Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 141, 1903

A Warning Against Colonization

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

August 17, 1903

Portions of this manuscript are published in Ev 525. See SpTB #6 46-48.

We are nearing the closing scenes of this earth’s history, when the predictions of Revelation, yet unfilled, are to be fulfilled. The book of Revelation is now to be studied and understood by the people of God. It does not conceal, but forewarns, telling us what will be in the future. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 1

Our work now is to husband the goods that God has given us, to be true and faithful, and to co-operate with the Lord at every step. Unless we do this, there will be serious misconceptions, and the work that God would have done will not be done. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 2

Medical missionary work is yet in its infancy. The meaning of genuine medical missionary work is known by but few. Why?—Because God’s money has been misapplied. Practical evangelistic work is being done in many places, but the workers who go forth as did the disciples are collected in one place, as they have been in the past, notwithstanding God’s warning that this should not be. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 3

The men and women who should be in the field as medical missionaries, helping those engaged in the gospel ministry, are collected in Battle Creek, acting over the same program that has been acted over in the past, confining the forces, binding them up in one place. God has spoken against this by sending His judgments on the institutions in Battle Creek. But every movement on the part of those heeding the warnings, to change the order of things, has been made very hard by the misconceptions of some regarding the way in which the medical missionary work should be carried forward. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 4

God has not given us the work of erecting immense sanitariums, to be used as health resorts for all who may come. Neither is it His purpose that medical missionary workers shall spend a long term of years in college before they enter the field. Let the young men and women who know the truth go to work, not in places where the truth has been proclaimed, but in places that have not heard the message, and let them work as canvassers and evangelists. Let the teachers of these youth take them away from the place where God has indicated by His judgments that they should not be. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 5

To build up a school in Battle Creek would place our young people under influences that would counteract the influence that God has declared should be exerted on His people in the last days of this earth’s history. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 6

I am obliged to say that the making of so large a plant in Battle Creek, calling together those who should be engaged in medical missionary work in many places, is doing just what God has specified should not be done. In the Battle Creek Sanitarium the nurses will be brought into close contact with men and women of the world, who are not inclined to piety or religion. The erection of large buildings in Battle Creek is not according to the light that for years the Lord has been giving. For years God has shown me by revelation that it is a mistake to make Battle Creek a great center. If schools are to be established, let it be out of Battle Creek. And let these schools be carried forward, not after worldly wisdom, but in harmony with the directions that the Lord has given. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 7

The interests that the Lord has declared should not be in Battle Creek are not now to be brought back and re-established in Battle Creek. The force that would be needed in Battle Creek, to carry forward the work of these interests, should be used in doing gospel missionary work in the various cities of America. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 8

“Break up the large centers,” has been the word of the Lord. “Carry the light to many places.” The nurses should understand that the Sanitarium will be conducted too much like an institution of the world to fit them for medical missionary work. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 9

The work of proclaiming the truth in all parts of the world calls for small sanitariums in many places, not in the heart of the cities, but in many places where city influence will be as little felt as possible. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 10

The fact that many patients are coming to the new Sanitarium in Battle Creek is not to be read as a sign that it was right to rebuild the Sanitarium in Battle Creek. On the contrary, it is to be regarded as a sign that reads the other way. Many men and women will come who are not really sick. Workers will be required to wait on them. But this is not the work that God has given His medical missionaries. Our charge has been given us by the greatest Medical Missionary that this world has ever seen. Standing but a step from His Father’s throne, Christ said to His disciples: 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 11

“All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” [Matthew 28:18, 19.] He did not tell them to establish a seminary in Jerusalem and to gather together students to be instructed in the higher classics. “Go ye into all the world,” He said, “and preach the gospel to every creature,” “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:20.] 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 12

Do not gather together those to whom God has given this commission and make them believe that they have to spend years in college in order to obtain a training for the Lord’s work. Christ’s presence is of more value than years of training. Let our young people come under the yoke of Christ and by faith go forth as gospel medical missionaries, taking with them the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Verse 20.] Let them go forth two and two, depending on God, not on man, for their wisdom and their success. Let them search the Scriptures, and then present the truths of God’s Word to others. Let them be guided by the principles that God has laid down. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 13

Let our ministers who have gained an experience in preaching the Word learn how to give simple treatments and then go forth as medical missionary evangelists. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 14

Workers—gospel medical missionaries—are needed now. We cannot afford to spend years in preparation. Soon doors now open to the truth will be forever closed. Carry the message now. Do not wait, allowing the enemy to take possession of fields now open before you. Let little companies go forth to do the work to which Christ appointed His disciples. Let them labor as evangelists, scattering our publications, talking of the truth to those they meet, praying for the sick, and, if need be, treating them, not with drugs, but with nature’s remedies. Let the workers remember always that they are dependent on God. Let them not trust in human beings for wisdom, but in the One who declares, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” [Verse 18.] Thus we labored in the early history of the message. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 15

My brother, my sister, you have your Bible. It is your directory. When Christ reveals His power to you, there will go with you an influence that will bring success. You are needed in the field. You will go directly contrary to the way that God has marked out if you trust in man and make flesh your arm. I raise the danger signal. What message has God given you? Is it that you are to teach what this doctor says or what that doctor says? No, no! You are to teach, Christ declares, “all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” [Verse 20.] Do as Jesus has told you to do, uniting your heart with His heart, your mind with His mind; and you will be blessed in your work. When you get into difficulty, come together, and bring the matter to the Lord. He will hear your prayers. Do not trust in your own wisdom. Ask God, and He will help you. But however prudent or however wise a man may seem to be, without the help that Christ bestows, he will never make a success. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 16

“Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not.” [Matthew 11:20.] Light was given them, but they were not willing to renounce their worldly-wise plans and their sinful practices. They repented not under the mighty influence of the Holy Spirit, but clung to their natural and cultivated tendencies to wrong. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 17

“Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!” Christ continued; “for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” [Verses 21-24.] 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 18

These words are applicable to Battle Creek. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 19

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” [Verse 25.] “The wise and prudent”—those who think themselves wise. God’s Word is to be studied. Divine revelations will be made to those who seek for wisdom that comes from above. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 20

“All things are delivered unto Me of My Father; and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” “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.” [Verses 27-30.] 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 21

This counsel, acted upon, will unite us with the greatest Teacher that the world has ever seen. He has set an example that it will always be safe for us to follow. But human teachers often exhibit unchristlike traits of character. They often set a wrong example. They often cherish wrong sentiments in regard to religious things and give explanations of the Scriptures that they and their students have to unlearn. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 22

Christ’s lessons are simple and easily comprehended. Those who wear His yoke jealously guard the mind, the heart, the practices from anything that would bring dishonor to the Saviour. They remember that Christ is their Teacher, and that they must not make rash statements. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 23

Human theories are followed in the schools where human wisdom guides. The knowledge gained in these schools shows that divine guidance is needed. Many things are taught that are not a help, but a hindrance. Christ, the great Teacher, says, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” [Verse 29.] The education that I will give will prune from you the ambitious desire to exalt self and to speak great swelling words of self-importance. Christ wants men to obey His directions. He wants them to work as He worked. He will teach and lead the one whose heart is meek and lowly. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 24

God calls for a reformation among those who know the truth. A mere intellectual assent to the truth is worthless. Unless our hearing of the truth is accompanied by conviction, and by a faithful practice of the truth, trial and persecution will find us unprepared. We shall not be able to stand the test; for we have entwined ourselves about frail human supports. 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 25

Christ is our only hope. He will receive us and lead us into all truth if we come to Him. But we must surrender wholly to Him. He says, “He that is not with Me is against Me, and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” [Matthew 12:30-32.] 18LtMs, Ms 141, 1903, par. 26