Clarification
on Christmas Gifts
And
Decorations
“At the close of my long journey East, I reached my home in time to
spend New Year's eve in Healdsburg. The College hall
had been fitted up for a Sabbath-school reunion. Cypress wreaths, autumn leaves, evergreens, and
flowers were tastefully arranged; and a large bell of evergreens hung from
the arched doorway at the entrance to the room. The tree was well loaded with
donations, which were to be used for the benefit of the poor, and to help
purchase a bell. Except in a few instances, the
names of the donors were not given; but appropriate Bible texts and mottoes
were read as the gifts were taken down from the tree. On this occasion
nothing was said or done that need burden the conscience of any one.” {RH,
January 29, 1884 par. 1}
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Dear
Friends, Certain
fanatics who claim to be Seventh-day Adventists, are
teaching that Ellen White and the pioneers were pagan in their views on
Christmas and Thanksgiving. That is totally contrary to Ellen White’s
statements on these matters. God would not permit the church to err by
teaching and observing pagan practices 168 years (1844-2012), at which time
some fanatical upstart would arrive to teach us the Spirit of Prophecy gift
to the church erred all those years by teaching and practicing paganism! Because
some of my detractors to the Ellen White statement appearing above in the
heading have tried to maintain that Ellen White erred on this issue and was
merely giving her own errant, personal opinion on the matter, I have decided
to give the entire statement which proves that it WAS NOT Ellen White’s
personal opinion she was expressing. That
fact is proven in the second paragraph of the statement wherein she is asked:
“Sr. White, what do you think of this?
Is it in accordance with our faith?" I answer them, "It is with my
faith." Ellen
White’s response combined with the following statement in the first
paragraph, leave nothing to guesswork when it comes to her implied adamant
response that it was in accordance “with her faith” that she was
making the statement. It is obvious that those words combined with the
following words made the strong statement that she had been shown what she
was saying and it was not merely her personal opinion: it was in accordance
with her faith. “On this occasion nothing was said or done that need burden
the conscience of any one.” The
statement at the White Estate reads: “Is it with my faith.” The statement in
the Review and Herald Volume which
I have, reads: “It is with my faith,” meaning it is in accord with her faith. Here is the entire statement: January
29, 1884 Sabbath-School Reunion at Healdsburg, Cal. At the close of my long journey East, I
reached my home in time to spend New Year's Eve in Healdsburg. The College hall had been fitted up for a
Sabbath-school reunion. Cypress wreaths, autumn leaves, evergreens, and flowers were
tastefully arranged; and a large bell of evergreens hung from the arched
doorway at the entrance to the room. The tree was well loaded with donations,
which were to be used for the benefit of the poor, and to help purchase a
bell. Except in a few instances, the names of the donors were not
given; but appropriate Bible texts and mottoes
were read as the gifts were taken down from the tree. On this occasion
nothing was said or done that need burden the conscience of any one. {RH, January 29, 1884 par. 1} “Some have said to me, ‘Sr. White, what do you
think of this? Is it in accordance with our faith?" I answer them,
"It is with my faith.’ In Healdsburg, San
Francisco, and Oakland, there are many things to attract our children; large
sums are expended every year on Christmas and New Year's in purchasing gifts
for friends. These gifts are not generally satisfactory; for many receive
presents that they do not need, when they would be glad to have some other
article; some receive the same article from several different persons; and
others receive nothing at all. We have tried earnestly
to make the holidays as interesting as possible to the youth and children,
while changing this order of things. Our object has been to keep them away
from scenes of amusement among unbelievers. Instead of following a selfish
custom, and giving to those from whom presents will be expected in return, let us make our offerings to the Lord. This plan has proved successful in many of our churches, and
it was a success on this occasion, the donations amounting to $138.00. Thus
the new year was opened with {RH, January 29, 1884 par. 2} offerings to the Giver
of all our mercies and blessings. “I have thought that while we restrain
our children from worldly pleasures, that have a tendency to corrupt and
mislead, we ought to provide them innocent recreation, to lead them in
pleasant paths where there is no danger. No child of God need have a sad or
mournful experience. Divine commands, divine promises, show that this is so.
Wisdom's ways "are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Worldly pleasures are infatuating; and for their momentary enjoyment, many
sacrifice the friendship of Heaven, with the peace, love, and joy that it
affords. But these chosen objects of delight soon become disgusting,
unsatisfying.” {RH, January 29, 1884 par. 3} “We want to do all in our power to win
souls by presenting the attractions of the Christian life. Our God is a lover
of the beautiful. He might have clothed the earth with brown and gray, and
the trees with vestments of mourning instead of their foliage of living
green; but he would have his children happy. Every leaf, every opening bud
and blooming flower, is a token of his tender love; and we should aim to
represent to others this wonderful love expressed in his created works. God
would have every household and every church exert a winning power to draw the
children away from the seducing pleasures of the world, and from association
with those whose influence would have a corrupting tendency. Study to win the
youth to Jesus. Impress their minds with the mercy and goodness of God in
permitting them, sinful though they are, to enjoy the advantages, the glory
and honor, of being sons and daughters of the Most High. What a stupendous
thought, what unheard of condescension, what amazing love, that finite man may
be allied to the Omnipotent! ‘To them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God." Can any worldly honor equal
this?” {RH, January 29, 1884 par. 4} “Let us represent the Christian life as
it really is; let us make the way cheerful, inviting, interesting. We can do this if we will. We may fill our own minds with
vivid pictures of spiritual and eternal things, and in so doing help to make
them a reality to other minds. Faith sees Jesus standing as our mediator at
the right hand of God. Faith beholds the mansions he has gone to prepare for
those who love him. Faith sees the robe and crown all prepared for the
overcomer. Faith hears the songs of the redeemed, and brings eternal glories
near. We must come close to Jesus in loving obedience, if we would see the
King in his beauty.”Mrs. E. G. White, {RH, January 29, 1884 par. 5} |
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