Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 252, 1908

Underwood, R. A.

St. Helena, California

September 10, 1908

This letter is published in entirety in SpM 1-2. +^Note

Elder R. A. Underwood
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dear Brother Underwood:

There is a great work to be done at this stage of our history. I have been shown that there are places, away from our cities, where are buildings that it would be wise for us to secure for our schools. There are places that should be purchased, and every talent possible should be used to carry on the work that the Lord has given us to do. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 1

We see determined efforts being made to establish the first day of the week as the Sabbath for all the world, in place of the Sabbath of the Lord. And while this is being done, a work is going forward in the councils of heaven to bring advantages to the people who believe and obey the Word of the Lord. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 2

The Lord is certainly opening the way for us as a people to divide and subdivide the companies that have been growing too large to work together to the greatest advantage. And this dividing should be done, not only that the students may have greater advantages, but that the teachers may be benefited, and life and health spared. To establish another school will be better than further enlargement of the school at Lincoln. Let another locality have the advantage of one of our educational institutions. Secure for it the best talent, and guard against the dangers of an overcrowded school. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 3

All parts of our country are to be warned of the times in which we live. As schools are established in new localities, many will become acquainted with the reasons of our faith. In planning our school work, we are to work to benefit both believers and unbelievers, that the truth may come to the homes of many who are now in ignorance of it. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 4

Let the work of dividing be carefully and prayerfully considered. Properties will be offered for sale in rural districts at a price below the real cost, because the owners desire city advantages; and it is these rural locations that we desire to obtain for our schools, that the students may be away from the temptations of city life. If in these places there is land to be worked and buildings to be erected, this work will be of great benefit to the students. When driven from the cities, or when sent to others countries, the trades learned in our schools may be made an influence in favor of the truth. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 5

As we divide our schools, we should seek to make them more and more like the schools of the prophets. More and more we are to make the Bible the great lesson book. Wherever our schools are established now, the students are to become more thorough students of the Bible. If they will become doers of the Word, if they will dig deep, laying their foundation sure through obedience to all the requirements of God, they will be preparing to graduate to the higher school. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 6

“The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” [Galatians 5:19-26.] 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 7

Read carefully Revelation, chapters twenty-one and twenty-two. “I Jesus have sent Mine angel,” Christ declares through His servant, “to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” [Revelation 22:16, 17.] This is the message to be borne to our churches. God help us to read and to hear and to understand. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 8

“And He said unto me, Seal not the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. ... I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” [Verses 10, 11, 13, 14.] 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 9

There are lessons of the highest importance to be learned from the Word of God. This great book is opened to us that our youth may be educated after the manner of the sons of the prophets. We as a people should carry on the work of the education of our youth in such a way that they will be guarded against living self-indulgent lives. 23LtMs, Lt 252, 1908, par. 10