Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 40, 1906

Hughes, Brother and Sister [C. B.]

Sanitarium, California

January 23, 1906

Portions of this letter are published in MR760 20-21.

Dear Brother and Sister Hughes:

I am sending you some copies to hand to W. C. White if he is still at Keene when this letter reaches you. If he is not, you may keep the copies. 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 1

I should be very much pleased to see you both, but this may not be just at present. 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 2

Never was there a time when the enemy worked with such subtlety as at the present, and we need to realize that we are now to be fully prepared to meet whatever may come in the way of apostasy. The Word of God declares that some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 3

I have much to be thankful for in the health and strength that the Lord gives me. We must keep up our courage in the Lord. I am praying that the Lord’s people shall have special power just now, and that they will not think or talk discouragement. We need to strengthen our belief in the past experience that we have had in the cause of God. We need to pray much and speak words of encouragement to others. 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 4

We must keep constantly before our people the instruction contained in the first three chapters of Revelation. God says, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” [Verses 2, 3.] 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 5

Satan will use his best plans to lead souls to bring in some new theories, some strange, fanciful ideas. These souls will try to substantiate false doctrines, and they will take texts of Scripture and misapply them in order to make their doctrines appear as truth. The theories that Elder Ballenger advocated, which remove the sanctuary truth, are just such as the enemy would bring in as matters of the utmost importance, to shake us from our foundation of faith. But we must heed the Word, “Remember therefore how thou hast received, and heard, and hold fast.” [Verse 3.] When efforts are made to unsettle our faith in our past experience, and to send us adrift, let us hold fast to the truth that we have received. 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 6

Last night I received instruction, as you will see when you read the enclosed copies. The warning is given, Hold fast to the past experience. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” [1 Corinthians 2:1-5.] The power of God!—It is this that will bear the test of trial, breaking down opposition, melting away scientific reasoning, and bringing men and women to an appreciation of the truth that has kept us where we are, on a solid foundation. 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 7

May the Lord bless you largely and keep you sound in the faith. 21LtMs, Lt 40, 1906, par. 8