Counsel to a Believer Threatening Lawsuits
When you engaged in that lawsuit against R, I said if S has gone so far as to enter into that business, it will be a blot upon his life. I have sorrowed because of your course in this; I know that it is not right, and will not in the least relieve the situation for you in any way. It is only a manifestation of that wisdom which is not from above.
3SM 301.2
I was informed that you intended to institute a suit against me, on the ground that you had been wronged by the testimonies given in your case. A letter came to me, threatening that if I did not acknowledge that I had wronged you, the suit would be entered upon. Now, I could hardly believe that you had gone so decidedly on the enemy's ground, knowing my lifework as well as you do.
3SM 301.3
All that I have written to you, every word of it, was the truth. I have no retractions to make. I have done only that which I know to be my duty to do. My only motive in publishing the matter was the hope of saving you. I had no thought but of sincere pity and love for your soul. You yourself know that I have great interest for your soul....
3SM 301.4
If anyone shall seek to hinder me in this work by appealing to the law, I shall not abate one jot of the testimonies given. The work in which I am engaged is not my work. It is the work of God, which He has given me to do. I did not believe that you would do so terrible a thing as to lift your finite hand against the God of heaven. Whoever shall do this work, let it not be you....
3SM 301.5
I want to say to you, Do not extort money from anyone because of words spoken against you or yours. You harm yourself by so doing. If we are looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, we shall be able to pray, “Lord, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Jesus did not appeal to the law for redress when He was unjustly accused. When He was reviled, He reviled not again; when He was threatened, He did not retaliate.—Letter 38, 1891.
3SM 302.1
The Very Thing God Told Them Not to Do—I have written largely in regard to Christians who believe the truth placing their cases in courts of law to obtain redress. In doing this, they are biting and devouring one another in every sense of the word, “to be consumed one of another.” They cast aside the inspired counsel God has given, and in the face of the message He gives they do the very thing He has told them not to do. Such men may as well stop praying to God, for He will not hear their prayers. They insult Jehovah, and He will leave them to become the subjects of Satan until they shall see their folly and seek the Lord by confession of their sins....
3SM 302.2
What Appeals to the Courts Reveal—The world and unconverted church members are in sympathy. Some when God reproves them for wanting their own way, make the world their confidence, and bring church matters before the world for decision. Then there is collision and strife, and Christ is crucified afresh, and put to open shame. Those church members who appeal to the courts of the world show that they have chosen the world as their judge, and their names are registered in heaven as one with unbelievers. How eagerly the world seizes the statements of those who betray sacred trusts!
3SM 302.3
This action, of appealing to human courts, never before entered into by Seventh-day Adventists, has now been done. God has permitted this that you who have been deceived may understand what power is controlling those who have had entrusted to them great responsibilities. Where are God's sentinels? Where are the men who will stand shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, with the truth, present truth for this time, in possession of the heart?—Manuscript 64, 1898.
3SM 303.1
100
3SM
Selected Messages Book 3
[{"para_id":"100.4","title":"A Word to the Reader","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0003_eng_m_a_word_to_the_reader_100_16.mp3#duration=401&size=3322675"},{"para_id":"100.2863","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0005_eng_m_introduction_100_34.mp3#duration=104&size=946941"},{"para_id":"100.2864","title":"Chapter 1\u2014What Is the Church?","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0006_eng_m_chapter_1_what_is_the_church_100_2864.mp3#duration=644&size=5265882"},{"para_id":"100.66","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Unity in the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0008_eng_m_chapter_2_unity_in_the_church_100_66.mp3#duration=285&size=2393144"},{"para_id":"100.84","title":"Chapter 3\u2014Independent Action","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0013_eng_m_chapter_3_independent_action_100_84.mp3#duration=500&size=4114066"},{"para_id":"100.2865","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0021_eng_m_introduction_100_116.mp3#duration=119&size=1064821"},{"para_id":"100.2866","title":"Chapter 4\u2014The Primacy of the Word","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0022_eng_m_chapter_4_the_primacy_of_the_word_100_2866.mp3#duration=707&size=5769887"},{"para_id":"100.152","title":"Chapter 5\u2014Experiences in Receiving the Visions","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0023_eng_m_chapter_5_experiences_in_receiving_the_visions_100_152.mp3#duration=841&size=6843754"},{"para_id":"100.192","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Glimpses of How the Light Came to Ellen White","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0024_eng_m_chapter_6_glimpses_of_how_the_light_came_to_ellen_white_100_192.mp3#duration=1111&size=9005359"},{"para_id":"100.241","title":"Chapter 7\u2014Presenting the Divinely Revealed Message","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0025_eng_m_chapter_7_presenting_the_divinely_revealed_message_100_241.mp3#duration=1876&size=15121325"},{"para_id":"100.336","title":"Chapter 8\u2014The Question of Influence","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0026_eng_m_chapter_8_the_question_of_influence_100_336.mp3#duration=744&size=6065154"},{"para_id":"100.373","title":"Chapter 9\u2014Defining Sister White's Judgment and the Word of the Lord","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0027_eng_m_chapter_9_defining_sister_white_s_judgment_and_the_word_of_the_lord_100_373.mp3#duration=366&size=3039644"},{"para_id":"100.392","title":"Chapter 10\u2014On Being an Inspired Messenger","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0029_eng_m_chapter_10_on_being_an_inspired_messenger_100_392.mp3#duration=854&size=6950027"},{"para_id":"100.431","title":"Chapter 11\u2014The Reception of the Messages","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0031_eng_m_chapter_11_the_reception_of_the_messages_100_431.mp3#duration=1237&size=10010996"},{"para_id":"100.2867","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0034_eng_m_introduction_100_493.mp3#duration=126&size=1123336"},{"para_id":"100.2868","title":"Chapter 12\u2014Literary Assistants in Work of Ellen G. White","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0035_eng_m_chapter_12_literary_assistants_in_work_of_ellen_g_white_100_2868.mp3#duration=633&size=5177016"},{"para_id":"100.533","title":"Chapter 13\u2014The Testimonies for the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0037_eng_m_chapter_13_the_testimonies_for_the_church_100_533.mp3#duration=573&size=4696835"},{"para_id":"100.574","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Initial Steps in Writing and Publishing The Great Controversy Story","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0040_eng_m_chapter_14_initial_steps_in_writing_and_publishing_the_great_controvers_100_574.mp3#duration=373&size=3099354"},{"para_id":"100.598","title":"Chapter 15\u2014A Running Account of Ellen G. White's Experience in Writing on the Life of Christ in 1876","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0043_eng_m_chapter_15_a_running_account_of_ellen_g_white_s_experience_in_writing_on_th_100_598.mp3#duration=791&size=6439319"},{"para_id":"100.639","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Expanding the Great Controversy Presentation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0044_eng_m_chapter_16_expanding_the_great_controversy_presentation_100_639.mp3#duration=771&size=6283396"},{"para_id":"100.677","title":"Chapter 17\u2014The Experience of E. G. White in Preparing The Desire of Ages","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0046_eng_m_chapter_17_the_experience_of_e_g_white_in_preparing_the_desire_of_ages_100_677.mp3#duration=741&size=6041018"},{"para_id":"100.711","title":"Chapter 18\u2014Comments While at Work on the Conflict Series Books","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0049_eng_m_chapter_18_comments_while_at_work_on_the_conflict_series_books_100_711.mp3#duration=352&size=2928652"},{"para_id":"100.738","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0056_eng_m_introduction_100_739.mp3#duration=123&size=1101437"},{"para_id":"100.2870","title":"Chapter 19\u2014The Incarnation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0057_eng_m_chapter_19_the_incarnation_100_2870.mp3#duration=2123&size=17098313"},{"para_id":"100.2871","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0071_eng_m_introduction_100_849.mp3#duration=145&size=1277051"},{"para_id":"100.2872","title":"Chapter 20\u2014Principles as Set Forth by Ellen White in Her Early Ministry","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0072_eng_m_chapter_20_principles_as_set_forth_by_ellen_white_in_her_early_ministry_100_2872.mp3#duration=1606&size=12962184"},{"para_id":"100.921","title":"Chapter 21\u2014Ellen G. White Reports on the Minneapolis Conference","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0074_eng_m_chapter_21_ellen_g_white_reports_on_the_minneapolis_conference_100_921.mp3#duration=4730&size=37961166"},{"para_id":"100.1131","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Emphasis on Salvation Theme\u20141890-1908","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0082_eng_m_chapter_22_emphasis_on_salvation_theme_1890_1908_100_1131.mp3#duration=2174&size=17505525"},{"para_id":"100.2873","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0084_eng_m_introduction_100_1220.mp3#duration=279&size=2343883"},{"para_id":"100.2874","title":"Chapter 23\u2014Appeal for a Church School","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0085_eng_m_chapter_23_appeal_for_a_church_school_100_2874.mp3#duration=571&size=4680345"},{"para_id":"100.1260","title":"Chapter 24\u2014Counsel Regarding Age of School Entrance","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0086_eng_m_chapter_24_counsel_regarding_age_of_school_entrance_100_1260.mp3#duration=1550&size=12514928"},{"para_id":"100.1357","title":"Chapter 25\u2014General Guiding Principles","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0095_eng_m_chapter_25_general_guiding_principles_100_1357.mp3#duration=387&size=3209337"},{"para_id":"100.1382","title":"Chapter 26\u2014Attending Colleges and Universities of the Land","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0101_eng_m_chapter_26_attending_colleges_and_universities_of_the_land_100_1382.mp3#duration=466&size=3844059"},{"para_id":"100.2875","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0106_eng_m_introduction_100_1406.mp3#duration=125&size=1110553"},{"para_id":"100.2876","title":"Chapter 27\u2014The Grace of Courtesy","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0107_eng_m_chapter_27_the_grace_of_courtesy_100_2876.mp3#duration=520&size=4273824"},{"para_id":"100.1434","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Dress and Adornment","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0108_eng_m_chapter_28_dress_and_adornment_100_1434.mp3#duration=1892&size=15254020"},{"para_id":"100.1527","title":"Chapter 29\u2014The Sabbath: Guiding Principles in Sabbath Observance","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0118_eng_m_chapter_29_the_sabbath_guiding_principles_in_sabbath_observance_100_1527.mp3#duration=1398&size=11299546"},{"para_id":"100.1587","title":"Chapter 30\u2014The Propriety of Varying Postures in Prayer","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0120_eng_m_chapter_30_the_propriety_of_varying_postures_in_prayer_100_1587.mp3#duration=653&size=5336997"},{"para_id":"100.2877","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0123_eng_m_introduction_100_1619.mp3#duration=117&size=1054120"},{"para_id":"100.2878","title":"Chapter 31\u2014Visions That Early Called for Reforms","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0124_eng_m_chapter_31_visions_that_early_called_for_reforms_100_2878.mp3#duration=271&size=2278721"},{"para_id":"100.1644","title":"Chapter 32\u2014The 1863 Health Reform Vision","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0127_eng_m_chapter_32_the_1863_health_reform_vision_100_1644.mp3#duration=895&size=7275461"},{"para_id":"100.1695","title":"Chapter 33\u2014Proper Use of the Testimonies on Health Reform","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0134_eng_m_chapter_33_proper_use_of_the_testimonies_on_health_reform_100_1695.mp3#duration=680&size=5558270"},{"para_id":"100.1731","title":"Chapter 34\u2014Spiritual and Physical Hazards of Indulged Appetite","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0141_eng_m_chapter_34_spiritual_and_physical_hazards_of_indulged_appetite_100_1731.mp3#duration=464&size=3829555"},{"para_id":"100.1758","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Teaching Health Reform in the Family","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0149_eng_m_chapter_35_teaching_health_reform_in_the_family_100_1758.mp3#duration=224&size=1907263"},{"para_id":"100.1772","title":"Chapter 36\u2014Sister White and Prayer for the Sick","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0153_eng_m_chapter_36_sister_white_and_prayer_for_the_sick_100_1772.mp3#duration=192&size=1653701"},{"para_id":"100.2880","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0156_eng_m_introduction_100_1784.mp3#duration=56&size=565693"},{"para_id":"100.2881","title":"Chapter 37\u2014Seventh-day Adventists and Lawsuits","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0157_eng_m_chapter_37_seventh_day_adventists_and_lawsuits_100_2881.mp3#duration=862&size=7011435"},{"para_id":"100.1833","title":"Chapter 38\u2014Science and Revelation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0164_eng_m_chapter_38_science_and_revelation_100_1833.mp3#duration=876&size=7124130"},{"para_id":"100.1872","title":"Chapter 39\u2014Questions About the Saved","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0167_eng_m_chapter_39_questions_about_the_saved_100_1872.mp3#duration=444&size=3667420"},{"para_id":"100.1897","title":"Chapter 40\u2014The Question of the Date Line","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0170_eng_m_chapter_40_the_question_of_the_date_line_100_1897.mp3#duration=299&size=2507964"},{"para_id":"100.1915","title":"Chapter 41\u2014Memorials, Are They Proper?","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0173_eng_m_chapter_41_memorials_are_they_proper_100_1915.mp3#duration=165&size=1431158"},{"para_id":"100.1924","title":"Chapter 42\u2014Renting Our Churches to Other Denominations","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0176_eng_m_chapter_42_renting_our_churches_to_other_denominations_100_1924.mp3#duration=115&size=1035626"},{"para_id":"100.1934","title":"Chapter 43\u2014Feelings of Despondency","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0177_eng_m_chapter_43_feelings_of_despondency_100_1934.mp3#duration=476&size=3923468"},{"para_id":"100.1959","title":"Chapter 44\u2014Specific Light on Gardening","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0181_eng_m_chapter_44_specific_light_on_gardening_100_1959.mp3#duration=175&size=1513855"},{"para_id":"100.1970","title":"Chapter 45\u2014Balanced Counsel on Picture-making and Idolatry","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0184_eng_m_chapter_45_balanced_counsel_on_picture_making_and_idolatry_100_1970.mp3#duration=190&size=1636396"},{"para_id":"100.1978","title":"Chapter 46\u2014Music and the Music Director","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0185_eng_m_chapter_46_music_and_the_music_director_100_1978.mp3#duration=505&size=4155390"},{"para_id":"100.2002","title":"Chapter 47\u2014Work in the Spirit of Prayer","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0188_eng_m_chapter_47_work_in_the_spirit_of_prayer_100_2002.mp3#duration=187&size=1611867"},{"para_id":"100.2014","title":"Chapter 48\u2014The Bible Prophets Wrote for Our Time","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0190_eng_m_chapter_48_the_bible_prophets_wrote_for_our_time_100_2014.mp3#duration=228&size=1940869"},{"para_id":"100.2022","title":"Chapter 49\u2014Can All Have the Gift of Prophecy?","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0192_eng_m_chapter_49_can_all_have_the_gift_of_prophecy_100_2022.mp3#duration=180&size=1553418"},{"para_id":"100.2031","title":"Chapter 50\u2014Disparaging the Pioneers","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0193_eng_m_chapter_50_disparaging_the_pioneers_100_2031.mp3#duration=702&size=5733800"},{"para_id":"100.2064","title":"Chapter 51\u2014Attacks on Ellen White and Her Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0195_eng_m_chapter_51_attacks_on_ellen_white_and_her_work_100_2064.mp3#duration=561&size=4601709"},{"para_id":"100.2097","title":"Chapter 52\u2014Sinlessness and Salvation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0199_eng_m_chapter_52_sinlessness_and_salvation_100_2097.mp3#duration=570&size=4673797"},{"para_id":"100.2131","title":"Chapter 53\u2014Study the Testimonies","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0206_eng_m_chapter_53_study_the_testimonies_100_2131.mp3#duration=356&size=2958637"},{"para_id":"100.2883","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0213_eng_m_introduction_100_2154.mp3#duration=75&size=713442"},{"para_id":"100.2884","title":"Chapter 54\u2014The Mackin Case","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0214_eng_m_chapter_54_the_mackin_case_100_2884.mp3#duration=2034&size=16390255"},{"para_id":"100.2885","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0219_eng_m_introduction_100_2278.mp3#duration=288&size=2416917"},{"para_id":"100.2886","title":"Chapter 55\u2014Lessons From Meeting the Sunday Law Crisis of the Late 1880's and Early 1890's","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0220_eng_m_chapter_55_lessons_from_meeting_the_sunday_law_crisis_of_the_late_1880__100_2886.mp3#duration=2605&size=20958065"},{"para_id":"100.2424","title":"Chapter 56\u2014As We Near the End","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0227_eng_m_chapter_56_as_we_near_the_end_100_2424.mp3#duration=1325&size=10715109"},{"para_id":"100.2500","title":"Chapter 57\u2014The Last Great Struggle","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0240_eng_m_chapter_57_the_last_great_struggle_100_2500.mp3#duration=2661&size=21402869"},{"para_id":"100.2916","title":"Appendix A","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0255_eng_m_appendix_a_100_2630.mp3#duration=1454&size=11750444"},{"para_id":"100.2719","title":"Appendix B","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0258_eng_m_appendix_b_100_2719.mp3#duration=633&size=5180761"},{"para_id":"100.2752","title":"Appendix C","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0263_eng_m_appendix_c_100_2752.mp3#duration=1880&size=15154736"}]