Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 16, 1901

Jones, C. H.

St. Helena, California

January 23, 1901

Portions of this letter are published in 12MR 139.

C. H. Jones
Pacific Press

My dear brother,—

I thank you for the extracts from letters which you sent me. What they contain removes a burden from my mind. 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 1

I believe with all my heart that the Lord has the supervision of the sale of Christ’s Object Lessons, and my heart is being deeply stirred to make an effort for the relief of the institutions in Denmark and Norway. I wish to donate the proceeds from Testimony 34 to this work. Will our publishing houses act in harmony with me in this matter? Shall we not do our best to lift the burden of debt from these institutions? Those who take part in such an effort will not lose, but gain; for this effort will bear God’s endorsement. A manifestation of liberality now will win His approval. 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 2

The light God has given me for years is that all jealousy and selfishness must be purged from our institutions, because they are engaged in God’s work and are representing His character to the world. 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 3

I would have those in our publishing houses remember that God expects them at this time to help those who are in distress. There is to be no smiting of our fellow servants. Let us look at this matter from all sides and see if there is not genuine Christian excellence in assisting those who are in need. Let us, as God’s stewards, show a lively interest in helping God’s institutions which, if we do nothing, will be in danger of extinction. 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 4

Christ gave His life to save a perishing world. Shall we look on with indifference when we should work earnestly to restore health, activity, and prosperity to God’s sick and feeble institutions? “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” [1 John 3:16.] What an opportunity is opened before us to do a good and generous work in behalf of those of the household of faith! 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 5

Paul enjoined the Philippians: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” And as their example he points them to Christ, “who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” [Philippians 2:4, 6-8.] 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 6

So deeply was Paul impressed with the Saviour’s condescension that he traces His earthly history from stage to stage, as if the immensity of the sacrifice were too great to be taken in all at once by the human mind. Step by step he leads us downward until the lowest depths of humiliation are reached, and we see the Saviour hanging on the cross, while the priests and rulers say tauntingly, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” [Matthew 27:42.] 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 7

We present this wonderful picture to those who are working in our institutions. If it is beheld with clear discernment, will it not annihilate selfishness? As we see the royal Sufferer hanging on the cross, let our thoughts go back to the heights from which He descended in our behalf. The Lord of life and glory humbled Himself to take up the position and duties of a servant. “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” [2 Corinthians 8:9.] 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 8

Christ did not merely come to this earth. He descended to the depths of humiliation, becoming obedient to a shameful, ignominious death, even death by crucifixion. 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 9

Shall we disregard this infinite sacrifice? Shall it make no impression on our minds? Shall those who take the name of Christian be selfishly inconsiderate of the wants of those of the household of faith? Shall they dishonor their Saviour by selfishness and covetousness? 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 10

Before angels and before men we are representing Christ. Shall we not, by our self-denial and self-sacrifice, strive to represent Him aright? Shall we not love one another as He has loved us? Let not those who have been redeemed by the shedding of Christ’s precious blood, spoil by their selfishness the working out of His great plan for their salvation and the salvation of their fellow men. Let us not thus misrepresent the Saviour. Let us not become so attached to earthly considerations that we shall fail to see the necessities of suffering humanity. Let us become God’s helping hand to restore, to heal, and to bless. 16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 11