Here is the wording on the picture, followed by some context for the quotes (all-caps added for emphasis):
“THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR ANYONE IN TAKING THE POSITION that there is no more TRUTH to be revealed, and THAT ALL OUR EXPOSITIONS OF SCRIPTURE ARE WITHOUT AN ERROR.” (Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 35, by Ellen G. White)
“SOME THINGS MUST BE TORN DOWN, SOME THINGS MUST BE BUILT UP. THE OLD TREASURES MUST BE RESET IN A FRAMEWORK OF TRUTH. ” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 169, by Ellen G. White)
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“Maintaining Truth Not to Preclude New Light.– It is a fact that we have the truth, and we must hold with tenacity to the positions that cannot be shaken; but we must not look with suspicion upon any new light which God may send, and say, Really, we cannot see that we need any more light than the old truth which we have hitherto received, and in which we are settled. While we hold to this position, the testimony of the True Witness applies to our cases its rebuke, ‘And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.’ Those who feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, are in a condition of blindness as to their true condition before God, and they know it not.–Review and Herald, August 7, 1894.
“Led of God, but Not Infallible.–We must not think, ‘Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.’ The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.
“A brother asked, ‘Sister White, do you think we must understand the truth for ourselves? Why can we not take the truths that others have gathered together, and believe them because they have investigated the subjects, and then we shall be free to go on without the taxing of the powers of the mind in the investigation of all these subjects? Do you not think that these men who have brought out the truth in the past were inspired of God?’
“I dare not say they were not led of God, for Christ leads into all truth; but when it comes to inspiration in the fullest sense of the word, I answer, No. I believe that God has given them a work to do, but if they are not fully consecrated to God at all times, they will weave self and their peculiar traits of character into what they are doing, and will put their mold upon the work, and fashion men in religious experience after their own pattern. It is dangerous for us to make flesh our arm. We should lean upon the arm of Infinite Power. God has been revealing this to us for years. We must have living faith in our hearts and reach out for larger knowledge and more advanced light.–Review and Herald, March 25, 1890.
“Increased Light to Shine.–A spirit of pharisaism has been coming in upon the people who claim to believe the truth for these last days. They are self-satisfied. They have said, ‘We have the truth. There is no more light for the people of God.’ But we are not safe when we take a position that we will not accept anything else than that upon which we have settled as truth. We should take the Bible, and investigate it closely for ourselves. We should dig in the mine of God’s word for truth. ‘Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.’ Some have asked me if I thought there was any more light for the people of God. Our minds have become so narrow that we do not seem to understand that the Lord has a mighty work to do for us. Increasing light is to shine upon us; for ‘the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’–Review and Herald, June 18, 1889.
“Many Gems Yet to Be Discovered.–New light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God.–Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 34. (1892.)
“Investigation of Doctrine.–THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR ANYONE IN TAKING THE POSITION THAT THERE IS NO MORE TRUTH TO BE REVEALED, AND THAT ALL OUR EXPOSITIONS OF SCRIPTURE ARE WITHOUT AN ERROR. THE FACT THAT CERTAIN DOCTRINES HAVE BEEN HELD AS TRUTH FOR MANY YEARS BY OUR PEOPLE, IS NOT A PROOF THAT OUR IDEAS ARE INFALLIBLE. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.
“We are living in perilous times, and it does not become us to accept everything claimed to be truth without examining it thoroughly; neither can we afford to reject anything that bears the fruits of the Spirit of God; but we should be teachable, meek and lowly of heart. THERE ARE THOSE WHO OPPOSE EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR OWN IDEAS, AND BY SO DOING THEY ENDANGER THEIR ETERNAL INTEREST AS VERILY AS DID THE JEWISH NATION IN THEIR REJECTION OF CHRIST.
“The Lord designs that our opinions shall be put to the test, that we may see the necessity of closely examining the living oracles to see whether or not we are in the faith. Many who claim to believe the truth have settled down at their ease, saying, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.’ –Review and Herald, December 20, 1892.
“How to Search the Scriptures.–How shall we search the Scriptures? Shall we drive our stakes of doctrine one after another, and then try to make all Scripture meet our established opinions? or shall we take our ideas and views to the Scriptures, and measure our theories on every side by the Scriptures of truth? Many who read and even teach the Bible, do not comprehend the precious truth they are teaching or studying.
“Men entertain errors, when the truth is clearly marked out; and if they would but bring their doctrines to the word of God, and NOT READ THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR DOCTRINES, to prove their ideas right, they would not walk in darkness and blindness, or cherish error. Many give the words of Scripture a meaning that suits their own opinions, and they mislead themselves and deceive others by their misinterpretations of God’s word.
“As we take up the study of God’s word, we should do so with humble hearts. All selfishness, all love of originality, should be laid aside. Long-cherished opinions must not be regarded as infallible. IT WAS THE UNWILLINGNESS OF THE JEWS TO GIVE UP THEIR LONG-ESTABLISHED TRADITIONS THAT PROVED THEIR RUIN. THEY WERE DETERMINED NOT TO SEE ANY FLAW IN THEIR OWN OPINIONS OR IN THEIR EXPOSITIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES; BUT HOWEVER LONG MEN MAY HAVE ENTERTAINED CERTAIN VIEWS, IF THEY ARE NOT CLEARLY SUSTAINED BY THE WRITTEN WORD, THEY SHOULD BE DISCARDED. Those who sincerely desire truth will not be reluctant to lay open their positions for investigation and criticism, and will not be annoyed if their opinions and ideas are crossed. This was the spirit cherished among us forty years ago. . . .
“We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.
“Could those who are self-sufficient see how the universe of God regards them, could they see themselves as God sees them, they would behold such weakness, such manifest want of wisdom, that they would cry to the Lord to be their righteousness; they would want to hide from His sight. The apostle says, ‘Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.’ When our schemes and our plans have been broken; when men who have depended upon our judgment conclude the Lord would lead them to act and judge for themselves, we should not feel like censuring, and like exercising arbitrary authority to compel them to receive our ideas. Those who are placed in authority should constantly cultivate self-control. . . .
“Would-be Guardians of the Doctrine.–The rebuke of the Lord will be upon those who would be guardians of the doctrine, who would bar the way that greater light shall not come to the people. A great work is to be done, and God sees that our leading men have need of greater light, that they may unite harmoniously, with the messengers whom He shall send to accomplish the work that He designs they should. The Lord has raised up messengers and endued them with His Spirit, and has said, ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’
“Let no one run the risk of interposing himself between the people and the message of heaven. The message of God will come to the people; and if there were no voice among men to give it, the very stones would cry out. I call upon every minister to seek the Lord, to put away pride, to put away strife after supremacy, and humble the heart before God. It is the coldness of heart, the unbelief of those who ought to have faith, that keeps the churches in feebleness.– Review and Herald, July 26, 1892.
“A Sign of Growth.–Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.
“The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God’s people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, THERE WILL BE MANY NOW, AS IN ANCIENT TIMES, WHO WILL HOLD TO TRADITION, AND WORSHIP THEY KNOW NOT WHAT.
“I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance.
“And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe, but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith, and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God, and a turning to men, putting human wisdom in place of divine.
“GOD WILL AROUSE HIS PEOPLE; IF OTHER MEANS FAIL, HERESIES WILL COME IN AMONG THEM, WHICH WILL SIFT THEM, SEPARATING THE CHAFF FROM THE WHEAT. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. PRECIOUS LIGHT HAS COME, APPROPRIATE FOR THIS TIME. IT IS BIBLE TRUTH, SHOWING THE PERILS THAT ARE RIGHT UPON US. THIS LIGHT SHOULD LEAD US TO A DILIGENT STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES, AND A MOST CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE POSITIONS WHICH WE HOLD.
“God would have all the bearings and positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer and fasting. Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. Their faith must be firmly founded upon the word of God, so that when the testing time shall come, and they are brought before councils to answer for their faith, they may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear.
“Agitate, agitate, agitate! The subjects which we present to the world must be to us a living reality. It is important that in defending the doctrines which we consider fundamental articles of faith, we should never allow ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth. We should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny. . . .
“Continual Search for Greater Light.–Whatever may be man’s intellectual advancement, let him not for a moment think that there is no need of thorough and continuous searching of the Scriptures for greater light. As a people, we are called individually to be students of prophecy. We must watch with earnestness that we may discern any ray of light which God shall present to us. We are to catch the first gleamings of truth; and through prayerful study, clearer light may be obtained, which can be brought before others.
“When God’s people are at ease, and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favor them. It is His will that they should be ever moving forward, to receive the increased and ever-increasing light which is shining for them.
“The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light. We are living at a time when Satan is at work on the right hand and on the left, before and behind us; and yet as a people we are asleep. God wills that a voice shall be heard arousing His people to action.–Gospel Workers, pp. 297-300. (1915.)” (Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 33-41, by Ellen G. White)
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“Two years ago, while in Switzerland, I was addressed in the night season by a voice which said, ‘Follow me.’ I thought I arose, and followed my guide. I seemed to be in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, and my guide gave instructions in regard to many things at the conference. I will give in substance a few things that were said: ‘The Spirit of God has not had a controlling influence in this meeting. The spirit that controlled the Pharisees is coming in among this people, who have been greatly favored of God.’
“Many things were spoken which I will not now present to you. I was told that there was need of great spiritual revival among the men who bear responsibilities in the cause of God. THERE WAS NOT PERFECTION IN ALL POINTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION UNDER DISCUSSION. WE MUST SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FOR EVIDENCES OF TRUTH. ‘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.’
“SAID MY GUIDE, ‘THERE IS MUCH LIGHT YET TO SHINE FORTH FROM THE LAW OF GOD AND THE GOSPEL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. THIS MESSAGE, UNDERSTOOD IN ITS TRUE CHARACTER, AND PROCLAIMED IN THE SPIRIT, WILL LIGHTEN THE EARTH WITH ITS GLORY. The great decisive question is to be brought before all nations, tongues, and peoples. 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.’
“Many who claim to believe the truth will change their opinions in times of peril, and will take the side of the transgressors of God’s law in order to escape persecution. There will be great humbling of hearts before God on the part of every one who remains faithful and true to the end. But Satan will so work upon the unconsecrated elements of the human mind that many will not accept the light in God’s appointed way.
“I entreat you, brethren, be not like the Pharisees, who were blinded with spiritual pride, self-righteousness, and self-sufficiency, and who because of this were forsaken of God. For years I have been receiving instructions and warnings that this was the danger to our people. Says the Scripture: ‘Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God’ (John 12:42, 43).
“There is positive danger that some who profess to believe the truth will be found in a position similar to that of the Jews. They take the ideas of the men they are associated with, not because by searching the Scriptures they conscientiously accept the teachings in doctrine as truth. I entreat you to make God your trust; idolize no man, depend upon no man. Let not your love of man hold them in places of trust that they are not qualified to fill to the glory of God; for man is finite and erring, liable to be controlled by his own opinions and feelings. Self-esteem and self-righteousness are coming in upon us, and many will fall because of unbelief and unrighteousness, for the grace of Christ is not ruling in the hearts of many.
“We are to be ever searching for the truth as for hidden treasures. I entreat you, close not the door of the heart for fear some ray of light shall come to you. You need greater light, you need a clearer understanding of the truth which you carry to the people. If you do not see light yourselves, you will close the door; if you can you will prevent the rays of light from coming to the people. Let it not be said of this highly favored people, ‘Ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered’ (Luke 11:52). All these lessons are given for the benefit of those upon whom the ends of the world are come.
“I have been shown that Jesus will reveal to us precious old truths in a new light, if we are ready to receive them; but they must be received in the very way in which the Lord shall choose to send them. With humble, softened hearts, with respect and love for one another, search your Bibles. The light may not come in accordance with plans that men may devise. But all who reverence the Word of God just as it reads, all who do His will to the best of their ability, will know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, notwithstanding the efforts of the enemy to confuse minds and to make uncertain the Word of God. God calls every man’s attention to His living Oracles. Let no one quench the Spirit of God by wresting the Scriptures, by putting human interpretations upon His inspired Word; and let no one pursue an unfair course, keep in the dark, not willing to open their ears to hear and yet free to comment and quibble and sow their doubts of that which they will not candidly take time to hear.
“Let men be careful how they handle the Word of inspiration, which has been preserved for ages through the power of God. If men were themselves controlled by the Holy Spirit they would bring heart and soul to the task, searching and digging in the mines of God for precious ore. They would be eager to come into harmony with the writings of inspired men. If they are not controlled by the Spirit of God, they will give evidence of this by caviling over His word and by sitting in judgment upon its teachings just as did the Jews.
“We should guard against the influence of men who have trained themselves as debaters, for they are in continual danger of handling the Word of God deceitfully. There are men in our churches all through the land who will pervert the meaning of the Scripture to make a sharp point and overcome an opponent. They do not reverence the Sacred Word. They put their own construction upon its utterances. Christ is not formed within, the hope of glory. They are educated critics, but spiritual truths can only be spiritually discerned. These men are ever ready and equipped to oppose at a moment’s notice anything that is contrary to their own opinions. They handle the Scriptures in an unwise way, and bring self into everything they do.
“‘And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will’ (2 Timothy 2:24-26). The servant of the Lord must not strive, but must teach the Word of God in the manner that God has ordained. Any other way is not God’s way, and will create confusion.
“Brother Morrison is a debater; he is a man who has not had a daily, living experience in the meekness and lowliness of Christ. He is in danger of making false issues, and of treating them as realities. He will create strife, and the result will be dissensions and bickerings. He has many things to overcome, and if he fails to overcome them, he will make shipwreck of faith, as did Elder Canright. It is dangerous to cherish feelings of self-sufficiency. He must have the meekness of Christ; the sanctifying power of the truth must be brought into the sanctuary of his soul: then he will be a polished instrument in the hands of God to do His work.
“It is a matter of deep concern to us whether or not we are perfecting a Christian character, growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are daily learners in the school of Christ we shall be daily obtaining an experience in Christian life, and we shall not be self-sufficient and self-exalted. We shall be as humble as little children, and there will be a nourishing power in our words which will drop as the dew. The fruits of righteousness, sown in peace of them that make peace, will then appear.
“Growth in grace will give Brother Morrison increased ability to comprehend the deep mysteries of the gospel. Those who are in so great a degree unacquainted with Christ are ignorant of the spirit they cherish. They will be dry and Christless. The knowledge of Christ and His Word is the foundation and fullness of all knowledge. Many workers are not now fitted for the position of trust they occupy. They must be transformed by the grace of Christ. God wants to give our brethren another spirit. Without this change they will carry the spirit of irreverence for God and His living Oracles into their work; and if this mold is put upon the work, it will dishonor God. The subduing, softening influence of the grace of Christ must fashion and mold character; then it will be a pleasure to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.
“The debating spirit has come into the ranks of Sabbathkeepers to take the place of the Spirit of God. They have placed finite men where God should be, but nothing can suffice for us but to have Christ dwell in our hearts by faith. The truth must become ours. Christ must be our Saviour by an experimental knowledge. We should know by faith what it is to have our sins pardoned, and to be born again. We must have a higher, deeper wisdom than man’s to guide us amid the perils surrounding our pathway. The Spirit of Christ must be in us just as the blood is in the body, circulating through it as a vitalizing power.
“Our greatest fear should be that we may be found rebelling against God’s Word, which is to be our guide amid all the perils of the last days. We must be sure that we are on the Lord’s side, that we have the truth as it is in Jesus. With the grace of God in the soul, we may be secure anywhere, strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
“We would discourage the discipline that tends to make persons debaters. We urge you not to connect young men who are learning to be teachers of Bible truth with one who has a debating spirit, for they will surely receive the wrong mold of character. The habitual debater is so accustomed to beclouding and turning aside evidence, and even the Scriptures, from the true meaning to win his point, that everything that does not strike him favorably and is not in harmony with his ideas he will combat, caviling at God’s inspired Word.
“There is too little dependence upon God. When God would have a special work done for the advancement of the truth, He will impress men to work in the mines of truth with prayerful earnestness to discover the precious ore. These men will have Christlike perseverance. They will not fail or be discouraged. They will sink self out of sight in Jesus. Men will go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is their work to make crooked things straight. SOME THINGS MUST BE TORN DOWN, SOME THINGS MUST BE BUILT UP. THE OLD TREASURES MUST BE RESET IN A FRAMEWORK OF TRUTH. They are to preach God’s Word; their testimony must not be molded by the opinions and ideas that have been regarded as sound, but by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. They are to lift up Christ and call sinners to repentance. They are to practice the graces of Christ, to pursue a straightforward course, breaking down skepticism and urging upon all their personal responsibility to be kind and courteous, to do good and to win souls to Jesus.
“The Scripture should not be treated in a debating style. THOSE WHO HAVE EDUCATED THEMSELVES AS DEBATERS HAVE SO INCREASED THEIR SPIRIT OF COMBATIVENESS THAT THEY ARE READY TO CAVIL OVER THE WORD OF GOD, TO RESIST AND OPPOSE EVERYTHING THAT DISAGREES WITH THEIR IDEAS OR OPINIONS. They are in their element when an opportunity is offered for them to question and criticize, for it is natural for them to be ready for battle at any time. They will play upon words, misinterpret and misstate, because this has become a settled habit with them, a second nature. Nothing is safe in their hands. Now, the Lord desires that those who are in this condition should be converted, that they become as little children–simple, meek, teachable, and Christlike.
“We must have the power of God to soften and change the rugged traits of our character, that we may be susceptible to the influence of truth. We should look upon the Word of God with reverence, as something sacred. Christ is true, and without Him we know nothing as we ought to know it. We are lacking in the spirituality of true religion.
“WHEN THE JEWS TOOK THE FIRST STEP IN THE REJECTION OF CHRIST, THEY TOOK A DANGEROUS STEP. WHEN AFTERWARD EVIDENCE ACCUMULATED THAT JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS THE MESSIAH, THEY WERE TOO PROUD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAD ERRED. SO WITH THE PEOPLE OF OUR DAY WHO REJECT THE TRUTH. THEY DO NOT TAKE TIME TO INVESTIGATE CANDIDLY, WITH EARNEST PRAYER, THE EVIDENCES OF THE TRUTH, AND THEY OPPOSE THAT WHICH THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND. JUST LIKE THE JEWS, THEY TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THEY HAVE ALL THE TRUTH, AND FEEL A SORT OF CONTEMPT FOR ANYONE WHO SHOULD SUPPOSE THEY HAD MORE CORRECT IDEAS THAN THEMSELVES OF WHAT IS TRUTH. ALL THE EVIDENCE PRODUCED THEY DECIDE SHALL NOT WEIGH A STRAW WITH THEM, AND THEY TELL OTHERS THAT THE DOCTRINE IS NOT TRUE, AND AFTERWARD, WHEN THEY SEE AS LIGHT EVIDENCE THEY WERE SO FORWARD TO CONDEMN, THEY HAVE TOO MUCH PRIDE TO SAY ‘I WAS WRONG’; THEY STILL CHERISH DOUBT AND UNBELIEF, AND ARE TOO PROUD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR CONVICTIONS. BECAUSE OF THIS, THEY TAKE STEPS THAT LEAD TO RESULTS OF WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER DREAMED.
“THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE HABIT OF THINKING AND INVESTIGATING FOR THEMSELVES, BELIEVE CERTAIN DOCTRINES BECAUSE THEIR ASSOCIATES WITH THEM IN THE WORK BELIEVE THEM. THEY RESIST THE TRUTH WITHOUT GOING TO THE SCRIPTURES FOR THEMSELVES TO LEARN WHAT IS TRUTH. BECAUSE THOSE IN WHOM THEY HAVE HAD CONFIDENCE OPPOSE THE LIGHT, THEY OPPOSE IT, NOT KNOWING THEY ARE REJECTING THE COUNSEL OF GOD AGAINST THEMSELVES.” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, pp. 165-170, by Ellen G. White)
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