Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 23, 1899

Wessels, Sister [A. E.]

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

February 6, 1899

Previously unpublished. +^Note

Mrs. A. E. Wessels:

Last Friday February 3, W. C. White and Sara McEnterfer accompanied me to Newcastle. The Lord strengthened me to meet with those assembled on the Sabbath under the new tent. There was a good representation present. I spoke from John 6:27-40. The Lord helped me to speak with simplicity and clearness for forty-five minutes. Then we had a testimony meeting, the first of the kind since the camp meeting. No less than twenty bore their testimony for the first time, taking their position to keep the Sabbath. Some of those who bore witness for Jesus arose trembling and in tears, but when they were again seated the gladness of hearts was expressed by the smile on their faces. Their testimonies, I knew, made the heavenly intelligences rejoice, and our own hearts were full of grateful thanksgiving to God as we listened to the words spoken. 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 1

One man, who with his family has been converted, says he had not attended meeting for sixteen years. He has given up tobacco and liquor, and has accepted the truth. Another man, holding a position as a signalman on an important railway station at Newcastle, has accepted the truth, with his wife, his son, and his son’s wife. He is the father of eight boys. He bore a decided testimony in regard to his conversion to the truth, and his wife also witnessed heartily and decidedly. Then his daughter-in-law rose with tears in her eyes and witnessed to the truth. When she was seated again her smiles and tears were mingled. 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 2

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:7-11.] 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 3

The joy of Christ was in many hearts that Sabbath afternoon. This, you must bear in mind, was a new experience for these dear souls lately come to the faith. We knew that the heavenly Guest was among us. We not only had the promise, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” [Matthew 18:20], but we had the assurance that Christ was behind this promise, and that although He was unseen by natural eyes, yet by faith we discerned the presence of our Saviour. 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 4

What a pleasure and blessing this was to us who were witnesses for Christ, and what joy was brought to the heart of Christ as He saw these souls turning from darkness to light, from error to truth. He declares, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of my Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you that ye love one another.” [John 15:12-17.] 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 5

Those newly come to the faith are much strengthened and blessed, because with the heart they have believed, and with the mouth made confession unto salvation. Our meeting continued from three o’clock till about six. Opportunity was given for all who had not testified, and who wished to confess the truth, to arise. Quite a number stood upon their feet, and prayer was offered for them at the close of the service. We demonstrated that the meeting was a success. The hearts of the new Sabbathkeepers were full to overflowing. They said that this meeting was the best they had ever attended. They were made happy by the love of God. 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 6

On Sunday afternoon the tent was full of interested, intelligent people. I had much freedom in speaking to them from the first chapter of Second Peter. Many listened with tears in their eyes, and we hope and pray and believe that as the result of the camp meeting, and the labor which is being continued by house to house work, that many more souls will come to the light and let their light shine forth to others. 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 7

Two offices have been secured for use in medical missionary work. We are hoping and praying that the Lord will move upon hearts to plant the standard of truth in this important place. We do not doubt the Word of God. We believe that the fields around us are all white unto the harvest. Never in any place have we seen a greater desire among people to hear and understand the Word of God than during the Newcastle camp meeting. Already the sheaves are being gathered in as our meeting last Sabbath shows. 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 8

A meetinghouse will soon have to be built to accommodate the converts to the faith in Newcastle. We must do all in our power to plant the standard of truth in this place. Those who embrace the truth are given no flattering representation. We have no earthly reward to offer. We can only present the cross in the words of Christ. “He that will come after me,” He said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] This means righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and the reward which will be received at the end of the warfare—a crown of life, and the spotless robe of the righteousness of Christ and an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour. 14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 9