Experiences in Australia

(136) Letter to the Adelaide Church: —

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, N.S.W. April 5, 1897.
Dear Brethren and Sisters in Adelaide, — EA 323.1

(137) It is your privilege and duty to stand firmly in the faith. I wish you now to see that which I never meant to make public. It will explain to you the reason of this wonderful apostasy. Brother Haskell, I believe, has the matter of clear lines, written to Brother McCullagh after he had received a special blessing at the Cooranbong Bible Institute. Brother McCullagh thanked me for reading this to him; and you can see plainly that if Satan had not power over his mind, he would not, dared not do again the very things he was reproved for doing in Sydney. As he has poured out his tirade against me publicly, when I was not present to answer for myself, I think it just and right that his accusations be presented in writing or before others, that we may be able to answer them point by point, and thus disappoint the enemy in his determined efforts to accuse. See Rev. 12:10-12. EA 323.2

(138) This accusing spirit will continue to the close of time; but let none suppose that the Holy Spirit prompts men to work out Satan’s attributes. They are working under another leader. We have seen this acted over and over again in our experience. EA 323.3

Adam was tempted in Eden. He yielded to a small temptation. He fell from his integrity, and the flood-gates of woe were opened upon our world. Christ resisted a series of most power temptations. In his human nature he passed over the ground where Adam fell, and redeemed Adam’s disgraceful failure. He stood the test in man’s behalf. And “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” The question we need to ask ourselves is, Who are following the example of the first Adam? Who are standing firm to resist temptation? EA 323.4

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the 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. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the (139) Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying with all prayer and supplication of the spirit, and watching thereto with all perseverance and supplication of the saints.” EA 323.5

Brethren, give no place to the devil. Do all that you can to break the deception that is upon Brother McCullagh. O that he could see how unwilling he has been to council with his brethren, or to be corrected in any way. His case is extremely perilous, because in his home there is a channel through which the enemy works. I greatly desire that Brother and Sister McCullagh shall be saved, but unless Sister McCullagh shall see herself what manner of spirit she is of, she will ever be a hindrance to her husband. The Lord loves Brother McCullagh because his soul is precious; but He will never excuse sin. If Brother McCullagh will accept the working of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will pardon him, and He will take away his natural and inherited tendencies to wrong. But although it is true that the Lord will work with him if he will repent and be converted, and will give him His spirit which will enable him to overcome and receive the overcomer’s reward, He will not compel obedience from any soul. EA 323.6

Do not, I beseech of you, Brother and Sister McCullagh, link yourselves up with Satan. Bind up your souls with God. I will do all in my power to help you, and the Lord has unlimited power for you. If you will come into right relationship with Him, he will make you light bearers to others. But what a terrible mistake you are making in changing leaders. What confidence can others have in you if you thus tear down what you have advocated as truth. What dependence will be placed on your assertions that you have now the truth, when you will not allow the Spirit of God to work with you. Our God is not Yea and Nay, but (140) Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus. O turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die? EA 324.1

I sent you a message of warning which you did not heed, but resisted. You have tried to unsettle the faith of Brother Hawkins, and of the entire church, and by speaking evil from house to house you have become accusers of your brethren. In the place of heeding the admonitions given, you have resented them, and have been at enmity with me. But your enmity has not been against be, but against the Lord, who gave me the message to give you, both for your present and eternal good. I love your souls. I want you to be undeceived. I want your blind eyes to be opened. I want you to buy the white raiment of Jesus Christ, the gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich. I plead with you, my brother, my sister, to do diligent work in repulsing the enemy. Resist him, through Jesus Christ. Would you be as Canright? The Lord is pitying you, and would save you from such a fate. The Lord will accept you as his servant, to help in saving souls, if you will learn obedience by the things you have suffered. Hold still, watch and pray, and die to self. “Let him take hold of my strength, and make peace with me, and he shall make peace with Me.” EA 324.2

I am so sorry for Brother Hawkins and his wife. Must he be bound up in your deceptions and deceived imaginations? O consider that his blood will upon your garments. I pray that you both may come to a better mind. EA 324.3

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We are told in the word of God that men will arise as these have done, who will seek to impair confidence in the faith once delivered to the saints. “Of your own selves shall men arise, (141) speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” I tell you in the name of the Lord that you will be of this party, just as surely as Canright and others have been, unless you receive the warnings and entreaties of the Spirit of God, and fall on the Rock and are broken. Though you and many others apostatize, your turning from the light will not make truth error. The truth is still the truth. Not one of the principles of our faith has been moved nor will be moved. EA 324.4

All that has been said, thought or done against me, I freely forgive; for it was not against me but against the Lord. I will do all in my power to confirm and strengthen the faith of my tempted brethren and sisters. A sinful disposition has led them astray; but Christ knows our every weakness; he will pardon our transgressions and sins, if we will put them away from the heart and mind, and lay them upon the Sin-bearer. “Light is sown for the righteous, and truth for the upright in heart.” “Thus saith the high and holy One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a humble and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” EA 324.5

My brethren, do all in your power to save brethren McCullagh and Hawkins. You may read this letter to them. Tell these brethren that the Lord has a complaint against them which is not imaginary or trivial. Tell them that they have wounded Him who died to save them, and unless they shall break the snare and confess their sins, and seek forgiveness of God, they will feel his displeasure. If they refuse to hear you, if they refuse to (142) consider, then write out a careful statement of the facts, just as they are. There must be no exaltation of the men who will not be open and frank, and who will not consider all sides of the question. You will have to make clear statements; but we hope and pray that you will not be compelled to do this. O that the love of God may melt the hearts of these men, that they may see how they have grieved the heart of Christ. Our God is a God of infinite tenderness, of sympathy and inexpressible love, and in Jesus is revealed his heart of love. May the Lord give these brethren the repentance that needeth not to be repented of. EA 324.6