Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 63, 1890

Comments Concerning Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4.

1890 [?]

Previously unpublished.

Page 67. Coworkers With Christ. This matter is appropriate for now, to be heeded and brought before the church as circumstances shall demand. Ministers need this instruction. I think some of these matters should be revised and published in Signs and Review. Supposing this matter is in print; the attention should be called to the same when it meets the condition of things existing. There is matter sometimes placed in the papers of far less consequence. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 1

Page 83. Testing Process. In regard to the government of children, let the parents read the Testimonies and practice the light God has in mercy sent them. Would it not be well to call the attention to these things and advise their reading them diligently? The same books that compose the Office libraries could be in the home library selection. Let every family be co-laborers with God, using their God given faculties in behalf of religious home reading. That which the Lord has given in the past is just as precious for the present and the future. The words of instruction oft repeated in our papers will not be out of place or in vain. The word of the Lord is the word of the Lord still. Time has not lessened or changed its importance, and if the fathers and mothers desire to know the will of God, in the place of writing to Sister White, let them take the instruction already in print in the Testimonies God has given them. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 2

The Bible studied diligently would, if brought as lessons into the practical life, be a continual counselor. Will our youth and those who are now seeking the Lord read to a purpose that which the Lord has favored them with in the Testimonies? These are a voice on the right hand and on the left, saying to them, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” [Isaiah 30:21.] When the Lord had fed the five thousand, multiplying the meager supply in the hands of His disciples, He might have created a fresh quantity of food; but He said to His disciples, who had been His helping hands, “Gather up the fragments; let nothing be lost.” [John 6:12.] Let the light that the Lord has graciously given His people in His Word be heeded. Said Christ, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” [Verse 63.] 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 3

The Testimonies are not a new creation of truth, but are given to the church to draw their minds to the Word, which all are in danger of forgetting. Old, old truths He makes as fresh and important as when they were first given and that He would have all practice. And having done all, to stand, and as the apostle has vividly presented the equipment we should put on as our safeguard—“put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” [Ephesians 6:11.] And having done all, to stand. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 4

There is a work for every soul individually to engage in. “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.” [Verses 14, 15.] There is the most definite preparedness given. With this instruction before not only young men and women whose names are inscribed upon the church books, but for ministers of the gospel who are, as messengers of truth, to set before all who are connected with the truth by precept and example, the Word of God in truth and righteousness is to be obeyed. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 5

The great apostle Paul has given in his charge to Timothy—his charge in his dying testimony—a most solemn charge to all who have any connection with the Word of God, to teach to others that Word in pureness, in knowledge, in faith unfeigned: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:1, 2.) This is the solemn charge given to all who have a part to act as Christ’s ambassadors. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 6

The Lord would have His people qualified to represent the truth. He would have His Word, which is spirit and life, not only read but studied. Put to the stretch every spiritual sinew and muscle and become exercised therein to understand what saith the Scripture. It is as represented in (John 6)—the bread of life is to be eaten, taken into the mind, understood, practiced. The whole life is exercised thereby. “These things command and teach.” [1 Timothy 4:11.] 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 7

(John 6:35) plainly defines the essential life-eternal principles, which families and churches are not careful to read: “I am the bread of life.” “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” [Verse 51.] “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [Verse 54.] 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 8

This chapter is of intense value to all who can appreciate the sacred truths of the Word of God. The eating means the spiritual things in the Word of God are to be studied comprehensively and enjoyed. And a practical, holy, sacred experience in a healthful, religious example is to be given to the world as heaven’s light shining in amid the moral darkness of this corrupt, sinful age. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 9

The appetite of very many church members has been perverted by reading that gives them a sickly, constantly feeble spirituality. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 10

The Lord has recently opened before me how very many of the large number of workers in our institutions—such as the Pacific Press and others—know little of the meaning of practicality in bringing the Word into a life study by obedience to the requirements of God. There will now need to be a most determined change of the mind appetite because of feeding upon the fictitious reading. The mind becomes excited to a high tension and the nerve brain-power is tensed and there is a tiredness of the brain. The habitual reading of this kind of matter is destroying the power of discrimination. 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 11

The mind God has given whereby we should serve Him understandingly is enfeebled and the senses are perverted and many are, as the result, inmates of insane asylums, hopelessly insane. The mind wherewith we should serve God by understanding His Word has been put to a wrong use and the imagination is diseased. The hours that should be given to rest and sleep are occupied in this infatuating story reading, and normal things are not discerned. The abused brain nerves are finally perverted beyond remedy, and the life work of many is spoiled—forever spoiled. I call upon all to now come to a decision that the brain nerve-power ... [remainder missing.] 6LtMs, Ms 63, 1890, par. 12