Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 22, 1899

Wessels, J. J.

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

February 3, 1899

Portions of this letter are published in 6MR 382-384. +^Note

Dear Brother:

In what I have written, I may have been more definite than is wise. All that I have written is truth, but in most cases it is best to say as little as possible in regard to another man’s duty. It is best to leave that other man to seek God most earnestly, and let the Lord impress his mind. If he has faith in God, and earnest yearning after souls, and is willing to be anything or nothing in the eyes of men, if he gives himself wholly to the service of Him whose he is by redemption and by creation, whether this brings elevation or humiliation, he will not walk in darkness. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 1

If the Lord’s will is to be our will, we need at the very first to understand our <individual> selves. We may mark out a course for ourselves which may be born of our own ambitions or of some selfish purposes. The Lord knows the end from the beginning. He understands the relation that each man should sustain to God and to his fellow man. The Lord may see that one man’s connection with men of a certain disposition or character will affect those with whom he associates to their injury. He may not be one who can reason clearly from cause to effect. The men with whom he is brought in connection may be just the ones who will not help him where he needs help. The linking together of certain elements may produce unfavorable results. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 2

Therefore man cannot trust to his own judgment. Experience will convince him of his mistake. The Lord purposes that which will be the greatest spiritual benefit to the soul which is in the balances, ready to begin some new enterprise which means more than he himself anticipates. What should such an one do? His only safety lies in putting his preferences and his plans on one side, saying, Not my will, but Thy will, O Lord, be done. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 3

The lawyer came to Christ with the question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Christ answered, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” “He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” [Luke 10:25-28.] These are the two great principles of the law. Upon these two principles “hang all the law and the prophets.” [Matthew 22:40.] 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 4

In the smallest as well as the largest matters, the first great question is, What is God’s will in the matter; for His will is my will. To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? One man may be required by God to do a work and stand in a position that is peculiarly trying and taxing. The Lord has a work for him to do and he risks his life, his future eternal life, in <refusing> [to] stand in that place. This was the position Christ occupied when He came to our world, entering into conflict with the rebel leader of the fallen angels. God devised a plan, and Christ accepted the position. He consented to meet the foe single-handed, as every human being must do. He was provided with all the heavenly powers to aid Him in this great conflict; and man, if he walks in the way and will of God, is provided with the same keeping power. The same heavenly intelligences minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation, that they overcome every temptation, great or small, as Christ overcame. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 5

But anyone who places himself in a position of peril from any motive but obedience to the will of God will fall under the power of temptation. We are in constant peril if we expose ourselves in a way that our reason tells us is unnecessary. When any one places himself where he has no call from God to be, Satan is on the ground before him, to make the most of his opportunities. We are only safe in the place which serves every soul—in the cleft of the rock, covered by God’s hand. This was what received Moses when God passed by. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 6

There are places enough for every man to labor and do his part as God has appointed. But no one is secure who thinks it his privilege to choose for himself. If any man or any youth shall go where duty does not call, he is not safe for a moment. There is work to be done on the right hand and on the left. We are to seek the treasure represented in God’s Word as the pearl of great price; because God has commanded us to sell all we have if need be to secure this treasure. There is need of young men in different branches of the work, there is need of old men, counsellors, men who can answer to the description given in Exodus 18:13-26. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 7

The Lord requires the talents He has lent to men and women. They are to be used to do the most skillful service for the Lord. The history of the children of Israel is recorded for the benefit of the people of God in all time. God comes first. Anything that pertains to His work is to have special attention, for this work expresses the greatness and majesty of truth. The Lord calls for His gifts to be used with consecrated ingenuity. He calls for freewill offerings. Thus we may show that we realize that all we possess is the Lord’s, and that we are only His stewards. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 8

My brother, I have written what I have because it was my duty to write it. I now leave the matter wholly with you. I have been quite explicit, as you have desired. If you feel that you have clear evidence to commence your work in Europe, the Lord will send us some one in His own good time. I leave the matter with you. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 9

In love to your family. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 10

Hamilton, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 11

February 3, 1899

I am now in Newcastle. I came up today, as notices were printed that I would speak on Sunday afternoon. W. C. White had just come from Melbourne, where he had been attending the Ballarat camp meeting, and he and Sister McEnterfer accompanied me to this place, which is only one hour’s ride on the train from Cooranbong. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 12

Elder Starr reports that last night, Thursday evening, Dr. Caro addressed the people. The tent was full, and many seats were placed on the outside. After speaking on the health question the Doctor invited all who wished to join the Health Club to hand in their names. I think one hundred responded. The question came up, should they meet once each week? That was agreed upon, and then it was asked, Where should they meet? Should they hire a hall? The tent was offered to them for their meetings and this pleased them so much that there was a great clapping of hands to show approval. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 13

The work is going forward, but more helpers are needed. I fear Dr. Caro is doing too much. He is operating now on several critical cases. Much work is being done in the Health Home, but the bathrooms are a disgrace to any sanitarium. The question now is, shall five hundred pounds be invested in the bathroom which we have decided we must have, or shall we wait. If it were certain that you would come at once, they could manage by making some temporary improvements. Let us know about this by cablegram. If you decide to come, cable how soon we may expect you. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 14

In haste. 14LtMs, Lt 22, 1899, par. 15