Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 84, 1898

Notes of the Work During the Week of Prayer, No. 4

July 3, 1898

Portions of this manuscript are published in 8MR 259; 11MR 177.

A Morning Meeting at the School

On Wednesday, after partaking of our morning meal, we met with the students in the school chapel. I read important matter to them, and the Lord impressed me by His Holy Spirit to encourage them to exercise faith in God. I occupied one hour, and then the students were given opportunity to bear their testimony and thus witness for Christ. Ye are my witnesses, He says. [Isaiah 43:10.] What a privilege in granted to us in this! 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 1

I knew that if the eyes of the teachers and students were opened, they would see that the Lord Jesus was among them. I was very much impressed and blessed as I realized that we were honored by the presence of the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. With what pleasure He looks upon the students, some young in years and others older, who have the privilege of hearing from Him out of His Word. He is watching the development of character. He is weighing moral worth. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 2

The students in our school have the privilege of knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. The moment glance inquiringly toward Christ, seeking for His grace, He advances to us. He would encourage the one who is looking to Him to behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. No one can since rely desire conformity to Christ’s likeness, but the Lord by His Holy Spirit begins to transcribe His likeness on the heart. He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness is willing and longing to shine in every heart, to give each one the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 3

“I am the vine, ye are the branches,” Christ declared, “he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] I told the students that in His providence the Lord had directed us to this place, away from the cities, and had established us here, in the bush as it is called, that this might be a center to which to bring our youth away from the temptations that are constantly ensnaring the young. We desire to make our school what God has revealed it should be—a place where students can receive the highest education, which they can take with them into the eternal world. This education can only be gained by obtaining a knowledge of truth, heavenly truth. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 4

Every moment of time is precious, too precious to be idled away. Our time is to be employed in useful labor. We are trying to provide means by which the students in our school may obtain an all-around education by learning to use brain, bone, and muscle equally. This is God’s design. As students seek to obtain this education, they become familiar with different lines of physical work, as well as different lines of study. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 5

There is to be awakened and cherished in the minds of the students a desire to help each other, and also to help those not in the school. From the Bible studies the students receive living treasures of light. By doing missionary work, by imparting to others the light they themselves have received, they will add to their knowledge. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 6

In this work they will receive special help from divine agencies. As they impart grace, they will receive grace for grace, for they are doing their appointed work. “Let your light so shine before men,” Christ said, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 5:16.] Heavenly angels are commissioned to co-operate with those who seek to obey this instruction. It is the divine intelligences that make an impression on human hearts. “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” [John 14:26.] 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 7

The students in our school are to be educated in regard to true science. The God of heaven sent His Son into our world to give lessons containing the true science of education. But were Christ in our world today, He would say to the religious teachers, as He said to the Pharisees, “Ye neither know me nor my Father. If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also.” “I have many things to say and judge of you” (as the people who had been made the depositaries of sacred trust, even the living oracles of God, the Old Testament Scriptures); “but he that sent me is true, and I speak to the world that which I have heard of him.” [John 8:19, 26.] 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 8

The science of education is contained in the words spoken by Christ and in the words He inspired His servants to write. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” [John 1:1, 3.] Teachers and students are to bring the Word of God into every action of life, into their studies and into their physical work. By a living connection with God, they may create an atmosphere round their souls that will be Christlike. If they are emptied of self, if they are humble and contrite before God, a wholesome, life-giving atmosphere will pervade the school. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 9

We cannot be in Christ’s service, we cannot wear His yoke and bear His burdens, unless we learn in His school how to love one another as He has loved us. When this precious attribute is cherished, self dies, and Christ lives in the soul. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 10

Our students are now deciding their eternal destiny. They are deciding whether they are willing to be fitted for the companionship of angels. If they do the will of God, they will be crowned with glory and honor and eternal life. If they are converted daily, they can work for their school associates and for others. They can show that they may be relied on, that they refuse to be vessels unto dishonor, but are vessels unto honor. 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 11

To all who fully consecrate themselves to God, the heavenly oil is communicated. But neither teachers nor students can meet their God-given responsibilities unless self is under God’s control, unless they are willing to be led by the Holy Spirit. The finite mind is finite in teachers and students unless they receive the holy oil that is emptied out of the two olive trees into the hearts of the workers who are under submission to God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Zechariah 4:6.] 13LtMs, Ms 84, 1898, par. 12