Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 52, 1903

Diary

January 2, 1903 [typed]

Portions of this manuscript are published in 1BC 1108.

This morning, I feel thankful that I have slept peacefully through the night. I feared that I should be wakeful. I have daily reason to praise the Lord that I am blessed with health. I feel anxious that the strength of my mind and body may be preserved. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 1

In the St. Helena Sanitarium, there are only a few patients, and it has been thought necessary to cut down expenses by lessening the staff of workers. It is to be regretted that Mr. Decker, the plumber, who has done excellent, faithful work in the institution, has been discharged. This man’s wife is a member of our church. He has been connected with the Sanitarium for nine years and has done excellent work. He is not a church member, but he is a faithful, well-principled man. His family is well ordered and well disciplined. He has one daughter about sixteen years of age and twin boys of ten who are sturdy and active and willing to work. This family bears an excellent reputation, and it is needed on the hillside as an example of a well-regulated home. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 2

A well-regulated family is a blessing to the whole neighborhood. Every child should be taught to be orderly and obedient. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 3

Religion is more than a mere theory. It is more than a passive acquiescence to truth. It is a living principle brought into the life, manifested in the daily occupation. True love in the home requires sacrifice, especially in the humble home. God values and commends hard, honest work. Let all remember that they belong to Christ, that they are brought with a price, and that God will be honored by their lives, as they faithfully perform their daily duties. Christ says to all, “Ye are My witnesses. Honor Me, and I will honor you. I will confess you before My Father, if you will confess Me by dealing justly and walking humbly with God.” [See Isaiah 43:10; 1 Samuel 2:30; Matthew 10:32; Micah 6:8.] A man may not be eloquent; he may not put himself forward in religious services, yet if he does his best, the Lord will help him as he lays his foundation upon the Rock and strives to carry out correct principles. Such a man will not betray sacred trusts. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 4

Last night I seemed to be addressing a company of people in regard to our attitude to such individuals as Mr. Decker. I referred to the experience of Peter. While he was praying, “he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth; wherein were all manners of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.” [Acts 10:10-16.] 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 5

As Peter went with the men who came for him and pointed Cornelius to Jesus as the sinner’s only hope, he understood the meaning of the vision he had seen. In this narrative there are valuable lessons for those who are trying to live the Christian life. One man should not measure another by his human standard, passing judgment upon him for not taking part in religious services. By judgment of this kind, a brother may be discouraged and his soul imperilled. Let us learn from the lesson given to Peter not to call common and unclean those for whom God cares. He is watching over some who today are not actively engaged in His work, but who will some time take up the work to which He calls them and will become faithful, reliable workers. Their voices may not be heard in religious meetings, but in the great day when rewards are given to the faithful, the good example they have set will be recognized by God, and crowns of glory will be placed upon their brow. It is impossible for a man to live an unselfish life, to pursue a course of honesty and integrity, without the keeping power of God. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 6

If every one would do his best, looking to Jesus for instruction, he would receive the fulfilment of the promise, “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” [Matthew 7:7.] 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 7

*****

The Bible is our textbook. It deals with most minute details as well as the greatest affairs of life. The same divine Instructor that guided the pencil portraying the prophetic records of Revelation and the history of the life of Christ, and of His condemnation and crucifixion, guided also the pencil that traced the story of the anxious mother who sought to save her child from the cruel death that Pharaoh had decreed should be suffered by all the male children of the Hebrews. The heavenly host watched with interest as the babe Moses was placed in the little ark of bulrushes, watched by Miriam. They watched as Pharaoh’s daughter came to the river and discovered the babe; and as Miriam, having received permission to find a nurse for the child, brought its own mother, who could then without fear care for it. The Lord God guided in all these transactions. He placed the history on record that we may realize that all our actions are seen by Him, and by the heavenly angels. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 8

*****

In ancient times, the Lord instructed Moses to build Him a sanctuary. The people were to provide the material, and skilful men must be found to handle the precious material. Among the multitude were Egyptians who had acted as overseers for such work and thoroughly understood how it should be done. But the work was not dependent upon them. The Lord united with human agencies, giving them wisdom to work skilfully. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 9

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name, Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works, to work in gold and silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; the tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is there upon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle.” [Exodus 31:1-7.] 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 10

Let the workmen in the service of God today pray to Him for wisdom and keen foresight, that they may do their work perfectly. 18LtMs, Ms 52, 1903, par. 11