“Those who teach the Bible in our Churches and {in} our schools are not at liberty to unite in making apparent their prejudices for or against political men or measures, because by so doing they stir up the minds of others, leading each to advocate his favorite theory.  There are among those professing to believe present truth, some who will thus be stirred up to express their sentiments and political preferences, so that division will be brought into the Church.”  CCh:316.1.

 

“The Lord would have His people bury political questions.  On these themes silence is eloquence.  Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure Gospel principles which are plainly revealed in the Word of God.  We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for we do not know whom we are voting for.  We cannot with safety take part in any political scheme {plural in the original FE:475-477; see below; then 6 sentences left out}.”  CCh:316.2.

 

“Those who are Christians indeed will be branches of the True Vine, and will bear the same fruit as the Vine.  They will act in harmony, in Christian fellowship.  They will not wear political badges, but the badge of Christ.  CCh:316.3.

 

“What are we to do, then? -- Let political questions alone.”  CCh:316.4.

 

“There is a large vineyard to be cultivated; but while Christians are to work among unbelievers, they are not to appear like worldlings.  They are not to spend their time talking politics or acting politics; for by so doing they give the enemy opportunity to come in and cause variance and discord. [The rest is not in the original but found here].”  CCh:316.5.

 

“God’s children are to separate themselves from politics, from any alliance with unbelievers.  Do not take part in political strife.  Separate from the world, and refrain from bringing into the Church or school ideas that will lead to contention and disorder.  Dissension is the moral poison taken into the system by human beings who are selfish.”  CCh:316.6.  (See also FE:475-477 below).

 

“Danger in Making Unguarded Statements:

 

“Teach the people to conform in all things to the laws of their state when they can do so without conflicting with the Law of God.”  CCh:316.7.

 

“By some of our brethren many things have been spoken and written that are interpreted as expressing antagonism to government and law.  It is a mistake thus to lay ourselves open to misunderstanding.  It is not wise to find fault continually with what is done by the rulers of government.  It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions.  We should exercise great care lest we be understood as putting ourselves in opposition to the civil authorities.  It is true that our warfare is aggressive, but [317]

 

“our weapons are to be those found in a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God.  We should not be turned aside to lines that will encourage controversy or arouse antagonism in those not of our faith.”  CCh:316-317.

 

“The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren, will be used by our enemies to condemn us.  These will not be used merely to condemn those who made the statements, but will be charged upon the whole body of Adventists.  Our accusers will say that on such and such a day one of our responsible men said thus and so against the administration of the laws of this government.  Many will be astonished to see how many things have been cherished and remembered that will give point to the arguments of our adversaries.  Many will be surprised to hear their own words strained into a meaning that they did not intend them to have.  Then let our workers be careful to speak guardedly at all times and under all circumstances.  Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men’s souls.”  CCh:317.1.

 

Here is the original from “Special Testimony Relating To Politics:” To the Teachers and Managers of our Schools, Chapter 61, placed in FE:475-477:

 

“Those who have charge of our institutions and our schools should guard themselves diligently, lest by their words and sentiments they lead the students into false paths.  Those who teach the Bible in our Churches and in our schools are not at liberty to unite in making apparent their prejudices for or against political men or measures, because by so doing they stir up the minds of others, leading each to advocate his favorite theory.  There are among those professing to believe present truth some who will thus be stirred up to express their sentiments and political preferences, so that division will be brought into the Church.

 

“The Lord would have His people bury political questions.  On these themes silence is eloquence.  Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure Gospel principles which are plainly revealed in the Word of God.  We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for we do not know whom we are voting for.  We cannot with safety take part in any political schemes.  We cannot labor to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty, and to set in operation oppressive measures to lead or compel their fellow men to keep Sunday as the Sabbath.  The first day of the week is not a day to be reverenced.  It is a spurious sabbath, and the members of the Lord’s family cannot participate with the men who exalt this day, and violate the Law of God by trampling upon His Sabbath.  The people of God are not to vote to place such men in office; for when they do this, they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit while in office.

 

“We are not compromise principle by yielding to the opinions and prejudices which we may have encouraged before we united with God’s Commandment-keeping people.  We have [476]

 

“enlisted in the army of the Lord, and we are not to fight on the enemy’s side, but on the side of Christ, where we can be a united whole, in sentiment, in action, in spirit, in fellowship.  Those who are Christians indeed will be branches of the true vine, and will bear the same fruit as the Vine.  They will act in harmony, in Christian fellowship.  They will not wear political badges, but the badge of Christ.

 

“What are we to do, then? -- Let political questions alone. [The rest is left out of CCh:316-317]

 

“ ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?’  What can there be in common between these parties?  There can be no fellowship, no communion.  The word fellowship means participation, partnership.  God employs the strongest figures to show that there should be no union between worldly parties and those who are seeking the righteousness of Christ.  What communion can there be between light and darkness, truth and unrighteousness? -- None whatever.  Light represents righteousness; darkness, error, sin, unrighteousness.  Christians have come out of darkness into the light.  They have put on Christ, and they wear the badge of truth and obedience.  They are governed by the elevated and holy principles which Christ expressed in His life.  But the world is governed by principles of dishonesty and injustice.

 

“ ‘Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.  But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine upon them.  [477]

 

“ ‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, Who Commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’  Two parties are here brought to view, and it is shown that there can be no union between them.

 

“Those teachers in the Church or in the school who distinguish themselves by their zeal in politics, should be relieved of their work and responsibilities without delay; for the Lord will not co-operate with them.  The tithe should not be used to pay any one for speechifying on political questions.  Every teacher, minister, or leader in our ranks who is stirred with a desire to ventilate his opinions on political questions, should be converted by a belief in the truth, or give up his work.  His influence must tell as a laborer together with God in winning souls to Christ, or his credentials must be taken from him.  If he does not change, he will do harm, and only harm.

 

“In the name of the Lord I would say to the teachers in our schools, Attend to your appointed work.  You are not called upon by God to engage in politics.”

 

 

Here it is in GW:391-392:

 

 

“The Lord would have His people bury political questions.  On these themes silence is eloquence.  Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure Gospel principles which are plainly revealed in the Word of God.  We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for we do not know whom we are voting for.  We cannot with safety take part in any political scheme.  We cannot labor to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty, and to set in operation oppressive measures to lead or compel their fellow-men to keep Sunday as the Sabbath.  The first day of the week is not a day to be reverenced.  It is a spurious sabbath, and the members of the Lord’s family cannot participate with the men who exalt this day, and violate the Law of [392]

 

“God by trampling upon His Sabbath.  The people of God are not to vote [this does not mean we “are not to vote” period] to place such men in office; for when they do this, they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit while in office.

 

“We are not to compromise principle by yielding to the opinions and prejudices which we may have encouraged before we united with God’s Commandment-keeping people.  We have enlisted in the army of the Lord, and we are not to fight on the enemy’s side, but on the side of Christ, where we can be a united whole, in sentiment, in action, in spirit, in fellowship.  Those who are Christians indeed will be branches of the True Vine, and will bear the same fruit as the Vine.  They will act in harmony, in Christian fellowship.  They will not wear political badges, but the badge of Christ.

 

“What are we to do, then? -- Let political questions alone.  ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?’ [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15.] What can there be in common between these parties?  There can be no fellowship, no communion.”

 

 

These statements are interesting in possibly affirming that we can vote for issues:

 

 

“My brethren, will you not remember that none of you have any burden laid upon you by the Lord to publish your political preferences in our papers, or to speak of them in the congregation, when the people assemble to hear the Word of the Lord. . .

 

“We are not as a people to become mixed up with political questions.  All would do well to take heed to the Word of God, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers [337]

 

“in political strife, nor bind with them in their attachments.  There is no safe ground in which they can stand and work together.  The loyal and the disloyal have no equal ground on which to meet.

 

“He who breaks one precept of the Commandments of God is a transgressor of the whole Law.  Keep your voting to yourself {meaning vote?}.  Do not feel it your duty to urge everyone to do as you do [meaning vote as you do?].”  Letter 4, 1898; 2SM:336-337.

 

“Attended meeting in the eve.  Had quite a free, interesting meeting.  After it was time to close, the subject of voting was considered and dwelt upon.  James first talked, then Brother {J. N.} Andrews talked, and it was thought by them best to give their influence in favor of right and against wrong.  They think it right to vote in favor of temperance men being in office in our city instead of by their silence running the risk of having intemperate men put in office.  Brother {David} Hewitt tells his experience of a few days and is settled that {it} is right to cast his vote.  Brother {Josiah} Hart talks well.  Brother {Henry} Lyon opposes.  No others object to voting, but Brother {J.P.} Kellogg begins to feel that it is right.  Pleasant feelings exist among all the brethren.  O that they may all act in the fear of God.

 

“Men of intemperance have been in the office today in a flattering manner expressing their approbation of the course of the Sabbathkeepers not voting and expressed hopes that they will stick to their course and, like the Quakers, not cast their vote.  Satan and his evil angels are busy at this time, and he has workers upon the earth.  May Satan be disappointed {“disappointed” how?  By Adventists voting or not voting?  You decide.}, is my prayer.”  E. G. White diary, Sunday, March 6, 1859; 2SM:337; Te:256.

 

 

This one makes it sound like if educated to do so they should vote:

 

 

“There are speculations as to woman’s rights and duties in regard to voting.  Many are in no way disciplined to understand the bearing of important questions.  They have lived lives of present gratification because it was the fashion.  Women who might develop good intellects and have true moral worth are now mere slaves to fashion.  They have not breadth of thought nor cultivated intellect.  They can talk understandingly of the latest fashion, the styles of dress, this or that party or delightful ball.  Such women are not prepared to intelligently take a prominent position in political matters {In other words; they have disqualified themselves to vote intelligently}.  They are mere creatures of fashion and circumstance.  Let this order of things be changed.  Let woman realize the sacredness of her work and, in the strength and fear of God, take up her life mission {Although, the following is their “life mission”}.  Let her educate her children for usefulness in this world and for a fitness for the better world.”  3T:565.

 

 

Finally, I believe we are to vote on issues, not people per se:

 

 

“There is a cause for the moral paralysis upon society.  Our laws sustain an evil which is sapping their very foundations.  Many deplore the wrongs which they know exist, but consider themselves free from all responsibility [the only “responsibility” she could be meaning hear is clear, i.e., vote] in the matter.  This cannot be.  Every individual exerts an influence in society.  In our favored land every voter has some voice [is that clear enough for you] in determining what laws shall control the nation.  Should not that influence and vote be on the side of temperance and virtue?”  PH093:8.2.

 

“The advocates of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their influence, by precept and example, by voice and pen and vote {once again, quite clear}, in behalf of prohibition and total abstinence.  We need not expect that God will work a miracle to bring about this reform, and thus remove the necessity for our exertion [i.e., vote].  We ourselves must grapple this giant foe, our motto, ‘No compromise,’ and no cessation of our efforts till victory is gained.”  PH093:8.4.

 

“Every individual exerts an influence in society.  In our favored land, every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation.  Should not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue?”  RH, November 8, 1881 par. 9.

 

The advocates of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their influence by precept and example -- by voice and pen and vote -- in favor of prohibition and total abstinence.”  RH, November 8, 1881 par. 12.

 

“While we are in no wise to become involved in political questions, yet it is our privilege to {vote} take our stand decidedly on all questions relating to temperance reform {vote on the issues; not the person or party}.  Concerning this I have often borne a plain testimony.”  RH, October 15, 1914, par. 16.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE, in reality what she is really pushing is to uphold God’s Laws and God’s morality within the sphere of our individual influence.

 

 

“The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses -- extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty.  Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms.  He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies.  He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power.  He Who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments.  Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures.  To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.”  CCh:314.4.