​Truths of 1844-46 Abide
"I do not wish to ignore or drop one link in the chain of evidence that was formed as, after the passing of the time in 1844, little companies of seekers after truth met together to study the Bible and to ask God for light and guidance. The truth, point by point, was fastened in our minds so firmly that we could not doubt . . . .The evidence given in our early experience has the same force that it had then. The truth is the same as it ever has been, and not a pin or a pillar can be moved from the structure of truth. That which was sought for out of the Word in 1844, 1845, and 1846 remains the truth in every particular." Letter 38, 1906, pp.1, 2. (To the Wahroonga Sanitarium Family, January 23, 1906.) {1MR 52.2}
Messages Located by Inspiration
"The proclamation of the first, second, and third angels' messages has been located by the Word of Inspiration. Not a peg or pin is to be removed. No human authority has any more right to change the location of these messages than to substitute the New Testament for the Old. The Old Testament is the gospel in figures and symbols. The New Testament is the substance. One is as essential as the other." Ms 32, 1896, p. 1. ("Testimony Concerning the Views of Prophecy Held by Brother John Bell, 1896.) {1MR 52.3}
Third Involves Preceding Second
"The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed. It is just as essential now as ever before that they shall be repeated to those who are seeking for the truth. By pen and voice we are to sound the proclamation, showing their order, and the application of the prophecies that bring us to the third angel's message. There cannot be a third without the first and second." Ibid. {1MR 53.1}
Post 1844 Truths Unchangeable
"The truths given us after the passing of the time in 1844 are just as certain and unchangeable as when the Lord gave them to us in answer to our urgent prayers. The visions that the Lord has given me are so remarkable that we know that what we have accepted is the truth. This was demonstrated by the Holy Spirit. Light, precious light from God, established the main points of our faith as we hold them today." Letter 50, 1906, p. 1, 2. (To Elder W. W. Simpson, January 30, 1906.) {1MR 53.2}
Pillars Will Hold Weight
"We must let the great principles of the third angel's message stand out clear and distinct. The great pillars of our faith will hold all the weight that can be placed upon them." Letter 207, 1899, p. 2. (To Elder S. N. Haskell and Elder G. A. Irwin, December 15, 1899.) {1MR 53.3}
Stood Test Since 1844
"The time has come when we must firmly refuse to be drawn away from the platform of eternal truth, which since 1844 has stood the test." Letter 277, 1904, p. 6. (To J. A. Read, July 31, 1904.) {1MR 53.4}
No Replaced Timbers Required
"The Word of the Lord has guided our steps since the passing of the time in 1844. We have searched the Scriptures; we have built solidly; and we have not had to tear up our foundations and put in new timbers." Letter 24, 1907, p. 3. (To Elder A. G. Daniells, February 4, 1907.) {1MR 54.1}
Every Pillar to Be Strengthened
"The Lord has declared that the history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work. Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established . . .. There is need now to rehearse the experience of the men who acted a part in the establishment of our work at the beginning." Ms 129, 1905, p. 3. ("Steadfast unto the End, "December 24, 1905.) {1MR 54.2}
Guard Waymarks of Truth
"The great waymarks of truth, showing us our bearing in prophetic history, are to be carefully guarded, lest they be torn down and replaced with theories that would bring confusion rather than genuine light." Ms 31, 1896, p. 1. ("Testimony Concerning the Views of Prophecy Held by Brother John Bell," November 8, 1896.) {1MR 54.3}
Reject Interpretation of Wreckers
"Listen not a moment to the interpretations that would loosen one pin, remove one pillar, from the platform of truth. Human interpretations, the reception of fables, will spoil your faith, confuse your understanding, and make of none effect your faith in Jesus Christ. Study diligently the third chapter of Revelation. In it is pointed out the danger of losing your hold upon the things that you have heard and learned from the Source of all light." Letter 230, 1906, p. 4. (To Elders of the Battle Creek Church, and to Ministers and Physicians, July 5, 1906.) {1MR 54.4}
Protest against Removing Landmarks
"When men come in who would move one pin or pillar from the foundation which God has established by His Holy Spirit, let the aged men who were pioneers in our work speak plainly, and let those who are dead speak also, by the reprinting of their articles in our periodicals . Gather up the rays of divine light that God has given as He has led His people on step by step in the way of truth. This truth will stand the test of time and trial."Ms 62, 1905, p. 6. ("A Warning against False Theories," May 24, 1905.) {1MR 55.1}
Undermining Pillars of Faith
"The truths that have been substantiated by the manifest working of God are to stand fast. Let no one presume to move a pin or a foundation stone from the structure. Those who attempt to undermine the pillars of our faith are among those of whom the Bible says that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. "Letter 87,1905, pp. 2, 3 (To Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell, February 25, 1905.) {1MR 55.2}
Waymarks Must Be Preserved
"At this time many efforts will be made to unsettle our faith in the sanctuary question; but we must not waver. Not a pin is to be moved from the foundations of our faith. Truth is still truth. Those who become uncertain will drift into erroneous theories, and will finally find themselves infidel in regard to the past evidence we have had of what is truth. The old waymarks must be preserved, that we lose not our bearings." Letters 395, 1906, p. 4. (To Elder S. M. Cobb, December 25, 1906.) {1MR 55.3}
Give World God's Message
"Give to the world the message the Lord has given you. Remove not a pin or a pillar from the foundation of our faith. Preach the truth as it has been given by the Lord."Letter 279, 1904, p. 9. (To Brethren Paulson, Sadler, Jones and Waggoner, August 1, 1904.) {1MR 56.1}
Three Messages Linked Together
"The third angel is represented as flying in the midst of heaven, symbolizing the work of those who proclaim the first, second, and third angels' messages; all are linked together. The evidences of the abiding, ever-living truth of these grand messages, that means so much to us, that have awakened such intense opposition from the religious world, are not extinct. Satan is constantly seeking to cast his hellish shadow about these messages, so that the remnant people of God shall not clearly discern their import, their time and place; but they live, and are to exert their power upon our religious experience while time shall last."Letter 1f, 1890, p. 5, 6 (To Brethren in Responsible Positions, November, 1890.) {1MR 56.2}
Three Messages Are Inseparable
"The message the Lord has for His people is the proclamation of the angels flying in the midst of heaven. [Revelation 14:6-12 quoted.] These messages are connected and bound together. One cannot be carried without the other." Letter 65, 1897, p. 2. (To Brother and Sister Hawkins, April 6, 1897.) {1MR 56.3}
Third Message not Comprehended
"There are but few, even of those who claim to believe it, that comprehend the third angel's message, and yet this is the message for this time. It is present truth. But how few take up this message in its true bearing, and present it to the people in its power! With many it has but little force… The closing work of the third angel's message will be attended with a power that will send the rays of the Sun of Righteousness into all the highways and byways of life, and decisions will be made for God as supreme Governor; His law will [be] looked upon as the rule of His government." Ms 15, 1888, p. 5. ("A Call to a Deeper Study of the Word," November 1, 1888.) {1MR 56.4}
Third Message Embraces Others
"The theme of greatest importance is the third angel's message, embracing the messages of the first and second angels. All should understand the truths contained in these messages; for they are essential to salvation. We shall have to study earnestly in order to understand these truths; and our power to learn and comprehend will be taxed to the utmost."Letter 97, 1902, p. 2. (To Elder E. J. Waggoner, July 7, 1902.) {1MR 57.1}
Message for This Time
"The gospel message for this time is comprised in the third angel's message, which embraces the messages of the first and second angel, and which is to be proclaimed everywhere; for it is present truth. This message is to go forth with great distinctness and power. It is not to be clouded by human theories and sophistries." Letter 20, 1900, p. 5, 6. (To James Edson and Emma White, January 31, 1900.) {1MR 57.2}
Third Message Whole Gospel
" A great work is to be done in setting before men the saving truths of the gospel. To present these truths is the work of the third angel's message. The whole of the gospel is embraced in the third angel's message, and in all our work the truth is to be presented as it is in Jesus. . . Let nothing lessen the force of the truth for this time. The third angel's message must do its work of separating from the churches a people who will take their stand on the platform of eternal truth. Our message is a life and death message, and we must let it appear as it is, the great power of God. We are to present it in all its telling force. Then the Lord will make it effectual." Ms 19, 1900, p. 1, 4, 5. ("A Perfect Ministry. Its Purpose," March 5 1900.) {1MR 57.3}
Participated in First Messages
"After the passing of the time, God entrusted to his faithful followers the precious principles of present truth. These principles were not given to those who had had no part in the giving of the first and second angels' messages. They were given to the workers who had had a part in the cause from the beginning." Ms 129, 1905, p. 2. ("Steadfast unto the End," December 24, 1905.) {1MR 58.1}
Dwell on Major Matters
"Dwell upon questions that concern our eternal welfare. Anything that the enemy can devise to divert the mind from God's Word, anything new and strange that he can originate to create a diversity of sentiment, he will introduce as something wonderfully important . . ." 1MR 58.2}
"The enemy will strive to cause believers to search out matters of minor importance, and to dwell at length upon these matters in committee meetings and council meetings. But by turning their attention to questions of so little consequence, the brethren hinder the work instead of advancing it." ​{1MR 58.3}
"We are to proclaim the third angel's message to a perishing world, and we are not to permit our minds to become diverted by minutiae that practically amount to nothing. If our brethren would consider the important matters pertaining to eternal life and eternal death, many of the smaller matters that they desire so much to adjust, would adjust themselves." Letter 16, 1903, pp. 5-7. (To Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell, January 1, 1903.) {1MR 58.4}
Diverted from Commissioned Message
"We are not to allow our attention to be diverted from the proclamation of the message given us. For years I have been instructed that we are not to give our attention to non-essential questions. There are questions of the highest importance to be considered." Ms 10, 1905, p. 2. ("Non-Essential Subjects to Be Avoided, September 12, 1904.) {1MR 59.1}
Present Truth Comprises Messages
"The present truth for this time comprises the messages, the third angel's message succeeding the first and second." Letter 121, 1900, p. 5. (To Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell, August 13, 1900.) {1MR 59.2}
Third Angel's Message Being Blanketed--1899
"The light came to me clear and distinct that the medical missionary work was absorbing too much, while a more definite work in special lines was being neglected, that you were gathering into your arms a class of work that is never ending, which was eclipsing the work that needs to be done in every city, the proclamation of the soon coming of Christ. The third angel's message was being blanketed." Letter 55, 1899, pp. 2, 3. (To Dr. J. H. Kellogg, March 24, 1899.)
White Estate Washington, D. C. September 10, 1944 {1MR 59.3}
MR No. 25 - Supplementary Spirit of Prophecy Statements on the
"Blocks" and "Pins" of the Message
Release requested by Elder L. E. Froom, a part to be used in a paper on the "blocks" and "pins" of the message and a part to be associated with published statements in an accompanying column of gem Spirit of Prophecy quotations. 1MR 52.1
The fact that this was requested by Leroy Froom is quite amazing, however, if you know much about his character, you will realise that it would be designed to give confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy, while at the same time he was working against it.
It was during these years (1940s) that Brother Froom and others began to change as many books as they could from a non-trinitarian position. See Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith as an example, where they omitted all the non-trinitarian statements.
The quotations given above are excellent of course, and we should all read them carefully and ask ourselves if we are following them as the prophet (and Christ) would want us to.
For instance, "Not a pin is to be moved from the foundations of our faith. Truth is still truth.... The old waymarks must be preserved, that we lose not our bearings." Letter 395. 1906. p4. (To Elder S.M. Cobb. Dec 25. 1906. 1 MR 55.3.
Sadly, we have not done so on the subject of God, Christ and the Spirit, and have certainly lost our bearings. Sister White said this very thing about those who move from the old landmarks.
​"The facts concerning the real condition of the professed people of God, speak more loudly than their profession, and make it evident that some power has cut the cable that anchored them to the Eternal Rock, and that they are drifting away to sea, without chart or compass." {RH, July 24, 1888 par. 1}
Yes, the Church is drifting, but you don't need to be drifting with it. All the instructions have been given us -- Will you heed them and preserve the old landmarks?
Good Counsel