E.S. Ballenger's Personal Testimony
By
In the winter of 1908 and 1909, a fellow minister and myself were appointed by the Southern California Conference to hold district meetings with the young people. These were to be a combination of training schools and evangelistic meetings. We held weekend meetings in a number of centers where two or more churches met together for these special services.
We labored together very harmoniously, and the Lord blessed our efforts. After a day's meetings when the Lord came very near, my companion in labor remarked to me to the effect that he had heard a number of reports against my standing in the faith, but he said he took pleasure in stating that he never worked with a man with whom he felt such spiritual freedom as he did with me. His kind words were far from agreeable to me, for I knew that the only honest course on my part was to make a plain statement to him regarding my attitude toward certain phases of the creed. This was late at night and we both needed rest, so I simply said, "I would like to have a heart-to-heart talk with you while we are laboring together."
Our time was so occupied that I did not have an opportunity until we were on the train leaving San Diego, he having been called to Loma Linda while I was to go to Escondido to continue the work, holding meetings with the young people. We were to ride together about an hour, so I opened up the subject to him, telling him plainly that I could not endorse all that Mrs. White had written as inspired of the Lord. This at once fired his spirit to white heat. He turned on me almost savagely, saying in substance: "You are a dangerous man to be among our young people, and I will see that you are removed. I will take this to the conference committee; if they do not remove you, I will take it to the union conference committee; and if they do not act, I will take it to the people!" He said he would no longer work with me. His denunciations were so pronounced that they almost stunned me. I went on to my appointment, all but crushed.
I wish to state that this brother, before he reached Loma Linda, wrote me a very honest confession for the spirit he manifested in this conversation. He said he could not apologize for what he said, but he wished to apologize for the manner in which he said it. For convenience and brevity, we will speak of this brother as Brother X.
Brother X made good. Ten days later at a meeting of the conference committee and other leading brethren, he brought charges against me, so the brethren were obliged to take some action. To my personal knowledge, a number of the brethren did not wish to set me aside. These were well satisfied with my work, and besides, a number of them shared my convictions regarding the Testimonies.
Brother X forced them to action. The brethren in office were very kind to me. Instead of setting me aside, they asked me if I would go to St. Helena and interview Sister White. I told them I was perfectly willing to do so, but I knew such a trip would not change my mind. I told them it would be a waste of money and time for me to make the trip. They very kindly assured me that would make no difference. If I were willing to go, they would gladly allow me my expenses and my time.
Elder E. E. Andross, then president of the conference, was asked to accompany me on this trip. We had an interview with Sister White at 3 o'clock Sabbath P.M. Sarah McEnterfer and Clarence Crisler were present, the latter taking down the interview. Brother Andross made a brief but very fair statement of the purpose of our call. I assented that what Brother Andross said was the truth, and to my great surprise she smilingly said that if the Lord could not convince me she would not undertake it. She told me to go back to my work and my troubles would be adjusted. I told her what Brother X had threatened against me. She volunteered to take care of him. She then stated that she had known for some time that I, with others, held these views, and named a brother in the work who held the same views.
Words are too weak to express the gratitude I felt and the freedom that came to me with this pronouncement.
Before Brother Andross left, Sister White asked me to remain until the next week and attend the Northern California yearly Conference. Brother Andross gave his consent, so I remained in the northern conference until its opening in Oakland.
Sister White and her helpers made their headquarters at the home of Elder S. N. Haskell, then president of the Northern California Conference. When I arrived at the conference I was told that Sister White wished to see me. I returned word that I was ready to see her at her convenience. I waited several days and received no call. I then sent word to her that if she wished to see me it would be necessary to do so soon, for my work in Southern California demanded my attention. I was told that Sister White would see me the next morning at seven o'clock. I kept the appointment. Brother Haskell took me to Sister White's room.
But oh, what a change! Her attitude was just the reverse of what it was the week before. She was extremely critical toward me and bitter against my attitude toward her inspiration. I returned to my field of labor with a heavy heart, knowing that the crisis would soon come.
She warned me against my brother, telling me to separate from my family, especially my father and brother. She said I was in great danger, for my brother Albion was being misled by Satan. She accused him of taking a text of scripture and grouping around this text many others which had no bearing upon it. I asked her if she had read my brother's position. She replied that she did not need to read it, saying that she was shown that he was wrong.
What had caused the change? The answer is largely conjecture, but conjecture well supported by experience. Brother Haskell or some other person in close contact with Sister White had prejudiced her mind against me, presenting to her what a dangerous element I would be working among the young people with a skeptical attitude toward her writings.
About two weeks later I was called before the Executive Committee and told that Sister White had sent them a warning against me, advising them to remove me from the positions I held.
I never saw this testimony, neither was it ever read to me. I immediately handed to the Executive Committee the following resignation: "I hereby tender my resignation as Church School Superintendent, Secretary of the Missionary Volunteer Societies, Supt. of the Sabbath Schools, Member of the Fernando Board, Young People's Committee, Educational Committee, and Sabbath School Committee, each or all to take effect at your pleasure." This was dated Feb. 21, 1909. My resignations were accepted and I was told that they would allow me to go into the field and hold tent-meetings, but warned me that unless I changed my views, they would be compelled to set me aside.
My first effort was at Burbank with Brother Elbridge Adams as companion. The Lord blessed our efforts abundantly. We raised up a good-sized company, built a new church and dedicated it free of debt before the end of the year. From there I was called to Pasadena to join Brother E. J. Hibbard in a series of meetings, where a large addition was made to the church. Without any intervening rest, I joined Brother Milton St. John for a series of meetings in Los Angeles. We had only gotten well started when my health gave way and I was never again permitted to engage in conference work.
The Lord so abundantly blessed these efforts that my credentials were renewed without question.
E.S. Ballenger