Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 25, 1903

Faulkhead, N. D.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

January 27, 1903

Portions of this letter are published in TMK 128, 196, 202, 210; ML 28.

Dear brother Faulkhead,—

Christ demands that those who take His name honor that name in spirit and word and deportment. In thought, word, and deed they are to be Christlike. Those who claim to be Christians and yet do not reveal in the life the virtues of Christ’s character bear witness against the Saviour. They dishonor Him, putting Him to open shame. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 1

The Lord’s invitation is, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] Those who respond to this invitation realize that they are under obligation to reveal Christ’s character in the daily life. The revelation of His grace in humanity is an evidence of the power of the truth. Those who profess to follow Christ, and yet do not reveal this grace, failing to hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end, must know that their profession is a fraud. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 2

He who claims to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, and who has been placed in a position of trust, is to honor His Master by being in all things what a disciple should be. He is to strive lawfully, never trying to gain advantage for himself; never grasping for the highest wages, because he realizes that if he did this, he would be robbing the treasury of means needed for the support of the work in new fields; never swerving a hair’s breadth from strict loyalty to the commandments of God. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 3

A professing Christian cannot descend to the world’s level without dishonoring the religion of Christ and making himself disloyal. Such an one is offensive to God. The Lord cannot own him as His disciple. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 4

The Christian is to stand on vantage ground, as a laborer together with God. But he is never to exalt himself. He is firmly to refuse the inducements presented by those who have no love for truth and righteousness, but his refusal is to be made in a Christlike spirit, not Pharisaically, with an attitude which says, “Stand aside; I am holier than thou.” [Isaiah 65:5.] He must show that he cannot enter into sin because he is pledged by a most holy profession to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. By precept and example he is to discountenance all departure from Bible principles. But at the same time, by the manifestation of Christlike love, he is to make the religion of Christ attractive. He is to allow no bigotry to be seen in his life, but is to reveal tender compassion for those who have wandered away from Christ. Brother Faulkhead, while you are connected with the Echo office, let your every word and act show that you are governed by the principles laid down in the Word of God. We are nearing the judgment, and we cannot afford to neglect one of the opportunities offered us to improve the capabilities and talents that God has given us. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 5

My brother, never say or do anything that you will be ashamed to meet in the judgment. You and those connected with you in the management of the Echo office are in a most important position. Be sure to reveal the spirit and love of Christ. The Lord will be your efficiency, your strength, and your exceeding great reward, if you will trust constantly in Him. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 6

While we are in this world, trials will come to us. But let us not give Satan cause for encouragement by letting him see that he can make us miserable. The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised. Walk and work in the spirit of Christ. Stand ever on guard; for temptations will come, and the Lord’s disciples are to be as true as steel to principle. The Word of God is to be our guide. About the truths that this Word contains there is no guesswork. Let us not leave this unerring guide in order to seek for something new and strange to present as a wonderful message. There are many such doctrines that have not for their foundation, “It is written.” They are but human suppositions. It was with the word, “It is written,” that Christ met every temptation of Satan in the wilderness, and armed with this weapon, He could say to the enemy, “Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther.” 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 7

We cannot with safety accept the opinions of any man, however learned, unless they are in harmony with the words of the great Teacher. The opinions of erring men will be presented for our acceptance, but God’s Word is our authority, and we are never to accept human teaching without the most conclusive evidence that it agrees with the teaching of God’s Word. We are to know that we <do> know that we are standing on the platform of eternal truth—the Word of the living God. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 8

I am instructed to say to our people, There is marrow and fatness for all who seek for truth as the miner seeks for gold. Who is it that God will instruct? Isaiah tells us: “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. ... For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him; I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his way, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners”—those who see the evil of their unconverted characters, and repent, mourning over the life that has so poorly represented Christ. [Isaiah 57:15, 17, 18.] 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 9

Let the understanding that God has given you of His Word encourage you and cause you to rejoice in Him. Gather into precious unity the precious rays of light shining around you, and focus them in one blaze upon the Word, and truths hidden from the casual reader will stand forth plainly and distinctly. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 10

All over the field of revelation are scattered grains of gold—the sayings of the wisdom of God. If you are wise, you will gather up these precious grains of truth. Make the promises of God your own. Then when test and trial come, these promises will be to you glad springs of heavenly comfort. As you study the Word, it will become to you a wellspring of wisdom. Thus you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 11

Ask God to reveal light and truth to you by His Holy Spirit, that you may understand what you read in His Word. When, after the resurrection, Christ walked with the disciples to Emmaus, He opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. The same divine Teacher will enlighten our understanding, if we keep the windows of the heart opened heavenward and closed earthward. The office of the Holy Spirit is to bring all things to our remembrance and to guide us into all truth. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 12

The Lord loves us, and we are to love Him with the whole heart. Ask Him to guide you into all truth. He will do this. He longs to do it. He is waiting for you to ask Him with true humility and a firm belief that He will hear and answer you. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 13

The psalmist prayed, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” [Psalm 119:18.] The Lord heard him; for how full of assurance are the words, “How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” [Verse 103.] “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” [Psalm 19:10.] And as the Lord heard and answered David, so He will hear and answer us, making our hearts full of gladness and rejoicing. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 14

I speak to you, my brother, as to one in a responsible position in the Lord’s work. Walk humbly with God. He has enabled you to make decided changes in your life. Follow Him constantly, wearing His yoke gracefully, and you will learn of Him His meekness and lowliness. Keep close to the side of Christ. He desires you and your wife and children to be a self-denying, self-sacrificing company, preparing for the soon-coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven. Pray, my brother and sister, for your children, that it may be their highest desire to learn to please the Lord Jesus Christ. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 15

My brother, I have a most earnest desire that you shall constantly follow on to know the Lord, that you may know that His going forth is prepared as the morning. Keep your mind free and your heart full of the love of Christ. Give to others that which will strengthen and refresh and bless them. May the Lord help you and all who are in responsible positions to strengthen and help one another, is my prayer. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 16

In much love to yourself and your family. 18LtMs, Lt 25, 1903, par. 17