Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 125, 1901

Haskell, Brother and Sister

Healdsburg, California

September 1, 1901

Portions of this letter are published in UL 258; 12MR 82-83; 5Bio 98, 125. +^Note

Dear brother and sister Haskell,—

I am so glad that you write to me. And after I receive a letter from you, I thankfully begin to answer it. I write two pages, and sometimes three or four, and then a call comes for me to go to Healdsburg, Oakland, or Los Angeles. My writings are packed up, and I have no heart, with so many things on mind, to continue the letters begun. The fact is, lately many perils have arisen; questions have come up which required a great amount of wisdom and grace and the love of Jesus to answer. The fear that the cause of God would be wounded and bruised kept me in a state of constant burden and taxation. At times my head has been so weary that it seemed as though I would not think at all. I have suffered severe pain in my left eye and cheek bone; nevertheless I must do the things I am expected to do. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 1

You know the hard strain I had at the General Conference. At that time I did some things which I ought not to have done. I needed complete rest, but there were some things I had to write, yet many of these same things confront me, half finished and uncopied. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 2

After the Conference I went to Indianapolis and spoke to the church there Sabbath morning and Sunday morning, and on Sunday afternoon took the cars for Chicago. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 3

I should mention here that after my work of speaking in Battle Creek was finished, I called upon Judge Arthur, who had been injured and was sick in bed. He had been desirous that I should meet him and his family, and when I came He sent to the school for his children. We had a season of prayer, and the Lord blessed me with great peace and restfulness of spirit. This was just before I took the cars for Indianapolis. This blessing was greatly appreciated by me. I was as if shut in with God, in perfect quietude and rest. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 4

After we changed cars at Niles, we took a train which stopped at every station. This generally wearies me, but on this occasion I felt not at all disturbed, though the train might have been likened to a milk wagon delivering milk to customers. The people got in and out of the car constantly, but my peace was perfect; I was resting in the Lord. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 5

We found the brethren Ross at the station with a hack to take us to the Sanitarium. Here we were very nicely treated. On Sabbath a brother came with his horse and carriage and took us to the church where a large number of people were gathered. The Lord gave me special freedom in bearing my testimony. The presence of God was with us. The next day, Sunday, I spoke to the people very decidedly regarding the fanaticism which had greatly injured the cause of God in Indiana. I told them that those who claimed to have holy flesh were under a delusion of the enemy. At this meeting we had the help of the brethren who had heard my testimony at Battle Creek. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 6

After the meeting on Sunday afternoon we went directly to the station to take the cars for Chicago, arriving about six in the evening. Here we met Brother and Sister Palmer and Edson and his wife, and we had a season of prayer together. At eleven we took the train for Des Moines. Willie had taken a berth in the sleeper, hoping to get a little rest; but at the station he was met by a brother who had asked him to allow his sister to go to Des Moines with our party, saying that she was not in very good health and did not like to travel alone. On meeting her at the station, Willie found that she was an insane woman who would not speak a word. All night he had to sit with her, and part of the time he had to hold her hands to prevent her from getting out of her seat. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 7

We reached Des Moines at eight thirty Monday morning and found that a meeting had been appointed for the afternoon. I spoke with the Spirit and power of God upon me, laying out plainly the mistake the brethren of the Iowa Conference were making through their neglect to do the very work God had given them to do, the work of seeking most earnestly for those outside the fold. The people assembled seemed deeply impressed. W. C. White spoke in the evening. I spoke again the next morning. We had a praying season, and the Lord gave me the spirit of intercession and strong pleading. I then bore a decided testimony. I could not withhold it, for I felt the peril of the lukewarm, murmuring condition of the people. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 8

These meetings were a success. The melting Spirit of God was present. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 9

After the meeting on Tuesday morning, I met the Sanitarium workers and had a pleasant interview with them, giving them words of counsel and encouragement. The Lord blessed us as I offered prayer. Our party then stepped into the hack and were driven to the station. We took our seats in the chair car, but the tobacco-poisoned air and the emanations from the bodies of the closely-packed company so affected my heart that I had to change to the sleeper. A berth was prepared so that I could lie down; for when I left the chair car I was almost unconscious. I did not sit up till we arrived at the station in Lincoln. I was greatly exhausted. Early the next morning I spoke to the workers in the Sanitarium at College View. Meetings were held both forenoon and afternoon in the church. I bore my testimony twice. These meetings were just what the people needed, and they seemed to be much helped. We remained here two days, and our meetings were marked by the presence of the Spirit of the Lord. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 10

From College View we went to Denver where I spent Sabbath with the church. There again the Lord was present in our meetings, and we knew that good was accomplished. On Sunday we went to Boulder where we were well cared for in the Sanitarium. I spoke twice to a large congregation in the Boulder church. The day before we left I was up late writing. Then we rose at three in the morning and drove to Denver, a distance of forty-seven miles. Here we took the train for Waitsburg where we attended a camp-meeting. At this meeting I spoke in all seven times. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 11

From Waitsburg we went to Walla Walla where I met a sister who was dying with consumption. In her wheel-chair she was brought to where I could speak to her from the carriage, but I got out of the carriage, knelt beside her chair, and prayed with her. This comforted her a great deal. She lived only a few weeks longer. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 12

At Walla Walla we spent some hours with the family of Brother Armstrong, whose unmarried daughter was just about to leave for Australia. We had many words to say to them. We had a most precious season of prayer, and the Lord came very near. The daughter leaving them, who came with us to Portland, is Dr. Armstrong, who is to be married to Dr. Keller. Dr. Keller has been working in Australia for several months. He is an excellent man and a good physician. We think they will both do good work. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 13

We next attended the camp-meeting in Portland. This was a meeting of deep interest. The Lord gave us His blessing. We were obliged to try to do in one week work that required two weeks, for we had to be in Oakland in time to see Brother Irwin before he left for Australia. I spoke several times in Portland, and the people listened with earnestness. We had many things to consider in regard to the Sanitarium established in Portland. May the Lord take charge of these institutions is my prayer; for the medical missionary institutions must stand on an elevated plane, pure in their spiritual working. They are to be representatives of the great Medical Missionary, who is a restorer of physical and spiritual health. What a work before us! How careful all connected with our institutions should be not to make crooked paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 14

Coming over the mountains on the way from Portland to California, I contracted a severe cold. There seemed to be a stricture across my lungs. I coughed constantly. My head and lungs were congested. I would have been glad to go straight to my home in St. Helena, but we were obliged to go to Oakland to see the brethren who were just about to start to Australia. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 15

When the time came for the Los Angeles camp-meeting I decided to go. But before leaving, I went to a Board meeting at the Retreat and bore a clear, forcible message in regard to what our sanitariums should be as educating schools. The power and Spirit of God was upon me, enabling me to lift up the standard which all in our institutions should reach. The Lord strengthened me to speak for about an hour. I presented the high state of spiritual efficiency which must be brought into the Sanitarium if it accomplished the purpose for which it was established. The Lord desires physicians and helpers to place themselves in right relation to Him. All who act a part in our health institutions will confess Christ if He is abiding in them. O how greatly we need Jesus Christ every moment! 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 16

After this came some letters that greatly pained my heart. I knew that to respond meant more work for me, work which would require much thought and cause much sadness of spirit. I felt more like hiding away in a corner, where I would have some repose of mind, where I could read my Bible and pray, than going to Los Angeles. But I finally took my seat in the car, and as I did so, I felt the sweet influence of the Spirit of God. It was as though I were in a compartment alone with God. I had this peace all the way. Even on this earth I should ever be happy with such a comfort as the presence of God. I thank God that this very earth, purified from all the defilement that sin has brought, is to be the abode of the saints of the Most High. Yes, take away sin and the earth would soon be restored to its original loveliness, when God and all the heavenly host looked upon it and said that it was very good, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 17

We were well located in Los Angeles. A brother who had just purchased a new house kindly gave it up for the use of myself and my workers. We were very thankful to be thus favored. And even now as I recollect their kindness, I feel like saying, Thank you, my brother and sister. I felt that the angels of God were very near me in Los Angeles, and I am grateful for the strength given me all through the meeting. I did not think that this camp-meeting would be so large. I am informed that the interest was excellent. About forty were baptized. After the meetings closed there were some matters of interest to be considered, and I was urged to stay; but I knew that I ought to go home where I could have quietude and rest. There were many important questions to be considered in regard to erecting a sanitarium and establishing a school. The brethren in Southern California are growing too ambitious. They want to do too much at once. They will surely be involved in debt unless they are careful and economical, unless, before building their tower, they sit down and count the cost, whether they be able to finish. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 18

On the way home I went to Oakland and attended two Board meetings, talking an hour at each one, setting forth the importance of consecration to God’s work. I had much to say regarding the religious interest in the Pacific Press. Let every man stand in his lot and in his place, working with earnestness, decision, and power to advance God’s cause, bearing aloft the standard on which are inscribed the words, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” [Revelation 14:12.] God will be with His workers in the publishing house if they will be with Him. If they will expel all selfishness and follow Bible principles, keeping separate from worldly policy, the glory of the Lord will be revealed. We may teach the Bible ever so zealously, but if we do not honor the truth by efforts proportionate to its greatness, we shall form ideas of Christ which do not honor the self-denying, self-sacrificing Redeemer. We need Christ every moment. We need to look upon and study His character. What would Christ do were He in my place? is to be our measurement of our duty. It is possible to preach the Word and walk directly contrary to its teaching, showing in the home life and in business life a form of godliness without the power. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 19

Vague suppositions regarding Christ are not enough. We need an abiding Christ. We need to eat His Word. He is the bread of life. The revealed Word is our photograph of Christ. The world can only be expelled from the soul by filling the soul with Christ. Just as the life of the body is produced by the temporal food eaten, so the life of the soul is produced by the spiritual food eaten. He who would have spiritual life and vigor must eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. Christ declares, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. ... Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day; for my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” [John 6:35, 54-57.] 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 20

O that the workers in every line of the service of God would eat of the leaves of the tree of life which are for the healing of the nations! 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 21

But I cannot write more now. I will try to write again soon. I could not sleep after one o’clock this morning. I have had many things to think of. Today Willie and Dr. Sanderson go to San Francisco to attend a meeting of the Medical Board, where some important matters will be settled, we hope, after the mind of Christ. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 22

Do not be disappointed if I do not write. I will try to write as often as I can. My head now says stop. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 23

In love. 16LtMs, Lt 125, 1901, par. 24