Did Ellen White condemn John Harvey Kellogg for buildings in Chicago that he had never built?

One of the charges against Ellen White is that she wrote a letter to J.H. Kellogg condemning him for some buildings in Chicago that hadn't even been built yet.  Here is what her son Willie had to say about this charge (all emphasis is ours):

Sometimes the question is asked, Was Dr. Kellogg reproved for erecting a building in Chicago that never was built? Was there a representation made of buildings there that never were constructed? Yes. Was there a representation made to Ezekiel of a city and a temple that never were built? Why was that representation made to him? Because it was possible that there should be such a city. If the people had walked in the light it would have been built. But they did not walk in the light and the city and temple shown to the prophet never were built. Ezekiel recorded what was shown to him.

While we were in Australia there was presented to Mother in visions of the night large buildings in Chicago, occupied by many enterprises, absorbing the time and energies of our people. It was shown her what it meant to the conferences and the missions in other lands to permit the gathering of means for these buildings. No one had ever written to Mother or told her that there were any such buildings. But she wrote what was presented to her. She saw the buildings, the many enterprises, and the result, and wrote the protest given here against it. I read that before it went, and thought the one to whom it was addressed understood her work well enough to understand its meaning and receive it as a caution. But instead of that, great indignation was stirred up over it. It has been often discussed and the letter quoted as showing the unreliability of the Testimonies.

For some years this was a burden to Mother, but in the summer of 1902, after the organization of the Pacific Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, the perplexity was cleared away. One day Judge Jesse Arthur and Mrs. Arthur took dinner at Mother's house, and after dinner the matter of the Chicago building was discussed. Judge Arthur told us that he knew something about the plans that were prepared and discussed for a large building in Chicago, and that he had seen the plan that was drawn for such a building by Brother W. K. Loughborough. He told us that Dr. Holmes, who had done much to help in the Chicago work of the Medical Missionary College, and who was an active member of the American Medical Association, was deeply interested that we should have large and acceptable buildings in Chicago, because unless we had a suitable place for our work, it would be impossible to secure favorable recognition from the American Medical Association and the Association of Medical Colleges.

Therefore, Dr. Holmes voluntarily looked up a place and made suggestions regarding plans. Various places were examined; various plans were discussed, great and small. Dr. Holmes was continually leading on to plan for a very large building, and it was thought that the Medical College could occupy a part, part could be given to the dispensary, and several other kindred enterprises could be grouped in this large building. As Judge Arthur described in a general way the plans that were being considered for a building, Mother said, "That is what was presented to me," and then she took up the description of the building and went on with it for a while. "Yes," Judge Arthur said, and then proceeded with the description. The conversation was like that of two persons who had been seeing the same things, and in which one would tell a part, and the other would tell a part, and all in perfect harmony. It was considered important that the large building under consideration be erected as soon as possible, because the time was drawing near for the graduation of a class of students from the Medical Missionary College, and the friendly influence of the supervising medical associations was desired. Dr. J. H. Kellogg was in Europe, but his most hearty approval was expected. But on his return he at once raised the question, "Where is the money?" The testimony regarding the large buildings in Chicago had caused him to lose hope that he could raise the necessary funds for their construction.

The message had gone to Dr. Kellogg while he was in Europe. He was not only the leader but also the head and front of that work. It was his plans that gave shape to all that was done. When he saw the Testimony was against what he and his associates desired to do, he called a halt.

The question of personal influence is one that has perplexed many. Some have gotten the idea that personal influence can be brought to bear in such a way as to sway the tenor of the Testimonies this way or that way or the other way, according to the feelings and wishes and desires of those close to Mother.

Those who are best acquainted with Mother's work know that there is a solidity to it that cannot be shaken. There is a part which men have to act in connection with this as well as with every other part of the work of God. Ofttimes there is presented to Mother a view of the field and the work that lies before us. She is shown that if a conference, a church, or a group of men take such and such a course, the result will surely be of such and such a nature, and therefore she must give warning. Ofttimes she must ask our brethren with reference to the progress of the work, that she may know whether the time has come to give her testimony.

We will be updating this section soon, but any honest soul can see the truth about this one......

For more info and for the full transcript of W.C. White's talk regarding Ellen White's visions, etc. click on the link below:

W.C. White's Speech re: Ellen White's Visions    (NOTE: THIS LINK TAKES YOU TO THE ELLEN WHITE ESTATE)