter dated Feb.21, 1927 [Ms. Release #448, pp. 34-36]. 3. Other Wrongful Second Marriages Your letter has been received and read. I have had acquaintance with several such cases and have found those who felt conscientious to do something in similar cases to the one you mention. After having stirred things up generally, and torn things to pieces, they had no wisdoma1 to put things together to make matters better. I found that those who were so zealous to tear things down did nothing to build them up in right order. They had the faculty to confuse, distress, and create a most deplorable condition of things, but not the faculty to make them deter. You have asked my counsel in regard to this case; I would say that unless those who are burdened in reference to the matter have carefully studied a better arrangement, and can find places for these where they can be confortable, they better not carry out their ideas of a separation. I hope to learn that this matter is not pressed and that sympathy will not be withdrawn from the two whose interests have been united. I write this because T have seen so many ‘cases of the kind, and persons would have great burden till everything was unsettled and uprooted and then their interest and burden went no further, We should individu- ally know that we have a zeal that is according to knowledge. We should not move hastily in such matters, but look on every side of the question; we should move very cautiously and with pitying tenderness, because we do not know all the circumstances which led to this course of action. I advise that these unfortunate ones be left to God and their ow consciences, and that the church shall not treat them as sinners until they have evidence that they are such in the sight of the Holy God. He reads hearts as an open book. He will not judge as man judgeth. Letter 5, 1891 (Jan. 18, 1891 to C. H. Bliss) /Ms. Release #4l8, pp. 32. THE NEED FOR HEAVENLY WISDOM AND CHRISTLIKE COMPASSION had 1. Qh for Wisdom From On High! In 1692, five years after Professor ¢ remarried, Ellen White wrote from Australia: If only G had kept himself straight, he would be just the one to come. But the question is whether his record will not follow him. We scarcely dare venture the matter and run the risk. That the man has sincerely repented I have not a doubt, and I believe the Lord has for- given him, But if obliged to make explanations it would not be an easy matter to do; so what shall we do with G? Leave him where he is, a prey to remorse and to be useless the remainder of his life? I cannot see Ment can be done. Ob for wisdom from on Might 0h for the counsel. of One who reads the heart as an open book!--Letter 13, 1692 (Aug. 22, 1692. to S. N. Haskell) /Ms. Release #449, pp. 30, 31) 0 years later, in 189h, Ellen white invited Brother G to come to Rustratin Will Wales' ase Referred to the Brethren I do not think any such letters as that ought to be placed before me. I do not think it is my work to deal with any such things, unless the case has been plainly opened before me. There should be brethren in theis church who have wisdom, who can speak decidedly regarding this case. . If they cannot settle such things among themselves by prayer and fast— ing, then let them continue fasting and prayer till they can. Such things will arise. It will come,--that is, they will have these difficult questions, and they have got to learn how to treat them. They have got to have an experience. They must bring these things to the Lord, and believe the Lord will hear their prayer, and give them a sound experience in all these things, but they are not to bring them to me... . Those who see his actions day by day, should know whether he has proved himself, whether God accepts him. . . . Let those appointed of God to beer the responsibility deal with it in accordance with Christian principles.--Ms 2, 1913 (Jan. 14, 1913) [Ms. Release #448, pp. 29,30]. 3. Ellen White Gave No Rule That Would Settle All Cases (AW. C. White Statement.) After reading the documents I today send you, you will say, Well, he has not given me anything authoritative from Sister White that directly answers the question; but I think you will see from what I am sending you that it was Sister White's intention that there should not go forth from her pen anything thet could be used as a law or a rule in dealing with these questions of marriage, divorce, remarriage, and adultery. She felt that the different cases where the devil had led men into serious entanglement were so varied and so serious, that should she write anything that could be considered as a rule for settling such cases, it would be misunderstood and misused. It is also my conviction, Brother that it would not be wise for you to respond to the request of Mri and endeavor to print something in the Review, that would be a guide for action. Whatever you write will be criticized by some and misused by others. It is my opinion that a letter giving counsel to the individual asking for it, will serve the purpose much better.--WCW Letter dated Jan. 6, 1931 [Ms Release #448, pp. 20,21]. 4. If We Err, Let it be on the Side of Mercy My mind is greatly perplexed over these things, because I cannot harmonize them with the course that is being pursued. I am fearful to sanction sin, and I am fearful to let go of the sinner and make no effort to restore him. I think if our hearts were more fully imbued with the Spirit of Christ, we should have itis melting love, and should work with spiritual power to restore the erring and not leave them under Satan's control. We need good heart religion that ve shall not only reprove, rebuke,-16- exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine, but we shall take the erring in our arms of faith and bear them to the corss of Christ. We must bring them in contact with the sin-pardoning Saviour. I am more pained that I can express to see so little aptitude and skill to save souls that are ensnared by Satan. I see such a cold Pharisaism, holding off at arms length the one who, has been deluded by the adversary of souls, and then I think what if Jesus treated us in this way. Is this spirit to grow among us? If so, my brethren must excuse me, I cannot labor with them. T will not be a party to this kind of labor. I call to mind the shepherd hunting the lost sheep and the prodigal son. I Want those parables to have their influence upon my heart and mind. I think of Jesus, what love and tenderness He manifested for erring, fallen man, and then I think of the severe Judgment one pro- nounces upon his brother that has fallen under temptation, and my heart becomes sick. I see the iron in hearts, and think we should pray for hearts of flesh. . . . I wish that we had much more of the spirit of Christ and a great deal less self and less of human opinions. If ve err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemation and harsh dealing.-~ Letter 16, 1887 (April 21, 1887, to G. I. Butler, president of the General Conference) /Ms Release #¥l9, pp. 29,30/. Quotations arranged by Robert W. Olson Ellen G. white Estate Washington, D. C. June 1, 1976