Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 137a, 1898

Smith, Uriah; Jones, A. T.; Evans, I. H.

Stanmore, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

April 21, 1898

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brethren Smith, A. T. Jones, and Brother Evans:

I received a letter from one of our brethren inquiring if I had any light for them, telling them what they had better do in A. R. Henry’s case. It seems clear to me to say, Move in the light the Lord shall give you; do not move impulsively; move cautiously, step by step, in the way of the Lord. Faith unfeigned must be the inspiration in which we move. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 1

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 2

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrews 11:5-7. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country” Ibid, verses 13, 14. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 3

The seeing of things not seen. This faith is not merely seeing of those things that shall be realized by us bye and bye, when this mortal puts on immortality; but the seeing of those things which the Lord would have every soul born again to realize the unseen powers which move and govern our lives. Are we Christians? Are we citizens of this present world, securing the blessed hope of being citizens of the kingdom of heaven? Are we cooperating with Jesus Christ, partakers of the divine nature, overcoming the corruption that is in the world through lust and responding to the forces of that kingdom which is spiritual, and which Christ has set up in our souls? Have we a conscious title to the inheritance with the saints in light after their resurrection, and with the living saints after their translation? Are our lives bound up with the life of Christ? 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 4

We have within us already the powers unseen. We need to cultivate the graces of the Spirit. The thoughts, the words, the passing will, the commotion of the heart, all our lives will be opened before us at that great day of judgment. The cooperation of the divine agencies working through the human agencies will be seen, and we shall then understand as never before. We are laborers together with God; we are God’s husbandry; we are God’s building. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 5

The day of judgment will reveal what kind of building has been going on. Will the work be presented as that which bears the record, He fell under temptation, but he deplored his own weakness, and, through the grace of God given him, he strove again for the victory? He never would yield up his soul to be worked by Satan to do harm to the soul purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. He would, under all and every circumstance however trying, say, I am weak, Oh God, but thou art my strength. He dares not walk alone; he will not yield his purposes and his hopes. He has been overcome, but not forsaken. His soul loves the Lord, and he trusts in a compassionate Saviour. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 6

His own mistakes and sins he did not allow to divorce his soul from God. He bowed at the cross of Christ, helpless but not hopeless, clinging to the cross, depending upon the Holy Spirit to restore his soul. He loved the Saviour still, although he grieved Him; sinning, yet contrite; confessing, and clinging to the cross. His only hope was in Jesus Christ. He with humble mind and heart talked with God: I am unworthy, but I pray thee, pity and save me and strengthen me. In the day of judgment he will see how his enemy, the devil, was repulsed, because he was humble and penitent. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 7

*****

I have been absent from my writing to visit the churches. I have labored hard and, I hope, successfully through the grace of God. I hoped to have Willie’s help to get out many books, but here my plans are hedged up again. He has, in connection with Elder Robinson, to do a work to secure means to run the work in various lines. But the Lord knows all about it. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 8

Eight weeks I have been away from my home, but I return next Monday. What a work is before us! The end near, and many who know the truth seem as if on enchanted ground! What will bring the people in a position of cross bearing? Is the superstructure genuine? “Ye are laborers together with God; ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Will it be thus? Men will embrace the truth, graft it into their own defective characters, and when tests and trials come, in the place of impurities being purged away, they are offended, and turn from the truth. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 9

Oh how Satan is seeking to annoy and destroy! How hard he has worked to completely waste away the strength of the Review and Herald office. But, my brethren, the light which the Lord gave me was at a time when all this could have been prevented. Brother Evans seems to be in great perplexity. Satan is looking on, stirring up the unconsecrated elements to do harm to God’s people, and all this comes of those who should have been in the light but were taking steps in the dark. Satan lays his plans, and he brings about circumstances that mean ruin. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 10

Now let those of faith pray as they never prayed before, that the Lord will palsy the power of the enemy, and let him not have the victory. The Lord is not pleased to see the little love and union that exists among our brethren, especially our leading brethren; it shows that they are not walking in the light. When you ask God for help, come together of one accord; put your own self out of the question, and let Jesus Christ appear; let His love be revealed, and when you love as brethren, when you have self out of sight, and Christ in view, then the Lord will hear, He will answer your prayers; but when you stand as far apart as you can, and make prominent your own selfish attributes of character, you will receive no answers to your prayers. Will you tell our brethren this? They need to walk humbly with God, and open the door of their heart and let the Saviour in. When you love as brethren, then that love will work wonders in purifying the soul. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 11

But those who have been connected with the work for many years are in need of the love of Christ, and then the oil of His grace will sweeten their disposition because they will expel Satan from the throne of the heart. They will love one another. But prosperity will not attend the work until the converting power of God breaks the proud heart, and then there will be the molding of mind and the fashioning of character. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 12

God calls upon all His people, Humble yourselves. Cry unto God with broken hearts; confess your sins of hardness of heart, and repent. When you pray, then the Lord will hear your prayers. But self has been cherished until there has been a swelling to large proportions. There can be no walking with Christ unless there is a denying of self, lifting the cross, and following Him. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 13

In the case of Brother Henry, there have been those who have acted their part in connection with him who have not repented nor been converted. They speak unadvisedly with their lips. They are not prepared to help A. R. Henry. They have been ready to blame and censure and condemn him, when they had far better been repenting of their own sins, and breaking their own stubborn hearts, their own unbelief, their own unsanctified hearts. They have not submitted to be worked by the Holy Spirit. Is it not time that there is a change, that the love of Christ shall melt away your unholy tempers and let the love of Christ bind heart to heart? 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 14

Brethren Smith and Jones, if Henry presses this matter of libel, then let our brethren answer to the charge, but do not go into court to charge back upon him. Make decided efforts to save him. Do not try to criminate him, but answer to his charges as Christians. Not one voice should be raised in irritation and in wrath, for this will not glorify God. You are certainly in a trying position, but the Lord can and will make a way of escape if you will all humble yourselves and confess, not A. R. Henry’s sins but your own defects. But stand to the truth; acknowledge that the Lord’s past and present dealings with His people is to reprove, exhort, rebuke; and let not Satan make any of you cowards. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 15

Do all you can to vindicate the cause of God from the reproach put upon it. Stand not in your own defense, but as men entrusted with sacred responsibilities. Every dollar he shall gain by his covetous betrayal of sacred trusts will reveal what is the character of the man who has been kept in position of influence when he was injuring the work and cause of God. Let not one word be spoken in human passion, but all may feel greatly humbled because they gave no heed to the warnings which the Lord was sending them. They have blunted their own sensibility and discrimination. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 16

I have not special light to point out just what course should be pursued. You are on the ground, and as things develop, be sure you are in agreement with the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; ... and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [Matthew 11:29.] May the Lord be your strength and your shield. May the Lord be your stronghold in the time of trouble. It is the cause and the work of God you are to vindicate and jealously guard. It is not yourself that you are to defend but the Lord’s work and the Lord’s cause. Keep the glory of God in view, and urge the matter of His instrumentality that has been ever used to hold up His work. But when men, poor, weak, finite men, in their own wisdom departed from divine wisdom, then the Lord left them to their own foolish devising. Oh may the Lord God of Israel not suffer His name to be reproached by the folly of men wise in their own conceit! 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 17

The Lord will not suffer His name to be dishonored if our brethren will only get near to God and die to self. He that seeketh to save his life shall lose it. He that will hide his life in Christ will be meek and lowly of heart. Oh what need, Brethren Evans and Smith and Jones, that they take hold of God by faith. Pray, work, believe, and trust in God. He will give precious victories if we will cast all our care upon Him who careth for us. We will pray for you; we will offer most earnest prayers to God. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 18

Willie White came from Melbourne this day. I have had no time to converse with him, but will read this letter to him. I have been interrupted so many times that I cannot tell how rambling this letter is. Please excuse all mistakes. I have not Sara or Maggie, my workers, with me at this time; therefore my letters are not copied. Excuse me this time. 13LtMs, Lt 137a, 1898, par. 19