It is impossible for mortal tongue ever to express, or even for mortal intellect to comprehend the breadth, the beauty, and the perfection of God’s law. There is in it abundant food for meditation both day and night; and the more we learn of it, the more we can appreciate the psalmist’s glowing descriptions of it, and his exhortations to continually study it.
The law without gospel is dark and hopeless; the gospel without law is inefficient and powerless. The one leads to servitude, the other to antinomianism.
So no man can feel any interest in the gospel as a means of salvation from sin, unless he (1) knows what sin is, and (2) is convinced that he is a sinner, and (3) understands the nature and results of sin, so as to realize that it is something to be shunned. Therefore the gospel, with its announcement of salvation from sin, must also make known what sin is.
All the efforts of men to keep the law of God by their own power, no matter how earnest and sincere they may be, can never result in anything but sin. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6
You have nothing to do with the question of worth. When Christ was on earth “He knew what was in man.” John 2.25. He made your purchase with His eyes wide open, and you should be the last one to complain.
Is there a malignant opposer of the truth? Do not strive with him, and do not reproach him. Let him have all the bitterness and strife to himself, while you hold yourself to the Word of God and to prayer. It may not be long till God, who is now blasphemed, will be glorified in him.
J. S. Washburn was present at the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference. He heard and saw what went on there.
In 1950, Elder Robert Wieland interviewed him and this is the interview.
"Now Dr. Waggoner wrote a letter to Dr. Kellogg, trying to persuade him against Pantheism, but Dr. Kellogg would not listen. It is this letter that Elder Froom has."
Ellis P. Howard, Son-in-law of Ellet J. Waggoner