Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 310, 1908

White, J. E.

St. Helena, California

October 1, 1908

Portions of this letter are published in 6MR 153-154; 6Bio 261-262. +^Note

Elder J. E. White
Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Edson:

There are some matters that are perplexing me. I do not feel able to go to the meeting in Madison. Last night Elder Haskell and wife came up to see me. They greatly desire that I shall attend this meeting, but I know that I shall not be able. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 1

I was not able to go to the camp-meeting held in Fresno. The heat there was intense, and Brother Haskell wired me from there that he could not advise me to come. Very soon after I came down with a severe attack of influenza, and this made me very weak. I have worked so continuously for some time, that I feel brain and soul weary; yet I do not feel that I should break off now and go to Madison. I must be where my workers can consult with me. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 2

Elder Haskell and his wife have worked diligently in Fresno, and the Spirit of the Lord has wrought mightily for the people gathered there. The deep movings of the Spirit of God were felt by hundreds who were present, and the work of repentance and conversion is going through the church. Elder Knox, to whom I bore testimony that his work was not accepted by God because of the dictatorial spirit that had marked his labors, made a heartfelt confession before the conference. None could fail to see that he was moved upon by the Spirit of God. He declared it to be his determination that his spiritual life should be different from what it had been in the past. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 3

Dr. Hare and several of the ministers also made open confessions. Several, whose names I will not write, were reconverted. Elder Haskell says he does not recall any meeting at which such general work was done in the breaking of hearts before God and the conversion of souls from error to truth. I can hardly describe to you my feelings as Elder Haskell gave this report. I am so thankful that through the working of the Holy Spirit such results have been accomplished. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 4

Sunday, October 4

The letters I have received this morning have made me glad. Elder Haskell writes very encouragingly. His soul is full of courage, and he is deeply moved by the work that has been wrought for our people at the Fresno meeting. The morning that he talked with me here, he could hardly tell of the remarkable change that came to some at that meeting. He said that Elder Knox rose to his feet before the congregation and said that he was thoroughly converted to belief in the testimonies. As he talked, his words became more earnest and powerful, and his face shone with the glory of God, showing how powerfully the Spirit of God was working upon his heart. And the same power came upon many as they confessed their backslidings and renewed their consecration to God. It was a great thing for Elder Haskell to say that he, in all his experience, had never seen such a manifestation of the Spirit’s power, as one after another confessed their sins and were converted. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 5

I have written to you in other letters, inviting you to come and take part in the work of preparing my writings for publication. Our need is such as I can hardly explain to you. We have faithful workers in our office staff, and all of them are appreciated. Miss Steward does important work in preparing the MSS for the press. Miss Graham takes dictation from W. C. White, Minnie Hawkins has taken the place of Maggie Hare in copying my writings, Dores Robinson fills an important position in various lines of work, and Clarence Crisler has a special work to do in the preparation of the testimonies. Yet we need your special talent now to relieve and aid W.C., who has a heavy strain upon him. Willie says you can greatly assist him in the preparation of my books. So, Edson, as soon as you can arrange to do so, I hope you will come. I am desirous of having your help, and so also is your brother. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 6

From the light that has been given me, I know that we shall not long have the right of way that we have now, and it behooves us to put forth every effort while we have opportunity. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 7

I wish I could be with you in your various meetings. When you come together bear in mind that One is present who understands the situation of every soul. Place yourselves individually on the Lord’s side. Humble your heart before God, and believe in Him with all the soul. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 8

The Lord has His messengers in the earth; and while accusers stand by to do a work represented by the words, “Ye have caused many to stumble at My law,” He declares, “Behold, I will send My messenger before My face, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 9

“But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for he is like refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap: and He shall sit as a purifier and refiner of silver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in the former years. And I shall come near to you to judgment: and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against the false swearers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widows, and the fatherless, and those that turn away the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Malachi 2:8; 3:1-5.] 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 10

The prophet Malachi continues, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house; and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, and see if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 11

“Your words have been stout against Me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against Thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy, yea, they that work wickedness are set up, yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 12

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth Him not.” [Verses 8-18.] 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 13

The Lord calls for a revival among His people, an acknowledgment of the peculiar obligations He places upon them. He calls upon every soul who has the fear of God before him to walk and to work with an eye single to the glory of God. There is a great work to be done, and none can properly represent that work unless they humble their hearts before God day by day and walk in all the light He sends. 23LtMs, Lt 310, 1908, par. 14