Pacific Union Recorder, vol. 2

November 20, 1902

“To the People of the California Seventh-day Adventist Conference” Pacific Union Recorder, 2, 8, pp. 2-5.

ATJ

Dear Brethren and Sisters: You who were at the late camp-meeting and conference held at Fresno will remember, and you who were not there doubtless have heard of, the missionary spirit that characterized the meeting and that sent into the fields outside of California a large number of those who have been active laborers in this conference. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.1

Brethren Corliss, McCord, and Castle have gone to England to labor; Brother Parsons has gone to Ireland; Brother Everson has gone to Rome; Brother and Sister Shaeffer and Brother Douglass have gone to Georgia. By the time this letter reaches you, Brother Gauterau, Brother Amos Marchus, Brother Halliday, and Brethren Walter and Frank Bond will have gone—Brother Gauterau to France, Brother Halliday to England, and the Brethren Bond to England for a while, on their way to Spain, Brother Marchus to England for a while, on his way to Natal, South Africa. Others who are to go, but can not go for a few months are Brother Albrecht, to Germany; Brother Harmon, to Ontario, Canada, and Dr. Kern, to China. Nearly all of those are still California workers, to be paid from the California treasury after they reach their foreign fields. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.2

This gives to the people of the California Conference a personal hold in missionary effort upon a goodly part of the world. The California Conference is thus sending its workers to the East in both directions. But surely this is the only thing to do. there are in the California Conference only about one and a quarter millions of people altogether. In the ..., alone, there are forty-five millions; and in the other countries many more, as they are larger. In those countries there are very few Sabbath-keepers, and far fewer active preachers of the message. Should we keep here, where there are so few people, the many workers, when we have also nearly four thousand Sabbath-keepers besides? PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.3

Read again what was presented on this subject at the opening of the conference at Fresno. Read it carefully; and if you were not there, see if you do not say with all those who were there, “Yes,” and, “Amen.” PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.4

But now, brethren and sisters, there is just as much work to do in the spreading of the third angel’s message in California as there was before these of our active workers went abroad. There is just as much work to do in California in proclaiming the third angel’s message as though all who have gone abroad were here. But these have gone, and we remain. Then since these are all gone, and only we remain, and there is just as much work to do in California as if they were all here, who is there that shall do the work in California?—Plainly, only we who remain. Then this calls in a more urgent way than ever before that every Seventh-day Adventist man, woman, and child in the California Conference shall enter into the work of proclaiming the third angel’s message whenever and wherever and by every means that can be employed. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.5

Come, then, let us all wake up, and stand up, and enter heartily, prayerfully, and vigorously upon the work of filling California with the third angel’s message as never before. Please do not wait to be licensed or otherwise “recognized” by formal action of the conference committee. Ask the Lord what there is that you can do. Consecrate yourself to Him, and ask earnestly what He will have you to do. Then begin just where you are, at whatever Christian work your hand shall find to do. And there is abundance of this that can be done everywhere by all. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.6

Many of our people have lived where they now are long enough for all the people of the community to know that they are Seventh-day Adventists, and, through them, that the seventh day is the Sabbath. Many have distributed literature in the neighborhood where they are to such an extent that they think that the people do not want to read any more. But there is one phase of the work of the third angel’s message that has not been so fully emphasized. That is the Christian help work, or medical missionary work—personally visiting, to help the sick, the sorrowing; taking a personal interest in the daily life and affairs of all who are round about you, to help them in every possible way that need may demand or opportunity offer. This is now the wide-open door through which all our people can enter into the very heart of the work of the third angel’s message. And this work, taken up carefully, prayerfully, and considerately, will open the way for the distribution of literature, and also will cause all the people to take a deeper interest in what is the meaning of your being a Seventh-day Adventist, and the seventh day being the Sabbath. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.7

And this is precisely what the Holy Spirit is given to you for; for thus it is written of our Leader, our Example, our Head. Read it:— PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.8

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because The Lord hath anointed Me to preach Good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all that mourn.” PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.9

That is the purpose for which the Holy Spirit is poured out upon you. Will you fulfil the purpose? When the Holy Spirit is poured upon you for that purpose, if you should not step in and fulfil the purpose, then of what benefit can the pouring out of the Holy Spirit be to you? Come, brethren and sister, step in. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.10

Another thing: The delegates and people at the conference who voted to give $5,000 from the California Conference treasury to the General Mission Board for the work in foreign fields, in addition to the tithes to the Pacific Union Conference. The amount that will thus go from California to foreign fields the coming year is nearly $24,000. These faithful workers who have gone into strange lands, a number of them into lands of strange languages, must not be neglected in the matter of material support. Our careful attention in this respect, as well as our prayers and hearts’ wishes, must follow these dear brethren and sisters who have gone far away to strange lands. Others must be called from among the people into the field, to take the place of those who have gone. This calls, therefore, for faithfulness on the part of every one in bringing into the treasury the Lord’s tithe. You see how through your conference treasury there is now flowing so largely to the wide world that which you are giving. You see that your conference treasury is now only a channel through which you can pour into foreign fields that with which the Lord has blessed you, to be devoted to the work of His ministry and the spread of His gospel. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.11

I know that many of our people in the California Conference were getting restless at seeing so much money spent in California alone. This was right. Because of this, some had really slackened in their interest in faithfully paying the Lord’s tithe. Others have been seriously thinking of themselves sending their tithes to foreign lands. But now, since the Lord’s regularly-established channels of receiving and distributing His own funds are so open that such large sums are constantly flowing directly to foreign fields, surely now all our people can with confidence faithfully bring the Lord’s tithe to His treasury. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.12

We are sure that all who were at the Fresno camp-meeting at the last Sabbath meeting, as well as those who were not, will be glad to have in print the words that Sister White spoke that are on these subjects. We therefore present them; and her closing address can very appropriately be seen:— PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.13

SENDING MISSIONARIES ABROAD

“Before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples not to depart from Jerusalem till they had received the promise of the Father. ‘Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence,’ He declared. ‘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.’ PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.14

“The day of Pentecost came. Great additions were made to the church. In one day five thousand were converted. The disciples began to think that they had a work to do in Jerusalem, in shielding the members of the church from the snares of the enemy. They did not realize that strength to resist temptation is best gained by active service. They did not educate the new church-members to become workers together with God in carrying the gospel to those who had not heard it. Instead, they were in danger of being satisfied with what had been accomplished. To scatter His representatives abroad, where they could work for others, the Lord permitted persecution to come upon His church. Stephen and several others died for their faith; then the members of the church were scattered; and the gospel was proclaimed with power ‘in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.15

“In every age since the first advent of Christ, the gospel commission has impelled men and women to go to the ends of the earth as missionaries for God. We thank the Lord that during this camp-meeting several of our workers have given themselves as missionaries to go to different countries outside our land. My brethren, we bid you Godspeed. Our prayers shall follow you wherever you go. How glad we are to send men and means to these countries! PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.16

“Years ago, I little realized that I should spend many years of service as a pioneer missionary in distant lands. But when the call came to go to Europe, I responded. Afterward, when asked to go to Australia, I went, notwithstanding I was over sixty years of age. Nine years I worked in that field. My heart is filled with missionary spirit, and, although nearly seventy-five years old, I feel such a desire to see souls saved that it seems to me I could go to the ends of the earth to bring men and women a knowledge of the truth for this time. PUR November 20, 1902, page 2.17

“To these our friends who expect soon to go from us to other lands, I wish to say: Remember that you can break down the severest opposition by taking a personal interest in the people who you meet. Christ took a personal interest in men and women while He lived on this earth. Wherever He went He was a medical missionary. We are to go about doing good even as He did. We are instructed to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and comfort the sorrowing. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.1

“The sisters can do much to reach the heart and make it tender. Wherever you are, my sisters, work in simplicity. If you are in a home where there are children, show an interest in them. Let them see that you love them. If one is sick, offer to give him treatment. Help the care-worn, anxious mother to relieve her suffering child. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.2

“Some of you expect to go abroad as canvassers. Sometimes you may wish to canvass a man whose time is fully occupied. You may have to put off your canvass, and it may be possible that you can join him in his work and talk with him then. The sermon which you thus preach by your helpfulness will be in harmony with the sermon which you preach with your tongue; and the two together will have a power that words alone could never have. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.3

“When staying at the homes of the people, share the burdens of the household. Be thoughtful enough to keep the water-bucket filled. Help the tired father do the chores. Take an interest in the children. Be considerate. Work in humility, and the Lord will work with you. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.4

“My brethren and sisters who are under appointment as missionaries, I greatly desire that your hearts shall be filled with Christlike pity, love, compassion. As I bid you farewell and return to my home, do not think that I shall soon forget you. We will offer our petitions to God in your behalf, pleading with Him to open doors for you. He will hear our prayers, He has promised to hear us. And He is just as ready to answer your prayers for strength and wisdom to do your work. He has said that He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. Wherever you go, pray to Him in the morning, at noon, and at night. Pray in faith, without wavering. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.5

“Some of the members of our churches may feel that we are sending away too many conference laborers, and that the work in the home field can not be done by the few who remain. But this is not the proper view to take of the matter. Those in the employ of the conference are not the only ones who should work for souls. Let the church-members go to work. Let them communicate to others the knowledge they have received. In many churches in California, the members have heard discourse after discourse, and yet they do not seem to have a large measure of the Holy Spirit. While I was in Australia, many of them sent letters to me across the broad Pacific inquiring why they did not receive more power from above, and requesting me to pray for them. They did not seem to comprehend the reality of the Saviour’s promise, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ They did not seem to realize that they could gain spiritual strength by imparting to their neighbors and friends the light they had received. They had not learned of the blessing that comes to us from telling our fellow-beings, enslaved by appetite, of the divine power which will enable them to overcome the desire for every harmful indulgence. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.6

“Let those who teach the truth, teach in simplicity. Let them not try to drive the truth home with a vim that will arouse antagonism. Let the voice express sympathy and tenderness. Christ’s voice was full of pathos. By persevering effort we can cultivate the voice, ridding it of all harshness. Let us ask in faith for a converted voice, a converted tongue, and for Christ-like sympathy and tenderness, that we may win souls to the truth we teach. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.7

“None of our churches need be barren and unfruitful. But some of our brethren and sisters are in danger of starving to death spiritually, even when they are constantly hearing the truth presented by our ministers; for they neglect to impart that which they receive. God requires every one of His stewards to use the talent entrusted to him. He bestows rich gifts upon us in order that we may bestow them freely upon others. He keeps the heart flooded with the light of his presence in order that we may reveal Christ to our fellowmen. How can those who fold their hands in ease, content to do nothing, expect God to continue to supply their necessities? The members of all our churches should labor as those who must give an account. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.8

“Brethren and sisters, when these workers go to their fields of labor across the seas, will you close up the ranks in the home conference? Will you put on the Christian armor? ‘We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ Will you stand firm for the truth, even though your church may not often be visited by a minister? I ask you, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, to put on the whole armor of God; and be sure to wear the gospel shoes. Do not neglect to put them on. They will enable you to tread tremblingly, softly, in approaching the souls that you desire to lead to the Saviour. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.9

“‘Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,’ you will be prepared to walk from house to house, carrying the truth to the people. Sometimes you will find it very trying to do work of this kind; but if you go forth in faith, the Lord will go before you and His light will shine upon your pathway. As you enter the homes of your neighbors to sell or to give away our literature, and in humility to teach them the truth, you will be accompanied by the light of heaven. Learn to sing the simplest of songs. These will help you in house-to-house labor, and hearts will be touched by the influence of the Holy Spirit. Christ was often heard singing hymns of praise; and yet I have heard persons say Christ never smiled. How mistaken their ideas in regard to the Saviour! There was joy in His heart. We learn from the Word that there is joy among the heavenly angels over the repentant sinner, and that the Lord Himself rejoices over His church with singing. PUR November 20, 1902, page 4.10

“What a privilege it is to labor for the conversion of souls! Our calling is high. We may enjoy the companionship of the heavenly angels. We may not discern their forms, but by faith we may know that they are with us. ‘Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Brethren, sisters, God invites us to unite with the angels in their ministry. Thus every one of us may become His helping hand. To fit us to do this work, He will strengthen our minds as verily as He strengthened the mind of Daniel. As we give to those in darkness the truths that have enlightened us, God will enable us to understand these truths still better. He will give us apt words to speak, communicating to us through the angel standing by our side. Let us pray for the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Let us seek for living power from above, that we may indeed be laborers together with God. PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.1

“May the blessing of God rest upon every one in this congregation. The presence of God is here. His angels are in the midst of us. And the evil angels also are here. Let us close the windows of the soul earthward, and open them heavenward. Let us not allow earthly things to take possession of the mind, but let us keep it open to receive the communications that the heavenly angels are ready to give to us. PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.2

“May the Lord bless and strengthen you who are under appointment to go to other lands. We may never meet again in this life, but I pray that we may meet in that glad day when the gates of the city of God shall swing back on their glittering hinges, and the nations that have kept the truth shall enter in, there to hear Christ saying: ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ ‘Enter into the joy of thy Lord.’ Then, with all the redeemed, we shall cast our crowns at His feet, crying, ‘Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain.’ PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.3

“As we recognize among the ransomed ones some whom we were instrumental in saving, gladness unspeakable will fill our hearts. Touching our harps, we shall fill all heaven with rich music. Oh, what songs of praise for redeeming love will resound through the heavenly courts! PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.4

“While living this probationary life, shall we not encourage one another to be steadfast? Shall we not impart a knowledge of the truth for this time to those in our very neighborhoods who have not heard it? Shall we not, by our prayers and by our means, support those who are sent to other lands to proclaim this truth? Shall we not practise self-denial on every point, that we may have more to give for missionary work abroad? Shall we not keep before us, in our homes, a contribution box in which to place offerings for missions? PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.5

“Let us teach our children to deny self in order to help sustain the Lord’s work. Let us tell them that God, in giving His Son, gave all heaven to save not only us, but those who as yet have not so much as heard of Him. Let us tell them how, in order to redeem mankind, Christ laid aside His kingly crown and royal robe, left His high Command in the heavenly courts, and came to this world to live a life of poverty and hardship, a life of toil and suffering, and to die a death of shame. Shall He have died in vain for us? Shall He have died in vain for those whom by self-sacrifice we could save? PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.6

“Brethren and sisters, will you today pledge yourselves before God to pray for these workers who have been chosen to go to other lands? Will you pledge yourselves not only to pray for them, but to sustain them by your tithes and offerings? Will you pledge yourselves to practise strict self-denial in order that you may have more to give for the advancement of the work in the ‘regions beyond’? We feel moved by the Spirit of God to ask you to pledge yourselves before Him to lay by something weekly for the support of our missionaries. God will help and bless you in doing this. Give those who are under appointment to go abroad evidence that you will sustain them by your prayers and by your means. Let those who willingly, freely, gladly make these pledges before God today, signify it by rising to their feet. [Nearly the whole congregation—about a thousand—arose.] PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.7

“Thank the Lord. As these missionaries go to their new fields, they will have an assurance that their brethren and sisters in this conference will be faithful in doing their part at home. The time may come when some of those who remain will go to distant fields. We expect to see the Lord taking men from the plow, and sending them out to proclaim the truth. We expect to see children bearing a message that their parents can not bear. Let us all stand ready to respond to God’s call to duty, whatever the sacrifice.’” PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.8

Dear brethren and sisters, all you who were not at the meeting to make your pledge by rising to your feet with the others, please just where you are make that pledge now, and let us all stand together in pushing to success as never before the work of he third angel’s message in the California Conference, and in all the world. PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.9

CAL. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.10

Per A. T. Jones. PUR November 20, 1902, page 5.11