Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 38, 1891

Daniels, E. P.

Oakland, California

November 10, 1891

Portions of this letter are published in 3SM 301-302.

My Brother, [Elder E. P. Daniels]:

I learn that you wished to see me, and I would be pleased to see you, although my time is so limited. For some time I have not written to you, because I did not think you would appreciate my letters. I have felt great sadness in regard to you. Could I have seen how to help you, I would gladly have done so. When you engaged in that law-suit against M. J. Church, I said if Elder Daniels 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. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 1

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 life-work as well as you do. 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. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 2

In Fresno, you betrayed your Lord to the wicked, who were only too glad to get something against our people to confirm their own unbelief. Had you pursued the right course, you would today have had clearer eyesight, and would have stood on vantage ground. But it is not too late for wrongs to be righted. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 3

I write you at this time because of some matters you have misunderstood. It has been reported to you that I said you sent for Elder Lampson to come to this coast to work against our people, and that after soliciting donations for him, you put the money into your own pocket, so that Elder Lampson did not receive it. I did hear that you solicited donations for Elder Lampson, and retained them, and I made inquiry as to the truth of the report. But I did not receive the impression that you sent for him to work against me. I do not think that in the light of the evidence you have had in the past, in regard to my work, either he or you would work against me, unless you had changed leaders. When men have once stood in the light, and then neglect to heed it, the light becomes darkness, and how great is that darkness! Then they will do the work of the enemy. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 4

When I heard the threats made against me, I said, This is the work that Satan will do near the end of time, for I have been shown this; but as to those who engage in it, it were better that a millstone were hanged about their necks and they cast into the depths of the sea, rather than to offend one of those who believe in Jesus. It is well for all to consider the path their feet are treading. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 5

I shall not cease to reprove and rebuke sin when the Lord bids me. All will not reject the testimonies. Some will turn to the Lord, and be converted, that He may heal them. Some will be saved unto life eternal. If the warning of God is refused and rejected, then my soul is clear. I have done my duty and shall continue to do this, although it is painful to me. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 6

If any one 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 E. P. Daniels. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 7

The word came unto Jeremiah the prophet from the Lord, saying, “Take thee a roll of a book, and write all the words I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them, that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity, and pardon their sins.” [Jeremiah 36:2, 3.] This is the way the Lord works; this is His plan to correct and save the erring. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 8

All the heavenly intelligences are looking with intense interest to see the result of the messages which the Lord sends. They are working with the messengers of God to bring the erring to repentance. The Scripture continues, “It may be they will present their supplications before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way; for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath [pronounced] against this people.” [Verse 7.] “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, ... saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which the king had burned. ... And there were added besides unto them many like words.” [Verses 27, 28, 32.] 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 9

I said and wrote to the one who made threats against me, that if the Lord would have me delayed in California this winter, I would say, Amen. If through the devices of the enemy my work was to come before the authorities so as to be better understood, Amen. The Lord would, as He has promised, be by my side and give me words to speak that would confound my enemies and reveal the hidden things of darkness. Men may resist men, but how can they resist the work of God? I shall not suppress one word that God gives me to speak. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 10

It may be the purpose of Satan to silence the words of reproof, but many more words may be given from God that will confound the enemies of righteousness, and put them to shame. I have not a fear; my trust is in God. Man can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. The Lord lives, the Lord rules in the heavens and upon the earth, and those who think to bring Him to their terms, will find that they have counted without the knowledge of God, or of Jesus Christ whom He hath sent, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 11

Now my brother, do not be found on the enemy’s side. All heaven has looked with intense interest to see if you would return unto the Lord. Do not lift your hand against the Lord’s work, through any of His agencies, for if you do, you will not attack merely the weak instrument, but Christ in the person of His servant. I have only the tenderest solicitude for you. Though for some time I have not felt free to write to you, I have written several letters for you, which I did not send. If you ever become subdued and broken in heart by falling upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, I will send you the letters, showing that I loved and cared for your soul. But all whom Satan deceives will be led to read everything wrong. They misinterpret, they misjudge, they misapply, and while they do this, nothing can do them any good. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 12

A few nights since, I dreamed of addressing an assembly from this text: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible.” [Hebrews 11:24-27.] 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 13

Moses, as a child adopted into the royal family, had every earthly advantage for becoming a great man. He received an education in all the learning of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds, giving evidence that he was qualified to ascend the throne of Egypt and be invested with imperial dignity and authority. But Moses abandoned all the flattering prospects of riches and grandeur in the courts of Egypt. It was no ordinary influence that could turn his mind from these earthly attractions; the inspiration of Heaven alone could accomplish this. Only by faith could he forsake Egypt; nothing but a divine power could enable him to walk by faith, and not by sight. Eternity was brought into his reckoning. He appreciated the promise of a heavenly inheritance. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 14

He might have been great and powerful in Egypt, but he dared not risk the consequences of permitting the earthly to eclipse the heavenly. His faith led him away from the earthly crown and scepter, lest he should fail of winning the crown of glory that fadeth not away. He had respect unto the recompense of the reward. When he turned his face toward the wilderness, there appeared to be very little prospect of worldly aggrandizement. But his faith reached beyond the seen, to the unseen. He grasped eternal realities. He appreciated the heavenly treasures and chose to suffer affliction with the people of God. “He endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” [Verse 27.] 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 15

Elder Daniels, your soul is precious. If you are a partaker of the Divine nature, a son of God, your life will reveal the fact. You will break with the enemy. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 16

You may see a thousand faults in the web of life you are weaving, but there are many more that you do not see. There are very dark corners of the soul that need to be purified, for from these come the thoughts and plans that defile. For these sins we can have no excuse. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 17

Probably I shall not see you again, as I expect to sail next Thursday. 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.” [Matthew 6:12.] Jesus did not appeal to the law of redress when He was unjustly accused. When He was reviled, He reviled not again; when He was threatened, He did not retaliate. 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 18

I may never meet you again in this life, but count me not as your enemy, because I tell you the truth. I shall meet you before the great white throne, where each must hear the record of his life, where every sin will be revealed, unless it has been blotted out by the blood of Christ. What will be your record? What will be mine? Think of these things. Oh that your family might be converted! Oh that they would come to the cross of Calvary and accept of Jesus! It would give me great joy to see you and your family enjoying the sweet peace of Christ. I have not given you up, but have felt powerless to help you, because you have accepted nothing that I spoke to you from the Lord. Will you humble your souls before God and seek His blessing? God grant that you may seek Him while He is to be found, and call upon Him while He is near. I leave these words with you. I am sorry that your wife is afflicted. Is there not a balm in Gilead? Is there not a Physician there? 7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 19