Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 49, 1905

Anderson, C. J.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

February 1, 1905

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brother Anderson,—

For Christ’s sake humble your heart before God, and be converted. What example are you giving your wife and children? God would not have you make your home thus unhappy. Your heart must be changed, else you will never be saved. You are a hard man to yourself. You treat yourself in such a way that you cannot do justice to your wife or your children. You could teach your children to be Christians if you would feel your need of true conversion. 20LtMs, Lt 49, 1905, par. 1

May the Lord bear with you and not cut you off as a cumberer of the ground. Show yourself a man. Go to work, even though you think you would die in the effort. See if you cannot bring a sweet, fragrant atmosphere into the home. If you will take yourself to task, and cease your faultfinding and censuring, you can do this. It will be a severe tax upon you to keep your tongue as with a bridle. Satan is pleased with your ministry in your home. Turn square about, and watch unto prayer. 20LtMs, Lt 49, 1905, par. 2

If you will patiently educate your children, line upon line, precept upon precept, you will be fitting yourself for service to do a larger work. But at present you are making the life of your wife very hard. You have labored in the capacity of a minister of the gospel, and you should now act in altogether a different way from the way in which you have been acting. You have blamed your wife. Now show her that you will cast your helpless soul upon Jesus Christ. He knows your every weakness, your every sin. He hears every word you speak and marks its effect upon the souls of your wife and children. 20LtMs, Lt 49, 1905, par. 3

Will you now come to the Lord with humble, heart-broken repentance? If you continue to cherish your present spirit, you will never, never be admitted to heaven; but if you repent and humble yourself as a little child, you will be helped of God. Will you not make a determined effort? Seek the Lord. When your heart becomes humble, your words and spirit will be entirely changed. Though your sins be as scarlet, He, your Saviour, will make them white as snow. Though they be as crimson, He will make them white as wool. Stop right where you are in showing so much authority. Let your heart be melted and broken. Let the Spirit of Christ take possession of it. Then everything in your home life will be changed. Support your family, and God will bless you. Make the effort—do make the effort. 20LtMs, Lt 49, 1905, par. 4