Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 86, 1900

Daniells, A. G.

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

June 18, 1900

This letter is published in entirety in KC 120-125. +^Note

Dear Brother Daniells:

I wish to write you a few lines, which I may not be able to get copied. I have within the last half hour learned that a mail leaves for Africa tomorrow morning. It is now fifteen minutes past three in the afternoon. I wrote yesterday and this morning some nineteen pages of letter paper, and no less than ten pages in my diary. A few pages have been copied, a letter to Dr. Kellogg. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 1

A letter has been received from John Wessels, but it contained nothing regarding the condition of things in Capetown, so we are left in complete darkness and ignorance, as you have not written us one line. Have you written, and has the letter miscarried? What does this silence mean? 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 2

When attending the meeting in Parramatta, I was in the night season passing through some exciting scenes in Africa. There were laid out some formulated arrangements and plans which were presented for acceptance; but Elder Daniells did not feel prepared to accept these plans, because they had in them some things which meant more than all could see. And while some would have accepted them, Elder Daniells said, “I cannot subscribe my name to them.” This refusal greatly disappointed the framers of the article of agreement. But no one who has had an experience in the rise and progress of the cause of God would without special advice from the Source of all wisdom concede to the terms of agreement or bind themselves to the conditions laid down, which the Lord could not favor. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 3

Our brethren in Africa will have to drink deeper of the clear flowing springs of Lebanon before they can see all things clearly. From the light given me, I know that we must enter into contracts very cautiously. We must have special light from God before we do this. Every problem which has reference to the cause and work of God should be studied in earnest prayer. It is the privilege of every man who claims to be a Christian, who is walking in the path of duty, to have confidence in God’s presence. The Lord is able to make that which is dark plain. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 4

We are today in great peril of following in false paths. If negotiations are made with the Wessels family, God must give direction as to how they shall be framed. Let all remember that this is a time when Satan is working to lead the Lord’s people in various countries to tie themselves up as His people in America have done. There, there is little freedom and little means because the conference, which in the fear of the Lord should have stood steadfast to principle, departed from the right way. Alliance with men need prayerful adjustment. We are God’s stewards and are dealing with His money, with His talents. That which in our human judgment would appear to promise much at the beginning may through the unwise movements of some one in the alliance create much disappointment and endless perplexity. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 5

I consider that the Wessels family have a right to be cautious. For in the workers that were sent from America, they have had to deal with some who were not straightforward. I would say to them, Sanctify yourselves by a new consecration to God. Regard the Lord as ready and willing to help you. A wrong was done to the Wessels family in the use made of their means by those who came from America. Their money was used extravagantly, and ways were devised to draw upon them. It would have been better if this money had never been placed in the hands of those who received it. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 6

The Wessels family have made large donations of money to Dr. Kellogg, as though he were the one who was to be steward of their means. The means that the Wessels family gave so abundantly in America should not have been handled by one man as he pleased, but by faithful stewards who would have appropriated the money for the opening of the work in Africa. A great work might have been done in that field. Books should have been translated for use in fields needing strong missionary effort. Had the work been done that should have been done, the religious experience of the Dutch people would have been materially changed. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 7

This is where the young men of the Wessels family made a mistake. Mission fields in Africa were, in their destitution, crying to God for help and relief. They were starving for the light that should have shone in the dark places in regions beyond. This cruel, treacherous war would not have come at this time had the missionary work been done that the people of Africa were in suffering need of. The things which ought to have been done, but which have not been done, testify to a neglect of duty. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 8

Let it never be forgotten that true Christianity comes through the engraving of Bible principles upon the heart and character. This must be an individual work, visibly expressed. Then true missionary work will be done. The Lord’s means will be carefully invested. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 9

A class of workers should have been sent to Africa who would have tried by every means in their power to educate the people they came to help. But some of those sent to Africa as missionaries needed the converting power of God upon their own hearts. Before they could teach others the truth, they needed to yoke up with Christ, to learn of Him His meekness and lowliness. In every department of God’s economy He works through instruments that will be worked. Preaching the Word is one great means, and furnishing the people with reading matter is another. The Lord has appointed that the preaching of the gospel and the press shall act in harmony. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 10

I must stop now, for it is bedtime. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 11

Tuesday morning, June 19

I have just looked at my watch; it is two o’clock. I dress, seek the Lord, and try to write a few words to go in the mail to Africa this morning. May the Lord help me in tracing each line. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 12

From the light God has given me, I know that he has not inaugurated such a work for our people to do as Dr. Kellogg has started in Chicago. In every city there should be missionaries, evangelists, appointed to work for the lower classes, who through abuse are ruining themselves. But all the resources are not to be used in this work, or in the work of bringing the truth to other cities and missionary fields afar off from America will not be accomplished. God’s money has been used lavishly in some places, so that there is not means to invest in sustaining the gospel ministry in all parts of the world by voice and by the press. Both must be linked together, and God’s standard must be raised in new territory. New fields must be worked, the warning must be given. A representation of the work to be done is given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 13

The cause of God is nearly bankrupt through men’s devising, by their lack of wisdom in bringing in consumers and not producers. Thus God names it. The question to be treated is a large one. God calls for decided changes to be made. Self-denial and self-sacrifice will be called for in all who undertake the work now. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 14

Our brethren in America, before carrying out their plans for such an extensive and wonderful work in certain lines, might far better have considered the words of Christ, “Which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” [Luke 14:28.] Had they done this, acting under the direction of God, men’s ideas would not have been carried thus far in building the tower. Thousands of dollars, that have been invested in Chicago for the lowest and most unpromising specimens of humanity, would have gone to open new fields, annexing new territory, planting the standard in new places. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 15

In many new fields there should be camp meetings of two, three, or four weeks in a place, if the circumstances demand it. And all through these meetings there is to be much personal effort, not only in the exposition of the Word in the meetings, but by individuals. Follow up every advantage in the very height of the surprise of the people to find out that there are important, wonderful things in the Word that they have not known were there at all, because the shepherds of the flock have not searched the Scriptures as diligent students of the Word. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 16

There is to be diligent work done. The testing truth for this time is to be made known, and the explanation given. All classes, the higher as well as the most lowly, come to these meetings, and we are to work for all. After the warning message has been given, let those who are specially interested be called to the tent by themselves, and there labor for their conversion. This kind of labor is missionary work of the highest order. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 17

The temperance question is to have special attention. Work in this line may be called medical missionary work, but this work, in its relation to its work of the third angel’s message, is ever to be recognized as the hand to the body. In America it has been made the head and not the hand. The gospel ministry is not to be treated as it has been treated,—as something hardly worthy to be recognized. It is God’s appointed means, the very means which has made us what we are, and its work is to be carried forward in the same lines and in the same way, because it is God’s. Nothing is to be devised to stand as a memorial of man’s greatness or woman’s greatness. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 18

See Isaiah 49. I cannot write out this whole chapter. Read it carefully and solemnly. What words are these! “And he said, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I shall be glorified.” [Verse 3.] How many, after they have done their best, under most trying circumstances, suffering for the want of facilities and from dearth of means, are ready to say, in the words of the Scripture, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain; yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.” [Verse 4.] 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 19

All the warnings must be given. The truth, Bible truth, is to be proclaimed in our large camp meetings, and the churches can hear the truth. They have the opportunity. All may not desire to hear. Many oppose everything that calls for self-denial. They are not willing to accept the Sabbath. In (Exodus 31:12-18) is clearly marked out in definite lines what God expects from His people, and the decided consequence of rejecting [it] is death. Notwithstanding this, many will refuse obedience because the truth involves self-denial and self-sacrifice. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 20

Many of the ministers will not hear and be convinced. They will not enter the sanctuary of truth to receive the knowledge of truth from the Word, but will take away the key of knowledge from the people by perversion of the Scriptures, wresting the Word of God from its true meaning. Thus every step gained in reaching the people to save them from being lost in error and disobedience requires a hard, constant battle. But shall it stop? No; lift up the standard. Plant memorials of God’s truth in every place possible, and conversions will be made. Some who do not take their stand at once will help advance the work with their means and with their sympathy. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 21

“And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, though Israel be not gathered,” (who is Israel? the church members of today) “yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.” [Isaiah 49:5.] The message must go from east to west, and from west to east again. A great shaking up must come. The professed believers in the truth for this time are asleep. They need to awake, and shine anew because the light of truth has not only flashed upon them, but rightly done its work. God will have representatives in every place in all parts of the world. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 22

The message of the angel following the third is now to be given to all parts of the world. It is to be the harvest message, and the whole earth will be lighted with the glory of God. The Lord has this one more call of mercy to the world, but the perversity of men diverts the work from its true bearing, and the light has to struggle amid the darkness of men who feel themselves competent to do a work which God has not appointed them to do. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 23

Read verses 13-16. What is the matter with those who claim to believe the truth of the third angel’s message? Why has it lost its power with the very ones whom God has honored for the sake of making it known to all people? Self has interposed; Satan has so wrought upon human agencies, and self has grown to such large proportions that it will not recognized a “Thus saith the Lord,” through His appointed channels. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 24

God has spoken; He has said that His work is one, that His workers are to keep in solid union. Even though men may sell themselves for a song, God continues to carry forward His work in His own appointed way in the light shining forth in the redemption of His people. Those who hold fast the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end will sing the song, “We overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony.” [Revelation 12:11.] The work of truth will go forward in the hearts of the true seekers because God sees in them His own name and the word of truth magnified. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 25

For the glory of His own name God will continue to bear with the perversity of men, that they may repent, lest His and their enemies shall triumph in their positive destruction. He bears long with their waywardness and folly. He disciplines them, that they should seek Him, and if they will humble their hearts before Him, He will not bring them to shame, but through their suffering and their turning unto the Lord, He will make them the eternal monuments of His mercy. His almighty power alone can avail in behalf of any human agency through His abiding grace. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 26

Wholehearted obedience God requires of His people as their only means of happiness and prosperity. Only through humbling themselves and exalting God by their devotion to Him can they find true prosperity. Yet this is the most difficult lesson for them to learn. Christ and His body, the church, are to become one as is represented in (John 17)—Christ in His people united to God the great Head. The ministry, which has been belittled, will be the power and energy of Christ in Word and doctrine. These are they whom man despiseth, whom the nation abhorreth, because they bear the sign of the original Sabbath. Exodus 31:12-18. God’s commandment-keeping people are made to be a servant to rulers, they are required by man-made laws to disregard the law of God. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 27

“Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, for he shall choose thee.” Isaiah 49:7. The hidden ones have been scattered because of man’s enmity against the law of Jehovah. They have been oppressed by all the powers of the earth. They have been scattered in the dens and caves of the earth through the violence of their adversaries, because they are true and obedient to the laws of Jehovah. But deliverance comes to the people of God. To their enemies God will show himself as a God of just retribution. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 28

[Read] Revelation 6:9-17. From the dens and the caves of the earth, that have been the secret hiding places of God’s people, they are called forth as His witnesses, true and faithful. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 29

The people who have braved out their rebellion will fill the description given in Revelation 6:15-17. In these very caves and dens they find the very statement of truth in the letters and in the publications as witness against them. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 30

The shepherds who lead the sheep in false paths will hear the charge made against them, “It was you who made light of truth. It was you who told us that God’s law was abrogated, that it was a yoke of bondage. It was you who voiced the false doctrines when I was convicted that these Seventh-day Adventists had the truth. The blood of our souls is upon your priestly garments. The persecution brought upon those who kept God’s commandments did not destroy them or their influence. I could not read my Bible with its condemnatory words, and I laid it aside. Now will you pay the ransom for my soul? You said you would stand between my soul and God, but you are now full of anguish yourself. What shall we do who listened to your garbling of the Scriptures and your turning into a lie the truth that if obeyed would have saved us?” 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 31

When Christ comes to take vengeance on those who have educated and trained the people to trample on God’s Sabbath, to tear down His memorial, and tread down with their feet the feed of His pastures, lamentations will be in vain. Those who trusted in the false shepherds had the Word of God to search for themselves, and they find that God will judge every man who has had the truth and turned from the light because it involved self-denial and the cross. Rocks and mountains cannot screen them from the indignation of Him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 32