THE ROLE OF URIAH SMITH IN REJECTING THE TESTIMONIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: --

1871:-- Elder Smith was a flesh eater and did not follow health reform.  He was an Eli in his family, and was not following the Testimonies.

Testimony to the church at Battle Creek 1882, pp. 41-45 [PH123 41-45]    If Bro. and sister Smith had unitedly taken their position, and maintained it, upon health reform, as God had given them light, they would have had better health and greater spiritual strength. Their backsliding upon health reform and yielding to the temptations of Satan on the side of indulgence and appetite have injured both themselves and their children. Had the light been followed, which God had been pleased to give them, and had they observed regularity in eating of simple food, letting alone flesh-meats, they would have realized a blessing.  

     The flesh of dead animals, fermenting and putrefying in the stomach, to be sent through every part of the system, is not pleasant to reflect upon, or to experience. It causes many wretched feelings, and is the greatest cause of fevers, suffering of every type, and of death. Those of sedentary habits should certainly discard flesh-meats. Many greatly abuse their stomachs by eating too much of even healthful food. But how much more those who eat of unhealthful food. The abused stomach bears up in a wonderful manner under the continued abuse daily heaped upon it, until malignant disease brings down the victim. The entire system seems to be corrupted, and nothing can stay the rapid work of disease and premature death.   

     Those whose stomachs are strong should keep them so by living hygienically. Those who are suffering with diseased stomachs should let every irritating substance alone, and not allow perverted appetite to control reason. Health and happiness depend upon the healthy condition of the stomach. Those who study and write, above all others, should eat the most healthful food, lest digestion be impaired, and the mind, instead of growing clearer and stronger by the discipline of study, become dull and prostrated, because the stomach is diseased. In this condition, the more the mind is taxed with study, the less strength will it have, because the diseased stomach affects the entire nervous system, brain, and mind. Although the stomach may long endure the abuse it receives, yet the break-down will surely come.   

     If the daily habits of Bro. and sister Smith in eating, drinking, and exercising, had been in accordance with the light God has given upon health reform, that prostrating fever, which separated Bro. Smith from the work, would not have taken hold upon him. The Office was deprived of his labor at the very time his help was very much needed. My husband and myself were attending the camp-meetings, and Bro. Smith could not be spared without the work suffering. When Bro. Smith began to recover, if then he had trusted in God with a sense of his responsibility, and manifested an interest in the work at the Office, God would have given him strength and grace as he needed.   

     There are but few that move conscientiously from principle, having all their habits in accordance with the laws of health, relating themselves rightly to health and life, having the glory of God in view. The power of appetite and of habit controls the conscience to a very great extent, and God is robbed of the time and service due him, because sickness is brought upon them as the result of nature's violated law. Bro. Smith of all men can be benefited by health reform. His habits are sedentary, and if he would have a clear brain, he must be careful and regulate his diet. His meals should be regular, if other labor is neglected. The body is of more value than raiment. Bro. Smith's food should be simple, yet generous. He will be better without flesh-meats. If he was much in the open air, a meat diet would not be so injurious, but with as little exercise as Bro. Smith can obtain, his diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, and grains. Bro. Smith is naturally bilious, and he is in danger of paralysis.   

     Health reform carried out in his family with strictness, would be a blessing to Bro. and sister Smith and their children. The neglect of sister Smith to live up to the light on health and dress reform has been a stumbling-block to others. This should not have been. Men and women professing to be followers of Christ should be governed by principle instead of inclination and appetite. If this was the case, none would plead any one's example as an excuse for them to indulge appetite.  

     A nutritious diet does not consist in the eating of flesh-meats, butter, spice, and grease. The fruits, vegetables, and grains, God has caused to grow for the benefit of man. These are indeed the fat of the land; and if these articles of food are prepared in a manner to preserve their natural taste as much as possible, they are all that our wants require. A perverted appetite will not be satisfied with these, but will crave flesh-meats highly seasoned, pastry, and spices. Indigestible condiments cannot be eaten without injuring the tender coats of the stomach.  

     Bro. and sister Smith have a work before them to properly educate their children. They should call to mind the sin of Eli, and shun his example. Bro. Smith has not taken upon himself the responsibility which rests upon a father to control his children.

(NOTE:--  This was published in 1872, You will not find this in the present edition of Testimony 3, pp. 186-197.)

1879:-- Elder Smith was an Eli in the church, and would not deal faithfully with sin and rebuke it.

Ellen G. White, Pamphlets in the Concordance, Vol. 1, p. 479: [PH043 9-10]--

     Had Elder Smith exercised more firmness and boldness in defending the right and condemning the wrong, my husband would not have been forced to take such firm, decided positions. This disposition on the part of Elder Smith to overlook wrong, and leave evils uncorrected, which, though small at first, would increase till they finally destroyed the purity of the church, has forced my husband to act, and caused his course, in contrast with Elder Smith's, to seem very severe and dictatorial. Had Elder Smith stood as a bold soldier for Jesus Christ, had he called sin, fraud, and dishonesty by their right names, had he given these evils their just rebuke, less of such disagreeable work would have fallen upon my husband, and less cause would have been given for temptation in regard to his course of action.   

God would have the facts appear as they are. Elder Smith has neglected to cultivate those traits of character which it is so needful that all who are engaged in the work of God should possess. Pleasing or unpleasing to human nature, faithfulness, vigilance, and boldness must be exercised, or sin will triumph over righteousness. A failure to see and sense the wants of the cause for this time, and to reprove sin, is called by some, meekness; God calls it unfaithfulness, and spiritual sloth.  (The Judgment, pp. 9,10, based on a vision given October 23, 1879.  NOTE:-- You will not find this in the present edition of Testimony 4, pp. 384-387.)

1882:--Sr. White wrote some of the strongest rebukes to the Battle Creek church, but particularly to Elder Smith, for rejecting the Testimonies, shunning responsibilities, and for being in spiritual darkness.  Each of these rebukes have been omitted from the present edition of Testimony 5, pp. 21-98.  (NOTE:  These are only some of the serious omissions; there are other important quotes which have been left out of the present volume 5.)

Testimony for the Battle Creek Church, 1882, p. 29, 42,43,46,47,50:--[PH117 29,42,43,46,47,50]       I am sorry that Eld. Smith, who has been considered so mild, so kind, and so tender that he shrank from reproving wrongs in the office, or performing his duty in the church and in his own family, is for some unexplainable reason found on the side of the accuser. I can but think that this is due to some influence which has blinded his eyes and confused his senses. I cannot say to Bro. Smith, God speed you in this work, for it is wrong. He must meet its results hereafter. His position of trust and his long experience, render him more accountable for this state of things than any other one in the church. Had he been right, he could have prevented the disgrace and the sin.   

     Bro. Smith, the stand which you have taken in this case proves you responsible for all your past neglect of duty in the church and in the office. You have shown that you can be firm, decided, and severe, even when it is uncalled for.  

Hence I wrote to you as I did; but Eld. Smith felt at liberty to withhold the testimony from the church for weeks. If God was leading him and those who united with him and counseled him in this act, he was not leading me; the burden which moved me to write was a false burden, imposed by another spirit.   

     Further than this, Eld. Smith questioned the propriety of bringing the testimony before the church at all. Thus he takes the responsibility of standing between God's word of reproof and the people.

     Oct. 23, 1879, the Lord gave me a most impressive testimony in regard to the church in Battle Creek, especially in reference to Eld. Smith. Now he is found firm, persistent, stubborn, on the wrong side. He is not led by the Spirit of God in his decisions. The Lord has laid no such burden upon him. Human influences have molded his judgment. No greater evidence of this can be given than the course he has taken in regard to my testimony to the church.  

In rejecting this testimony, Eld. Smith, you have virtually rejected all the testimonies. You must know this is the case. This testimony bears the same evidence of its character that all others have borne for the last thirty-six years. But it condemns certain wrongs which you have committed, and which God condemns. The reason why you cannot see it, is because you have been cherishing feelings wholly opposed to the Spirit of God. Your actions stand registered in the books of Heaven.   

     Eld. Smith, I was more grieved than I can express to find you again working on the side of the enemy.

After I wrote you the long letter which has been belittled by Eld. Smith as merely an expression of my own opinion,