THE BROKEN BLUEPRINT
In the
summer of 1960, the present writer was trying to start a medical
missionary center on the West Coast. But he found that there was no
easily useable Inspired source of information for why and how medical
missionary work should be done. So he compiled the book, The Medical
Missionary Manual. Neither the three-volume Index nor the E.G.
White CD Rom were available back then. So the compiler read through
the various in-print and out-of-print Spirit of Prophecy books and
organized the statements under their logical headings. The result was a
200-page mimeograph book.
In 1992,
we re-typeset and printed it as a book. A few months ago, a more readable
edition was published (and is available from us; see back of this book).
The Medical Missionary Manual is a detailed Spirit of Prophecy
compilation which explains in detail the what, why, and how of medical
missionary work; not only for physicians but for all of Gods people.
It is valued for personal and class study by medical missionaries, both
in America and overseas. One group has translated it into Spanish, and
it is being used in a training school in southern Mexico. Over 200
students have already taken the course in that school alone.
But the
author had long recognized that a companion book was needed, one which
would document how the Spirit of Prophecy blueprint was actually used by
our early educational pioneers. In the process of writing the present book you now have in hand, two facts emerged:
(1) The
book must not only include medical missionary schools, but also the
various agricultural/trade schools which Ellen White urgently
recommended.
(2) The
book must include not only the various facets of the educational
blueprint, bequeathed us by Heaven through the Inspired Writings, but
also how that blueprint was ultimately destroyed. Indeed, it would be
impossible to present the one without the other; for they are
inseparably connected in the history of those institutions.
Hence
the title of the book, The Broken Blueprint. You are about to
read the story of our great educational train wreck.
The
present writer deeply wishes it were not so. Yet because it took place,
we must learn lessons from it, as we attempt to search out the pieces of
the original blueprint and put them back together.
This
book, is a companion book to The Medical Missionary Manual. Both
can help our people start blueprint educational/medical missionary
treatment/training centers which God can approve.
As we
open the Inspired Writings and plead in humility of heart for help, the
angels will guide and lead each of us, step by step, in regard to our
duty at this time in history. Surely, we live in momentous times.
The
future is bright if, by faith in Christ, we will obey God. And, further
down the road, we will inherit with all the saints the kingdom of light
and glory, and will dwell forever with Christ our Lord and Saviour.
vf We
are told to study the history of the Advent Movement, so we can avoid
the mistakes of those who have gone before. The present laborers should be stirred to make improvement as they see how former workers have weakened their powers, so that their services have been lost to the cause of God. Let the history and experience of those who have made mistakes be a warning to others. EGW, Series A, No. 7, p. 11. Their history is a beacon of warning to us, and points out a safe path for our feet if we will but shun their mistakes. EGW, November 30, 1897; p. 753. As Gods people thus review the past, they should see that the Lord is ever repeating His dealings. They should understand the warnings given, and should beware not to repeat their mistakes. Renouncing all self-dependence, they are to trust in Him to save them from again dishonoring His name. In every victory that Satan gains, souls are imperiled.7 Testimonies, p. 210. The
impact that our educational institutions have had on our denomination
over the years is incredible, yet true. You
are going to read the astounding story of how a departure from our
God-given blueprint in education has, in great measure, led to the
conditions now existing in our church. The
entire world needed to be warned to return in repentance to God and to
obedience, through the enabling grace of Jesus Christ, to the Ten
Commandments. Unfortunately,
the church that God had raised up to unitedly give this final message
often faltered, and Ellen White frequently wept over the fact. Important
decisions which should have been made at the April 1901 General
Conference Session in Oakland, California, had not been made. Strong
animosities had not been settled. Then, on February 18, 1902, after
repeated warnings, the Battle Creek Sanitarium burned to the ground. In
November 1901, she sent an urgent warning to the Review, not to print
certain objectionable material. When that warning was not heeded, the
Review building burned to the ground on December 30. Six days later, upon receiving word of the latest tragedy, Ellen White described a vision she had of an event which she hoped would change everything. One day at noon I was writing of the work that might have been done at the last General Conference if the men in positions of trust had followed the will and way of God. Those who have had great light have not walked in the light. The meeting was closed, and the break was not made. Men did not humble themselves before the Lord as they should have done, and the Holy Spirit was not imparted. I had written thus far when I lost consciousness, and I seemed to be witnessing a scene in Battle Creek. We were assembled in the auditorium of the Tabernacle. Prayer was offered, a hymn was sung, and prayer was again offered. Most earnest supplication was made to God. The meeting was marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The work went deep, and some present were weeping aloud . . The speaker turned to those who had been praying, and said: We have something to do. We must confess our sins, and humble our hearts before God. He made heartbroken confessions . . The spirit of confession spread through the entire congregation. It was a Pentecostal season. Gods praises were sung, and far into the night, until nearly morning, the work was carried on . . No one seemed to be too proud to make heartfelt confession, and those who led in this work were the ones who had influence, but had not before had courage to confess their sins. There was rejoicing such as never before had been heard in the Tabernacle. Then I aroused from my unconsciousness, and for a while could not think where I was. My pen was still in my hand. The words were spoken to me: This might have been. All this the Lord was waiting to do for His people. All heaven was waiting to be gracious. I thought of where we might have been had thorough work been done at the last General Conference, and an agony of disappointment came over me as I realized that what I had witnessed was not a reality. January 5, 1903; 8 Testimonies, pp. 104-106. In regard
to the educational work of our denomination, this book is another part
of the story of what might have been, if we had remained true to our
educational blueprint. It is also the story of how we left it. |
