Dr Kellog took over the operation of the Battle Creek Sanitarum in 1876.
Ellen White had always told the sanitarum was not to be an immense building. It's better to build many smaller buildings in different places in the country side.
There were two that had more influence than John Kellog: GC president and Mrs White. Much like the attack on Ellen White's writings of today, Dr. Kellog began to undermine Ellen White's influence over the church. Kellog brought in the new thinking: Pantheism. This was the 'alpha apostasy'.
The problem with R&H publishing house was that it started printing large circulation of commercial material and later on the pantheistic materials.
For about a decade, Ellen White had admonished the sanitarum and publishing house. As late as 1901, she warned:
"I have been almost afraid to open the 'Review,' fearing to see that God has cleansed the publishing house by fire." Letter 138, 1901 [8 Testimonies, 91].
After the fires of 1902, Kellog was determined to build an even larger building: the temple of truth.
Ellen White wrote to him:
"I have been given a message for you. You have had many cautions and warnings, which I sincerely hope and pray you will consider. Last night I was instructed to tell you that the great display you are making in Battle Creek is not after God's order. You are planning to build in Battle Creek a larger sanitarium than should be erected there. There are other parts of the Lord's vineyard in which buildings are greatly needed . . "Battle Creek is not to be made a Jerusalem. There are calls for means to establish memorials for God in cities nigh and afar off. Do not erect an immense institution in Battle Creek which will make it necessary for you to draw upon our people for means. Such a building might far better be divided, and plants made in many places. Over and over again this has been presented to me."-Letter 125, 1902.
Kellog persuaded men in GC to go along with his plan on the condition that the building would be paid for his money, cash, with no debts to the denomination. And he began to disassociate the institute from Adventist, calling it 'undenominational', he said "Look at me when you look at this great work that has been built. Admire me, not the Advent Message."
"I am writing on the life of Solomon. And I wish to write more on the case that I have so many times brought before Dr. Kellogg as illustrative of his own dangers −the case of Nebuchadnezzar. Over and over again I have warned the doctor not to follow the course of this king, who said, 'Is not this great Babylon, that I have built .. by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?' Dr. Kellogg is now pursuing a similar course in Battle Creek."
"I am told that he made the remark that he was glad that the old santiarium buildings burned down. Brethren, those buildings burned down as a reproof to him, but instead of taking it thus, he has given place to self-exaltation."- Manuscript 123, 1902.
In 1909, Kellog took over full control of the sanitarum by a decision of the board. Over the course the years, he expanded the building and was in deep debt. When the great depression hit in 1929, it defaulted on interest and principal payments by 1933. Kellog offered co-managment of the building on the condition of taking over the debt. GC turned down his offer.
The US government bought out the debt and turned it into a veteran's hospital.
In the 50s, a group adventist doctors took over and reopened as Battle Creek Health Center. In 1974, by the vote of the board, it was transfered to SDA church and became Battle Creek Adventist Hospital.
