Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 217, 1905
Place, O. G.
Takoma Park, Maryland
May 30, 1905
Previously unpublished. +Note
Dr. O. G. Place
Dear Brother,—
I was aroused this morning to write to you, lest there should be a misunderstanding in regard to my words. I am told that you think that during the interview I had with you, after I had borne my testimony to the people regarding the proposed sale of the Colorado Sanitarium, I took back what I said before the people. My brother, I must tell you that this is not correct. I had a message from the Lord to bear to you and to the people in regard to your establishing a medical institution so near to the one already established in Boulder by our people, and I have not taken back one word of this message. I cannot say otherwise than that this was a wrong thing for you to do. 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 1
In the past I have been shown more than once in reference to things taking place in Boulder. You were represented to me as carrying things in your own way and for your own advantage. Again and again you have drawn to your institution patients who originally intended to go to the Colorado Sanitarium. This matter was plainly presented to me. Your plans were carried out to the detriment of the institution established by our people. It is natural for the human mind to work in this way. Without the controlling influence of Christ upon the heart, this state of things would naturally exist. 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 2
It is a long time since the character you have manifested has been acceptable to God. The words were spoken, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.” [John 3:3.] Your only hope is to humble your heart and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. You may have all knowledge, and you may understand all mysteries; but if you have not a change of heart, you will never be an overcomer. Evidence of ability is one thing; strict justice in action is another. The requirement of the commandment is plain: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy strength and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” [Luke 10:27.] But when you established a medical institution so close to one already built up at great cost to our people, you showed that you neither love God with all your heart, nor your neighbor as yourself. 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 3
Pride is a very strong trait in your character and creates in you a determined purpose to exalt self at the expense of your neighbors. The message I have for you is, “Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” [Acts 3:19.] The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Who can stand before it? “When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” [Luke 18:8.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 4
Following Christ means self-sacrifice at every step. I greatly desire that you shall place yourself in the hands of God, to do His bidding. Christ has given His life for you. You must now do His bidding or stand in opposition to Him. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 5
*****
“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” [Luke 10:25-27.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 6
“Thou hast answered right,” Jesus said; “this do, and thou shalt live.” [Verse 28.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 7
Willing to justify himself, the lawyer asked, “And who is my neighbor?” [Verse 29.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 8
In answer Christ related an incident, the memory of which was fresh in the minds of His hearers. “A certain man,” He said, “went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” As he lay thus, a priest came that way; he saw the man lying wounded and bruised, and weltering in his own blood; but he left him without rendering any assistance. He “passed by on the other side.” Then a Levite appeared. Curious to know what had happened, he stopped and looked at the sufferer. He was convicted of what he ought to do, but it was not an agreeable duty. He wished that he had not come that way, so that he would not have seen the wounded man. He persuaded himself that the case was no concern of his, and he too “passed by on the other side.” [Verses 30-32.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 9
But a Samaritan, traveling the same road, saw the sufferer, and he did the work that the others had refused to do. With gentleness and kindness he ministered to the wounded man, and setting him on his own beast, “brought him to the inn and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host; and said unto him, Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.” [Verses 33-35.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 10
“Which now of these three,” said Christ, “thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?” More than one voice united with the lawyer’s in responding, “He that showed mercy on him.” “Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” [Verses 36, 37.] 20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 11