Ms 7, 1897
Concerning the Publishing Work
“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
January 27, 1897
Again and again the Lord has sent testimonies of warning, of reproof, and instruction to His people; but so long as the men who stand in responsible positions continue to resist the Spirit of God, and determinedly follow their own unsanctified way and will, as revealed in Minneapolis and since; so long as they persist in holding power over those with whom they are connected, thus placing a mold upon the work that is detrimental to its healthful growth, and weaving into all the working of the cause of God methods and principles which the Lord has testified should not exist, He will overthrow, overthrow, overthrow, until the holy places are cleansed from their moral defilement. The Lord has declared that He will not serve with their sins. Although professing to have a knowledge of divine things, they reveal that they have no vital connection with the sap vessels of the parent stock. The result is that human wisdom takes the place of the Divine.
The destiny of such men will be an ultimate separation from Christ, as complete as that of the dead branch that has been severed from the vine. In heart they separated from Jesus years ago, and have become like the unfruitful tree of which the Owner of the vineyard said, “Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down: why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” [Luke 13:7-9.]
“Then after that.” [Verse 9.] What meaning is there in these words? In them there is a lesson for all who are connected with the work of God. A period of probation was granted to the tree that bore no fruit. And in like manner God bears long with His people. But to those who have had great advantages, and who are standing in positions of high and sacred trust, and yet bear no fruit, Christ says, “Cut it down: why cumbereth it the ground?” [Verse 7.] There must be work corresponding with the sacredness of the truth they have had placed before them. Old things must pass away; all things must become new.
Some of the Jews had brought to Jesus the story of the Galileans whom Pilate had slain at the foot of the altar, thinking that it was because of their wickedness that this had happened unto them, and that they were deservedly suffering for their sins. But the great Teacher had a lesson for His hearers. He said unto them, “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell ye, Nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” [Verses 2-5.]
The Lord is gracious, long-suffering, and of tender compassion. But His promised blessings are upon condition of obedience. God had done everything that He could for Sodom; but her inhabitants would not keep the commandments of God.
Three angels disguised as men appeared to Abraham as he sat in the door of his tent. They were strangers to Abraham, but he treated them courteously, and supplied all their necessities as human beings, knowing not that one of those whom he entertained was no less than the Son of God.
“And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that thing which he hath spoken of him. And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.” [Genesis 18:16-21.]
Through God’s Word the light has been shining upon His people. Will those thus privileged appreciate their blessings? Will that which is wrong, in action, in spirit, and in thought, be renounced? Those who bear some good fruit must be pruned and purified from all common, sensual things, from selfishness, ungodliness, and deception in any line of business, and from greed expressed in any transaction in trade with their fellow men. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is now law.” [Galatians 5:22, 23.] “Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” [James 3:13-18.]
But this has not been the fruit borne by those in sacred positions of trust. There are those who have professed godliness, who have been severe and harsh and unmerciful to those who have had less responsibilities to bear. How harsh their judgment has been. How hard the hearts, how insensible to sympathy, of those who have expatiated on the mistakes of their fellow men.
Christ has declared, “All ye are brethren.” [Matthew 23:8.] But how little of brotherly love has been manifested. The masterful, selfish, overbearing spirit will prove a curse in any line of business, but the injury it does to the work and cause of God is beyond the estimate that finite man can place upon it. At the very heart of the work they have lied against the truth. Deception, fraud, selfishness, and covetousness, which is idolatry have been brought in and mingled with the sacred offerings. Are there any so far deceived, so blinded, that they cannot distinguish the sacred from the common?
Every church, although imperfect, is dear to the heart of Christ. He knows every member by name. Those who are meek and lowly in heart are precious in His sight. He will be sanctified in those that draw near unto Him. The man who loves and fears God will cease to think highly of his outward advantages. He will not aspire to be the greatest.
The overbearing spirit manifested in the Review and Herald Office in lording it over God’s heritage has been looked upon by the God of heaven with indignation. They have brought into the sacred work of God principles that He hates—principles which if carried out, would bring the sharp axe to the root of the tree. Had they loved God supremely, they would have loved the children of God, they would have loved all mankind with the love that is expressed in the life of Christ. It is the absence of the love of Christ that causes the Lord to pronounce the sentence, “Cut it down: why cumbereth it the ground?” [Luke 13:7.]
God calls for decided changes in His work proportionate to the elevated character of the truth of these last days. Unless those repent who have been handling sacred things in the spirit manifested by the great apostate, their candlestick will be removed out of his place. The message of God is, “Remember then from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works: or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” [Revelation 2:5.]
These things have been opened before me in clear lines. I have seen that a cloud hangs over Battle Creek. The councillors in the offices have done strange things, and have offered strange fire. I tell you in the name of the Lord, Advance no farther in your work of loading down by bearing such institutions as the Health Retreat. Take your hands off from the Pacific Press. You who are so deeply at fault in your principles and practices, and under the reproof of God, cannot manage the interests with which you are connected. In the books of heaven it is written against you, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]
Stop where you are. You cannot retrieve your past record by seeking to reconstruct, reorganize, and consolidate other institutions with the institutions so defective in Battle Creek. I cry to you in the name of the Lord, No, No. Leave the Pacific Press under God’s theocracy, and humble your hearts before God before it is everlastingly too late. The great day of God is coming when every man shall be known as God knows him.
The managers of the Pacific Press need to humble their hearts before God. They need to walk in all humility. The Lord will overturn until there is a reformation in our institutions. The men who ought to be filled with faith in this most sacred truth ever presented to mortals, the men who handle sacred trusts, are not all true watchmen. The Holy Spirit has often been in your midst, but these men, whose hearts should have been open to receive the heavenly messengers, were closed to its entreaties. They have ridiculed, mocked, and derided God’s servants who have borne to them the message of mercy from heaven. Some have trifled with the precious things of God which are light and truth and grace. Had these men no fear that the sin of blasphemy might be committed by them? They would certainly fear were they not blinded by the enemy. Poor foolish, deluded souls. They know not the things that make for their peace. God has said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” [Jeremiah 17:9, 10.]
Ms 12, 1897
Selfishness in Business Deals
“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
February 11, 1897
I feel greatly burdened over the case of Brother Lawrence. I was in an assembly this night, and the Spirit of the Lord wrought upon me. There seemed to be a strange atmosphere in the room, not fragrant and uplifting, but very depressing. I was conversing with Brother and Sister Lawrence, and said to them, “Have you not something to say? Cannot you relieve the situation?” But no move was made. Then One came into the meeting, who turned to Brother Lawrence, and said, “You are not clear before God. Through your entire life you have not been as a man who has tried to do Him service.
“You are impregnated with selfishness, and have not a practical knowledge of what it means to accept the truth in all its bearings. What has been your sowing? What has been your influence upon those in connection with you? What have you done as a laborer together with God to advance His kingdom? Your main endeavor has been to figure for yourself, to buy, and sell, and get gain. You have been having an opportunity for test and trial; but your experience has been of a character that falls far short of the measure of God. Your selfish traits of character are brought into all your daily life practice. Your life and talents are a trust from God; but you have lived for self and worked for self.”
You should make it your business, Brother Lawrence, to understand what you are sowing, for every day your influence is bearing its record to God. In just such actions as the purchasing of your cow, you reveal on whose side you stand. You bought the cow from the school, and paid three pounds for it. You found it a good cow, and one that would be of real value to the school. Had you wanted to help the school, when you were ready to sell the cow, would you not have given them the benefit of the good bargain you made in buying the cow from them? Would you not have been willing to return it to them for what you paid for it? But instead of doing this, you asked them £4.10 for the cow from outside parties, and would not sell it to the school for £4.
What would another have done who considered that if there was any advantage to be gained, a even so much as one dollar or one penny, it justly belonged to the school? You should have felt that all these transactions in a very real sense touch the very foundation of a consecrated Christian life. If it were possible that your influence extended no farther than yourself, such acts result in evil, for they confirm your already strong habits of selfishness. But you cannot do wrong without influencing others. Your influence with those connected with the school will not be of the right character.
If you gain an influence, you will be tempted to take credit to your self as possessing superior traits of character. But your sharp practice is written in heaven as dishonesty. You have not employed your talents of influence and money in such a way as to reap a reward in the kingdom of heaven as the result of trading to the best advantage. You have shown selfishness here as in your practice all through your life.
In regard to the cow, the right course would have been for you to say to your brethren, “I find this a choice cow. I have an interest in the prosperity of the school, as I see it struggling hard for an existence to carry forward the work that God would have done. I would not take one penny of advantage of the school. I return the cow to you for what I offered for it, as a valuable article that you will need when the school is started. It is worth more than I paid for it, but you can have it for the same price. And if you cannot pay the money, I will donate that much for the benefit of the school, for I recognize it as the work of God.” This would be no more than others are doing.
This is a test point. But you are so wrapped up in your own self that, unless changed by a thorough transformation of character, you will not in the future pursue any different course from what you have pursued in the past. The Lord looks deep into the secret motives. Unless there is a change in you, wherever you may be you will work to advantage yourself. You take much pride in the idea of the talents you possess. But what are they? You have wrapped them in a napkin; very little ever gets into circulation.
What if all who came in connection with this missionary enterprise conducted themselves as you have done in this matter? How much would the work of God be advanced? You have talent, which you expend in business lines and in a variety of ways, if it suits your tastes and inclinations and you are paid for it all that you ask. But what consecration have you made to God in using your entrusted energies to exert an influence in behalf of the school and for the cause of God?
You did take the lead in the work at first in mingling amusement with labor, which suited your taste well, but spoiled some of the youth for out and out labor. There was much talking done; you related your adventures to amuse, but did you take a deep and earnest interest to lead the youth to Jesus as you had opportunity? Did you consider, “Ye are laborers together with God” to build up the work of Christ? [1 Corinthians 3:9.] While engaged in business matters, where was your interest and energy in spiritual things? Did you influence others by word and example to be “not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord?” [Romans 12:11.]
The truth is, You do not bring religion into your business life, and that is why you do not sense the reality of spiritual things. You lose your God-given opportunities of making your influence felt in spiritual lines. You have an influence, and how important that it shall in a decided manner reveal principles that will help others. You say you supposed you had little influence, but truly you can consider that your character is of great value. Have you in that cow trade had a holy determination to overcome your avaricious spirit, and in this instance set an example of disinterested benevolence, that in you practice you might have an influence for Christ?
Again, when the school funds were so low, you wanted six shillings per day for your wages. Had you adjusted yourself to circumstances, you would have accepted one dollar a day, and been glad to get it. What use were you making of your talents, of the golden opportunities of using you time as a donation to the Lord? During this time of idleness you were sitting on the stool of temptation when you might have been exerting an influence for good in visiting those who were in need of just the help you ought to have been prepared to give them.
You should have taken your Bible, and visited and opened the Scriptures to others. You could have prepared a comfortable place for your wife to live in. But instead of doing this, you were pitying and sympathizing with yourself because you were not employed to work at your own price, because there was no money to pay you the wages you supposed you ought to have. Had you said, “I have only myself and wife to keep; I can live on one dollar a day, and I will take that. There is work that needs to be done, and I will do it even if I get nothing for my time,” you would have been introducing the right kind of leaven.
It is the persons who will manifest just such a spirit as this, and will do just such actions, who are needed upon the school ground to abide here as laborers together with God. These will be reliable men, who will help when help is needed.
But such acts as these, you are not in the habit of doing. God now calls you to act a different part from what you have been acting in the past if you would advance in spiritual life. In the past your plans and study have been for self: they have not been of the right character; they have not had a fragrant odor. Your distressing economy is not commended in heaven. By the outgrowth of the root of selfishness you have made the life of your wife oppressive. You have been hiding your Lord’s money rather than using it to bless yourself, your family, and those around you. You have yet to learn that the talent that has been entrusted you is to be put out to the exchangers that it may grow by circulation, and open before the user new fields of usefulness. You are spiritually dead. You have been shutting yourself up to yourself, priding yourself upon your possession of talents of ability and of money, while doing nothing whatever with that money and that influence. You are as deceived a man as any man can be as to your true position before God.
Weeks ago I was awakened with a message from God for you. I was shown that your parsimonious practice is withering up your life from the roots. You are self-complacent. You can talk, but do not practice. God does not accept your service. In the establishment of a school here in Cooranbong, you have had an opportunity to reveal the love you have for the missionary work. Do you realize that all you have is of God, that your natural endowments of character may be a blessing or a curse?
The Lord allows the circumstances by which we are surrounded to exist in order to determine what our influence shall be. They are deciding our character for eternity. God reads the motives that prompt every action. He knows the heart, and that the extent of the usefulness of each in the upbuilding of His cause will be as they shall reveal unselfish interest in His service. He wants each one of His children to fill out the great plan that He has given them in this life, and He supplies the strength of character that their surrounding circumstances may require. He brings every soul in close contact with Himself.
Christ has placed you in circumstances of life where from hour to hour you may develop the character of Christ. You have a talent of influence which is to be used not in a general way alone. Day be day every business transaction is passing beyond your reach, beyond recall. God presents to all large and small opportunities of exerting an influence for good in the various changing circumstances in which we are placed. He works to bring about these opportunities, which are constantly coming and going, to show who are whole hearted and devoted to His service. But you have brought great blindness upon yourself by your habits of life. Your senses have become perverted. You do not discern that the Word of God condemns your life practices. Christ asks you, “Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth?” [Galatians 3:1.] A bewitching power has allured you: you are deluded as to correct principles to be carried out in the Christian life. And there is nothing that can break this spell save the power of God.
Just as the body needs vitalizing air at all times, so the soul needs a vital connection with God. Christ declared, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.” [John 6:53-57, 63.] The truth, which the Spirit teaches in the Word of God, should be mingled with all we do; it should control all our actions. The Holy Spirit is a witness of all our transactions; it should be our guide in all business relations.
Whatever your profession may be, Brother Lawrence, you are not a Christian. You have lost the oil of grace out of your heart. The principles that you have manifested in trade with your brethren are all before us, and they decide the question. You have dismissed the Word of God from your counsel; you have consented to for go the use of reason in the highest of all interests that can affect humanity. You have laid your soul a sacrifice upon the altar of mammon. Instead of seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, you have forwarded your own selfish interests. You have deliberately set aside one of the simplest, plainest, and most positive injunctions contained in the Word of God. You have practiced fraud. Jesus asks you the question, “What is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Matthew 16:26.]
You do not keep the commandments of God; your love of gain makes you [so] that you cannot trade fairly on Christian principles. Cupidity has been one of your chief characteristics. You have sought to obtain all the advantages you possibly could in buying, and you have repeated the same in selling. You would take double what you give for an article if you could get it. The bewitching power of Satan has held you fast, that you shall be anything but a Christian in your life practice.
You are a speculator. No man who will deal as you have done will be the one to advance the work and sustain right principles. The Lord is dishonored by such. Self is made a center. We are here for the purpose of educating on strict Bible principles. And we want men who will tell the truth [even] when it will work against their own interest. Whatever deal men may have with you, they must be on their guard, else you will advantage yourself at their loss. Apparently you have no scruples of conscience in the matter, because you have educated yourself in this line of business deal. But God reads it all, and he will not favor you in this kind of work.
Let any man bring before his conscience the details of any bargain of which he has been proud at the time, and for which he has called himself a sharp detector of goods or stock. Let him consider his action as if in view of the whole universe of heaven, whether there has not been deceit or falsehood in it. Has he not shown a frankness in regard to some defects, thus creating confidence in himself as an unusually honest man who would scorn to take advantage of any one? Has he not dwelt upon the advantage of the thing he has bought, and is now selling again for a larger sum? Has he not pretended that it was a matter of indifference to him; and by his “I do not care” attitude has he not obtained an article on better terms? Has he not kept back from the man with whom he was dealing facts which, if he knew, would make him alter his terms? All these things are generally practiced in worldly policy, and if reproof were given for these things, the reprover would be looked upon as an intruder. But this deception in buying, this over-reaching in trade, is written in the books of heaven as untruthfulness.
I feel only deep sorrow for Brother Lawrence. He knows not what peace and rest in Jesus means. His eager, selfish spirit is depriving him of an experience which would ensure Christian growth.
Our children and youth need by word, by pen, by voice and practice, to have a strict Bible example kept before them. By acts of deception, much harm may be done. The man who follows such a course of action may feel a sense of satisfaction at the advantage he has gained; he may think that it reflects credit on himself. But he has overreached in trade; he has allowed his neighbor to cheat himself. When his sharp discrimination might have been used to the advantage of his neighbor, he has used it to advantage himself. The man who thus watches for his chance to make large profits for himself is frequently a selfish, avaricious man.
There are many ways in which to profit one’s self at the expense of another: but “it is written” should be our motto. Keep close to the Word of God. In bartering and buying and selling there wanteth not sin. The truth received into the heart and carried out in the life is our only safety. God’s abiding presence is of more value than all the scheming devices in trade. God is a God of truth. His work, from beginning to end, is a setting forth of the eternal principles of truth. Truth and holiness have been almost blotted from the world. His truth has been changed into a lie. But God would have us study His character, live His law.
I have been compelled to speak very decidedly, and you may feel that I urge your peril upon you in strong colors. But this is not the case. You need, O so much you need, to be convicted and converted. You need to cut away from your life your supreme selfishness, else the Lord’s Spirit will be grieved away entirely, and you will charge upon others the cause of your disaffection. Your only hope is to fall upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and be broken. Self is to die, and you are to be born again. All through your life you have not obeyed the requirements of God. Selfish habits have been interwoven in all your practices. You have not seen in a clear light that Jesus Christ hath “evidently been set forth crucified among you.” [Galatians 3:1.] Belief in the crucifixion of Christ, set forth by the messengers who bear the truth, has not become an object of faith. If it had, you would have pursued an altogether different course of action.
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth crucified among you?” [Verse 1.] Every part of this text is applicable to us who have had light and still greater light. The apostle speaks as though it were singular that we should disobey the truth, and ascribes it to sorcery or a fascination that holds the human agent in deception, that he is not really willing to see.
The sacred principles of truth have been so clearly kept before you that it could be truthful said that Christ has been crucified among us. The apostle asks then, “Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?” [Verse 1.] As the Lord’s servant, I beseech you to cease studying self. Look earnestly at the life and practice of the Lamb of God. If His unselfish life is studied and obeyed, there will be an entire transformation of the whole man.
I write to you hoping and praying that this light given to you of God will make an entire change in your spirit and life. The God who watches over the sparrows, that not one falleth to the ground without His notice, also say that the hairs of your head are all numbered. You may suppose that the little things of life, which neighbor practices with neighbor, may be done without the guidance of the Word. But Christ Himself could not resist temptation but by that Word. “It is written” was His weapon for every attack. You will have to study that Word before you can know what is written. You have yet to prove that you have put on the armor of light, and that you are a soldier of Jesus Christ.
“And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins: wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of his world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace are ye saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” [Ephesians 2:1-7.] Can this Scripture be applied to you? Here the same formation of character is presented to us as was presented to Nicodemus in the words, “Ye must be born again.” [John 3:7.]
You are utterly destitute of spiritual life. You have followed the maxims of men. You have gone in the footsteps of the transgressors of God’s laws. You have not loved your God supremely, or your neighbor as yourself. But when you are indeed infused with the Holy Spirit, you who are now dead will be quickened and renewed. He will deliver you from your bondage to self. He will save and ennoble you. Your thoughts will widen, and will be of an altogether different character than what they have been for years. Thus the great transformation of the divine image will be wrought in you.
But do not imagine that you are now walking in the footsteps of your self-denying Redeemer, that all you have to do is to keep on just as you are, and your salvation is secure. Because you commenced some time in your life to run the Christian course, it is not safe for you to suppose that you are following on to know the Lord. Are you sure that you will persevere unto the end, and obtain a crown of life? Only by enshrining the truth in your heart and doing the will of Christ will you secure the rich reward of the “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” [Matthew 25:23.]
Ms 29, 1897
Counsel and Warning
April 6, 1897
I feel deeply over the sudden apostasy of Brother McCullagh. I cannot say the apostasy of Brother Hawkins, for he has been greatly deceived by one who is himself deceived by Satan.
Our association with our brother has been most pleasant. When a party visited Cooranbong, for the purpose of viewing the land preparatory to its purchase, Brother McCullagh was of the number. He was very much indisposed, for he was suffering from inflammation of the throat, stomach, and lungs. The morning after the decision to purchase the land was made, we had a praying season for Brother McCullagh. The Spirit of the Lord laid the weight of his case upon me, and indited prayer in his behalf. As we pressed our petitions for his recovery to the throne of God, the room seemed full of the presence of God, and there and then our brother was healed. He had come with his spring cot, designing to remain a couple of weeks at the least; but the next day he felt that his stomach and throat were healed, and he went back Sydney to continue his work.
Apparently an excellent work was done for our brother. He continued in earnest labor for a long time, until his last sickness. We regarded this blessing, which was given us, and especially to Brother McCullagh, as an evidence that our decision to purchase the land was according to the will of God.
Not one unpleasant word has passed between me and Brother McCullagh. In his last illness I visited him, and spoke to him in reference to his health, showing that there was great necessity of his having the proper kind of food. I told him that if we were neglectful in this, the Lord would not work a miracle to counteract the effects of wrong habits of eating and drinking. These are the first words I had spoken to him of a serious character, in regard to his diet.
I urged Brother McCullagh to come to the meetings which were held last April in Cooranbong for Bible instruction. I told him that we could take care of him and his wife, but that circumstances were such that we could not accommodate Christabel. Willie’s children and Edith Ward, whom I had taken as a member of my family, were enough children to be together. I told Brother McCullagh that if they could find a place for Christabel among Sabbath keeping friends, we would do everything in our power to care for him and his wife. But they came late and secured a place with Brother Sherwin’s family. This was quite a distance away, and they were often absent from the meetings.
I had spoken to Brother McCullagh in regard to his being careful of his diet, because I knew that his stomach was irritated. I have treated Brother and Sister McCullagh with great tenderness. A very few times I have sat at their table, but I never made a raid against them because I could not approve of the diet prepared for Brother McCullagh or his child. I have had great light from the Lord upon the subject of health reform. I did not seek this light; I did not study to obtain it; it was given to me by the Lord to give to others. I present these matters before the people, dwelling upon general principles, and sometimes if questions were asked me at the table to which I have been invited, I answer according to the truth. But I have never made a raid upon any one in regard to the table or its contents. I would not consider such a course at all courteous or proper.
I have ever shown the most tender sympathy for both Brother and Sister McCullagh, for I knew that Christ was touched with the feelings of their infirmities. When their harness was stolen from the stable, I gave them three pounds to buy another harness. When I have had a decided testimony for Brother and Sister McCullagh, I have not then presented it, but have tried to follow the example of Christ by presenting general principles. At Ormondville, New Zealand, we had a very profitable meeting. In a most solemn manner I presented the great responsibilities resting upon parents in their work of educating and training their children according to the Word of God. The parents are to work together in perfect harmony, with a single eye to the glory of God and the good of their child. Both Brother and Sister McCullagh knew that the Lord was in this message, and they acknowledged that improvement must be made in their manner of educating and disciplining their child.
While at Hastings, New Zealand, I wrote many pages to them, but I did not give it to them, hoping that the plain testimony I had borne to all would obviate the necessity of speaking to them personally. When I saw that other children were in danger because of their child, I spoke a word of warning to the parents of these children, telling them to keep their children under their own eyes. When Sister Hamilton came to me in deep distress, because her daughter was becoming changed and injured by association with Christabel, I opened my doors to the widow and the fatherless, although I had a large family, and it was quite inconvenient for me to do this. I did as I would be done by were I in her situation.
But the time came when all restriction was removed from me. I had written Brother and Sister McCullagh quite a lengthy testimony, a message from the Lord that Sister McCullagh’s influence was not helpful to the members of the churches in and about Sydney, that by visiting families, she was plainly sowing seed which would imperil the church. Her influence was not strengthening and upbuilding, but was of a character to create suspicion, and to suggest ideas that created disaffection and disunion. We knew that this work had been done. I thought that if we would correct the evil without making trouble, we would do so; but the church must not be injured by such conversations, such complaining, such jealous surmisings. Something must be done. I sent them the light given me by the Lord, but in the place of reforming, they have tried to destroy my influence. O, what a work has been done!
I have always been a true friend to this family. I spoke to them in regard to the education and training of Christabel; for I knew that they did not manage the child in a way that was in accordance with the Word of God. The words I spoke were not harsh, but were the truth that they needed. This was before they came to Cooranbong. On one occasion during this meeting, Brother McCullagh was especially blessed by God. He said that he had been blessed, and that he saw things in a different light than ever before, and his countenance reflected the light shining upon him.
I was very desirous that Brother McCullagh should have all the benefit possible from these meetings, for matters had been presented before me so clearly that I knew that he was in danger. I knew that his mind was under strong temptation. He talked these things to his wife, and together they were causing, in the churches in the suburbs of Sydney, a state of things which would produce a harvest that would not be pleasant to garner. Sister McCullagh’s missionary visits and Brother McCullagh’s influence tended to counteract the work for the accomplishment of which so much money and labor has been expended. And Fannie Bolton’s statements, which were cruelly untrue, were as seed sown in their minds, to produce fruit.
It was in mercy to them, and to Brother McCullagh in particular, that we wished him to attend the meetings in Cooranbong and receive all the blessing possible, for at that time he was really anchored no where, but was on the point of cutting himself loose from us as a people. Not one word was spoken to me by either Brother or Sister —– in regard to Brother McCullagh’s feeling of disaffection, which existed before he left Sydney. We all hoped that during the meetings in Cooranbong he had received a blessing, and was strengthened to resist temptation.
Brother McCullagh has often said that Sister White was his best friend, and a great help to him. I have ever befriended him. He has often been entertained by me at my house, and eaten bread with me at my table. Our association together has been most pleasant. And now, without any change in my attitude toward him, without uttering one word to me of what he considered me to be guilty, he handles my name in a public meeting, pouring out upon me all the venom he can well present in words. Without any warning, without writing, without speaking one word to me, he pours out the venom that has been accumulating in his mind. He had no provocation to do this. What spirit could have taken possession of him but the spirit that inspired Lucifer and Judas?
The fury of the spirit that led to this unchristian step, to break up the friendship that has existed, the Christian unity that Christ prayed might be seen among His followers, speaks for itself in language that cannot be misinterpreted. I was not present to answer the charges brought against me. Had I been, I should have demanded a hearing just as soon as it could be arranged. It would have been my due.
Shall we call this step the moving of the Spirit of God? We see not one sign of Christlikeness in this way of treating matters. There is a moral as well as a mental mania; when this is the case, humanity seems to be displaced, to drop out of the <being.> Another power takes possession and control. In the case of Brother McCullagh, mental self-delusion was strongly combined with an infatuated moral perversion. He has been as deluded as those of whom Christ said, “They shall put you out of the synagogue: yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think he doeth God service.” [John 16:2.] How many will hereafter walk in the footsteps of Judas, I am not able to say, but to the end I shall meet and contend with this dragon spirit.
Christ warned Peter that he would deny him, but in his self-confidence Peter said, “No Lord; I never will.” [Mark 14:30, 31.] He thought himself perfectly secure, and protested against being misjudged, denying the necessity of any warning. He declared that though all should be offended in Christ, yet he never would.
Christ had before said to Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” [Luke 22:31, 32.] And when Peter denied Christ, declaring that he knew not the man, Jesus turned and looked upon him. Had he spoken, he would have said, “I pardon your transgression.” Satan has not power even to sift without permission from God, and Christ was watching the terrible sifting of him for whom He had prayed. The fall of Peter was the development of the natural elements of character. Under testing trial, these revealed themselves. When Peter saw this, his repentance was sincere, and light came out of the defection.
I am a vegetarian. I cannot eat the flesh of dead animals when I know that it is filled with disease of every kind. I have made no secret of testifying in reference to the health reform essential for Christians. I have never made this question a test; but I have given to all the instruction the Lord has given me, and I shall continue to do this. I shall continue to warn others of the dangers of meat-eating, giving facts which have come under my observation, and showing the dangers of meat-eaters. I have had my book, Christian Temperance, circulated everywhere, and it will soon be again before the public in an enlarged and revised edition.
In our camp meetings I have made it my practice to speak on Sunday afternoons on the question of temperance. In Groveland, Massachusetts, I spoke at one time to twenty thousand people on this subject. I have been solicited to speak in large cities. No sooner had our meeting in Groveland closed than twelve men came to the stand. One touched me on the shoulder, and said, “Will you speak in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Monday night? I will send a hack to convey you from the cars to the hall.” I was much worn with labor, having spoken twice to an immense crowd that Sunday, but I dared not refuse. I went to Haverhill, and stood on the platform with my husband, and with twenty men, leaders in the temperance work. The president’s hair was white, and his countenance expressive. Eleven hundred people were before me, and the Lord Jesus was at my side. I was lifted above and out of myself. The Lord spoke to that crowd through human lips, and thus it has been again and again.
The greatest tirade may be made against me, but it will not change in the least my mission or my work. We have had this to meet again and again. The Lord gave me the message when I was only seventeen years old, and I have been engaged in public labor ever since. Next November I shall be seventy years old. The message the Lord has given me to bear has been in a straight line from light to light, upward and onward from truth to advanced truth.
As for the claims that these brethren make, that their conscience and the Holy Ghost has led them to take the position they have against me and the truth, the Lord has given them no such commission. They cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth. The Lord God is a God of truth. He never leads a man to walk in crooked paths, directly contrary to the principles of truth and righteousness.
Why is all this tirade against me? Because I was faithful in the discharge of my duty; because I bore a decided testimony against existing wrongs, and the influence that would be exerted by Brother and Sister McCullagh unless there was a change in their religious experience. God is pleased with holiness of heart, and displeased with sin. Holiness may be much talked of and exalted, but if it is not taught and practiced in the home life, it is of no value to those who may think they have wonderful light on sanctification and holiness.
Those who think that the change in the sentiments of one or two will cause the whole body of Sabbathkeepers to turn aside and follow a new torch light, that has never been kindled from the divine altar, will find themselves disappointed. They will lie down in sorrow. “Pride, arrogancy, and a proud mouth do I hate, saith the Lord.” [Proverbs 8:13.] The action of these two brethren appears to God in a peculiarly sinful light. If the Sabbath keeping Adventists are all wrong, what evidence shall we expect to receive in the correction of supposed existing errors? Will the revealing of the dragon spirit have a convincing power? Will the betrayal of sacred trust give evidence of the teaching of the Holy Spirit?
To witness the gradual corruption of a child is most painful to my heart, because that child is a member of God’s human family. Can parents see their children becoming vicious and unclean in thought and practice without feeling deep sorrow? How is it, then, when the Lord’s children turn from light and the leading of His Spirit, and with their own hands tear down the pure and holy things in which they have delighted and reverenced, and which they have been building up for years? Does not God feel the rebellion of His children? And when, as a moral governor, He is called to pass sentence against them, as unruly and dangerous subjects, does it not grieve His heart of love? “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way, and live.” [Ezekiel 33:11.]
O, better, far better, would it have been for Brother McCullagh to have died in peace while he was anchored in Jesus. What confidence can he have in his future line of faith any more than in the past. God has seen fit to send him and his wife warnings in regard to his family. It does not please the Lord that the family should remain as it is, for mother and daughter are both in a state where their influence is not pleasing to Him. “Report, and we will report,” they say by their actions. [Jeremiah 20:10.] This mischievous gossiping sows seeds of evil. It is like the sinful leaven. Knowing all this, I gave them the warning. I did not parade their defects before a church or people; but I wrote to them, and they have the testimony now if they have not destroyed it, as some have done.
Ms 75, 1897
The Position God’s People Should Occupy
July 29, 1897
Those who accept Christ will follow on to know the Lord. This acceptance means conversion through the Holy Spirit’s power and efficiency. The working of the Holy Spirit upon the human agent brings to him a conviction of sin, makes him susceptible to truth, [and] enables him to discern and make earnest application of it to his own heart. This power preserves him from falling under temptation, and imparts to him wisdom in winning souls to Christ. And every true believer who will follow on to know the Lord will have this power working in him. He will discern in Christ not only the Alpha of Genesis, but the Omega of Revelation. He will learn by personal experience that Christ is the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star, and that it is through His church, His people in their unity, that He is to shine in undimmed luster to the world. He beholds himself as the work of Christ. Having the mind of Christ, he walks in His footsteps, and his good works and love for others testify to the world that He is Christ, that God has sent His Son to impart His Spirit to His people, and that they may represent Christ in their love for one another.
God’s people dishonor Him when, traveling the narrow path that leads to eternal life, they take the attitude of mourners, when they cover the altar of God with their tears. The service of God is a cheerful service, and should make the church full of the brightness of Christ. God is pleased when divine joy and praise and thanksgiving proceed from the lips of those who have kissed the lips of Christ, not to betray Him, but in love and peace and reconciliation.
But there is a false religion cherished, which is worldly and selfish—one that will contaminate the holy principles of righteousness. God is not pleased to have His people consider that their joy and elevation must come through the channels that parties of pleasure afford. In order to be missionaries, to do God service, we must work in Christ’s lines. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” [Jude 20, 21.] If we consider heaven desirable, if we would enter the abodes of bliss, we must develop characters after the model that Christ has given us. We must prepare for the companionship of the holy and the pure, for the angelic host, for the presence of God, and our Redeemer whose we are by creation and by redemption.
The converting power of God must come upon church members. Then they will be blessed, and be made a blessing to others. Individual daily conversion will accomplish everything for Christ’s body. It brings them daily into divine relationship with Himself, and their methods and plans, their tact and ability, are cultivated for Christ’s sake to do the will of the Father. Thus by placing themselves with true contrition of soul where they can be worked by the Holy Spirit, they bring the very highest qualifications into the work of God, and the church moves forward in the straight and narrow path.
God calls upon His people to be alive to the importance of preaching Christ as the Root and Offspring of David, the Alpha and the Omega, the Author of our redemption. The words of truth to be voiced by His servants in the church cannot be called a new revelation; but as men come near unto God, the entrance of His word “giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple.” [Psalm 119:130.] The simple are the humble and contrite in heart, made so by the opening of their eyes to behold wondrous things out of God’s law.
The Lord designs that in the revelation of truth in all ages the doctrines of grace shall be gradually unfolded to the comprehension of men. If we follow on to know the Lord, we shall know His going forth is prepared as the morning. His truth unfolds as the obscurity of dawn brightens into the radiance of noonday. We have been fully convinced of this fact in these meetings. I have received a blessing in hearing from human lips the presentation of rich truth indited by the Holy Spirit of God, presenting the requirements of God—a holy and perfect obedience; showing that complete satisfaction has been given the Father in His only begotten Son as a Lamb without blemish and without spot; and that through the merits and virtue of Christ’s character, all who will believe in Him may become complete in Him.
The kingdom of heaven, in the sense of celestial truth, is like treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field. He digs over every part of it that he may come into possession of its treasures. So in searching the field and digging for the precious jewels of truth, hidden treasures are discerned. Unexpectedly we find precious ore that is to be gathered and treasured. And the search is to be continued. Hitherto very much of the treasure found has lain near the surface, and was easily obtained. When the search is properly conducted every effort is made to keep a pure understanding and heart. When the mind is kept open and is constantly searching the field of revelation, we shall find rich deposits of truth. Old truths will be revealed in new aspects, and truths will appear which have been overlooked in the search.
Thus it is with the teachings of Christ. But that which is of the greatest value and consequence to the Bible student is the truth in regard to the Holy Spirit. This occupies a vast tract in the teachings of Christ, presenting truths by which all minds become enriched. As they follow on to know the Lord, their minds become more susceptible of the truth, and they are enriched by the application to themselves. But the promise of the Holy Spirit is not appreciated because not discerned. Christians often stop short of the first approach to the acceptance of this gift. This subject needs to be brought home.
Many have so long been satisfied with meager enlightenment, they have so long been content to sip a few drops of the heavenly grace, that they are disqualified for the great things of God. They do not know what it means to live, both temporally and spiritually, by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. But it is only those who live thus who will know the satisfaction of Christ as a personal Saviour. This promise is for all who believe in Jesus Christ, and is offered in largest measure. Its capacity is limited only as the human agent is incapacitated to receive it. There are souls to be rescued from customs and traditions, and errors hoary with age. They are starving and thirsty, while there is an abundance of the bread and wine of heaven in the influence of the Holy Spirit.
The spiritual blindness of the Jews in Christ’s day had not become so dense all at once; it was a gradual process. They rejected the invitations of Christ, the Light of the world; they closed the windows of the soul that light might not shine into the chambers of the mind. For generations blindness had been gathering like a funeral pall around the rejecters of light. They had themselves forged the fetters that held them in midnight darkness never to be lifted or dispersed. “He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” [John 12:40.]
The Jews could not discern spiritual things. They were not susceptible to the influences of the Spirit of God. Their continual resistance of the light that was shining clear and distinct upon them caused the light to pass from them. The very ones who were supposed to be the least religiously inclined, felt and responded to the message from Jesus Christ. Among the chief rulers many believed on Him. But they did not become witnesses for Christ; their belief was hidden; their light did not shine amid the darkness that was gathering closer and thicker around them.
These men in high positions of trust did not acknowledge Christ for fear of being turned out of the synagogue. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Thus they lost this precious opportunity of standing on the side of God by confessing Jesus Christ. They did not find that strength which they might have received in fellowship with God, wearing the yoke of Christ, sharing His cross, and bearing His burdens. Said Christ, “He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me; and he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.” [Verses 44, 45.] To close the eyes and senses to Christ is to eclipse God from the mind.
Often the Holy Spirit is not desired by men because it reproves of sin, of righteousness neglected, of a judgment which they have tried to forget; and as a result, when the selfish, pleasure-loving souls are brought where the truth of God is spoken, if they are not dead to all the impressions of the Spirit of God, they are like a train of mourners in a cemetery. They feel like calling upon others for a fast, a solemn assembly. They prostrate themselves before God as representatives of a church gasping for the breath of life, ready to die. Most pitiful prayers are made for God’s mercy. But the real cause of their departure into such darkness is not discerned. They do not realize that it is their false ideas of what constitutes the life of a Christian.
The remedy for all such is found in the first chapter of Second Peter. There the Apostle says, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things by in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Verses 2-8.] By living upon the plan of addition every day, living the character of Christ, adding to our spiritual strength by spiritual watchfulness, we become partakers of the divine nature, overcoming the pollutions of the world through lust.
God has commanded His people to come out from the world and be separate. But after they suppose they have sufficiently humbled themselves, they pursue the same course as before until conscience is again partially aroused. This is the picture that has been presented before me. They go from a state of mourning and humiliation of soul, deploring and gloom and spiritual strengthlessness to think for a while of the full price that has been paid for them. Then, under the temptations that surround them, they go on as fast and careless as before in the service of self, leaving eternity out of their reckoning. May the Lord open the eyes of our sleepy and dying churches to see that now is the time to get the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps that they may not be classed among the foolish virgins.
Ms 108, 1897
Regarding Matters at Battle Creek
“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
September 1, 1897
Last night I was troubled and anxious for our brethren in Battle Creek. I heard words spoken that I will try to write out. A spirit was seen in the councils there at variance with the Spirit of God. Words were spoken that revealed a hard, criticizing, condemnatory spirit. One was justifying himself, and others were talking with a spirit that seemed anything but suitable for the occasion. These were trying to fasten many things upon A. R. Henry. Yet these very ones had united with him in the decisions made to deal unjustly with their brethren.
For years this work has been going on. Selfish principles have been woven in, for the purpose of accumulating means in the office. Injustice has been seen. Men have taken every advantage possible when dealing with those of our faith. In grasping for higher wages, they separated from right principles, and showed that they were separating themselves from right feelings and methods.
You thought that because you were working for the cause, your actions were not selfish. But if any should be divested of every tinge of selfishness, it is those who are acting a part in the work and cause of God.
It is not A. R. Henry only that has been weaving selfishness into the Lord’s work, but the men who were connected with him, who planned with him, and sustained his methods and plans. You have turned men away from their rights, laying schemes, O how many, to defraud. Your brethren did not know what you were doing. Were you co-operating with God? No; for God always deals righteously, compassionately, tenderly.
The Lord Jesus values man from altogether a different standpoint than do the men who have long been promoted to positions of trust, but in whose sight sacred things have lost their sacredness, and to whom souls are of little worth. It has been presented to me that Christlikeness in dealing with each other has been dropped out of the practice of those who are handling sacred things in the same manner that they would handle common matters. Common fire has been used in the place of the sacred.
I beseech you for Christ’s sake to cease your unadvised words. Open the door of your hearts and let the sunlight of Christ’s righteousness in. It will be of no use for me to go with minuteness into the things that have taken place in your councils and board meetings. Not only one man but all of you have grieved the Spirit of God and done unrighteously. You have showed dishonesty by misapplying the means brought in by the people to advance the cause of truth and righteousness. You have had matters in your control, and you have used money to make an appearance in Battle Creek, thus crippling the work in other places.
Great partiality has been shown. Warnings have been given, but they have not been heeded. False principles have seemed to have a bewitching power upon human minds. A spirit has been brought in that is entirely incorrect, and that can never bear the signature of heaven. Large and extensive buildings have been erected in Battle Creek, while the warning has been given that if those there believed the truth, they should go into the field and let the light shine to others.
Heavenly blessings have been flowing toward Battle Creek. These blessings have been bestowed upon the people there that they might be filled with the missionary spirit, and go forth to labor in the cities and towns that know not the truth. The money expended in adding building to building should have been used in opening new fields and lifting the standard in every city in the United States.
In order to save money, camp meetings have been held over and over again in the same place. They should have been held in new places, that the standard of truth might be lifted, and the message proclaimed, “The Lord is coming. The end of all things is at hand.” [See 1 Peter 4:7.] But unconsecrated hearts and unsanctified councils have been used the means necessary to do this in other directions, to gratify selfish ambition. God is not pleased. There is a dearth of means, and there will be a dearth just as those who are connected with the work of God neglect to humble their hearts before God. They must fall on the Rock and be broken, or that Rock will fall on them and grind them to powder.
“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the grave the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” [Luke 24:45-49.] “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” [Acts 1:8.]
In the illustration of heaven and spiritual things, life is associated with light. If we have no light from the Sun of Righteousness, we can have no life. If we have not the knowledge of God, we walk blindly, as though stumbling our way, in the dark. Light and life are inseparable. He that has no light from God remains destitute of life.
Just before His crucifixion Christ prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” [John 17:7.] What means this prayer? “Make these My disciples holy through knowing Thy word.”
Christ, the light of the world, shone in darkness in the world, and the darkness comprehended it not. Thus it has been with the managers at the very heart of God’s work. They have not been worked by the Holy Spirit. In the place of welcoming the light that came to irradiate the darkness, they erected barrier after barrier to prevent the Sun of Righteousness from shining in. They did not desire that kind of light. They wanted something that would please and glorify themselves.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” [John 1:6-8.] This is the work that the Lord would have every minister gladly and heartily do. The servant of Christ is not to take Christ’s place or to arrogate Christ’s glory. He is to be simply a witness, pointing the people to the light shining in darkness, and saying, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” [Verse 29.]
Those in responsible places are not to plan and devise to get glory to themselves, but are to point all to the light of the world. They are to witness, not only in one or two places, but in all parts of the earth. If they colonize or crowd into one place, God’s displeasure rests upon them, because His workers must witness in cities and towns, and among all classes of people, communicating the light of truth. It is not God’s design that so many shall be localized in Battle Creek. The work should cover a larger space in different localities.
God designs that a great work, covering much more ground, shall be done, that the truth may be carried to all parts of the world. But men whose hearts were not sanctified through the truth have been handling the work. They have not discerned that God can win converts to the truth through instruments willing to be worked by the Holy Spirit. God would have the office of publication kept pure and clean by righteous principles. Then He will advance His work through consecrated workers.
I have little hope that I shall be understood. I have thought that Satan helps minds to misconstrue, misinterpret and misjudge everything I say, and I have less hope today of being understood than I have had at any time in my life labor, because men do not seek God and confess their neglect to heed His Word. Determined to follow their own course, they will develop the attributes of Satan in the place of the attributes of God.
Where is seen tenderness? Where is pity? Where is compassion? Where is the appreciation for the souls for whom Christ has died? Through whom is Christ working to reveal His meekness and lowliness? Men that ought to have walked in the light have confederated together to bring in a state of things that God could not endorse. He could not bless them or the work that came from their hands.
The same want of love and Christlikeness is revealed by those who seek to make A. R. Henry’s deficiencies apparent, in the place of confessing their own sins, humbling their own hearts, and showing their sorrow by strengthening and sustaining God’s work, not seeking to carry forward an order of things that God will permit to be carried out.
This evil has been done in united action. Men do not well, to try now, to shield themselves and fasten their guilt upon one or two. Their hearts must change. Those in connection with the work of God must watch for souls as they that must give an account. Those who are looked upon by the people as counsellors are not to fasten the people to themselves. Turn their sympathies to Jesus Christ. Lift them above poor, erring mortals, until their eyes shall rest upon Christ and Him crucified. Those in the ministry are to let the light shine forth to others, not in botch work, not in selfish actions, but in clear, distinct rays of tenderness, lowliness, and meekness. They are to give a representation of the light that shineth in darkness. It is not numbers that gives strength to all lines of the work. It is the ministration of heavenly intelligences. Constantly God’s servants are to say, by precept and example, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” [Verse 29.]
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” [Verses 9, 10.] O to what depth of darkness men may sink when they degrade all their powers to the service of Satan! Christ came to His own, and His own received Him not. The very people to whom the Lord had committed the sacred oracles refused to receive the Messiah.
What a terrible truth this is! Souls are today hanging in the balance. What work have you done for your own souls? Have you humbled your hearts before God? Have you rent your souls and not your garments? Behold, the Judge standeth at the door.
As the Lord gave up Jerusalem to its fate, because true repentance was not found in it, because the people did not appreciate the salvation brought to them at such an infinite price, so the Lord will scatter from Battle Creek those who have despised His warnings and walked in fraud and wickedness, exercising oppression and speaking loftily.
I address you, my brethren, who are handling sacred things. For your souls’ sakes turn to the Lord with an undivided heart. By confessing just a little, and then justifying yourself, you show that you have a divided, unsubdued, unrepentant heart. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on his name.” [Verse 12.] Prayerfully confess your own wrongs, remembering that you are not A. R. Henry’s sin-bearer. If you had to bear your own sins, you would surely perish.
Christ is the Sin-bearer. Confess your faults one to another, and rend your hearts and not your garments. My brethren, humbly ask Brother A. R. Henry’s forgiveness for helping him into darkness and error by your own lack of principle. You have a work to do that you will never discern until you look away from other’s wrongs, and repent and be converted. When you are converted, you may be able to save other souls from death, and hide a multitude of sins.
The Lord can do much for the soul that will receive His grace. When that grace enters your hearts, you will realize that the souls for whom Christ has died are precious. You will then redeem the time. You will find time to pray. You will find time for silent communion with God. You will find time to spend in the house of worship, and you will visit your fellow men, and will cease not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ.
Come together, I beseech you, and if it is a possible thing, let not this matter of A. R. Henry’s come to trial. You will far better glorify God by humbling yourself than by braving the matter out. If you are kind and conciliating, you may save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins.
The Lord would have every soul afflict itself before Him. He would have you humble your hearts and seek His grace, that this great evil may not come upon His people, for He is to be glorified. But very little of the Spirit of Christ has been manifested. If A. R. Henry carries through his satanic projects, it will be to the denying of the Spirit of God. Brethren, do not let him ruin his soul. Unadvised words, calculated to rouse his combativeness, have been spoken in your councils. Consider how much you have grieved the Spirit of God by your own course of action.
Many subjects will arise that are excellent in themselves. But can A. R. Henry appreciate excellent things? He has an evil spirit, and he is determined to destroy his intellect, and you do not seem to know how to act the Christian. The redemption of the soul is a matter of supreme importance. Must the soul of A. R. Henry be lost? Must he lose eternal life? Christ calls upon you to co-operate with divine agencies.
It is the duty of every professed Christian to use great diligence in carrying out the spirit of the Word of God. By the principles of truth you are bound to love souls as Christ loved them, and to strive to promote His glory. We are to cultivate sympathy for every soul in trouble, helping them out of the snare of Satan, not pushing them in. Thus we can promote the glory of God by disappointing the enemy.
It was not to the apostles alone that the command was given, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” [Mark 16:15.] The command has a broader meaning. “Let him that heareth say come.” [Revelation 22:17.] When the people of God in Battle Creek shall obey the Word of the Lord, the Holy Spirit will be their guide and counselor.
There is only one way in which souls can be tested and tried and proved. The test of obedience is deeds, brethren, not profession. Deeds mark all God’s faithful ones. “If we say we have no sin, … we make Him a liar.” [1 John 1:8, 10.] God is holy, and it is with Him that we have to deal. Hopeless indeed would be our condition if in His great mercy God had not made known unto us the precious truth. “If we confess our sins, He faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [Verse 9.]
Pardon and healing are offered to us. God has not cast us off. If we walk in the light, not trying to hide ourselves and our sins from God, but honestly confessing our sins, a message of peace comes to us all. The cleansing blood will be our science and our song through eternal ages. Let no self-deception hold us in its snare. Take heed to your way and to your works. “Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” [1 Peter 3:8.]
Ms 115a, 1897
A Plea for Brotherly Unity
October 27, 1897
I have been listening to the words of my Guide in regard to Elder Corliss, and the substance of them was this:
The blood being attracted to the weakest point, there is a wearing of the channel through which the blood flows. This condition of things is making his condition a critical one, and his brethren will need to exercise great caution, that they may not excite by any course of action. Unless this human agent shall change his course of action in continuous labor, and submit to have the peace of God rule in his heart, there will be a rush of blood to the brain, which will disqualify him for labor. He will counteract his own work. The Lord will not, cannot, help His servant, unless he will co-operate with God, unless he will stop worrying and trust in the Lord.
When the enemy stirs up his mind to dwell upon subjects which will lead him to speak unadvisedly, he speaks many things which he supposes to be truth, but which are not true. He is led on and on to great lengths in evil, criticizing in a most unsparing manner. If he would consider Christ, if he would learn in the school of Christ His meekness and lowliness, if he would realize that of himself he is nothing, the Lord Jesus would be his Pattern, and his efficiency to reach that Pattern, and make him to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. He would absorb and manifest the spirit of Christ.
All the grace of God is given to every individual who teaches the truth, if he himself will be a learner in the school of Christ. That meekness and lowliness which is revealed in the character of Christ is the most important lesson he can daily and hourly learn. It is the Spirit itself that teaches and enlightens. The most powerful preaching of the Word, the reading of the Scriptures, will not be able to transform the character and save souls unless the Spirit works with and through the human agents. The planning and devising must not be of a character to draw attention to self. The Word is a power, a sword, in the hands of the human agent, but the Holy Spirit in its power is the efficiency to impress the mind. “They shall be all taught of God.” [John 6:45.] It is God that causes the light to shine into hearts. Will all my ministering brethren remember this? It is essential that God be recognized as the source of our strength, as a Comforter. The reason why God can do so little for us is that we forget that living virtue in the Holy Spirit is to combine with the human agent.
Elder Corliss, look away from yourself. Trust not in yourself. Have faith in God. Through your strong feelings, the blood veins are filled with blood, and you are in serious danger of losing your life. Therefore you need to place yourself in a position where you will not have upon you a pressure of the necessity of continuous labor, and where you must have the guidance and control of others. Your impetuosity must be under the control of higher powers, else you will make great trouble for yourself and for those who are associated with you. Wherever you may be you will utter words of accusation against the brethren.
When Moses spoke unadvisedly, it caused the displeasure of God. Moses represented God before the people, and in this instance gave great occasion for others to quote him and God to be dishonored in His representative man. Satan obtained vantage ground. Satan is watching his chance to make impressions upon the minds of others, and these impressions will be just as he designs them to be. But God would have every soul yoke up with Him, and not pull their own way, which is sometimes decidedly counter to the way and will of God; and on any occasion when this is done, Satan means to use it to unsettle the faith of these. Men will be blessed in drawing evenly with Christ, elevating in Christ’s ways, and blessing others. Abraham and Lot in their tents could not agree. Strife arose between the herdsmen because the grazing ground for their cattle was not sufficient for their large herds and flocks. Abraham was always seeking for peace. He would make any sacrifice if he could glorify God in so doing. And the Lord was pleased with Abraham.
The Lord will lead and guide the human agent if he will only be guided. But there is constant danger of man placing himself in God’s place, and feeling all sufficient in himself. The Lord will continue to work through the human instrumentality if he will be molded by the Holy Spirit of God, for then he will represent the character of Christ and the truth will maintain its divine power. Fresh manna will be given to the hungry sheep of the Lord’s flock.
Some are much more inclined than others to mingle self with their work. Human wisdom leads away from holiness. The words that are spoken unadvisedly, in expressions of doubt and in accusing of the brethren, are as seed sown which will spring up and bear fruit, when circumstances shall be favorable, producing a harvest of unbelief and apostasy. Elder Corliss must be converted every day, else his words are liable to do great injury to minds and hearts of those whom Satan shall tempt.
I was shown that we must carefully guard every moment. O how little the brethren understand the workings of Satan, his vigilance, his unceasing efforts to overcome the human mind. Why do we not awake? Why not arouse? Why not cling to God?
The case of Moses should ever be a lesson to our ministering brethren. The Lord sees the human temperament, and He knows our every danger. The case of Moses is placed on record that we shall not do as Moses did—speak unadvisedly with his lips and give Satan an opportunity to triumph over the people of God. If the eyes of our ministering brethren could be opened, they would see that the Lord requires of them a most thorough transformation of character. They are not vessels emptied of self. The course pursued by Elder Daniells on the Ashfield campground was not a right course. He excluded from his confidence and counsel his brother ministers. He linked up with Brother Rousseau, and both were on the wrong boat. The two gave little heed to the instruction of the Spirit of God, and would leave the encampment and remain away for hours in the city of Sydney, without giving their brethren any reason for their absence. Was God in this? Not at all. This is the danger of Brother Daniells. He has not keen perception to reason from cause to effect concerning his own course of action.
The movements of these brethren caused us a great deal of trouble. Elder Daniells and Rousseau have placed W. C. White and myself in very unpleasant circumstances. Brethren McCullagh and Corliss felt very much annoyed. They left the grounds, giving no counsel as to what they should do. These ministers needed to counsel together in reference to many things. A spirit of disaffection came in. W. C. White would not participate in the murmuring and complaints of Elder Daniells. He tried to quiet their minds, and because he did not unite with these men, they accused him of being two-sided. They knew that he must see the inconsistency of the course of Elders Daniells and Rousseau. From that time Brother McCullagh talked his doubts, and declared that he would not link up with Brother Daniells, saying that he was not designing in this movements. This brought these men no nearer to each other. W. C. White would not increase the fever of disaffection, and urged me to say everything possible to show them that it was wrong to give expression to their feelings. Where this thing will end we know not.
O why cannot men be wise, and true and God-fearing? Abraham would do anything to save contention. He was always seeking for peace. He would make any sacrifice rather than have contention. He gave Lot, who was the younger, the choice of the country, and advised a separation without strife. In the simplicity and the greatness of his soul he said, “If thou wilt go to the left, I will go to the right. If thou wilt take the right hand, I will go to the left.” [Genesis 13:9.]
This is the spirit that should prevail in our association with one another. If there is to be a constant distrust of brethren in the ministry one with another, let them take one the right hand and the other the left. Let not God be dishonored with dissension, jealousy, and strife. But, Brother Corliss, you will take the same body, the same spirit, with you wherever you go. The Lord can and will work in your behalf if you will let Him. But if you take yourself out of the hand of God, you will mar the interest in every place that you go. By your impetuous, restless self becoming mixed in the truth, you will spoil its effect.
You are to be careful not to set aside the wisdom of God. Truth and righteousness will always prevail. Others, Elder Corliss, as well as yourself have a dispensation of the gospel committed to them. What attributes are the most prized and most sought for in man by our Redeemer—He who was crucified to save and uplift mankind?—charity, purity, and fidelity. “Everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. … If we love one another God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. … God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.” [1 John 4:7, 12, 16.]
Be careful, Elder Corliss, be careful. The gospel demands that man shall love God with all the heart, and his neighbor as himself. Upon these two principles hangs the entire law and the prophets. This is glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill toward men. The Holy Spirit and the Word agree, and the Word is to be acted out. In all hearts from age to age there is to be the divine unity expressed in the universal infinity and brotherhood. Then there will be order and harmony in the church.
Brother Corliss, when you change your course of thought, your actions will change. The Lord says to you, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your soul.” [Matthew 11:29.] This will fit you up. This will have a controlling influence upon your impetuosity. This will make you one with Christ. But I have a word from the Lord to you. Enter into no controversy with any opposer of the truth. It is calculated to awaken in you a retaliating spirit. Keep your own soul in love and peace and quietude with God. Then the Lord will be your mouthpiece. You are not to be ever thirsting after a fairer range and wider sphere in which to exercise your powers. Take them you will, but your restless spirit becomes disappointed, and the responsibilities are your own. You can never get beyond the domain of God, but too often you revolt against His authority and control.
This morning I awake at one o’clock. I try to sleep, but cannot, and I must relieve my soul of its burden. Elder Corliss, we were talking yesterday of the dangers that threaten the conference under the administration of Elder Daniells. Last night I was in a solemn meeting, and from the light given me in that counsel, there is great danger on your part. While I see the danger of Elder Daniells thinking that he constitutes the conference, and that his mind and judgment is to be the controlling power, you are in danger of acting a similar part. Were you in Elder Daniells’s place, you would not do as well as he has done. You may not realize this, therefore be sparing in your words of censure and condemnation of his course of action. You and Brother McCullagh are in positive danger. You would exalt self, and become a power to rule.
Therefore be chaste in your words, and let not the leaven of disaffection work in you, and out of you to others. The servants of God must not strive. By patient continuance in well-doing you will receive the approval of God. The praise of any man is not of much value, because he may often make a mistake, and flatter where he should admonish. The Lord is waiting to do more for His people, much more through human agencies, if they will consent to be worked [by], and not want to work, the Holy Spirit. The Lord will be constantly unfolding the precious truths revealed in His Word. But there should be a constant striving for unity in judgment, in spirit, of those who minister in the Word.
The Holy Spirit is not imparted alone to one man or to the ministry alone. The Holy Spirit has been given to the church, that through her individual members she may be a light burning in the world. If she will not take the glory to herself, the Lord will be her constant guide. For this reason there must not be one man who will consider himself so perfect in judgment that he needs no instruction. We are not to lead the people to look to any human being to be told their duty, but to depend upon God, and then freely to counsel together in the spirit of kindness. Amid a multitude of counsellors there is safety. If these men will look for instruction from God, they will have something to present which God has given them. The truths, which have been lost sight of and buried up by error, will be made to appear and shine as precious jewels amid the moral darkness. The Holy Spirit is to be our enlightener. It is needed by every agent.
There is danger of ministers and presidents of conferences assuming to know too much themselves, and manifesting little genuine love for, and confidence in, our people. The people are to be educated to search the Scriptures for themselves. The Holy Spirit is to work, molding every man after the similitude of Christ, but they are to be subject one to another. The great mistake of those who minister in Word and doctrine has been in failing to consider that God works in His church as well as with the preacher. They must see in the individual members those whom God has selected as His chosen ones, to do a work in well-matured, thoughtful labor for the saving of the souls of those who are in the darkness of error.
The ministers must give ample encouragement. Then there will be less contention, less striving for the mastery to secure the highest places where they will become leaders. The Holy Spirit has much more to teach the church, when its members will become attentive hearers. Then there will be a setting forth of divine truths, precious and glorious. The Lord would have the teachers lead the church upward, and in no case give the impression that it need not be shouldered by responsibilities, for if the church members will walk humbly with God, the Spirit of God can and will reveal to them with power the divine truth from His Word.
The Lord honors and gives wisdom to the men who are content to receive instruction at the hands of God. His voice is heard in His Word. Their meekness, their submission to God, their love for the brethren is the credentials they bear to the world that God has sent Christ His Son into the world. The truth is adapted to the soul’s pressing needs and to the demands of a perishing world. But, my brother, you must realize that in order to retain the Christian confidence of your brethren, you must put the bridle on the spirit, the tongue will not utter perverse things. The Lord would have you act a prominent part in this holy warfare of error against truth, and you be permitted to shine as a living stone that compiles the temple of God. God has a work for you to do just as your life shall be linked up with Christ, and you are meek and lowly in heart. Will you allow your heart to be distrusting God? You do this when you utter words of fault-finding with your brethren.
Put away your feelings against Elder Daniells right here on the ground. You are to be in unity, not because he is perfect; he makes mistakes. He is making mistakes on this ground. But the Lord’s eye is upon him; he is beloved of God. And if you do not cling closely to God, you will make much graver mistakes than he has made. The Lord pities and loves you, and wants that you should bear the banner of truth to the very close of the warfare. The Lord loves Elder Daniells, and He will reprove and instruct you both when you err. It is not best for you to pull apart from Elder Daniells. Come close together in brotherly unity. Be sure that God has a right to interfere with your plans and his plans if they do not honor His holy name. Neither of you are any too good or too wise to be under the control of God. Will you seek to empty your soul of everything like accusing?
“Ye are laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Both yourself and Brother Daniells are highly favored in being called the sons of God. Brother Corliss, you are to be an ensample to the flock. Your hasty, unadvised words are harmful, and are giving to the world and to your brethren an education which they do not need. They close the hearts of others to divine influences. They foster a spirit of self-esteem, and contradict the instruction you have given to the people in regard to practical godliness. While proclaiming the allegiance of the people to the law of God, you are departing from its holy precepts by bearing false witness against your brethren. You are leavening the minds of others with distrust, and weakening their faith in God’s instrumentalities as they behold your strength and understanding in opening the Scriptures, while you do not come under the discipline of the Word yourself. If your mind is not changed, the result will be that the experience of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram will be realized in our very midst.
It is this that has weakened the confidence of your American brethren in you, and the same will be the result in Australia. You know not what will be the result of your course of action. I lift the danger signal, for you need to be warned. Unless a decided change shall take place in you, you will have no rest in spirit. Wherever you may be called to labor, and you still cherish this spirit of criticism and faultfinding, and allow your feelings to run riot, you cannot have the right influence upon the workers. A teachable, expectant spirit must be encouraged, that the truth can be revealed in the power of the Spirit. Your words are calculated to undermine the faith of some you do not dream of by creating suspicion and lack of confidence in men whom God is teaching and leading and guiding, and you will not find it an easy matter to take out of the mind that which you have planted of questioning and of doubt.
There are individuals who will find as much cause to question you as you have found to question and criticize in others. Your life and work will testify that you are under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, else you will give Satan every advantage to create distrust and envy and evil surmisings, and they will make shipwreck of their faith. It is the leading of the Spirit that is essential for every individual. It becomes you to submit to the molding of the Holy Spirit. You are to close your own mind to the suggestions of Satan. It is for this very reason that you are so fitful in feeling, so impulsive, so rash and reckless in your words—that you would not be a safe man for a president of any conference.
If men and women would follow the minister only as he shall follow Christ, then great evils would not follow the impulsive movements of the minister. God has given you large opportunities; he has given you understanding of His Word; but some whom you might bless and strengthen by association with you, lose their confidence in you because of your feelings against your brethren finding expression. You may recover from the evil; some never will.
This subject is one of deep importance to you. The Lord will work in you, with you and through you if you will prepare the way for Him. The church needs from you a correct example. In renewed faith open your heart to Jesus, and He will continue to open your heart to the truth. In the consistent life of a believer in the truth, a teacher of the truth, you will grow in intensity. As you surrender to the truth, you will reproduce the truth—a living epistle, known and read of all men.
All unseen a warfare is going on continually between the believer in Jesus Christ and satanic agencies. The prince of the world is working with all his unseen agencies to lessen our faith. We may do this effectually when we dishonor ourselves and dishonor God by a hasty, passionate spirit that whirls us away into a hasty torrent of speech, that only awakens the worst passions in those we are connected with. When Christ comes into the soul, He brings the calmness of heaven. We have a great work given us to do, and it may be a terrible failure to us and to the souls whom, through Christ’s help and efficiency, we might have been instrumental in saving. Shall self rule in our hearts? “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” [Philippians 2:3, 4.]
Ms 130, 1897
The Truth As It Is In Jesus
November 23, 1897
This morning, October 3, 1897, I am unable to sleep past two o’clock. I am anxious to relieve my mind by writing. I would speak of those in whom the Word of God has wrought decided reformation in life and character, in accordance with the divine precepts. These have obtained a personal experience in the knowledge that they will carry with them into the future immortal life.
The Word of God is to be our food. “I am the bread of life,” Christ said; “he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” [John 6:35.] The world is perishing for want of truth, pure, unadulterated truth. Christ is the truth. His words are truth, and they have a greater value and a deeper significance than appears on the surface. All the sayings of Christ have a value beyond their unpretending appearance. Minds that are quickened by the Holy Spirit will discern the value of these sayings. By being anointed with the sacred salve, the eye of the mind can detect the precious gems of truth, though they may be buried treasure.
How needful for all who are workers in the cause of God to ponder these things, that they may guard against self-sufficiency. If men are self-sufficient, the Lord leaves them to their own human wisdom. We are not to trust in self, or make a god of self. I must speak to our people. Pride, selfishness, and all desire for self-exaltation places human agents in a position where the Holy Spirit cannot work with them. In no case can the Holy Spirit cooperate with the methods and plans of self-sufficient men. It is not for any to seek to be great speakers or preachers, wonderful evangelists. All who realize the dignity and elevated character of the message they bear will hide in Christ. Their security and efficiency comes from God.
All, high or low, if they are unconverted to Christ, are on one common platform. Men may work themselves into the grave by abusing the human machinery. They may turn from one doctrine to another. This is being done, and will be done. Papists may change from Catholicism to Protestantism; yet they may know nothing of the meaning of the words “A new heart will I give thee.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] Accepting new theories alone does not bring any new life into the soul, even though the church with which they unite may be founded on the true foundation. A connection with the church does not take the place of conversion. To subscribe the name to a church creed is not of the least value to any one if the heart is not truly changed.
This question is a serious one, and it should be fully entered into and its meaning realized. Men may be members of a church. Apparently they may work religiously, performing a round of prescribed duties from year to year, and still remain unconverted. There are those who write in regard to religious matters. But although they delight to do this work in defense of Christianity, they may yet be unconverted. A man may preach pleasing, entertaining sermons, but he may be far from Christ as regards genuine experience. He may be self-sufficient, and exalted to the pinnacle of greatness, yet never have experienced the inward work of grace that should form the character. Such a one is deceived by his connection and familiarity with the sacred truths of the gospel, which have reached the intellect, but have gone no deeper. The truth has not been brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul.
By his conscience every honest Jew was convinced that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, but the heart in its pride and ambition would not surrender. An opposition was maintained against the light of truth, which they had decided to resist and deny. When the truth is held as truth only by the conscience, when the heart is not stimulated and made receptive, the truth only agitates the mind. But when the truth is received as truth by the heart, it has passed through the conscience and captivated the soul by its pure principles. It is placed in the heart by the Holy Spirit, who [molds] its beauty to the mind that its transforming power may be seen in the character.
Unless a man is renewed in the spirit of his mind by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, he will become restless and dissatisfied because he has not died [to] self. “Come unto me,” said Christ, “all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls; For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] Again Christ says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” [Luke 9:23.] Without me ye can do nothing correctly, any more than could Cain. Of what advantage is any system of religion to one who has not been transformed in character by the profession of faith without works?
No one who believes the truth will live a selfish, self-pleasing life; for the truth is everlasting, refining, and sanctifying in its influence. The true minister of the gospel will not stand before the people to speak smooth words, to cry, Peace and safety. He realizes the dangers that threaten the soul, and he presents the truth as it is in Jesus. The truth comes from his lips clear, plain, and decided, as though he fully believed the words spoken to be a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. If he knows that he has the spirit and power of God, his words will awaken the consciences of his hearers.
The lessons given by the greatest teacher the world ever knew were given in plain, simple language. Christ’s words were explicit and direct. His lessons were given line upon line and precept upon precept. This should be our example. While cheerfulness, hope, and faith in and through Jesus should be expressed, nothing should be said to create mirth.
Make a practical application of the truth. Urge the truth home with directness, and present the high standard that God sets before His people. Truth must become truth to the receiver to all intents and purposes. It must be stamped on the heart. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” [Romans 10:10.] “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength.” [Mark 12:30.] This is the service God receives. Nothing short of this is pure and undefiled religion. The heart is the citadel of the being, and until that is wholly on the Lord’s side, the enemy will gain constant victories over us through his subtle temptations.
If the life is given into its control, the power of the truth is unlimited. The thoughts are brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. From the treasure of the heart are brought forth appropriate and fitting words. Especially should our words be guarded. Writing to Timothy Paul says, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.” [2 Timothy 1:13, 14.]
“All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecutions,” He says again. [2 Timothy 3:12.] But this should not intimidate one soul. What can give such sunshine to the soul as the evidence of sins forgiven? What can impart true nobility if it is not the restoration of the moral image of God in man? From whence can peace come to the soul if not from the Prince of peace? To what source can we look for help but to Him who can give us light in the midst of darkness?
Christ has promised to send us the Comforter, whose work it is to establish the kingdom of God in the soul. Amid the abundant provisions of mercy, grace, and peace which have been made, why do human beings act as though they entertained the idea that the truth is a yoke of bondage? It is because the heart has never tasted and seen that the Lord is good. The soul that cherishes the love of Christ is full of freedom, light, and joy in Christ. In such a soul there are no divided thoughts. The whole man yearns after God. He goes not to men for counsel, to know what is duty, but to the Lord Jesus, the source of all wisdom. He searches the Word of God, that he may find out what standard has been set up.
Can we ever find a surer guide than the Lord Jesus? True religion is embodied in the Word of God, and consists in being under the guidance of the Holy One in thought, word, and deed. He who is the way, the Truth, and the Life takes the humble, earnest, whole-hearted seeker and says, Follow me. He leads him in the narrow way to holiness and heaven. Christ has opened this way for us at great cost to Himself. We are not left to stumble our way along in darkness. Jesus is at our right hand, proclaiming, I am the way. And all who decide to follow the Lord fully will be led in the royal path, yea more, the divine path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in.
Men in this age of the world act as if they were at liberty to question the words of the Infinite, to review His decisions and statutes, endorsing, revising, re-shaping, and annulling at their pleasure. If they cannot misconstrue, misinterpret, and alter God’s plain decision, or bend and manipulate it to please the multitude and themselves, they break it. We are never safe while we are guided by human opinions, but we are safe when we are guided by a “Thus saith the Lord.” We cannot trust the salvation of our soul to any lower standard than the decision of an infallible Judge.
Those who make God their guide and His Word their counsellor, behold the lamp of life. God’s living oracles guide their feet and the feet of all who are willing to be led, in straight paths. Those who are thus led do not dare to judge the Word of God, but ever hold that His Word judges them. They get their faith and religion from the Word of the living God. It is the guide and counsellor that directs their path. This Word is indeed a light to their feet and a lamp to their path. They walk under the direction of the Father of light, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He whose tender mercies are over all His works makes the path of the just as a shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
The teacher of truth must practice the truth he communicates to the people, else his labor will be in vain. Converted messengers of the Most High are needed, to voice the Word of God to the people. Those who support the Word of truth, not only by argument, but by living the truth, range themselves on the side of righteousness. By a converted life they give evidence that they bear the solemn message of warning, which is a savor of life unto life or death unto death. When men are really converted, controversy and debate will be ended. The plain standing truth will be proclaimed by lips that have been touched with a live coal from the altar of God.
God gives to every man His Word, and with the imparted commission He gives to His messengers a measure of power proportionate to their faith. He is constantly unfolding to the heart the riches of His grace. Light will shine forth in clear, bright rays from those who receive light from the Word of God.
God calls upon His people to reveal Him. Shall the world manifest principles of integrity that the church does not maintain? Shall a selfish ambition to be first be shown by the followers of Christ? Shall not the principles cherished by them be unselfish, laid upon the true foundation, even Christ Jesus? What material shall we place upon this precious foundation, that there may no longer be antagonism but unity in the church? What shall we build? Shall worthless material be laid upon this precious foundation? Shall we bring to it wood, hay, stubble? Shall we not rather bring the most precious material, gold, silver, precious stones? Shall we not distinguish sharply between the chaff and the wheat? Shall we not realize that we must receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts, that it may mold and fashion the practical life? Shall we not strive to discern the divinity and atonement of Christ?
We have the truth. Shall we not practice its living principles? We must practice the truth in our daily lives. Selfishness is the great evil that makes of none effect the preaching of the cross of Christ. Preach the Word, not anecdotes. For Christ’s sake do not drown the voice of Christ by your own interpretation of the Scriptures. Do not make the Word of God mean what He never meant it to.
The Holy Spirit must work on the hearts of the teachers of God’s Word that they may give the truth to the people in that clear pure way that Christ Himself gave the truth. He revealed it, not only in His words, but in His practice. If God’s messengers realize the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s working, this Spirit will speak through them to the hearers. They will understand the meaning of the truth spoken. Lie low my brethren, lie low, if you would appreciate the Holy Spirit’s working upon mind and heart.
Christ reproached His disciples with their slowness of comprehension. Why did they not understand His lessons? Because His words did not agree with what they had been taught in the past, or with their hopes and expectations. The priests and rulers taught for doctrines the commandments of men. Christ tried to impress His disciples that He had left in their possession truths of which they did not comprehend the value. After His resurrection He said to them, “These are the things which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you. … Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.” [Luke 24:44, 45.]
Brethren, we are living in perilous times. In the fear of God I tell you that the true exposition of the Scriptures is necessary for the correct moral development of our characters. When heart and mind are worked by the Holy Spirit, when self is dead, the truth is capable of constant expansion and new development. When the truth as it is in Jesus molds our characters, it will be seen to be truth indeed. As it is contemplated by the true believer, it will grow brighter, shining in its original beauty. As we behold it, it will increase in value, brightening in its own natural loveliness, quickening and vivifying the mind, and subduing our selfish, unchristlike coarseness of character. It will elevate our aspirations, enabling us to reach the perfect standard of holiness.
We have yet to learn that the whole Jewish economy is a compacted prophecy of the gospel. It is the gospel in figures, for from the pillar of cloud Christ Himself presented the duty of man to his fellow men. In Christ’s words to His appointed agencies, both in the Old Testament and in the New, the Christian virtues are plainly brought out. Christ scattered the precious grains of truth through all His teaching. All will find them to be as precious pearls, rich in value, if they will practice the principles plainly laid down. The Old Testament is the ground where practical godliness was first sown. This was repeated in Christ’s words to His disciples.
Our lack of faith, the absence of the love and respect that is due to all the children of God, detracts from our influence and makes our labors of none effect. When the power of the Holy Spirit is appreciated and felt in the heart, far less of self will be exhibited, and far more of the feeling of human brotherhood revealed that is seen in the tenderness of Christ. Our work is not to exhibit self, but to let the Holy Spirit work in us. Thus self-deceived men and women may be rescued from their delusion.
I cannot forbear to tell you in the name of the Lord that you are not on safe ground unless the truth with its living principles teaches you your danger, bringing you every day closer to Christ in character. Many supposed conversions are talked of and published, which cannot stand the stress of trial and temptation. Under difficulty, the test of God’s Word reveals them to be faithless, envious, jealous, full of evil surmisings. Many, many are [stony] ground hearers. They have no depth of spiritual experience. They do not apply the truth to their hearts and consciences. Self in its unsanctified elements is alive, revealing attributes which strengthen evil in the place of repressing it. Self is not crucified. There is a lack of pure-toned piety, and this lack makes them weaklings in the army of the Lord, when they might be giants if they were willing to be converted to the truth. True conversion is divine, and yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
I am afraid for our churches. I tremble before God on their account. We have light on the Scriptures, and we shall be held accountable for the light that is not cherished. The works of men do not harmonize with the truth they have received. There is far too much of the human element in our methods and plans. We do not depend on the Spirit of God to work with its transforming energy upon the life. We are deficient in faith, which is invincible and mysterious. The efficacy of the simple truth is weakened by the course of those who do not purify their souls by obeying the truth.
The secrets of the Lord are with them that fear Him and keep His covenant. We need faith in God, that under the sanctifying power of God’s Word, the principles of human brotherhood may be manifested. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Its power upon minds and hearts will bring pure truth from the Holy Word. And sound doctrines brought into actual contact with human souls will result in sound and elevating practices. We need the working of the Holy Spirit upon mind and character. The truth as it is in Jesus must be cherished. Then Christians will not be Christians in name only. The love of Christ will pervade all their actions.
I know and am afraid as I realize that with hundreds religion is a cold, formal thing. Many professed Christians will lose eternal life that is within the reach of all. Every provision has been made for them, but they have no hungering or thirsting after righteousness. There is no room in the soul either for the Spirit of God or for the Word of God.
Truth is delicate, refined, elevated. When it molds the character, the soul grows under its divine atmosphere. The truth is to be partaken of every day. Thus we eat the words of Christ, which He declares are spirit and life. [John 6:63.] The acceptance of the truth will make every receiver a child of God, an heir of heaven. Truth that is in the heart is not a cold, dead letter. The Spirit of God is truth. The Lord is dishonored when those who profess to serve [Him] reveal a character that is a denial of their faith.
There is fulness of joy in the truth. There is a nobleness in the life of the human agent who lives and works under the vivifying influence of the truth. Truth is sacred and divine. It is stronger and more powerful than anything else in the formation of a character after the likeness of Christ. When it is cherished in the heart, the love of Christ is preferred to the love of any human being. This is Christianity. Thus truth, pure, unadulterated truth, occupies the citadel of the being. This is the life of God in the soul. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.]
I address my brethren. Do not anchor where you now are; for you are far from the place where the anchor will hold. The truth of the Word of God is regarded by some as a fetter from which the human soul tries to break. But the truth is what makes men free. “If the truth therefore shall make you free,” writes Paul [John], “ye shall be free indeed.” [John 8:32, 36.] The truth as it is in Jesus separates man from his sins, from his hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. Many poor souls are puffed up with pride and self-importance. If they do not change their position, they will be tempted still more strongly to display their supposed qualifications of power.
O that all who shall read these lines would search their hearts as with a lighted candle, and define, if they can, what true conversion is. The Lord never created man to lord it over his fellow men. This lording propensity has been indulged to the ruin and wreck of humanity. The souls of those that have indulged this propensity are cast in a mold that Satan himself has made to fashion their characters. Every soul carries his credentials with him. By his actions he shows whether or not he is under the power of the Holy Spirit, or whether he is striving to climb over his fellow men to rule or to ruin.
With the great truth we have been privileged to receive, we should, and under the Holy Spirit’s power, we would, become living channels of light. We could then approach the mercy seat, and seeing the bow of promise, kneel with contrite hearts and seek the kingdom of heaven with a spiritual violence that would bring its own reward. We would take it by force as did Jacob. Then the message we bore would be the power of God unto salvation. Our supplications would be full of earnestness, full of a sense of our great need, and we would not be denied. The truth would be expressed by life and character, and by lips touched by the living coal from God’s altar. When this experience is ours, we shall be lifted out of our poor cheap selves, which we have cherished so tenderly. We shall empty our hearts of the corroding power of self, and shall be filled with praise and gratitude to God. We shall magnify the Lord, the God of all grace, who has magnified Jesus Christ. He will reveal his power by making us as sharp sickles in the harvest field.
The usefulness of workers in any lines depends on whether they have an abiding Christ. “Without me,” said Christ, “ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] Workers for God should be filled with His spirit. The real usefulness of the workman will be manifested by his spiritual discernment, which will testify that he has been taught of God, that his eyes are not blinded to the interests of the cause and work of God or to the elements of true Christianity. By their faith and their labor of love true Christians give evidence unquestioned that their work is wrought in God.
“Our gospel came not unto you in word only,” writes Paul, “but also in power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of men there were among you; for your sake.” [1 Thessalonians 1:5.] Paul lived the gospel that he preached, and if our ministering brethren will live the truth, they will be loving, kind, tender, lowly in heart, unpretending, earnest, and devoted. Their works will be their credentials. There would be one hundredfold more conversions than the record shows today if God’s workmen were what they should be. God demands truth in the inward parts. The spirit of those in the ministry must correspond with the truth preached.
Will the workers in the various lines of God’s work ponder these things? A large share of the shallowness of the work is the result of the shallowness of the workers. When the Spirit of God works, something will be done, and in a much larger degree than we have yet seen. Where is the power of the workers? Where is the demonstration of the Spirit? Where is the assurance of faith? There is a sad deficiency, a great lack, in the preaching of God’s Word. Much fluent talking may be done.
Much cleverness may be shown in the presentation of different points of truth. All this has been seen. Ears are gratified, a present commotion is excited; but where are the souls? Where is the Holy unction, the living earnestness, the deep moving of the Spirit of God? Where are those who expound the truth by upholding staunch, correct principles? O that God would impress His ministers with the need of being thoroughly converted, and led to look away from themselves. O that He would impress them with the need of an abiding Christ. Then there would be a revival of the Holy Spirit.
The power of the Holy Spirit is needed to chase away our unbelief and our unchristlike attributes. We must see our need of a physician. We are sick and do not know it. May the Lord convert the hearts of his workmen. When there is a converted ministry, then look for results.
You cannot convert your own hearts. This work can only be wrought by the Holy Spirit. In every stage of the work let the educators advance. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Zechariah 4:6.]
The question has been asked, What kind of vessels does the Spirit ordinarily use? What does Christ say? “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] When the workers in any branch of the work labor in self, they put upon themselves a yoke which Christ does not co-operate with them in carrying.
What kind of vessels are meet for the Master’s use? Empty vessels. When we empty the soul from every defilement, we are clean vessels. Are we emptied of self? Are we cured of selfish planning? Whereby we are to be given every favorable chance, while others get along as best they can? O for less self-occupation. May the Lord purify and cleanse His people, teachers, and churches. The Lord has given a rule for the guidance of all. From this standard there can be no careless deaprture. But there has been and still is a swerving from righteous principles. How long shall this condition of things exist? How can the Master use us as vessels for holy service until we empty ourselves, and make room for the Spirit of God to work?
Ms 151, 1897
An Appeal to Our Churches in Behalf of Home Missionary Work
It Is the Duty of the Church to Let its Light Shine
Christ, the True Witness, addresses the church at Ephesus, saying, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, add do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” [Revelation 2:4, 5.]
O how few know the day of their visitation: How few, even among those who claim to believe in present truth, understand the signs of the times, or what they are to experience before the end. We are under divine forbearance today; but how long will the angels of God continue to hold the winds, that they shall not blow? Among the people of God there is blindness of mind and hardness of heart, although God has manifested inexpressible mercy toward us. How few there are who are truly humble, devoted, God-fearing servants in the cause of Christ, whose hearts are full of gratitude and thanksgiving because they are called to act a part in the work of God, being co-laborers with Jesus Christ, partakers with Christ of His suffering.
Dead in Trespasses and Sins
Today there are few who are heartily serving God. The most of those who compose our congregations are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. They come and go like the door upon its hinges. For years they have complacently listened to the most solemn, soul-stirring truths, but they have not practiced them. They are less and less sensible of the preciousness and value of truth, because they neglect the practice of those things which are pleasing in the sight of God. The stirring testimonies of reproof and warning do not arouse them. The sweetest melodies that come from God through human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ—do not bring forth from them a response of love and gratitude.
Though the heavenly merchantman displays before them the richest jewels of faith and love, though His voice invites them to buy of Him “gold tried in the fire,” and “white raiment” that they might be clothed,” and “eyesalve” that they may see [Revelation 3:18], they steel their hearts against Him, and fail to exchange their lukewarmness for love and zeal; but fold their hands in complacency, make a profession, but deny the power of true godliness. If they continue in this state, God will reject them with abhorrence. To praise the world and God at the same time is in no way acceptable to God. Awake, awake, before it is everlastingly too late.
No One Is to Be an Idler in the Vineyard
Brethren and sisters who have long claimed to believe the truth, I would ask you, Have your practices been in harmony with your light, with your privileges, with the opportunities granted of heaven? This is a serious question. Why is it there is so little faith, so little spiritual power? Why are there so few who bear the yoke and carry the burden of Christ? Why do persons have to be urged to take up their work for the Master? Why are there so few who can unveil the mysteries of redemption? Why is it that the imputed righteousness of Christ does not shine through His professed followers as a light to the world?
The Sun of Righteousness has risen upon the church, and it is the duty of the church to shine. Those who are connected with Christ will grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, to the full stature of men and women. It is the privilege of every soul to make advancement. No one is to be an idler in the vineyard. If all who claim to believe the truth had made the most of their opportunities and ability to learn all that thy were privileged to learn, they would have become strong in Christ. No matter what may have been their occupation, if farmers, mechanics, teachers, or pastors, if they had wholly consecrated themselves to God, they would have been efficient agents to work for the heavenly Master.
The Result of Inaction
Those who are united to the church should be living, working agents to impart light to those who are in darkness. They should declare the truth of God, revealing His love and faithfulness. When men use their powers as God directs them to, their talents will increase, their ability will enlarge, and they will have heavenly wisdom in seeking to save those who are lost. But while the church members are listless, and neglectful of their God-given responsibility, how can they expect to receive the treasure of heaven to impart to others?
When professed Christians feel no burden to enlighten the minds of those who are in darkness; when they fail to make use of the rich grace of Christ, and cease to impart the knowledge they have received, they become less discerning, lose their appreciation of the richness of the heavenly endowment, and, failing to value it themselves, they fail to present it to others. It is only as God sees His professed people eager to be laborers together with Him, that He can impart to them light and grace; for then they will make every interest secondary to the interest of His work and cause. With such workers the heavenly intelligences will co-operate.
Diligence in the Master’s Work
Are we endowed with the Holy Spirit so that, with heavenly wisdom, we may meet the emergencies of this age, and counteract, as far as possible, the movements of this world? It is no time now for the watchman to become sleepy and cease to be a sentinel upon the walls of Zion. Peculiar and rapid changes will soon take place; and if the church is not asleep, if the followers of Christ watch and pray, they may have light to comprehend and appreciate the movements of the enemy.
Winning Souls to Christ Our Chief Aim
God has given to every man a work to do in connection with His kingdom. Each one professing the name of Christ is to be an interested worker, ready to defend the principles of righteousness. The work of the gospel is not to depend solely upon the minister; every soul should take an active part in advancing the cause of God. But, instead of this, how many of our large churches come and go like a door on its hinges, feeling no responsibility for the progress of the work, no interest in the salvation of souls for whom Christ died? They do not dream of weaving their religion into their business. They say religion is religion, and business is business; they believe each has a proper sphere, but let them be separated.
But in whatever calling a Christian is found, he has his work to do for the Lord in representing Christ to the world. Whatever may be our occupation, we are to be missionaries, having for our chief aim the winning of souls to Christ. If this is not our interest, we rob God of influence, of time, of money, and [of] effort. In withholding our heart’s service from the Lord, we fail to benefit our fellow men, and thus rob God of the glory that would flow to Him through the conversion of others.
Training the Children
What excuse can the professed followers of Christ offer for neglecting to train their children in such a way that they will, for the sake of advancing the work of Christ, bind about their wants in dress, and avoid all extravagance and display? The children should be educated in such a way that they will have sympathy for the aged and afflicted, and lend all the help in their power to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in the missionary work; and from their earliest years principles of self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with God.
O that parents would look carefully and prayerfully after their children’s eternal welfare! Let them ask themselves, Have we been careless? Have we neglected this solemn work? Have we allowed our children to become the sport of Satan’s temptations? Have we a solemn account to settle with God because we have permitted our children to use their talents, their time, and influence, in working against the truth, against Jesus Christ? Have we neglected our duty as parents, and increased the subjects of Satan’s kingdom?
A Transformation Needed
This home missionary work, this home field, has been shamefully neglected, and it is time that divine resources and remedies were presented, that this state of evil may be healed. If parents would see a different state of things in their family, let them consecrate themselves wholly to God, and the Lord will devise ways and means whereby a transformation may take place in their households. Let the church awake, let every member take up his individual work, and vindicate the name of the Lord by which he is called. Let sound faith and earnest piety take the place of slothfulness and unbelief. When faith lays hold upon Christ, the truth will bring delight to your soul, and religion will not be a dull, uninteresting enterprise. Your social meetings, now tame and spiritless, will be vitalized by the Holy Spirit, and your daily experiences will become rich as you practice the Christianity you profess.
In the face of what might be done, will the church sleep on, or will they feel the responsibility and the honor that is conferred upon them through the merciful providence of God, and gather up their hereditary trusts, and the advantage of the present light, and feel the necessity of rising to the urgent emergency that now presents itself before us? O that all may arouse and manifest to the world that this is a living faith, that a vital issue is before the world, that Jesus will soon come. Let men see that we believe we are on the borders of the eternal world.
It Is the Duty of the Ministers to Instruct the Churches in Practical Missionary Work
“Watchman, what of the night?” [Isaiah 21:11.] Are the watchmen to whom comes this cry able to give the trumpet a certain sound? Are the shepherds faithfully caring for the flock as those who must give an account? Are the ministers of God watching for souls, realizing that those under their care are the purchase of the blood of Christ? A great work is to be done in the world, and what efforts are we putting forth that it may be accomplished? The people have listened to too much sermonizing; but have they been instructed as to how to labor for those for whom Christ died? Has there been a line of work devised and laid out before our people in such a way that each one saw the necessity of taking part in the work?
It is evident that all the sermons that have been preached have not brought up this kind of labor. And the churches are withering up because they have failed to use their talents in diffusing the light of truth to others. Careful instruction should be given that will be as lessons from the Master, that all may put their light to practical use in benefiting others. Those who have the oversight of the churches should select members who have ability, and place them under responsibilities, at the same time giving them instruction as to how they may best serve and bless others.
Years Behind
Every means should be used to get the knowledge of the truth before the thousands who will discern the evidence, who will appreciate the likeness of Christ in His people if they can have an opportunity to see it. There are those among us who, if they should take time to consider, would regard their do-nothing position as a sinful neglect to use the talents which God has given them.
God has given His messengers the truth to proclaim. Then the churches are to voice the truth from the lips of the messengers, and use their talents in every way possible to make the ministry a power to communicate truth by their catching the first rays of light, and diffusing the same. Here is our great sin. We are years behind. The ministers have been seeking the hidden treasures, and have been opening up the casket, and letting the jewels of truth shine forth, but not one hundredth part has been done or is being done, by members of the church, that God requires of them. They will in that great day be self-convicted and self-condemned for their slothfulness. May the Lord lead them to self-penitence, and to now see themselves and exclaim, “Lord, I am that fruitless fig tree.” May the Lord forgive His people who are not doing the work in His vineyard that He has given them to do.
Evils of Inaction
What can we expect but deterioration in religious life when the people listen to sermon after sermon, and do not put into practice the instruction given? The ability God has given, if not exercised, will degenerate, and men and women unemployed will become as tools that rust from inaction. Let the missionary meeting be turned to account in teaching the people how to do missionary work. Put work into their hands; and let not the youth be ignored, but let them come in to share in the labor and responsibility. Let them feel that they have a part to act in helping and blessing others. Even the children should be taught to do some little errand of love and mercy to those less fortunate than themselves.
The very simplest modes of work should be devised and set in operation among the churches. If members will co-operate with such a plan, and perseveringly carry it out, they will reap a rich reward, for their experience will grow brighter, their ability will increase through exercise, and souls will be saved through their efforts. But if, on the other hand, the churches are left to their inactivity, Satan will see that they are employed. He will preoccupy the field and give the members lines of work to do that will engage their energies, kill spirituality, and make them fall as dead weights upon the church.
Set the Members to Work
There are scores who have real ability who are rusting from inaction; and yet many of these do not know how to set themselves at work for the Master. But let some one who has ability to devise ways whereby his talent may be utilized, lay out before these inactive ones the line of work that they could do. Let them understand that this is expected from them, and many who are now unemployed will become true laborers.
The parable of the talents should be explained to all. The members of the churches should be made to understand that they are the light of the world, and according to their several ability, the Lord expects that His professed followers will enlighten and bless those around them. Those who have heard so much preaching ought certainly to know if they undertake to work for the Lord they will have divine aid.
Do not pass by the little things and look for a large work. You might do successfully the small work, but fail utterly in attempting a larger work, and fall into discouragement. Take hold wherever you see that there is work to be done; whether you are rich or poor, great or humble, God calls you into active service for Him. It will be by doing with your might what your hands find to do that you will develop talents and aptitude for the work. And it is by neglecting your daily opportunities that you become fruitless and withered. This is why there are so many fruitless trees in the garden of the Lord.
Angels Waiting to Co-operate with Us
All heaven is in activity, and the angels of God are waiting to co-operate with the human agent who will devise plans whereby souls for whom Christ died may hear the glad tidings of salvation. Every soul has an influence for good or evil. If the soul is sanctified to the service of God, and devoted to the work of Christ, the influence will be to gather with Christ. God depends upon the church for the forwarding of His work, and He expects that His professed followers will do their duty as intelligent beings. There is great need that every trained mind, every disciplined intellect, every jot of ability, shall be brought to the work of saving souls. There will be no idler, no slothful one who neglects the work of the Lord, found inside of the kingdom of heaven.
God expects His church to discipline and fit its members for the work of enlightening the world. But let no one feel that because he is not educated, he cannot be expected to take part in the work. God has a work for you to do. He has given to every man his work. You can search the Scriptures for yourself. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” [Psalm 119:130.] The prayer of the sincere heart, offered in faith, will be heard in heaven.
Ministering to Others
Souls are perishing out of Christ, and those who profess to be the disciples of Christ are letting them die. Our brethren have talents entrusted for this very work, but they have bound them up in a napkin and buried them in the earth. What manner of entreaty can be brought to bear upon the idlers in the market place that will arouse them to go and work in the Master’s vineyard? What can we say to the slothful church member to make him realize the necessity of unearthing his talent and putting it out to the exchangers? O that God would set this matter in all its importance before the sleeping churches! O that Zion would arouse and put on her beautiful garments! O that she would shine!
This work of enlightening others is not the work of the minister alone, but it is the work of all who profess the truth of God. God has given to every man his work in making Christ known to the world. We must teach the members of the church how they may effectually minister to others. There are many who are ordained ministers, who have never yet exercised a shepherd’s care over the flock of God, who have never yet watched for souls as they that must give an account. Were the kind of labor of which it stands in need bestowed upon the church, many who are doing nothing would be educated to become diligent laborers in the harvest field. An education should be given to the people of God that would result in furnishing hundreds who would put out to the exchangers valuable talents, whose use would develop men for positions of trust and influence, and great good would be accomplished for the Master.
Scores of Slothful Servants
But instead of thus developing, the church is left to be a weak, dependent, inefficient body. The members of the church are trained to rely upon preaching, and they do little for Christ. They bear no fruit, but rather increase in selfishness and unfaithfulness. They put their hope in the preaching, and depend upon his efforts to keep alive their weak faith. Because of the lack of proper instruction among the church members by those whom God has placed as overseers, there is not one merely, but scores, who are slothful, and who are hiding their talents in the earth, and still complaining of the Lord’s dealings toward them. They need to be tended as do sick children.
This condition of weakness must not continue. Well-organized work must be done in the church, that its members may understand the manner in which they bare to impart the light to others, and thus strengthen their own faith and increase their knowledge. As they impart the light which God graciously bestows upon them to those in darkness, they will be confirmed in the faith. A working church is a living church. We are built up as living stones, and every stone is to emit light; for every one is compared to a precious stone that catches the glory of God and reflects it to others.
The idea that the minister must carry all the burdens, and do all the work, is a great mistake. Overworked and broken down, he may go into the grave, when, had the burden been shared as the Lord designed, he might have lived. That the burden may be distributed, an education must be given to the church by those who can instruct the workers to follow Christ and to work as He worked.
Let the Overseers Devise Plans
Why do not the overseers of the church have councils to devise ways whereby young men and women may be trained to put to use their entrusted talents? Why do not the older members of the church seek to do good, earnest, compassionate work for the children and youth? Many have embraced the truth, and yet they have not been educated as to how they may serve the cause of God and thereby grow in spiritual muscle and sinew. Let the ministers put to use all their ingenuity, that plans may be devised whereby the youthful members of the church may be enlisted in the cause of God. Why should they not be interested in the great work to be done?
But do not imagine that this interest can be aroused by going to the missionary meeting and presenting a long sermon; plan ways whereby a live interest may be kindled, and train up the young to do what is appointed them. Let them have a part to act, and from week to week let them bring in their reports, telling what they have experienced, and, through the grace of Christ, what success has been theirs. If the missionary meetings were a meeting where such reports were brought in by consecrated workers, it would not be dull, tedious, and uninteresting. It would be full of interest, and there would be no lack in attendance.
In every church the members should be trained so that they will devote time to the work and win souls to Christ. How can it be said of the church, “Ye are the light of the world” [Matthew 5:14], unless the members of the church actually impart the light to others? In seeking to point sinners to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, their own love will be kindled, and by beholding Him they, too, will become changed into His likeness.
Will those who have charge of the flock of God awaken to their duty?
The Need of Home Missionaries
Some who have long professed to be Christians, and yet have felt no responsibility for the souls of those who are perishing right around them, within the shadow of their own homes, may feel a burden to go to foreign lands to take hold of a work far off; but where is the evidence of their fitness for such a work? Wherein have they manifested a burden for souls? Let such begin to work at home, in their own household, in their own neighborhood, among their own friends. Here they will find a favorable missionary field. This home missionary work is a test revealing their ability or inability for service in a wider field.
An Example
In the case of Philip and Nathanael we have an example of true home missionary work. Philip had seen Jesus, and was convinced that He was the Messiah. The knowledge he had received was so blessed to him that he wished his friends also to know the good news. He was desirous that the light and truth which had brought him such comfort and joy should be shared by Nathanael. True grace in the heart will always reveal its presence by using itself. Philip went in search of Nathanael and, as he called, Nathanael answered from his place of prayer under the fig tree.
Nathanael had not had the privilege of listening to the words of Jesus, but he was being drawn toward Him in spirit. He longed for light and truth, and was at that moment sincerely praying for them. Philip with joy exclaimed, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth.” [John 1:45.] This is the way light is to be communicated—by private, personal effort. In the home circle, at your neighbor’s fireside, at the bedside of the sick, in a quiet way you may read the Scriptures, and speak a word for Jesus and the truth. Precious seed may thus be sown that will spring up and bring forth fruit after many days.
Loving Labor for the Master
Our Redeemer is to see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied; how is it with those who profess to be His followers? Will they be satisfied when they see the fruit of their labors? What are the members of the church doing, to be designated “laborers together with God?” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Where do we see travail of soul? Where do we see the members of the church absorbed in religious themes, [with] self surrendered to the work and will of God? Where do we see Christians feeling their responsibility to make the church prosperous, a wide-awake, light-giving people? Where are those who do not stint or measure their loving labor for the Master? Jesus, your Redeemer, and all the holy angels are grieved at your hardness of heart. Jesus came to our world and gave His own life to save their souls, and yet you who know the truth make so little effort to impart the blessings of His grace to those for whom He died. Such indifference and neglect of duty is an amazement to the angels. In the judgment you must meet the souls you have neglected.
Neglected Opportunities
We see large churches gathered in different localities. Their members have a knowledge of the truth, [but] they are content to hear and partake of the Word of life themselves, and do not seek to impart light to those who are without. Because of these neglected opportunities, this abuse of privileges, they themselves are not growing “in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” [2 Peter 3:18.] Thus the members of our churches are weak in faith, deficient in knowledge, and children in experience. They are not rooted and grounded in the truth. If they remain thus, the many delusions of the last days will surely deceive them, for they will have no spiritual eyesight to discern truth from error.
The end is near! God calls upon the church to set in order the things that remain. Workers together with God, you are empowered by the Lord to take others with you into the kingdom. You are to be God’s living agents, channels of light to the world, and round about you are angels of heaven with their commission from Christ to sustain, strengthen, and uphold you in working for the salvation of souls.
I appeal to the churches in every conference: Stand out, separate and distinct from the world—in the world, but not of it—reflecting the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, being pure, holy, and undefiled, and in faith carrying light into all the highways and byways of the earth. To His church God has committed the work of diffusing light and bearing the message of His love. Our work is not to condemn, not to denounce, but to beseech men to be reconciled to God. We are to encourage souls, to attract them, and thus win them to Jesus.
Co-operation with God
The upbuilding of the kingdom of God is retarded or urged forward, according to the unfaithfulness or fidelity of human agencies. Unfaithfulness to the cause of Christ makes manifest that love is lacking in the human agent. The love of Christ does not seek to constrain those who profess His name; but a death-like slumber is upon the human agents, and the work is hindered by failure of the human to co-operate with the divine. Men may pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” [Matthew 6:10], but they fail in acting upon this prayer in their lives.
The living Christian is one who has not left his first love, and his candlestick is not removed out of its place. But those who would not maintain their consecration to God are blind and cannot see afar off, and have forgotten that they were purged from their own sins. But though you may be weak, erring, frail, sinful, and imperfect, the Lord holds out to you the offer of partnership with Himself, inviting you to come under divine instruction. Uniting with Christ, you may work the works of God. “Without me” said Christ, “ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.]
Isaiah says, “Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.” [Isaiah 58:8.] This is the righteousness of Christ which goes before us, and the glory of the Lord is to be our rearward. Ye churches of the living God, study this promise, and consider how your lack of faith, of spirituality, of the divine power, is hindering the coming of the kingdom of God. Were every one of you living missionaries, the gospel would be speedily proclaimed in all countries, to all peoples, nations, and tongues. This is the work that must be done before Christ shall come in power and great glory. I call upon the church to pray earnestly, that you may understand your responsibilities. Are you individually laborers together with God? If not, why not? When do you mean to do your God-appointed work?
Ms 180, 1897
An Appeal to Our Teachers at Battle Creek
I appeal to the teachers in our school at Battle Creek. Be not deceived, for God is not mocked. Be faithful to the light God has given and regulate the conduct by His Word, for therein is contained the declaration of His will. The Holy Spirit alone can render this effectual. The plain “Thus saith the Lord” enlightens the understanding. Look to God and seek to honor God, and the more you study His Word the more light will you receive and the language of the soul will be “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou king of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name” (Revelation 15:3, 4)?
I say in the name of the Lord, Give your attention to this Word. The Lord has ever existed in perfection from all eternity. He has been ever what He now is, “I am that I am;” “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity.” [Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 57:15.] This is His title. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:2. “I am the Lord, I change not.” Malachi 3:6. With Him is no variableness or shadow of turning.
“The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.” Proverbs 5:21. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place.” Proverbs 15:3. “He looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven.” Job 28:24. “The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.” 1 Chronicles 28:9. He knoweth the things that come into our minds, every one of them. There is no creature “that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13.
We beseech of teachers and students to study the Word and practice the Word. Do not do as Adam did—insult his Maker by believing the words of Satan and disbelieving the words of the Lord. But then the Lord did not leave the fallen sinful pair. The Lord removed His blessings, cut off their access to the tree of life, but gave them the gospel promise to send an invincible Deliverer into the world to be received, to be worshiped—the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
What will remove the absolute blindness of man with respect to his Creator? He who does not search the Scriptures cannot know God. A life of selfishness will be chosen, a life of self-indulgence lived, and a life of obedience to all of God’s commandments will be considered a restraint upon the human mind.
There is need of teaching the Word far more positively than it has been done. What is a life of obedience to God? It is a decided withdrawing from Satan’s sway and giving the whole heart in obedience to God, giving allegiance to God, whose we are by creation and by redemption. It is cutting off the supplies he has received from Satan in any line and seeking God with the whole heart. This is freedom—high, elevating, and ennobling. It makes a man a blessing to all around him. The natural passions that are so often seen are cleansed from the soul, for the Lord is formed within the hope of glory.
Look now at the one who chooses self-indulgence before a life of entire obedience. What is obedience? Paying our allegiance to the most merciful, gracious Saviour and discharging our duty to Him as to a kind, tender Father. Look at the opposite of this. What do we behold of those who serve sin? It is a picture we do not love to behold, for it is ignorance and defilement, roughness and unholiness, obstinately standing in his own wisdom.
A spirit is revealed to give their fellow workers less and less through their own management. The will of God works in laying open the evils which, if followed, will bring human passion in collision with God. The will of God is protesting against the passions and attributes of Satan that are taking captive the minds of men, and this makes a collision. There have long been unconverted men in positions of trust. We know that they have been at some time in their lives converted, but they did not stay converted. They yielded to Satan’s sway and were not opposed in their work and influence. While they were presented as representative men who were worthy of confidence, there was no open, decided collision, but when God undertakes to set things in order then, if truth and righteousness get the vantage ground, they must fight every inch to drive back the power Satan has gained to bring everything under his dominion.
Satan will not submit to be cast out without tremendous opposition. If truth and righteousness conquer, the hearts that love the truth of God must absolutely and zealously rebuke and expel wrong. In this conflict, when truth takes possession of the heart, nothing but conflict and disturbance may be expected, for God calls upon every man to do his duty. And the full Spirit of the living God which has been finding no place shall have room to work out the victory. There can be no right longing only as the Holy Spirit shall begin at the heart, out of which flow the issues of life. And poor souls who have been deceived and deluded shall send up the earnest prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10. And the response from One who is merciful, full of goodness and truth, will be, “A new heart will I give you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.]
The voice of God is heard, “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalm 2:10-12. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:25-27.
The Lord has been greatly displeased and His name dishonored by the men standing in holy places. Oh, why do not men learn that God will not serve with their own natural, unconverted hearts? Oh that men would learn the simple lesson that in their relationship as superiors, inferiors, or equals there is to be a pure, clean heart wherein dwelleth righteousness, through the creating power of the Holy Spirit. Then the whole building, fitly framed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. The church would have the deep movings of the Spirit of God in their midst. The world would not have the supremacy, and the church would not be chained to its ungodly ways by the example of men professing the truth but holding it in unrighteousness, because the attributes of Satan are cherished in the heart.
When the Holy Spirit is admitted into the heart, the very first work is an aspiration for the friendship of God, and then next a perpetual longing to walk in the ways of true goodness and righteousness and the love of God.
Ms 185, 1897
Apostasies
I am in great travail of soul for our people. We are living in the perils of the last days. A superficial faith results in a superficial experience. There is a repentance that needs to be repented of. All genuine experience in religious doctrines will bear the impress of Jehovah. All should see the necessity of understanding the truth for themselves individually. We must understand the doctrines that have been studied out carefully and prayerfully. It has been revealed to me that there is among our people a great lack of knowledge in regard to the rise and progress of the third angel’s message. There is great need to search the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, and to learn the texts thoroughly, that we may know what is written.
The light given me has been very forcible that many would go out from us, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. The Lord desires that every soul who claims to believe the truth shall have an intelligent knowledge of what is truth. False prophets will arise, and will deceive many. Everything is to be shaken that can be shaken. Then does it not become every one to understand the reasons of our faith? In place of having so many sermons, there should be a more close searching for the strong evidence that sustain the fundamental doctrines that have brought us where we now are, upon the platform of eternal truth.
My soul is made very sad to see how quickly some who have had light and truth will accept the deceptions of Satan, and he charmed with a spurious holiness. When men turn away from the landmarks the Lord has established, that we may understand our position an marked out in prophecy, they are going they know not whither.
I question whether genuine rebellion is every curable. Study in Patriarchs and Prophets the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. This rebellion was extended, including more than two men. It was led by two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation, men or renown. Call rebellion by its right name, and apostasy by its right name, and then consider that the experience of the ancient people of God, with all its objectionable features, was faithfully chronicled to pass into history. The Scriptures declares, “These things … are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” [1 Corinthians 10:11.] And if men and women who have the knowledge of the truth are so far separated from their great Leader that they will take the great leader of apostasy and name him Christ our Righteousness, it is because they have not sunk deep into the mines of the truth. They are not able to distinguish the precious ore from the base material.
Read the cautions so abundantly given in the Word of God in regard to false prophets that will come in with their heresies, and if possible will deceive the very elect. With these warnings, why is it that the church does not distinguish the false from the genuine? Those who have in any way been thus misled need to humble themselves before God, and sincerely repent, because they have so easily been led astray. They have not distinguished the voice of the true Shepherd from that of a stranger. Let all such review this chapter of their experience.
For more than half a century God has been giving His people light through the testimonies of His Spirit. After all this time, is it left for a few men and their wives to undeceive the whole church of believers, declaring Mrs. White a fraud and a deceiver? “By their fruits ye shall know them.” [Matthew 7:20.]
Those who can ignore all the evidences which God has given them, and change that blessing into a curse, should tremble for the safety of their own souls. Their candlestick will be removed out of its place unless they repent. The Lord has been insulted. The standard of truth, of the first, second and third angels’ messages has been left to trail in the dust. If the watchmen are left to mislead the people in this fashion, God will hold some souls responsible for a lack of keen discernment to discover what kind of provender was being given to His flock.
Apostasies have occurred, and the Lord has permitted matters of this nature to develop in the past in order to show how easily His people will be misled when they depend upon the words of men instead of searching the Scriptures for themselves, as did the noble Bereans, to see if these things are so. And the Lord has permitted things of this kind to occur that warnings may be given that such things will take place.
Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by them unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled now, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations then—professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ? What will hold God’s people from giving their allegiance to false Christs? “Go not after them.” [Luke 17:23.]
The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to preach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase, and we are to call rebellion by its right name. We are to stand with the whole armor on. In this conflict we do not meet men only, but principles and powers. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Let (Ephesians 6:10-18) be read carefully and impressively in our churches.
Those who apostatize are voicing the words of the dragon. We have to meet the satanic agencies who went to make war with the saints. “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” [Revelation 12:17.] Those who apostatize leave the true and faithful people of God, and fraternize with those who represent Barabbas. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” [Matthew 7:20.]
I write this because many in the church are represented to me as seeing men like trees walking. They must have another and deeper experience before they discern the snares spread to take them in the net of the deceiver. There must be no half-way work done now. The Lord calls for staunch, decided, whole-souled men and women to stand in the gap, and make up the hedge. “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places, and raise up the foundations of many generations, and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day: and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor him, not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Isaiah 58:12-14.]
There is a decided testimony to be borne by all our ministers in all our churches. God has permitted apostasies to take place in order to show how little dependence can be placed in man. We are always to look to God. His Word is not Yea and Nay, but Yea and Amen.
Ms 186, 1897
The Apostasy of Brethren McCullagh and Hawkins
Formerly Undated Ms 151.
Following close upon the disaffection of Brethren Shannon and _____ came the apostasy of Brethren Mccullagh and Hawkins.
In the summer of 1896 a severe sickness, which almost cost Elder McCullagh his life, caused him to move to Adelaide, to seek the benefits of a milder climate. At the close of the Adelaide camp meeting that summer, he with Elder Hawkins, a Wesleyan minister who had recently been converted to the truth, was left to bind off the work of the camp meeting. For a time Brother Wilson and his wife labored with them. When they returned to Tasmania, these two men were left to work together.
The first news of the apostasy reached Melbourne in the form of the resignation of these two brethren, which they sent to Elder Daniells, saying that they could no longer conscientiously be connected with Seventh-day Adventists.
Elder Daniells telegraphed the word to us, and we at once made arrangements for Brother G. B. Starr and his wife to go to Adelaide, and for Brother Pallant to carry on the work in Queensland in Brother Starr’s absence.
Brethren Daniells and Colcord went immediately to Adelaide, where they found a determined rebellion. When they arrived, Brethren McCullagh and Hawkins refused to converse with them. They had given out an appointment for a meeting on Sunday evening, and asked Brother Daniells to speak in the tent that same evening. This he refused to do, going instead to hear them. They had repeatedly said that they would have nothing to say against Seventh-day Adventists.
It was found that these men, while under the pay of the conference, had been working in a most subtle manner, until the whole church was being carried away by their deceptions. Their entrancing theory was, The Holy Spirit, Sanctification, Nothing but Christ. Doctrines, they taught, were of no value. They had presented these deceptive theories, working as the great Apostate worked in heaven in the first rebellion. Indeed their work seemed a repetition, on a small scale, of the working of the first great rebel.
In all my experience I have never met with such deep laid plottings as was revealed in this apostasy. These men gave no intimation of their purpose, until they had everything prepared to make the break and carry the whole church with them. Without intimating to me one word of any difficulty, or giving me opportunity to speak for myself, they had visited from house to house, and told the most wicked falsehoods about me and my work. It was not merely the apostasy of these two brethren that we had to regret; it was their power to hurt the church, and to make a lie appear to be truth. “I know; for I have been with them,” these accusers say. “I know the ins and outs of the matter,” and many thought they spoke the truth. Nearly the entire church was captivated by their presentations.
Elder Haskell was summoned to Adelaide. It was thought that as he had ordained both Elder McCullagh and Elder Hawkins, he might possibly be able to save these poor deluded men. He stood there amid the difficulties arising from the apostasy, and met the workings of Satan through human agencies.
After earnest labor for the church, nearly all those who were deceived were able to say, “The Lord hath redeemed us from the snare of the fowler, and we are escaped.” They saw their error in listening to the words of these men, and again took their position for the truth.
I felt deeply over the sudden apostasy of Brother McCullagh. I cannot say the apostasy of Brother Hawkins, for he was greatly deceived by one who was himself deceived by Satan. The raid that was made against me was mostly of Brother Mccullagh’s devising. He began the work of disaffection by criticism. For two years he had been finding fault with every minister in the work, and had been serving the enemy of God by uniting with him in the work of accusing the brethren. The first step in this direction is a dangerous one for any human being to take.
Here is where these brethren fell; and this is where many will fall. To complain of our brethren in the ministry, to be suspicious of the gifts the Lord has set in the church, to seek for spot or stain in the action of our fellow workers, is to follow in the enemy’s steps. He who chooses to obtain this class of education will find Satan standing ready to help in a masterly manner. Then, having criticized all that to him appears out of joint, he will commence to weave webs of falsehood, abusing the confidence that has been reposed in him, and seeking to destroy the reputation of those who have ever been his truest friends. This was the class of work done in Adelaide.
We should work earnestly to close the door against those who in this way are serving under Satan’s banner, for they are doing their best to counter work the prayer of Christ: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one: as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:20-23.] To His disciples Christ said, “A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.” [John 13:34, 35.]
Our work is to stop surmising evil of our brethren. We should seek to press together, and thus fulfill the longing of Christ to see His chosen people love one another as He loves them. “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?” the psalmist asks; “Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly” is the response, “and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor. … In whose eyes a vile person is condemned, and he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” [Psalm 15:1-5.]
“These are the things that ye shall do: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates, and let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.” [Zechariah 8:16, 17.]
“These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” [John 15:17-19.] We read of the false witness borne of Christ, and we know that every child of rebellion will do this evil work. If they spoke against Christ, who was without spot or stain, they will surely speak against His followers. What reproach they heaped upon Christ. Shall we complain when we are made partakers of His reproach? “Remember the word that I spake unto you,” Christ said, “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also.” [Verse 20.]
Those who draw away from us, and remain not in the truth, will fabricate reasons why they did not remain steadfast. They will do as Satan did—cast the reproach upon some one else. God Himself will be accused of unfairness. But should not the professed followers of Christ be afraid to treat their brethren and sisters as the Jewish nation treated the world’s Redeemer?
*****
Up to the time of his apostasy, my association with Brother Mccullagh had been most pleasant. When we first came to Cooranbong for the purpose of viewing the land preparatory to its purchase, Brother McCullagh came with us. He was quite sick at the time, suffering from inflammation of the throat, stomach, and lungs. The morning after the decision was made to purchase the land, we had a season of prayer for Brother McCullagh. The Spirit of the Lord laid the weight of his case upon me, and indited prayer in his behalf.
As we pressed our petitions for his recovery to the throne of God, the room seemed full of the presence of God, and then and there our brother was healed. He had brought his spring cot to Cooranbong, designing to remain a couple of weeks at the least; but the next day he felt that his stomach and throat were healed, and he went back to Sydney to continue his work. Apparently an excellent work was done for our brother. We regarded this blessing which was given us, and especially to Brother Mccullagh, as an evidence that our decision to purchase the land was according to the will of God.
Brother McCullagh continued in earnest labor for a long time, until his sickness in the summer of 1896. In this illness I visited him, and spoke to him in reference to his health, showing that there was a great necessity of his having the proper kind of food. I told him that if he were neglectful in this, the Lord would not work a miracle to counteract the effects of wrong habits of eating and drinking. These were the first words I had spoken to him of a serious character in regard to his diet.
I had spoken to Brother McCullagh in regard to his being careful of his diet because I knew that his stomach was irritated. I had sat at their table a very few times, but I never made a raid against them because I could not approve of the diet prepared for Brother McCullagh and his child. I have had great light from the Lord upon the subject of health reform. I did not seek this light; I did not study to obtain it; it was given me by the Lord to give to others.
I present these matters before the people, dwelling upon general principles, and sometimes, if questions are asked me at the table, I answer according to the truth. But I have never made a raid upon any one in regard to that which is upon the table. I would not consider such a course at all courteous. I am a vegetarian. I refuse to eat the flesh of dead animals, when I know that it is filled with disease of every kind. I have made no secret in of testifying in reference to the health reform essential for Christians. I have never made this question a test; but I have given to all the instruction the Lord has given me, and I shall continue to do this. I shall continue to warn others of the dangers of meat-eating, giving facts which have come under my observation, and showing the dangers of meat-eaters.
In April 1896, meetings for Bible instruction were held in Cooranbong, and I urged Elder McCullagh and his wife to come to them. I told him that we would take care of him and his wife, but that circumstances were such we could not accommodate Christabel. W. C. White’s children and Edith Ward, whom I had taken as a member of my family, were enough children to be together. I told Brother McCullagh that if they could find a place for Christabel among Sabbath-keeping friends, we would do everything in our power to care for him and his wife. But they came late, and secured a place with Brother Sherwin’s family. This was quite a distance away, and they were often absent from meetings.
I was very desirous that Brother McCullagh should have all the benefit possible from these meetings, for matters had been presented before me so clearly that I knew he was in danger. I knew that his mind was under strong temptation. He talked these temptations to his wife, and together they were causing in the churches of Sydney a state of things that would produce a harvest that would not be pleasant to garner. Sister McCullagh’s missionary visits and Brother McCullagh’s influence tended to counteract the work for the accomplishment of which much money and labor had been expended.
It was in mercy to them, and to Brother McCullagh in particular, that we wished him to attend the meetings in Cooranbong, and receive all the blessing possible, for at that time he was really anchored nowhere, but was on the point of cutting himself loose from us as a people. Not one word was spoken to me by either Brother or Sister _____ in regard to McCullagh’s feeling of disaffection, which had existed before he left Sydney. On one occasion during the meeting, Brother McCullagh was especially blessed of God. He confessed that he had been blessed, and that he saw things in a different light than ever before, and his countenance reflected the light shining upon him. We all hoped that during this meeting he had received a blessing, and was strengthened to resist temptation.
I ever showed the most tender sympathy for Brother and Sister McCullagh, for I knew that Christ was touched with the feelings of their infirmities. At one time when I had a decided testimony for them, I did not present it, but tried to follow the example of Christ in presenting general principles.
When I was at Hastings, New Zealand, Brother and Sister McCullagh sent me a letter, saying that their daughter was at the point of death, and asking our prayers in their behalf. We did pray for the whole family, for all had been passing through a siege of diphtheria. That night the true situation of the family was laid open before me. I wrote out many pages in regard to the mismanagement of their child. The light given me was plain and decided. I did not send this testimony at that time.
I wrote Brother and Sister McCullagh a short letter, in which I entreated them for Christ’s sake and their own sake to seek the Lord, to confess to Him their wrong course they had pursued toward their child. I then pleaded with God in their behalf. My soul was wrought up in an agony, as I thought the child was dying, and that even that little child had deceived and falsified. I begged the parents to seek God for themselves and for their child. I knew that it would be better for her to die now than to live to become what she surely would unless the parents took the matter decidedly in hand, and in the name of the Lord did the work which every parent should do.
It was some time after this that I visited Ormondville, and in the little hall which they had hired for their meetings, I bore my testimony. The Spirit of the Lord was upon me. I did not name their child in my public testimony, but laid down principles of the duty of parents to their children, and the relation of children to parents, showing the great responsibility of parents. After the meeting Sister McCullagh came to me. She said, “The Lord gave you those words to speak, for they meant me. I never had the subject of the responsibility of parents in the education and training of their children presented to me in this light. I shall feel ever grateful to you for this counsel.”
As I talked with Sister McCullagh, I really thought she would do as she said. And as I had laid the matter out in a general way before the people, I thought that perhaps it would not be necessary for me to send the personal testimony I had written. But I spoke again and again upon the duty devolving on parents to work unitedly in the duty of training their children for the future immortal life.
While at Hastings, New Zealand, I wrote many pages to them, but I did not give it to them, hoping that the plain testimony I had borne to all would obviate the necessity of speaking to them personally. When I saw that other children were in danger because of their child, I spoke a word of warning to the parents of these children, telling them to keep their children under their own eyes.
But the time came when all restriction was removed from me. I had written Brother and Sister McCullagh quite a lengthy testimony, a message from the Lord that Sister McCullagh’s influence was not helpful to the members of the church in and about Sydney, that in visiting the families, she was plainly sowing seed which would imperil the church. Her influence was not strengthening and upbuilding, but was of a character to create suspicion and suggest ideas that created disaffection and disunion; and we knew that this work had been done.
It did not please the Lord that the family should remain as it was, for the influence of both mother and daughter was displeasing to Him. “Report, and we will report it” they said by their actions. [Jeremiah 20:10.] This mischievous gossiping was sowing seeds of evil. Knowing all this, I gave them the warning. I did not parade the defects before a church or a people; but I wrote to them. I thought that if we could correct the evil without making trouble, we would do so; but the church must not be injured by such conversation, such complaining, such jealous surmisings. I sent them the light given me by the Lord; but in the place of reforming, they tried to destroy my influence. O what a work has been done!
I spoke to them in regard to the education and training of Christabel, for I knew they did not manage the child in a way that accorded with the Word of God. The words I spoke were not harsh, but were the truth, which they needed. This was before they came to Cooranbong.
Brother McCullagh had often said that Sister White was his best friend, and a great help to him. I had ever befriended him. He had often been entertained at my house, and eaten at my table. Our association together had been most pleasant. And now, without any change in my attitude toward him, without any warning, without uttering one word to me of what he considered me to be guilty, he handled my name in a public meeting, pouring out upon me all the venom he could well represent in words. He had no provocation to do this. What spirit could have taken possession of him but the spirit that inspired Lucifer and Judas?
The fury of the spirit that led to this unchristian step, to break up the friendship that had existed, the Christian unity that Christ prayed might exist among His followers, speaks for itself in language that cannot be misinterpreted. I was not present to answer the charges made against me. Had I been, I should have demanded a hearing just as soon as it could have been arranged. It was my due.
Shall we call this step the moving of the Spirit of God? We see not one sign of Christlikeness in this way to treating matters. There is a moral as well as a mental mania; when this takes control, humanity seems to drop out of the being.
Another power takes possession and controls. In the case of Brother McCullagh, mental self-delusion was strongly combined with an infatuated moral perversion. He was as deluded as those of whom Christ said, “They shall put you out of the synagogue; yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think he doeth God service.” [John 16:2.]
Christ warned Peter that he would deny Him, but in his self-confidence Peter said, “No, Lord, I never will.” [See Matthew 26:33.] He thought himself perfectly secure, and protested against being misjudged, denying the necessity of any warning. He declared that though all should be offended in Christ, yet he never would. Christ had before said to Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” [Luke 22:31, 32.]
And when Peter denied Christ, declaring that he knew not the Man, Jesus turned and looked upon him. Had He spoken, He would have said, “I pardon your transgression.” Satan has not power even to sift without permission from God, and Christ was watching the terrible sifting of him for whom He had prayed. The fall of Peter was the development of the natural elements of his character. Under testing trial these revealed themselves. When Peter saw this, his repentance was sincere, and strength came where there had been weakness.
The greatest tirade may be made against me, but it will not change in the least my mission and my work. The Lord gave me the message when I was only sixteen years old, and I have engaged in public labor ever since. The message the Lord has given me to bear has been in a straight line from light to light, upward and onward from truth to advanced truth. Because I was faithful in the discharge of my duty; because I bore a decided testimony against the existing wrongs, and the influence that would be exerted by Brother and Sister McCullagh unless there was a change in their religious experience, their hearts were turned from me.
God is pleased with holiness of heart, and displeased with sin. Holiness may be much talked of and exalted, but if it is not taught and practiced in the home life, it is of no value to those who think they have great light on sanctification and holiness. As for the claims that these brethren make, that their conscience and the Holy Ghost have led them to take the position they have against me and against the truth, the Lord has given them no such commission. They cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth. The Lord is a God of truth. He never leads a man to walk in crooked paths, directly contrary to the principles of truth and righteousness.
Those who think that the change in the sentiments of one or two will cause the whole body of Sabbath-keepers to turn aside and follow a new torch-light that has never been kindled from the divine altar, will find themselves disappointed. They will lie down in sorrow. “Pride, arrogancy, … and a proud mouth do I hate, saith the Lord.” [Proverbs 8:13.] The action of these two brethren appear to God in a peculiarly sinful light. If Sabbath-keeping Adventists are all wrong, what evidence shall we expect to receive in the correction of supposed existing wrongs? Will the revealing of the dragon spirit have a convincing power? Will the betrayal of sacred trust give evidence of the teaching of the Holy Spirit?
To witness the gradual corruption of a child is most painful to my heart, because that child is a member of God’s human family. Can parents see their children becoming vicious and unclean in thought and practice without feeling deep sorrow? How is it, then, when the Lord’s children turn from the light and the leading of His Spirit, and with their own hands tear down the pure and holy things in which they have delighted, and which they have reverenced, and have been building up for years? Does not God feel the rebellion of His children? And when, as a moral judge, He is called to pass sentence against them, as unruly and dangerous subjects, does it not grieve His heart of love “As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way, and live.” [Ezekiel 33:11.]
O better, far better, would it have been for Brother McCullagh to have died in peace while he was anchored in Jesus. What confidence can he have in his future line of faith any more than in the past?
*****
We have had to pass through this experience again and again. This apostasy brought trial to us, and largely increased my burdens and writing. But we must expect to meet these trials and disappointments. The apostle Paul warned his disciples, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to the flock of God, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the flock of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” [Acts 20:28-30.]
Paul wrote also to Timothy: “As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went unto Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables nor endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying, which is in faith; so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned; from which some having swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. … Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. This charge I commit unto thee son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck.” [1 Timothy 1:3-7, 17-19.]
If these men who went out from us had, as faithful stewards, searched deep into the Word of God, and heeded Paul’s words in the sixth chapter of Ephesians, they would now be standing firmly in the faith. Paul enjoins us: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” [Verse 14.] These men did not yield to Bible truth. They thought to wrap themselves up in a spurious sanctification which would accord with any false theories which men might choose to accept. They added not to their faith, but rather detracted from it. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth good things; but an evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth evil things.” [Matthew 12:35; Luke 6:45.] There is no middle ground to occupy. The heart is either given to God to be purified, and sanctified and refined, or it is the sport of Satan’s temptations.
“That servant which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask the more.” [Luke 12:47, 48.] The number of talents, the proportion of light, which each has received, will determine the returns which the Lord will require. He will ask for principal and interest. Those who have known the truth, who have been blessed with the influence of the Holy Spirit, who have appreciated the truth, but who have turned from it, will not be treated simply as impenitent sinners. Their guilt is aggravated because of their knowledge of the truth. They have misrepresented the words and actions of the faithful servants of God, who have sought to lead the straying feet into paths of holiness. They have put an evil construction on the actions of those who have labored for the erring. If such continue to corrupt their way before the Lord, the whole world will rise in judgment against them.
In the judgment, Brother McCullagh, and those who have pursued a similar course, unless they are converted and put away their evil works, will find themselves confronted with the dwellers of Sodom and Gomorrah, because they have had the example before them of these cities warning them not to follow the same course.
The experience of Israel, in the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, was repeated in the apostasy of Brethren McCullagh and Hawkins. These men worked upon the minds of certain of the children of Israel, and through their deceptive reasoning two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, men renown, gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing that all the congregation are holy; every one of them, and the Lord is among them; wherefore then do ye lift yourselves up above the congregation of the Lord?” [Numbers 16:3.]
These things were written for our learning, upon whom the ends of the world are come. The circumstances of the apostasy in Adelaide so nearly resembled the outbreak in the camp of Israel, that we can see it is of the same piece. Brethren McCullagh and Hawkins worked in the same lines, and the evil leaven spread among many who were displeased with something in their experience with us as a people. They were prepared to be influenced by the leaven of sinful murmuring, as were the children of Israel. The one who led these men always stands ready to take the disaffected ones today and start a rebellion. Ever watching for an opportunity, he works upon the mind with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.
Satan is the father of lies, and the accuser of the brethren. God’s people must be on their guard. None of us can occupy middle ground. We are either decided believers in the truth, the subjects of faith, and holding the truth in righteousness, or we are the most guilty, the most inexcusable of those who profess godliness, and deserving of the wrath of the Lamb. O that those who can so readily enter by forbidden paths, who contradict and cast away their former experience, could see what awaits those who deny the Holy Spirit’s leading, and are willing to be led by the agencies of evil. The judgment will present a scene the like of which the universe has never beheld. To what a pass will they come who have made light of the work of the Holy Spirit, and called its workings a delusion. The sentence of death will be passed upon all who, having light and evidence, like the Jews have refused to come to the Light, that their deeds should be reproved.